Fireworks a plenty at The Navy   Words: Jude Paton,  Pictures: Matt Thomas

 
 Here’s a little test. Do you recognise these names? Thomas Bates, Robert Winter, Christopher Wright, Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy……….Guy Fawkes?   All were among the thirteen conspirators who plotted to blow up James 1^st in 1605 by placing 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar under the Houses of Parliament, but it is normally only the one name that people recognise. For more than 400 years since then, the Gunpowder Plot, now more often known as Bonfire Night, has been celebrated every Nov 5^th by burning an effigy of Fawkes on bonfires all over the country. All over that is, except for St Peter’s School in York, who steadfastly refuse to condemn Guy Fawkes, a former pupil of theirs!

Nov 5^th this week at the Navy was certainly a much quieter affair, but with four bands and a couple of individuals to entertain a crowd of fifty or so, we were at least treated to a few musical bright sparks.

No sooner had the doors opened before young Olly Flavell had assembled a great ‘Scratch House Band’ to take us through the sound check. With lead guitarist Roger Clarke, Baz Webster on drums and bass man Alan Middleton, Olly proved that he really can mix it with these experienced musicians. A great jazzy funk version of “Valerie” started us off, a quick run through the chord sequence led into Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine” and finally ”Sweet Home Chicago” to close.  Well worth mentioning brilliant improvised lead breaks from Roger.

Multi-talented Ben Garrott, once again on guitar tonight, opened with that “gas drinking, piston clinking, air polluting, smoke belching, four wheeled buggy from Detroit City” in other words Jerry Reed’s song “Lord Mr Ford”. Last week I noticed the similarity of Ben’s gravelly voice to Tom Waits, and this was confirmed again as he followed up with a marvellous version of “Cold Water” including splendid whistling break. Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It” showcased this brilliant young musician’s originality.

Club regular Nathan Davies seems to have been around for ages so it’s worth remembering that he is only sixteen years old and the Navy was his very first live performance, just a short while ago. A self-penned song to open, ‘I’ll Always Say’ followed by very nice versions of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and “Cannonball” by Damien Rice, completed a great set.

No Alex tonight, so a depleted Vinyl Tap had Alan Lane providing lead vocals for this popular local band. A couple of fine instrumentals, “Time is Tight” and “Wipeout” featured Cath Butler on keyboards for the old Booker T number and a very energetic Remynie on drums for an extended version of The Surfaris classic. Sixties favourites “Sorrow” and “The Letter” rounded it all off.

Making only their second appearance at the club, Telford based Two Pence Short was our next band of the evening. Although only together for around five months, their original, alternative rock, grabbed the audience’s attention from first song, ‘Leave’. A great rhythm section provided by Nigel Stevens and Ellis Holmes supported strong vocals from Jamie O’Neill and steady lead from guitarist Ben Bromwich. Other songs included “Gravity Strong”, “Batteries and Bells” and new song “It Goes Without Saying” closed a polished performance.

Gaz and the Tones, who are the support act at this year’s Open Mic Christmas Party on Tuesday 17^thDecember, tonight had young Andy Conway on drums which really made for a strong driving set. Lovely blend of 12 string guitar with lead and bass……. best song tonight was “Newton Squared”.

Joe Bayliss had the difficult task of following four live bands but brought the room to a hush with a terrific opener by Lana Del Rey “Video Games”. “Lighthouse”, an original from Joe preceded a fine version of “Wishing on a Star” covered by Paul Weller in the 70s but originally done by Rose Royce. Great acoustic set from Joe who can regularly be heard at the Navigation Open Mic session on Thursday nights.

We normally see Grahame Weir in the audience, but tonight we had the pleasure of hearing him on stage performing, in my opinion, the best set I have ever heard from him. Opener, Dylan’s “Big Girl Now” was followed by an original of his “Third Floor” which was quite exceptional, before closing the evening with a Bowie classic “Changes” from the 1971 album Hunky Dory.

Hey up that's it for this week. It will all happen again next week, so grab your guitar and come on down to The Royal Naval Association Club in Bellman's Yard just off the high street in Newport Shropshire. See ya there.