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!