Hot Summer Music

Live music in and around Newport has never been better with NEWfest at the Rugby Club in June, V Fest at Weston Park last weekend and the Pheztival this coming Bank Holiday Sunday at the Phez in Newport. Not much change out of £300 for a weekend camping ticket at V I shouldn’t think but for £1 at Newport Open Mic every Tuesday at the Royal Naval Association in Bellman’s Yard you may not see Olly Murs or Paloma Faith but you may well have the pleasure of hearing Newport’s own Olly Flavell and Remynie Faith as well as a host of other talented singers and musicians. 

This Tuesday was no exception and although the crowd was somewhat less than the previous week due, we suspect, to the entrance to Bellman’s Yard proving difficult to navigate because of chewing gum being pressure hosed from the pavement the evening proved to be a marvellous musical extravaganza from 10 year old Jay Harris to some over 6 times his age and eligible for a bus pass.

Dave Blue, Steve Black and Roger Clarke got things underway with the sound check and Dave’s self penned number How, Why, When? Olly then joined them and sharing lead vocals with Dave they performed a great set which included Crossroads (great bottleneck from Mr Blue), Sweet Home Chicago, Valerie and Black Country Boy sung of course by the man from Willenhall (pronounced Willin’ All).

Olly had the stage to himself to perform an excellent acoustic set with songs by Alison Krauss, LMFAO, Maroon 5 as well as an original By My Side. Olly, at only 16, oozes with confidence and has a unique jazzy funk style all of his own. 

 Megan Hodgkinson was next up accompanied by Alan Lane on guitar and is an example of another young singer who has gained in confidence enormously over the past few months. Not only is her voice full of emotion but her facial expression as well. Songs from the heart included Olly Murs Dear Darling, Try by Pink, Let Her Go by Passenger and Rihanna’s Love the Way You Lie.

Starting with A Town Like Malice, Vinyl Tap took the audience across the decades from Radiohead’s Creep, Walking in Memphis and way back to the summer of love with a Whiter Shade of Pale. Alex’s new radio mic proved a hit with him and the audience as he sashayed across the dance floor bringing smiles all round. A really good set from the Navy’s own stalwarts, Cath Butler, Jude Paton, Alan Lane, Alex Ash and guest drummer from Amber Lizard, Matt Miles.

Next up was the scratch band comprising Dave Sandford, lead guitar and vocals, Olly Flavell, rhythm guitar, Roger Clarke on bass and Baz Webster on drums bringing us a raunchy version of After Midnight and Cocaine in tribute to the late great JJ Cale. This was followed by a funky version of Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door and finally Black Magic Woman which brought the set to a rockin’ good close.

10 year old Jay Harris made a welcome return to Open Mic tonight and with no school in the morning had the 10.15pm slot and as always surprised us with a song by the Stones from their 1969 album Let It Bleed, You Can’t Always Get What You Want. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards it was named as the 100th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine in its 2004 list of the 500 Greatest Songs. The Stones obviously made a huge impression on Jay when he saw them recently at Hyde Park and I’m sure he would impress the great men too. His second song by Oasis brought us more up to date but nonetheless Don’t Look Back in Anger was released in 1996 and still 7 years before Jay was born.

Cockney lad Steve Davis brought the evening to a close giving his beautiful 1971 Fender Strat an airing for the first time in many years accompanied by Jude Paton, Matt Miles and Dave Sandford and demonstrated his astonishing vocal range with Christy Moore’s Ride On followed by 2 more songs and I suspect favourites of his by JJ Cale, Call Me the Breeze and Magnolia.

Another great night of live music and all on your doorstep every Tuesday for just £1.

Thanks to all those who helped to set up, Matt for taking photographs and Adam on the sound desk.

Variety Show at The Navy Words and Pictures by Dave Whiteman

We are surrounded by acronyms, had you realised? Like it or not, they are in everyday use, LOL and OMG are very familiar to those of us who text, but what about Laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation….phew!) or scuba (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) File those away, they are always useful in pub quizzes! I came across one the other day, and I had no idea what it meant. It came at the end of a statement, something like “Well I had to, didn’t I? YOGOL!” Now, I don’t think I am stupid, but I can honestly say I wracked my brain and could not work it out, but then all of a sudden it hit me…….you only get one life. I must say, I like that one.

Carol Cartwright is always happy to kick off the show and she never fails to entertain. Songs from Alison Krause and Kris Kristofferson preceded a fine version of ‘First Cut is the Deepest’, a song recorded by both PP Arnold and Rod Stewart.

Dave Sanford AKA (another acronym!) Dave Blue returned to the stage, unusually for him in a solo capacity. With just his trusty Yamaha for company instead of his usual drums and bass, Dave treated us to a short set of lovely acoustic blues which managed to quieten the lively 70 or so crowd.

Always nice to welcome new faces to the club. Telford based Two Pence Short are a four piece band making their very first live appearance, but you would never have guessed. ’Leave’ was a high octane opener that settled any early stage fright, and ‘Save Yourself from Me’ another self-penned song showcased great vocals from front man Jamie O’Neill. ‘Reborn’ completed a fine debut….come back to the Navy anytime guys.

It looked like it was going to be another big band night as Olly Flavell took to the stage with Roger Clark on lead, Alan Middleton bass and drummer Steve Black. ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ gave them time to find their feet, before a very unusual cover of ‘Valerie’. This was a cross between the Amy Winehouse version and The Zutons original…but it was different to both and had a nice jazzy feel.

Claire Shaw was making only her second visit to the club after a very successful debut a couple of months ago. ‘Ho Hey’ by The Lumineers has been one of the most popular songs of the year so far and was a good choice to get the audience on her side from the beginning…… a two word refrain is always easy to remember. ‘Soldier’s Coming Home’ by The Dixie Chicks followed, which perfectly suited her soaring vocals and melodic guitar, before she finished with one of her own. It is really nice when a solo performer can silence an audience with just vocals and guitar, and her song ‘Miss You’ did just that. An excellent set from this talented young lady from Telford.

The opener from Richard Thomas this evening was by Boney Ming was Rasputin...u l……and it could be said, he bears more than a passing resemblance to the subject of the song, Rasputin. Enlisting ‘Chicken’ from his band The Business, his next offering was a complete contrast…..The Who classic, ‘Won’t get Fooled Again’ before a stunning, snarling, finale with The Sex Pistols ‘Anarchy in the UK’. Open Mic at the Navy would not be the same without Richard!

It seems no one wanted to play solo this evening! Next up Steve Davis, he of the quiet melodic voice, assembled a four piece with Dave Blue on lead, Alan Middleton, much in demand on bass and debutant drummer from Two Pence Short, Nigel Stevens. The set, a tribute to JJ Cale the bluesman who died last month, started off with ‘Magnolia‘ and worked very well filled out with a band; I have only heard it before played with just one instrument. ‘Crazy Momma’ and ‘Call me the Breeze’ followed to close a very competent blues/rock set.

Another Scratchouse band had Alan & Roger back on stage to be joined by Steve Black on drums and Dave Whiteman on vocals to rock through a short medley of Dire Straits classics, before another Open Mic regular Nathan Davies entertained with a song from Frank Turner, The Road. His highlight however, was one of his own compositions, ‘Hold You’

Another newcomer, Tristan Dixon from Wellington finished off a very busy evening of superb live music, performing a couple of songs with 10 years old Eden Bagshaw, who like many others tonight had not sung live in public before. So if you have ever fancied getting up on stage to sing or play, come down to the Navy on a Tues night and give it a go….YOGOL! 

Until next week.

It's Only Rock n Roll.

Local talent on display at the Navy Words & Pictures: Dave Whiteman

Seems like just a few weeks ago, that the football season was ending with tears of joy for the winners and despair for those relegated, but the new season is back and, it seems, richer than ever, at least for some clubs. Will Wayne go to Chelsea? Can Fabregas be tempted away from Barcelona? Does anyone really care? Apparently this year, the governing body is bringing in FFP, or financial fair play, which should stop some of the wealthier clubs dominating the transfer market....but the news broke just as Real Madrid bid a world record £87 million for Gareth Bale. However, not happy that he will now become their SECOND most expensive signing ever, Ronaldo has demanded a pay rise......to £360,000 per week. Fortunately down at the Navy, there are no prima donnas amongst our bunch of talented players, so the entrance fee will remain at £1 including the raffle!

First up this evening, 18yrs old Jack Pierce making his first appearance at the club,. ‘White Blank Page’ by Mumford & Sons was his opener, and any stage fright very quickly disappeared. His vocals got stronger as his set progressed, and ‘Greased Lightning’ from the film Grease…never an easy song to master…was excellent. Coconut Skins, a song by Damien Rice closed a very good debut.

 
Nice to see the cross pollination with other Open Mic’s in the area, particularly The Navigation, just up the road. The Magpies are Tony Rodberg and Martin Jacks, both from Gnosall, and they got into the spirit of things by enlisting Steve Black on drums and bassist Alan Middleton to form a very solid four piece Scratch Band. Clapton’s ‘Lay down Sally’ was a lively opener with a brilliant guitar solo from Tony, but their next song really silenced the crowd. Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ is a truly modern classic and judging by the harmonies these two have clearly sung it before.

Nathan Davies, without his singing partners from last week, gave us a solo performance and very confident it was too. ‘One Way of Life from The Levellers and Jake Bugg’s ‘Seen it All ’ were predictably very good, but a new number ‘Revolution Song’ written by his father Martyn was the highlight of his set.

 
Another new collaboration had Darcy Crawford joining multi-instrumentalist Ben Garrott, this time on keyboard, for a completely unrehearsed set starting with Piano Man by Billy Joel, which also featured Darcy on harmonica as well as vocal duties. Ben then showcased his talent with a boogie-woogie instrumental before they both got the audience involved with ‘Hit the Road Jack’ the Ray Charles anthem. ‘Wayfarin Stranger’ by Ed Sheeran involved ‘mouth percussion’ from Ben, and a multi looped vocal from Darcy. The end result was unusual, intriguing and a brilliant way to end to their set.

The soft vocals of Steve Davis next, and he started with a tribute to the recently departed JJ Cale, ‘The Best I’ve Ever Had’ which set the stage for another lovely ballad from David Crosby, called ‘Traction in the Rain’. The majestic ‘Ride on’ by Christie Moore once again had the majority of the 60 or so crowd singing along quietly or listening appreciatively at the bar.

Everyone’s favourite punk anarchist up next, Richard Thomas who always manages to spring a surprise. ‘ I Will Survive ‘by Gloria Gaynor was an interesting opener, before his own tribute to one of our local bands from a few years ago, ‘Breathe in Breathe Out’ written by Dead Moon Society. I don’t think anyone expected the next song……a David Essex song ‘Oh What A Circus’ from the musical Evita…….in Spanish of course, it really had to be didn’t it!

Time for another bit of unrehearsed busking and this time it was three quarters of the popular local band from a little while back, Robbie’s in Rehab, Alan, Roger and Dave. They enlisted the very capable drummer Baz Webster and managed to get people on the dance floor with a few memories from Thin Lizzy and The Zutons amongst others. The crowd was still quite lively, so after a couple of encores from Stereophonics and one of my favourite bands, The Police, it seemed only fitting then to invite our friends from Gnosall, Martin Jacks and Tony Rodberg to finish off a great evening. A rousing ‘Mustang Sally’ and The Who rocker, ‘Substitute’ sent everyone home with smiles on their faces.

So yet another very busy evening down at the Royal Naval Association. No overpaid superstars, no preening prima donnas, just a great evening of locally produced musical talent. If you like a bit of variety and you like your music live, pop down to Bellman’s Yard in Newport Shropshire, every Tues from 8pm….who needs the footie?

Old favourites back at The Navy....Words and Pictures: Dave Whiteman

This week, the new Pontiff, Pope Francis celebrated mass on a beach in Rio in front of an estimated one million people. On the same beach, Copacabana in 2006, the Rolling Stones played to 1.5 million, and even this was half a million less than Queen when they played in Sydney in the eighties and is still the largest live concert ever......big gigs. But when you consider that Brazil, for instance has a population of around 194 million, if my maths is correct, it means that only one in 194 people or to put it another way, only 0.51% turned up. Now given that the Newport Open Mic regularly attracts an audience of around 60, that means that around 0.54% of Newport's population come down to The Navy on a Tuesday....amazing, you can prove anything with statistics.

With the ever dependable Adam Brown on the mixing desk, it all seemed set for a busy evening and that is how it turned out.  Ian Simpkins is a regular at The Navigation in Gnosall, and I am pleased to say he is now coming down to our Open Mic just as often. First on stage tonight with a quite different version of Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues…..more folky swing than blues,   and very nice it was too. A song from Scottish duo Gallagher & Lyle followed which showed off his great picking style…..unusual in that he uses a plectrum and not just his fingers to get that sound. Ian runs his own Open Mic at The Star, Copmere End, near Ecccleshall and you can catch him there this Sunday evening.

Olly Flavell gave us just one song tonight but it was a good ‘un. ‘When You Say Nothing at All’ is actually a country song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz but when Ronan Keating had a hit with it it in 2006 it had a predictably poppy, boy band feel.  Olly has reworked it once again to give it a jazzy sound that has become his trademark and it sounds every bit as good as the originals. He stayed on stage to accompany a returning Open Mic favourite,  Dave Sanford, otherwise known as Dave Blue. He hasn’t been around for a little while and his distinctive blues riffs have been sorely missed, but with Andy Clark on bass and debutant drummer Matt Miles they jammed through a selection of familiar covers including After Midnight by JJ Cale, who sadly died this week aged 74. Crossroads finished a blistering and quite brilliant set.

Brendon Bambro and Nathan Davies played on stage together last week for the first time and reunited again to sing a couple of self penned songs. They clearly have a talent that should be encouraged and developed.‘ Unbelievable’ had a nice feel to it and was the highlight of an all too short set.

 Our first Scratchouse band assembled with Andy Conway returning on drums, Roger Clark unusually on bass, leaving the lead guitar this time to a rejuvenated Dave Blue. Vocal duties were taken by Dave Whiteman and their three covers jam had plenty of variety, with songs from The Beatles, Peter Green and even Marvin Gaye.

Jobe Spencer and Robbie Pilgrim are both aged just 15 yrs but their confidence has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few months. Still fairly reticent about singing, they played a couple of their own instrumentals before a seldom heard Stereophonics number ‘Step on The Old Size 9’s’ showed that they can sing after all….and very well!

Harry Wooley has been ‘Digging His Potatoes’ at The Navy Club for a good number of years, but we haven’t seen him in quite a while. He never has a problem persuading musicians to join him on stage, this time enticing Andy Clarke, Dave Blue and drummer Andy Conway to rattle through King Bee and then Rock me Baby.  No set from Harry would be complete, however without Harry singing his signature soon……..Digging my Potatoes. It never sounds exactly the same as before, which is why it is a song he has made his own over the years!

The Open Mic seems to run like a well oiled machine, with full PA, guitars, drums, lights and soundman…..effectively everything a band needs to just turn up and play is already on stage. It would never happen though, if a few regular volunteers didn’t turn up at 7pm to remove all the equipment from the attic, set it up and then stay till gone 11pm to pack the stuff away once again. Without these people there wouldn’t be an open Mic at all, but don’t wait to be asked…. your help would always be gratefully received!  Till next time, keep it live!