Youngest ever performer at The Navy Words by Dave Whiteman

I went to check out live music in Gnosall last week. We seem to have more than our fair share of Open Mics in the area, and normally I would go up to The Lion at Edgmond on a Thursday night. They are on a summer recess however, so it was my first opportunity to visit The Navigation, and what a great night it was. People often ask, 'which one is best?' and the simple answer is that there isn't a best....they are all different and excellent in their own way. Both Carol Cartwright and Ian Simpkins are regulars at 'The Navvie' and still enjoy The Navy, so cross pollination can be a very good thing!

Sound check complete and with the ever reliable Adam Brown on the sound desk, we fired up the evening with first act, the aforementioned Carol Cartwright. Opening with PP Arnold's 'First cut is the Deepest' she then showed her versatility by fingerpicking a lovely bit of Simon & Garfunkel and then finishing off with Rod Stewart..variety indeed!

We have been raving about Olly Flavell for some time now, and it appears that he may soon get justifiable recognition. His second place at an Open Mic competition in Bridgenorth won him the right to play at their Annual Music Festival, held on the Bank Holiday in August. Something a bit different from him tonight ..an unusual arrangement of 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' by Whitney Houston was the highlight of his short set.

His guitar is almost bigger than he is, but  10years old Moorfield School pupil Jay Harris certainly packs a pint sized punch! A great rendition of Jessie J's 'Pricetag' preceded a Jimi Hendrix classic, 'All along the Watchtower'..a song recorded before his Dad was born! I certainly hope he sticks around; by the time he hits his teens he will be truly amazing.

Bry & Steve came to the Navy for the first time last week and enjoyed it so much they came back for more. Playing a mixture of covers and originals, once again the blues riffs perfectly complemented the full melodic sound of the 12 string guitar, particularly during the early Fleetwood Mac number, 'Need your Love so Bad'..come back anytime guys.

Darcy Crawford was in a country mood this evening and after a couple of cowboy songs he surprised everyone with his final song. He always brings something new to the table and this week it was Ed Sheeran's 'Wayfarin Stranger' Accompanied by an electronic loop and vocalizer, and minus guitar, he stunned the large crowd into silence with just his voice..quite brilliant stuff.

The audience was in a very nice mood and ready for a singalong, so Dave Whiteman had them joining in with The Kinks classic, 'Lola' before once again trying out a medley of popular Queen songs.

The Nameless are a five piece band from Stafford and Wolverhampton. They have appeared at the club before in an earlier line up called Badly Overdrawn Boy, (which I thought was a great name) Songs from the Eagles, Green Day and Muse completed a fine set.

It was almost an evening without a Scratchouse band, but Neil Wilday saved the day. My favourite part of the Open Mic is when you get a bunch of musicians onstage who have never met before. The uncertainty in the eyes soon vanishes as someone starts to play a rock standard, such as 'Johnny B Goode' and then drums and bass kick in. With a rhythm section of Ed Young on bass and Andy Chapman on drums it only needed Steve Ross to complete the lineup and entertain the sixty or so crowd with songs from T Rex and Pink Floyd.

Not to be out done, 70 years young Jimmy Bremner from Telford retained the services of Steve and Ed, and along with drummer Paul Vince took the evening to a close with a selection of songs from Johnny Cash.

So yet another brilliant evening of live music at the Navy. If you play, sing or just want to watch and listen Tuesday evenings from 8pm..come and see what all the fuss is about!

It's now a week tomorrow to the highlight of the Newport Live music calendar, Newfest, at the Rugby Club from 11am till 11pm. There is a fantastic line up of around 12 bands, with the brilliant Status Quo tribute band Quo Motion, top of the bill. Entrance is £10 and camping is available for just £5 per person. Last year was a fabulous event and this year promises to be even better. See http://www.newfest.net for more information, tickets available from Hey Jude's music stall in the market hall, the Glasshouse Opticians opposite Boots and the Craft Cafe on the Wellington Road corner.

Keep it live!