Classic Rock ?? Yes Please..,.

Words by Fiona Ward

Pictures by Matthew Thomas

Despite the weather being bitterly cold with traces of snow around, and even with the televised England football match against Montenegro, there was still a great turn out to watch this week’s musicians at Open Mic Night with over 50 people attending at the Navy Club on Tuesday.

Adam Brown took on the invaluable role of “MC” as Ollie Flavell, Mark Langford, Steve Smith and Remynie Kiah jammed together to perform a mixture of Rock n roll, Blues and Rock as a sound check and warm up to the evening. This included a very polished performance by Ollie of the Zutons’ “Valerie”. Ollie’s vocal abilities and style have developed fantastically during the time he has been attending Open Mic.

Once the sound check was complete, regular Rich T. took to the stage with an acoustic set. This included “Big Bad John” which suited Rich’s deep voice, followed by Rich’s own version of Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil went down to Georgia” made up of his own lyrics, a Rich T trademark!

Nathan Davis made a welcome return to the club with his relaxed, acoustic manner. His set included the classic “Jolene”, by Dolly Parton and Beautiful South’s “Prettiest Eyes”. These were great song choices that worked really well for Nathan’s voice and style.

The pace picked up mid-evening, as the excellent Bang to Rights performed. Mark Langford on lead guitar, Mervyn Williams on vocals and guitar, Steve Smith on Bass and stand in drummer Andy Conway  delivered a resounding  rock set including Pokerface, (Lady Gaga) Pretty Vacant (Sex Pistols), and the new Rolling Stones number Doom and Gloom. They finished off with Whole lot of Rosie by Ac/Dc. What a short sharp and well rehearsed set that was, and we look forward to getting them back on stage here real soon. . 

Nathan returned to the stage to perform a lovely acoustic version of Wonderwall and was then joined by his friend Jobe on drums. Having heard Jobe play on guitar before at Open Mic, and now trying out the drums, he should get up on stage more often.  It is encouraging to notice the increase in the numbers of young people who have been attending the events and the relaxed style of the evening makes it an ideal platform for young people to develop and practice their musical talents at a live venue.

This brings me on to Rich Evans – probably one of the most relaxed and inventive performers joined by friends Martin Templeton and John Pullen playing together as Graytone.  An excellent acoustic/electric set using a “cajon” instead of a drum. Originating from Africa and Central America this percussion instrument resembles a wooden box and is affectionately referred to by the band as the “rabbit hutch”. Their set included “My Beautiful Neighbourhood” by Space, “Remember Me” by the Zutons and Jake Bugg’s “Trouble Town”. 

The club saw the second spontaneous jam of the evening as Rich T, Remynie Kiah, Ben Garrot, Mark Langford and Dan Renyard got up to perform a set of Rock and Roll numbers including Johnny Be Good, Roll Over Beethoven and Rock Around the Clock.  It was great to hear Ben playing the saxophone, and it is brilliant when the Open Mic regulars jam together so naturally.  One customer said “It’s the prospect of them going up there and not knowing what they’re going to play that’s exciting”

Pip, Andy and Dan’s blend of rhythmical hard rock was next with an instrumental version of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”. The coordination between the guitars was fantastic and the build-up of pace reached a crescendo as they neared the end of the song blending into Voodoo Chile. It was an excellent performance.

The evening was rounded off by the wonderful Alex Hislop, a first timer at Newport Open Mic. He arrived with his Bazouki (a Greek musical instrument, similar to a mandolin) and performed a set of folk songs.  The Bazouki was very melodic and rhythmical and complimented Alex’s strong vocal abilities. Two of his songs “The Path” and “Patterns” were composed by Alex himself and were moving and uplifting.   We would very much encourage Alex to return to Open Mic, which is held every Tuesday at 8pm onwards.