Songwriting Circle at The Navy.   Words: Jude Paton    Pictures: Matt Thomas

There have been a number of programmes lately about British songwriters and their impact on the world of music. Lennon & McCartney predictably led the way, and even though most of their songs were written individually, with perhaps little or no input from the other, both names always went on the song writing credits. The most unusual collaboration though, has to be Elton John and his writing partner Bernie Taupin. They met after Bernie answered Elton’s advertisement and what was very different about them was not that they didn’t write together, but quite often they were not even in the same country! Bernie would pen the lyrics, post them on and Elton would sit down at the piano, pull a tune out of nowhere and turnout a masterpiece….amazing!

So many of our young Navy regulars have been writing songs for some time, and I am always astonished how crafted a lot of these songs are. Incredibly on Tues night this week, the vast majority of our performers were singing their own material. With a full board by 8pm it was Olly Flavell who kicked off the evening. A new song from him, ‘I don’t know why’ was very well received as was his version of ‘Valerie’. Catch Olly’s Open Mic at The Bridge every other Thurs.

The ever reliable Carol Cartwright up next, taking us back to the sixties with a super medley of songs from Simon and Garfunkel, the Bee Gees and a lovely version of Kris Kristofferson’s “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends”. One of our youngest songwriters, Nathan Davies then gave us a couple of numbers written by his late father Martyn, ‘Don’t Walk Away’ and ‘I wonder Why’, a great set finished off with ‘Maid of The River’ by The Levellers.

Last heard busking in Paris, Melissa Severn then gave us her own take on life as a teenager. She is a most talented and prolific singer/songwriter and her 15 minute set of original material included a new song “Prettiest Person” to which a certain Dave Morris said “That’s me!”  Perfectly in tune, confident and with a winning smile she had the audience captivated. She has a well-earned place in the regional final of Open Mic UK this Sunday in Liverpool.....good luck Melissa.

Darcy Crawford who had stepped in at the last minute to be the man in charge of the sound desk, left his duties for a short while to deliver an excellent set which included Ed Sheeran’s “A Team”, “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson and his signature song, “Wayfaring Stranger” with the sound and voices layered on his loop pedal.....wonderful.

Introduced to the club by her friend Melissa, 15 year old Lara Millard from Shifnal was making her second appearance at The Navy, and gave us another original set, including “Turn Back Time”, “Mr Blue Eyes” and “Straight Up”. What a crowd of talented youngsters we witnessed tonight.

First band of the evening with Dave Sandford, Olly Flavell, Andy Clarke and the energetic Andy Conway on drums. A special mention for Dave’s guitar, having a special airing tonight on its 10^th birthday and what a beauty....a Terry Morgan Garric Custom made in Cannock. Dave’s own song “Black Country Boy” followed “Crossroads” and “Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson, and another self-penned song from Dave, a slow blues number “Hey Mr Bartender”. Truly a guitar master class from Mr Sandford.

Megan Hodgkinson, accompanied by Alan Lane on guitar, sings from the heart and although obviously nervous at the start soon gained in confidence with reassuring glances from an experienced veteran at her side. Songs included “Let Her Go” by Passenger, Rhianna’s “Love the Way You Lie” and “Wade in the Water” by Eva Cassidy which was excellent.

Gaz and the Tones are now regular attendees at Open Mic and gave us another set of original material with the first airing of two new songs “Sweet Lorenzo Harmony” and “Newton Squared”. Gaz playing 12 string gave an excellent intro into “Surrender” and finished another superb set with my favourites of theirs, “Round the Sun” and “Over”.

So another terrific night with a crowd of around 60 enjoying local song writing talent, and as a special treat, sandwiches and cake for all. Door takings and further donations amounting to £80 raised by Open Mic will be given to MacMillan Nurses and Cancer Research in memory of Dick Hotchkiss who died recently and was a great supporter of the Royal Naval Association.

Don’t forget next Tuesday is acoustic night in the back room. We are responding to member’s suggestions, so there will be no amplifiers or drums, all instruments will go through the PA. Get there early to be sure of a seat!

World Cup Qualifier?  Not in The Navy!   Words: Jude Paton, Pictures: Matt Thomas

What was all the panic about? Just last week the press had written off the national football team. Two games to play, two games we ‘must win’ and the harbingers of doom were having a field day. Even after a business-like despatch of Montenegro last week-end, there was still an awful lot of negativity before Tuesday night’s game against Poland. Comparing the situation to 1973 when Poland denied England the chance to qualify, they overlooked the fact that none of the present team were even born in the seventies. Never mind, step forward Captain Marvel in the 88^th minute and all is well, the flights booked for Rio. Thankfully, not all the population was glued to the TV as evidenced by the sizeable crowd at this week’s Open Mic.

Graham Weir who hasn’t been on stage at the Navy in a while gave us an excellent opening set with a self-penned song ‘Third Floor’ and a lesser known Waterboys’ number ‘Old England’. It then became a family affair as Graham’s nephew Dave joined him to perform a couple of songs from Alex Clare and Damian Rice…both exceptionally well executed by this talented young 21 year old.

Next up, one of the most accomplished guitarists in the Navy, Carol Cartwright, brought us a classic ballad, Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly”. Great covers of songs by Alison Moyet, Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge showcased her beautiful fingerpicking style…..good to see you back at the Navy, Carol.

16 years old Nathan Davis and Jobe Spencer sang the second Damien Rice song of the evening “Cannonball”, before two songs written by his late father Martyn, “Why Didn’t You Say” and “Many Roads”. Nathan, who once nervously joined his Dad on stage aged just 11 years old, is starting to sound more and more like him, and I can think of no greater compliment. 

10 year old Jay Harris consistently brings new material to Open Mic and tonight was no exception with “Holes” by Passenger and James Blunt’s “Bonfire Heart”. Making chord changes look easy on a full size guitar Jay destroys the myth that “I can’t play guitar because my hands are too small”. He stands at about 4’10” and can hardly see over the music stand, but a silent room and well deserved applause rewarded this talented youngster.

We then welcomed a first timer at the Navy, 16 years old Vicky Boulton with two of her own songs “Farmer’s Daughter” and a sad song about the loss of her dog last year called “Paw Mark”. I particularly liked the line “you left your paw mark on my heart”. John Denver’s “Country Roads” finished an excellent debut set from Vicky.

Gaz and the Tones are fast becoming familiar faces on the local Open Mic scene performing their own material. Opener “Around the Sun” had Gaz’s strong vocals driving a very solid sound and they kept up the high tempo with more self-written songs “Over”, “This Too Shall Pass” and a new song “Surrender”.  Twin brothers Andy, on bass and Tony on drums provide a great rhythm section and I am sure we will here an awful lot more from these likeable youngsters.

The extremely talented Ben Garrott is equally at home on keyboards or tenor sax but tonight found him in the solo spotlight playing guitar and singing for the first time. He bought a guitar just last Saturday and in 3 days he had mastered Fat Bottomed Girls and 39 both by Queen, but delivered in an unusual and interesting country style. Keeping in the C&W theme he closed with one of Johnny Cash’s signature songs “Folsom Prison Blues”….another string to your bow Ben!

Good to see Darcy Crawford back sporting his trademark cowboy boots and fender t-shirt, performing songs by Paulo Nutini and The Calling. His outstanding performance of Wayfaring Stranger, by Ed Sheeran, used five overlays on his loop pedal and was wonderful stuff indeed.

Onto the graveyard shift and a spellbinding set performed by Cockney rebel Steve Davis, the oldest person on stage all evening. An appropriate opening with Neil Young’s “Old Man, he then covered Bruce Springsteen’s “All I’m Thinking About is You” from the recent Devils and Dust album. ’Ride On’ by Christie Moore and two wonderful songs from the late great JJ Cale – “Call Me the Breeze” and “Crazy Mama” had the audience captivated and closed an excellent set.

So who’s bothered about the footie when there is so much musical talent around? Don’t forget Olly’s Open Mic next Thurs at The Bridge, and a reminder that the last Navy Open Mic of this month, on the 29^th is an acoustic evening to be held in the back room…no bands but plenty of entertainment!

Newport Open Mic 8th October 2013

Report and photographs by Jude Paton

Our regular columnist Dave Whiteman has recently undergone surgery for a knee replacement and although he is now home and starting the recovery process he will no doubt be missing the local Open Mic scene for the next couple of weeks. Music is one of his greatest passions, closely followed by football and skiing and it is a well known fact that music can be a great therapy, reducing pain and anxiety. He may miss some of the live music sessions in and around town but it is worth remembering that there have been a number of great cds produced over the past few years featuring some of the local talent. John Heath was the driving force behind Now That’s What I Call An Original CD, raising funds for Severn Hospice, which came about following the deaths of Open Mic regulars Robbie Woolrich and Roy Hodges over 7 years ago. Live at the Lion and Shroprock were two further cds which were produced and many of you will know some of the performers who included Jon Lloyd, Mark Langford, Pre Sleep Monologue, Alan Turner, Laurence Gale, Rob Bryon, Gerald Maddox, Martyn Templeton, Weazel Diesel, Richard Thomas, Vinyl Tap, Brakedust, Blue Tuesdays, The Making, Near Enough, Anything Goes and many more. Many of these people can still be heard at the Open Mic sessions here in Newport and until Dave returns to the fold he can sit back in his own front room and listen to some of the familiar voices featured on these discs. Not quite the Open Mic atmosphere, I know, but a good aid to his recovery.

Dave Sanford opened Newport’s premier music night at the Navy Club in Bellmans Yard last Tuesday with his new white Fender and a song from comedian-turned-actor-turned-blues-maestro Hugh Laurie before being joined on stage by three Open Mic veterans, Harry Woolley, Andy Clarke and Steve Davis. Harry’s  Allstars eased us into the evening with some slow blues (in E of course) which included JJ Cale’s Call Me The Breeze and something with the line “I love Shropshire onions cos they’re good and strong.” That’s Alright Mama raised the tempo and made way for young Nathan Davies and an excellent solo set which included songs from the Levellers and Bright Eyes followed by Revolution, a song written by his father Martyn and then Nathan’s own composition Hold You. Despite a sore throat his voice sounded really good tonight.

Rich Thomas resurrected some old songs bringing us Abba, the Bee Gees, Mud and Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots are made for Walking unexpectedly sung in German. As always a good and greatly entertaining set from Mr T.

Robbie Pilgrim and Jobe Spencer are now so much more confident on stage at the Navy Club and can often be heard busking their set outside in Bellmans Yard beforehand. Hours of practice has paid off enormously with these two talented 15 year olds playing terrific instrumental versions of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, Jake Bugg’s Lightening Bolt as well as one of their own compositions. A great set from these two indeed.

Steve Davis, now an Open Mic regular, held us spellbound with his unique interpretation of some lesser known songs by David Crosby and Family as well as Neil Young’s Old Man and finally JJ Cale’s Magnolia with Dave Sanford accompanying him.

From two 15 year olds earlier to a foursome whose combined age came to about 220 years, the veterans who opened the evening, Harry, Dave, Steve and Andy brought us a familiar but highly enjoyable blues set which, you guessed it, included Digging my Potatoes, King Bee, St James’ Infirmary and Laudie Miss Claudie with Harry on vocals, Andy bass, Dave with his lovely Fender and bottleneck and Steve very competently on drums. Dave finished the set up tempo with Clapton’s Before You Accuse Me.

Gaz and the Tones were back again this week with guest drummer Matt Miles comfortably playing alongside these three 24 year olds who play all original material. Twin brothers Andy who plays an excellent solid driving bass and Tony, lead and vocals, compliment Gaz on 12 string and lead vocals exceptionally well and bring refreshing new material to Open Mic. Songs tonight included Round the Sun which I especially liked, Passion, Out There and This Too Shall Pass.

Once again an evening of live music bringing together like minded people either to play or just to sit back and enjoy. All this for just £1 takes place every week at the Royal Naval Association in Bellmans Yard.

Whoops

New faces and lots of talent at The Navy.  Words by Dave Whiteman, Pictures by Laurence  Gale


I’ve just returned from a holiday in Luxembourg, one of Europe’s best kept secrets. The hiking in the border area with Germany is outstanding, with caves and fairy grottos as well as incredible views of the Saure. Then just last Sunday as summer made a very welcome return, we had a fabulous day out on Shropshire’s diamond, The Long Mynd. Even just walking around the Newport canal, particularly now that the leaves are turning into Autumn colours, is every bit as impressive. Where is all this going? Well it occurred to me that sometimes you cannot see something when it is right under your nose. Music for instance. Ticket prices for the Fleetwood Mac tour start at around £75, which would get you admission to The Navy Open Mic for the next 18 months or so. OK, you may not get the same musical quality but I know that there is something for everyone and think of the cash you will save!


 Sound check this week was a new band, Enigma, put together by club regular Roger Clark, With Al Middleton and Spence Pollard providing a the rhythm section, vocalist Karen Jackson gave us a great opening, with ‘Steamy Windows’ the Tina Turner classic and the Snow Patrol anthem ‘Chasing Cars’ mixing well with covers from Bryan Adams and Guns & Roses.


 Mike Collins, all the way from Perton had the difficult task of following and a mighty fine job he made of it. Songs from David Gray and then The Levellers were very good, but his finish, Kings of Leon’s ‘Sex is on Fire’ done with just his trusty Takamine to accompany, was excellent and received a great reception.


 Haven’t seen young Zak Christie in a while, but he has been very busy playing gigs in the area including an appearance at The Pheztival in August. He really is an exceptional talent….a soulful voice married to a simple and solid guitar style. Opening with a Jimi Hendrix number he then completely changed tack with An Old Country Song from Jake Bugg before pleasing the 60 or so audience with the Ray Charles classic, ‘Georgia’. Watch this space…this young fella is going places and will not be playing small clubs for very long.


 Olly Flavell has been running his own Open Mic for a good while now and it continues to go from strength to strength. Check it out at The Bridge, next one on 10^th October. Here at the Navy he gave us a couple of his favourites, ‘Valerie’ and ‘Sunday Morning’ performed in his own inimitable style, before we welcomed newcomer Lizzie Hogan to the stage.


 I caught her act at the Bridge just last week, was very impressed with her piano/vocal and persuaded her to come down to the Navy. She has been living in Cornwall for the last three years and although she only looks about 14 and is often asked for ID in the pubs, she is actually 21. Playing all her own compositions she completely silenced the large crowd, who seemed to welcome the change from an evening of mainly male singer guitarists. I am sure that if she chooses, a musical career awaits and until then, equally sure that she will be in great demand around the live music circuit as her reputation spreads…..brilliant stuff.


 Gaz & the Tones played at the Navy last week and received a very good reception for their debut self-penned set. This three piece, Gaz Attwood on vocals and brothers Tony and Andy Collister on guitars, make a very nice noise despite having no drummer, and it is good to hear a 12 string guitar filling out the sound. Interestingly, after a five song set of their own compositions, a couple of people commented on the lack of percussion. Step forward experienced drummer Matt Miles, who, after a little chat, joined them back on stage to reprise ‘Around the Sun’ and ‘This too Shall Pass’. No doubt they are a good young band with real potential, but in my opinion the songs were more powerful with someone driving the beat. Applicants for the vacancy should turn up at the Navy for an immediate audition!


 So another brilliant night of live music with a couple of great bands and four or five solo performers….where else can you get such value for a quid?


 Please remember the last Tuesday of this month, 29^th October will be a little different. We are going to have an acoustic evening, ie no bands. There will still be a PA system and mikes etc for guitarist, keyboards or whatever you wish, but the atmosphere should be very intimate. Get there early to be sure of a seat!

Armed Officers in Newport firearms drama may have kept a few behind locked doors but the intrepid music lovers were at the Navy Club in Newport as usual on Tuesday night for another Open Mic session in Bellman’s Yard.

No band names on the board this week so the red drum kit stood resplendent at the back of the stage and was a good backdrop to an evening of varied musical talent. 16 year old singer/songwriter Melissa Severn from Telford has not been heard at the Navy for a few weeks but for good reason. Not only has she been busy writing songs, she has recorded and released an 11 track acoustic album called Melissa Severn Acoustic as well as, mon dieu c’est incroyable, busking in the streets of Paris. Now she is saving up for a trip to Nashville! 3 self penned songs tonight and one I particularly liked called Port Maine, a song about love and loss, this time a boy in converse boots. Her final song was a One Direction/Jake Bugg amalgam with an original twist from Melissa.

Sixth Former from Thomas Telford, Dylan Evans was next up with strong vocals and acoustic guitar singing an original song called Bolder and was then joined by musical cohort Joe Rose. Together they have written a musical over the summer months called Catatonic Matt which should hit the West End of Wellington in January. With a cast of 16 the lads describe it as a zany, off the wall tale of friendship and growing up. The 3 songs they chose from it, School is Fun, Secrets and Goodbye Friend gave us a flavour of their endeavours.

Mellissa Walford is another local young singer/songwriter but tonight sang some great covers by Goo Goo Dolls, Plan B, Birdy and Alex Clare. Wonderful strong vocals and mature stage presence from this young lady.

Cockney and Geordie lads Steve Davis and Alan Lane joined forces tonight and performed a lovely harmonious set with the seldom heard Traction in the Rain by Dave Crosby, Norwegian Wood, Ride On written by Jimmy McCarthy but made famous by Christie Moore and finishing with JJ Cale’s Call Me the Breeze. Steve has a wonderful vocal range complimented tonight by Alan’s lead breaks.

It’s been some time since we have seen Tugboat Pete Nihil out on a Tuesday night but taking centre stage with trademark hat and dark glasses, gravelly Tom Waits voice and unique guitar style together with Tristram Dixon (bearing a passing resemblance to Syd Barrett or a young John Martyn) and a somewhat bemused Ed Harpman Sullivan the unlikely trio finished the evening in fine style. The set included Bob Dylan’s I Shall be Released and some marvellously random ad-libbing  which included such lines as “I got a brand new polecat” and “I was born at the bottom of a septic tank”. A great way to finish and a sure way to send everyone home with a smile on their faces and as ever a splendid night of live music in Newport.

See you next week.

Photos from Laurence to follow.

Jude