What a Great Night. Words by John Heath and Photographs by Lawrence Gale.

Many of the words used in music theory are either Italian or Greek in origin: “alto” from the Italian meaning ‘high’;  “symphony” (in agreement); “Allegro” (dodgy 70s motor car). “Virtuoso” is one of these musical terms that should only be used with caution, and only on the very rare occasions that it is truly applicable.

I think that everyone at the Navy on Tuesday will be in high agreement with me that they witnessed a virtuoso performance by David Sandford. We are all familiar with the fireworks he can generate with his Stratocaster, but few of us, until tonight, have experienced the joy of listening to Dave play acoustic guitar. And in amongst all of his twiddly bits and fancy chord sequences he played THE most poignant love song. One of his own compositions, and seventeen years in the making, this song was personal, heart-wrenching and beautiful. It can’t be easy to open your soul so publicly, but when it happens, it is a truly moving experience.

Undaunted by this surprisingly brilliant start to the evening, Jobe and Robbie jammed some guitar duets while Vinyl Tap were tuning up ready to hit the stage and “Wipe Out” the audience. In Vinyl Tap there is the perfect example of one thing I love so much about ‘music’: it is completely open to people of all ages to enjoy together. Brad and Remynie provided wonderful support for Alex (did I tell you he is 40 soon?) on vocals. Definitely no need to ”Fear The Reaper” here!

I have been out of the country for a year, so it is interesting to see how people have developed as performers during that time. Ollie Flavell was confident while fronting a pick-up group of “old codgers”; and Clare Shaw’s voice was surprisingly strong and clear. She tells me that she stopped smoking some time ago, and she feels that her lung capacity has noticeably improved since then, enabling her to reach and sustain notes that she found difficult in the past.

Then, from somewhere behind a gigantic black guitar came some songs from the 60s played by ten-year-old Jay Harris. He bursts into the Navy and with so much enthusiasm that you can’t help but smile when you see him and feel happy.

And how can you be anything else but happy to see Harry Woolley up on stage. Always good at drawing out the best from those who accompany him on stage to provide new twists and turns on some solid Blues, Harry was in fine form.

Hit ‘n’ Run brought the evening to an end with an improvisation on one of Pippin’s many remarkable riffs, almost telepathically following the ever changing tempos that Andy Conway supplied while Dan Renyard made the bass hum. Voodoo Chile never sounded so good.

Over 50 lucky people enjoyed a splendid night’s entertainment. Be one of the lucky ones, every Tuesday night – come and join us at the Navy, Bellman’s Yard in Newport Shropshire TF10. and if you want to be really lucky, come and help to set up at 7pm.