I went to see Paul
Carrack at the Robin in Bilston a short while ago and what a fabulous
gig it was. I don’t understand how the guy isn’t a mega star, working as
he has with many of the professions top performers. Many will recognise
his distinctive vocals from bands such as Squeeze and Mike & the
Mechanics, but my all-time favourite was from the early seventies, ‘How
Long’ (has this been going on?) by Ace, his first ‘real’ band. Listening
to the lyrics, it sounds like a question to an unfaithful girlfriend,
but it is actually addressed to the bass player in the band, Terry (Tex)
Comer who was being ‘courted’ by another group, Sutherland Brothers
& Quiver. After last week’s pure acoustic evening it was back to our normal fare of blues and rock. With a full board by 8pm there were a few disappointed players and with no fewer than seven bands during the course of the evening it was time to get it all started. No ambiguity about the lyrics of our first performer tonight, Dave Sandford, AKA Dave Blu. Assembling a Scratchouse band with Olly Flavell, Mark Langford and Andy Clark, they got the evening off to a brilliant bluesy start under the watchful eyes and ears of Adam Brown at the sound desk.
The mellow vocals of
Martyn Templeton followed with a cracking version of ‘Somewhere only we
Know’ the Keane classic recently recorded by Lily Allen. Martyn’s voice
just seems effortless even on quite challenging songs such as this.
Founder member and
organiser of the Newport Open Mic, Mervyn Williams then brought his high
octane rock to the stage, with his band, Bang to Rights. His lively and
tight set pleased every rock fan in the audience with covers from
AC/DC, Status Quo, and the Sex Pistols among others. Don’t leave it too
long next time Merv!Dave Lowe, guitarist with local band Old’s Cool is one of the best around and he showed his versatility tonight by standing in with club favourites, Vinyl Tap. Special mention for Alex on vocals. Although clearly suffering, he never the less managed to battle through his ‘man flu’ to do a great job of a four song set that included Chris Rea, The Jam and Queen….what a performer!
Back to the busking,
with Mark Langford once again persuaded to provide lead guitar, a solid
rhythm section from Rob on bass and the brilliant Andy Conway on drums.
Dave Whiteman provided the vocals for a couple of faves from the Eagles
and the Stones.Back on stage for an energetic Dave Blu and band, with busiest performer of the evening, Mark Langford this time behind the drums. Black Country Blues are Dave’s stock in trade and he carries this off with the kind of solos that make lesser mortals want to go home and burn their instruments. Self-penned ‘Why do You Treat me This Way’ was the highlight of an excellent performance.
Anthony Cox is normally found at the Navigation Inn in Gnosall, but it was nice to see him at the Navy with Alan Lane on guitar and Keith Johnson on drums to deliver lovely versions of ‘Sunny Afternoon’ and The Troggs ‘Love is all Around’ Anthony is a big Elvis fan, so no set would be complete without tipping his hat to ‘The King’. ‘In The Ghetto’ is one of his lesser known songs and the trio did a fine job.
With so many bands playing, the changeover time can stretch a bit, so it was almost 10.45pm before last act of the evening came to the stage. Gaz & the Tones have become almost permanent fixtures at the Navy and having waited patiently all evening they recruited drummer Matt Miles to rattle through their original twelve string acoustic rock set. ‘Sweet Lorenzo Harmony’, ‘Around the Sun’ and ‘Surrender’ are now sounding very polished indeed….. radio play is surely imminent? Gaz and the lads will be support band at the Navy Open Mic Christmas bash, on Tues 17th Dec. Entry is free, although there will be a collection as usual for Severn Hospice, and supper is provided as a big thank you for all your support.
Main act is six piece band ‘Reworx’ so get their early to be sure of a seat!
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