Tony Iommi lead guitarist with Black Sabbath invented lighter gauge strings which were made especially for him by Picato Strings in Wales in 1970. Previously only the heavier gauge strings were available but Tony was unable to “bend” them after he lost the ends of 2 fingers in an industrial accident on his last day at work in a sheet metal factorywhen he was just 17. Thinking that he would never be able to play again Picato came to the rescue and made him the lighter gauge strings. Producers thought he would never get the “full sound” from lighter strings but I reckon he proved them wrong! Picato in Treorchy are still going strong as is Tony Iommi despite being diagnosed in 2012 with the early stages of lymphoma for which he has undergone successful treatment as of January 2013. Never Say Die, Black Sabbath reformed in 2012 and are currently doing a massive sell out tour.

As for Newport Open Mic, now into its second decade, it seems to go from strength to strength and one can never say it’s just the same old faces because every week there are new faces in the audience or up on stage. Thanks to the posse of helpers who arrived at 7pm to help set up we were ready for the telecaster blues jam session which kicked off the evening featuring Dave Blu and friends warming up the audience for Malcolm Purvis, all the way from Leeds for the second week running. Singer/songwriter, Malcolm never fails to please the Newport crowd with a prolific repertoire. His opening number called “The Drifter” was about a man in a foreign town who gets set upon but who has his comeuppance in the end. 5 great songs from Malcolm tonight and I particularly liked “Black Sun” and “God Only Knows”. I would like to think that Newport Open Mic has inspired him with his song writing and he made the nice comment “I have a lot of good feelings about this place”.

Robbie Pilgrim, Olly Flavell and Jobe Spencer formed an interesting trio busking some excellent instrumentals on electric, jazz and acoustic guitars. It’s great to see these three teenagers on stage together. 

10 year old Jay Harris bubbles with enthusiasm about music and life in general and with about 10 members of his family in the audience he well deserved the resounding applause at the end of his 3 song set which comprised Shed 7’s “On Standby”, and back to the 60s with “Wild Thing” and “Twist and Shout” with the audience on backing vocals.

 

Dave Blu’s scratch band was up next featuring guest vocalist Rich Evans with a great version of “Crossroads” and ably accompanied by Steve Davis on drums, Andy Clarke on bass and Olly Flavell on jazz guitar. A great jazzy blues set from the band.

 

Regulars Gaz and the Tones delivered a great solid sound with a lovely 12 string intro to the first of their self penned songs “Surrender”. Recent newcomer to the band and drummer Andy Clegg drives the band along together with the marvelous, seemingly effortless, bass playing of Andy Callister.

Rich Evans invariably brings something different to the Open Mic stage and tonight was no exception with his guitar shaped bouzouki and a set comprising country, folk, skiffle, a sea shanty and for the first time on bouzouki a song actually called “For the First Time” by The Script. Always a varied and most enjoyable set from Rich. 

Steve Davis, now a familiar face at Open Mic, was this week sponsored (in his own words) by Gaz and the Tones but I suspect only because he borrowed Gaz’s 12 string guitar and put through a chorus pedal made it sound amazing with his opener “Old Man” by Neil Young followed by Dave Crosby’s “Traction in the Rain”, “Weather With You” by Crowded House and finally the late great JJ Cale’s “Magnolia” joined by Dave Blu on lead guitar. A terrific set demonstrating an amazing vocal talent and vocal range from Steve.

An audience of around 60 over the course of the evening enjoyed a closing jam from Dave Blu, Andy Clegg, Andy Callister and Olly Flavell with some good old classics including Johnny B Goode and some blues bottleneck from the blues man himself (Dave Blu) on his 1992 DeArmond jazz guitar by Guild which appeared to have a For Sale notice hanging from it.....£275 including case I believe!!

Another great Tuesday night of live music at  the Royal Naval Association in Newport and a reminder that next Tuesday is the acoustic Open Mic session, in other words no drums but another night of live music in excellent company is promised. Keep music live and come along and see and hear for yourselves.