Tag: Greg Bover

Alexander Graham Bell Quote of The Week From Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

June 21, 2012
"When one door closes another one opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."

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Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)
Born in Scotland, Bell spent a lifetime researching the acoustical properties of the human voice, perhaps influenced by his mother’s increasing deafness. His family moved to Ontario, he then moved to Massachusetts as a professor of speech pathology at Boston University, where his research eventually led him to the invention of the “acoustical telegraph”. Initially dismissed as a toy, the success of the telephone made him very wealthy and funded what he considered his real scientific work, further research on aircraft and hydrofoil boats. He founded the journal Science, was a charter member and president of the National Geographic Society and a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution. The bel and decibel, units of sound energy, were named in his honor by Bell Laboratories, which he established. He steadfastly refused to have a telephone in his study, saying it interrupted his thinking.

Greg Bover

Another Gorgeous Sunday Morning Mug Up on Rocky Neck

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Greg Bover’s sweet sailboat the Linnet

Violet’s herb and flower garden, Rocky Neck style, with native wisteria ‘Purple Amethyst’ (Wisteria frutescens) in the foreground

Flower Power Girl Dahlia (Violet’s daughter) trying my sunglasses on for size.

Herbert George (H.G.) Wells Quote of The Week From Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

"Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo."
Herbert George (H.G.) Wells (1866-1946)

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Born in the county of Kent in England, Welles is primarily known for his speculative fiction successes, The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine, although he wrote novels in other genres and a great deal of non-fiction history. His early training as a biologist is reflected in the Darwinian nature of many of his plot lines, though he was a prominent member of the socialist Fabian Society. A controversial figure in English literary circles, Welles supported eugenics and spoke against Zionism until his horror at the actions of the Nazis caused him to reverse both stands. He had several lovers of note, including early contraception proponent Margaret Sanger and Rebecca Sackville-West, with whom he fathered a son, Anthony. Welles was the founder of an organization to promote better industrial design in Britain, as well as another to combat diabetes, from which he suffered. Along with Hugo Gernsback and Jules Verne he is often called  “The Father of Science Fiction.” It is reported that he wished his epitaph to read “I told you so, you damned fools,” but he was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.

Greg Bover

Muhammad Ali Quote Of The Week From Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

“A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.”
Muhammad Ali (1942-       )

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Born Cassius Marcellus Clay in Kentucky, Ali won the Olympic gold medal for light heavyweight boxing in 1960. He worked his way up to a title fight by 1964 and was the youngest challenger to take a title from a champ (Sonny Liston). A follower of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, Ali was arrested and stripped of his title in 1967 for his refusal, as a conscientious objector, to be drafted during the Vietnam War. His conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court four years later. He went on to take the title twice more from Joe Frazier and George Foreman. He retired from the ring in 1981 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984, likely caused by repeated head trauma. Since then he has traveled extensively as a UN ambassador of peace and is active in promoting education and the defense of the Bill of Rights. George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2008.

Greg Bover

Well well well what do we have here? Yet Another Reason to Designate Gloucester A World Class Cultural Destination- Gloucester Stage Company Renderings!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

While Boston Magazine top ten sleepy bedroom communities take their shots at GTown (while secretly making 95% of their dinner reservation and  community event fun plans around it) we have yet another reason to celebrate.

Check out the renderings from the Epstein Joslin Architects, Inc newsletter and forwarded to me by GMG contributor Greg Bover

Here’s an interview I did with Alan Joslin on May 17, 2011

From the Epstein Joslin Architects, Inc newsletter-

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An auto dealership, a fish processing warehouse, and

now a WORLD CLASS REGIONAL THEATER:

A vision for Gloucester Stage Company’s home on the harbor

The Gloucester Stage Company was co-founded

The Gloucester Stage Company was co-founded in 1979 by Geoff Richon, Denny

The Gloucester Stage Company was co-founded in 1979 by Geoff Richon, Denny

The Gloucester Stage Company was co-founded in 1979 by Geoff Richon, Denny

The Gloucester Stage Company was co-founded in 1979 by Geoff Richon, Denny

The Gloucester Stage Company was co-founded in 1979 by Geoff Richon, Denny Blodgett, and award-winning playwright Israel Horovitz as a “safe harbor for playwrights and new plays”. For it’s first seven seasons, the company performed at the historic Blackburn Tavern in downtown Gloucester. In 1987, Gorton’s generously offered GSC a long term residence in its building in East Gloucester on The Gloucester Stage Company was co-founded in 1979 by Geoff Richon, Denny Blodgett, and award-winning playwright Israel Horovitz as a “safe

Theodore Roosevelt Quote Of The Week From Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

May 17, 2012
“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

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Theodore Roosevelt, (1858 – 1919)
The 26th President of the United States, TR was born wealthy, but also sickly, suffering from asthma his entire life. To compensate, he embraced “the strenuous life” and was famed for his exuberance and activism. He was elected to the New York State Assembly one year after graduating from Harvard University, and became a force for reform in the Republican Party. He was Vice President to William McKinley and at 42 became the youngest person to hold the office of President when McKinley was assassinated in 1901. He is widely credited as the prime mover behind the completion of the Panama Canal, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese War. A life-long naturalist, Roosevelt was essential in the creation of our National Park System. His refusal to shoot an American black bear that had been tied to a tree created a meme that lives on today in the stuffed Teddy Bear.

Greg Bover

Ghost writer revealed, SXSW star visits Minglewood & 2 great songs about matches

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

OK, we admit it.  Vickie’s GMG posts are not always by Vickie.  Sometimes they’re by Peter.  This could be because Richard Gaines  once called us “interchangeable”.  Or it could be because we’re both insanely busy and sometimes she doesn’t have time to post.  Actually, sometimes we co-write the posts.  Anyhow, that’s why we’ve newly identified ourselves as team FOBs and you now see both of us in the photo.  So you can try to guess which one of us writes each post.  Just put your guess in the comments and maybe we’ll do something about it.

Let’s all thank Pete Lindberg for bringing Tristen to Minglewood last night.  Watch the video and you’ll  see why she is SOOOOO GOOD (see what SXSW says about her).  Also check out this video of her song Matchstick Murder. (No, Tristen, we’re not afraid).

Now, we can’t mention Pete Lindberg without reference to his great new song “I Won’t Pay for Matches” (Please correct me, Pete, if I got the title wrong).  Next time you see him, be sure to request it.  We’re all waiting patiently for him to record it (well not so patiently, really).

Before I went to Minglewood, I was at Shalin Liu for Greg & Francie’s spectacular presentation/concert.  No amps, no mics.  Just a harpsichord on stage in one of the most perfect acoustic settings on Earth.  I was in the back row and I could easily hear every nuance.  Beautiful!

All this on a Tuesday night!  There’s simply no way to see all the great music on Cape Ann.  You just have to choose.  See the full lineup here for some help with that.

And don’t forget the Herb Pomeroy tribute concert on Friday that benefits the Berklee/Gloucester Scholarship Fund.

Greg Bover & Francie Fitch Pics from "A Thousand Sunday Mornings" Courtesy Rick Isaacs

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Greg Bover & Frances Fitch on NPR today & Shalin Liu Tonight

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Well you saw it first right here on GMG.  Then the Artist of the week Video Series on gimmesound all last week.  Now Greg Bover and Francie Fitch are on NPR — SEE HERE.  BUT WAIT!  THAT’S NOT ALL.  You can see Francie play Greg’s magnificent harpsichord at Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport Tonight at 7:30 FOR FREE.  Don’t let the rain keep you home.  This is BIG!

Here’s what Greg says about the interview:

Dear Friends,

Thanks to an introduction made by John McElhenny of Matter Communications, Francie and I were interviewed yesterday by Andrea Shea of NPR affiliate WBUR. The interview will be broadcast this afternoon about 3:50 on the show Radio Boston and may be on All Things Considered later. We will be discussing tonight’s 7:30 concert at Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport celebrating the completion of the harpsichord I’ve been working on for 25 years.  

As John McElheny says, “Nice to see such a positive Gloucester story in the news.  Congratulations, Greg and Francie!”

Oh yeah, he can sing gospel too …

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Our friend Henri Smith just posted a recording of his band performing Just a Closer Walk with Thee at the First Parish Church in Manchester on May 6 that raised money for The Grace Center in Gloucester.  This is one more example of Henri’s versatile voice and his almost magical ability to inspire a crowd.  Listen the the song here.  You can see Henri and his band open for the Aaron Neville Quintet featuring Charles Neville on June 28 at North Shore Music Theatre (get tickets here).

It’s an unusually good week for music on Cape Ann and it starts early.  Here are just two highlights for tomorrow: Pete Lindberg with his friend Tristen (from Nashville) at Minglewood; and last week’s gimmesound Artist of the Week Frances Fitch performs the harpsichord her husband Greg Bover built at Shalin Liu.

See the full music lineup here.

“I can hardly stand to buy anything I can make myself” ~ Greg Bover

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

In this final video of our gimmesound Artists of the Week series featuring Greg Bover and Frances Fitch, the two of them talk about their inspiration and reveal some of the things that make this harpsichord so special ~ all with a smattering of music thrown in.

Your mom has a choice of a dozen live shows this evening on Cape Ann.  Don’t wait ’till tomorrow to treat her right.  Take her out tonight.  See the full lineup here.

Frances Rocks Greg’s Harpsichord

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Didn’t think the harpsichord could ROCK?  Check out this video of gimmesound Artist of the Week, Frances Fitch performing a piece written in 2005 by American composer Edwin McLean, who lives in the South.  Listen carefully and you’ll hear a rhythm similar to Big Chief performed here by Henri Smith.  And don’t miss her performance of the full piece next Tuesday 5/15 at 7:30pm at Shalin Liu.  It’s FREE!

Speaking of Henri Smith, he’ll be opening for the Aaron Neville Quintet featuring Charles Neville at North Shore Music Theatre on June 30  ~ GET TICKETS HERE.  There’s still time for you to enter to win 2 FREE VIP UPGRADES to that show.  Just sign up for the gimmeLIVE Concert Club (click here, it’s free).

Tonight you’ve got 9 choices for live music and they’re all free.  See the full music lineup here.

Sneak Peek Inside the Harpsichord

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

You’ve heard Frances Fitch play her new harpsichord (see here or here if you missed either of those videos).  In this video, her husband and gimmesound co-artist of the week, Greg Bover, takes us under the hood (literally — he takes off the jackrail to reveal plectra and then shows us how they pluck the strings).

You won’t see the plectra Next Tuesday, May 15, but you should go to Shalin Liu  at 7:30pm anyhow to hear his masterpiece played in one of the most perfect acoustic settings on Earth — and it’s right down the street — and it’s FREE.

Inge Berge is back at Giuseppe’s tonight for his 2nd of 5 Thursdays.  If you go, request his gorgeous new song and ask him if it’s the sequel to this song.

Let’s not take Gloucester’s tremendous talent base for granted.  Get out and support them.    It’s fun!  See the full music lineup here.

1650s Improv. Bet you’ve never seen music that looks like this!

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Yesterday we introduced you to gimmesound artists of the week, Frances Fitch & Greg Bover (click here if you missed it — people asked what time is next Tuesday’s concert at Shalin Liu.  Answer: 7:30pm).

Today we have a special treat as Frances Fitch show us some Harpsichord music written in the 1650s and then plays it for us.  You can hear the entire piece next Tuesday night.

Plenty of music tonight starting at 7pm at six excellent Gloucester venues — all FREE.  See the full music lineup here.

Quick do the math: How long is 1000 Sunday Mornings?

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

It’s how long it took master craftsman Greg Bover to build a harpsichord for his equally talented wife Frances Fitch, who plays it magnificently in this video.  Frances & Greg are the gimmesound artists of the week and all week long we’ll have videos featuring Frances, Greg and this extraordinary instrument.

Next Tuesday, May 15, you can see Frances play this masterpiece live at Shalin Liu — and Greg will talk about the process of building it over the past 25 years.  Just in case you’re not convinced it’s where you want to be next Tuesday, think about this:  Shalin Liu was built specifically for instruments like this.  No mics, no amps, just perfect acoustics.  This could be your only chance EVER to hear a harpsichord of this quality, played by a master in an acoustically perfect room.  Oh, and it’s FREE.

Since yesterday’s post we’ve added several new shows.  Cape Ann’s music scene is just exploding.  Click here and see what we mean.

Anonymous Quote of The Week From Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Dear Joey,

I think this one may have flown under the radar last week. I know there’s no accompanying bio, but it was too good a quote to pass up.

"If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito" – Anonymous

Regards, Gregory R. Bover

Søren Kierkegaard Quote of The Week From Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

“Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.”
Søren Kierkegaard  (1813- 1855)

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Often described as the Father of Existentialism, Kierkegaard, a Dane, was highly critical of the established church in his native country, finding it more concerned with politics than with the divine. During his short life he kept a 7,000 page journal in which his philosophy and theology are minutely explained. Kierkegaard observed that self-examination is the only road to self-awareness. His insistence that one should tirelessly question for oneself how best to live influenced philosophers from Camus to Heidegger, Sartre, and Niebuhr.  

Greg Bover

Up Jumped Spring ~ so Hello my Friends!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

I heard Abbey Lincoln singing “Up Jumped Spring” on the radio while driving to Passports this morning to meet my friends for brunch–the lyrics couldn’t have been more perfect! Up jumped spring time – so Hello my friends!

Joey and Susan  -Fujifilm x100 photo

Susan and Paul -Fujifilm x100 photo

Ed and Rick  -iPhone 4S photo

Donna and Greg  -iPhone 4S photo

Greg and Joey  -iPhone 4S photo

Sir Terence David John Quote of The Week From Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

“Build a man a fire, and he’ll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life.”

Sir Terence David John “Terry” Pratchett, (1948 -     )

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Knighted in 2009 for his contributions to literature, English fantasy and science fiction writer Pratchett is among the most widely read authors in western popular culture. Known primarily for his Discworld series, he also has a long history of collaborations with other authors including Neil Gaiman, (Good Omens) and Larry Niven, (Rainbow Mars). His erudite and witty style is flavored by a solid knowledge of astronomy and physics. In 2009 Pratchett announced that he was suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s disease, and has been active in the search for a cure.

Greg Bover

General Omar Nelson Bradley Quote of The Week From Greg Bover

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

"We are given one life and the decision is ours whether to wait for circumstances to make up our mind or whether to act, and in acting, to live"

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General Omar Nelson Bradley (1891-1983)
Among the most intellectual men ever to command the United States Armed Forces, Bradley graduated from West Point just before WWI, in the same class as Dwight Eisenhower. He returned there to teach mathematics between the wars, and then worked at the War Department for George Marshall, eventually rising to command the 82ndAirborne at the outbreak of WWII. Sent to North Africa in overall command by Eisenhower, he moved to London in 1943 to help plan the Normandy Invasion. Later in the war he became embroiled in the political tussle between Montgomery and Patton and was blamed for reverses associated with the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, Bradley was promoted to Army Chief of Staff and then the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by President Truman, and later NATO Commander. He was influential in the dismissal of Douglas MacArthur as the head of the United States forces in Korea, and in the policies that resulted in the Korean stalemate. Active in industry during his retired life, Bradley was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ford in 1971.

Greg Bover