Acoustic once again at The Navy. Words and pictures: Dave Whiteman
I've just returned from a short holiday in Spain….well Benidorm actually! And, yes before you ask, it really is a lot like the popular TV programme, with thousands of Brits visiting every year to enjoy the climate, the cheap booze and the all-day breakfasts. Wherever you go in the town, you will find musical entertainment, from the smallest bars to the biggest clubs, but almost all have the same thing in common. Although the glossy advertisements on the street state ‘Live music every night’ it is really no such thing…..it is normally vocalists without any form of instrument singing along to backing tracks. Don’t get me wrong, some of them are incredibly good….we saw a fantastic four piece Queen tribute act for instance, but in the main, if you like truly LIVE music, then it probably isn’t the place to go.
Unlike our very own Newport Open Mic, held every Tuesday evening at the Royal Naval Association in Bellman’s Yard. This week saw a continuation of our acoustic sessions, which started a few months ago and is held on the last Tues in the month. This is a much softer approach to our evenings, with just electric acoustic guitars, and no bands. A Cajon provides the rhythm section instead of a drum kit and even though the voices and instruments are amplified the whole evening is a much quieter affair.
A new face opened proceedings, Tristan Wood from Market Drayton. His
very comfortable blend of melodic voice and lovely guitar was a very
nice start to the evening…… ‘Universal Soldier’ original written by
Buffy Saint Marie and recorded in the UK by Donovan, was a
highlight……please come back again Tristan.
Guitar/vocalist Sand Kumar and bass man Scott Thompson, collectively known as Richochet, then followed with an ‘almost acoustic’ set which included songs from The Libertines as well as a couple of their own tunes, which included new song ‘89’. Catch their gig at The Haygate on 20th Feb.
Always good to see the incredibly talented 15 years old Melissa Severn. Although busy with her GCSE’s, she still found time to visit the Navy and entertain the crowd with her totally original set including a new song, ‘Sleepwalker’. I understand that she has just been into the studio to record this song…. good luck with that Melissa.
Adam Brown on the desk as usual, was giving us a great sound with
every instrument and vocal clearly heard throughout the room, and next
to benefit was Nathan Davis. Opening with a new self-penned composition,
‘I’ll Always Say’ Nathan is clearly developing into a very accomplished
singer song writer….just like his Dad.
Speaking of young talented singer songwriters, Olly Flavell is firmly in that category, and he also showcased a couple of new songs, ‘Right by My Side’ and ‘I don’t Know Why’. Catch Olly’s Open Mic at The Bridge on alternate Thursday's.
I always like to hear good harmonies and the acoustic setting was the
perfect stage for Steve Crouch and Ben Jason, from Cheswardine. With
Steve on guitar, Ben on harmonica and both voices dovetailing so well,
it was a fine vocal performance. Anyone that can mix Nik Kershaw and The
Beatles in the same set is alright with me!
I can’t remember the last time I saw Ed Sullivan down at the club. In
mid-2013 a group of us went to The Robin in Bilston to see the last
live performance of great local band Weazel Diesel whose final gig was
as support act to Nine Below Zero. Well, they may not have played
together for ages, but when Ed reunited with former band member Rich
Evans it was if they had never been away. ‘Fulsom Prison Blues’ was a
great crowd pleasing opener, a tribute to John Mayall a brilliant filler
and then a very unusual and original interpretation of ‘Here I Go
Again’ by Whitesnake had the crowd asking for more. As if you had never
been away lads……time for a reunion?
The acoustic open mics have been a popular extension of our weekly live music evenings, but as usual we rely heavily on you, the members, to give feedback. The intention is still to keep the last Tuesday of every month in this format, but please, speak to the organisers and let them know what you think.
So Benidorm or Newport? One has the sun, cheap beer & food and of course, Union Jack T-shirts, but a severe shortage of genuine LIVE music. The other is far more picturesque, the people speak the same language, there isn’t a Union Jack T-shirt in sight and the music is always live! Come and see what all the fuss is about, every Tuesday at the Navy. Keep it live, Adios!
I've just returned from a short holiday in Spain….well Benidorm actually! And, yes before you ask, it really is a lot like the popular TV programme, with thousands of Brits visiting every year to enjoy the climate, the cheap booze and the all-day breakfasts. Wherever you go in the town, you will find musical entertainment, from the smallest bars to the biggest clubs, but almost all have the same thing in common. Although the glossy advertisements on the street state ‘Live music every night’ it is really no such thing…..it is normally vocalists without any form of instrument singing along to backing tracks. Don’t get me wrong, some of them are incredibly good….we saw a fantastic four piece Queen tribute act for instance, but in the main, if you like truly LIVE music, then it probably isn’t the place to go.
Unlike our very own Newport Open Mic, held every Tuesday evening at the Royal Naval Association in Bellman’s Yard. This week saw a continuation of our acoustic sessions, which started a few months ago and is held on the last Tues in the month. This is a much softer approach to our evenings, with just electric acoustic guitars, and no bands. A Cajon provides the rhythm section instead of a drum kit and even though the voices and instruments are amplified the whole evening is a much quieter affair.
A new face opened proceedings, Tristan Wood from Market Drayton. His
very comfortable blend of melodic voice and lovely guitar was a very
nice start to the evening…… ‘Universal Soldier’ original written by
Buffy Saint Marie and recorded in the UK by Donovan, was a
highlight……please come back again Tristan.Guitar/vocalist Sand Kumar and bass man Scott Thompson, collectively known as Richochet, then followed with an ‘almost acoustic’ set which included songs from The Libertines as well as a couple of their own tunes, which included new song ‘89’. Catch their gig at The Haygate on 20th Feb.
Always good to see the incredibly talented 15 years old Melissa Severn. Although busy with her GCSE’s, she still found time to visit the Navy and entertain the crowd with her totally original set including a new song, ‘Sleepwalker’. I understand that she has just been into the studio to record this song…. good luck with that Melissa.
Adam Brown on the desk as usual, was giving us a great sound with
every instrument and vocal clearly heard throughout the room, and next
to benefit was Nathan Davis. Opening with a new self-penned composition,
‘I’ll Always Say’ Nathan is clearly developing into a very accomplished
singer song writer….just like his Dad.Speaking of young talented singer songwriters, Olly Flavell is firmly in that category, and he also showcased a couple of new songs, ‘Right by My Side’ and ‘I don’t Know Why’. Catch Olly’s Open Mic at The Bridge on alternate Thursday's.
I always like to hear good harmonies and the acoustic setting was the
perfect stage for Steve Crouch and Ben Jason, from Cheswardine. With
Steve on guitar, Ben on harmonica and both voices dovetailing so well,
it was a fine vocal performance. Anyone that can mix Nik Kershaw and The
Beatles in the same set is alright with me!I can’t remember the last time I saw Ed Sullivan down at the club. In
mid-2013 a group of us went to The Robin in Bilston to see the last
live performance of great local band Weazel Diesel whose final gig was
as support act to Nine Below Zero. Well, they may not have played
together for ages, but when Ed reunited with former band member Rich
Evans it was if they had never been away. ‘Fulsom Prison Blues’ was a
great crowd pleasing opener, a tribute to John Mayall a brilliant filler
and then a very unusual and original interpretation of ‘Here I Go
Again’ by Whitesnake had the crowd asking for more. As if you had never
been away lads……time for a reunion?The acoustic open mics have been a popular extension of our weekly live music evenings, but as usual we rely heavily on you, the members, to give feedback. The intention is still to keep the last Tuesday of every month in this format, but please, speak to the organisers and let them know what you think.
So Benidorm or Newport? One has the sun, cheap beer & food and of course, Union Jack T-shirts, but a severe shortage of genuine LIVE music. The other is far more picturesque, the people speak the same language, there isn’t a Union Jack T-shirt in sight and the music is always live! Come and see what all the fuss is about, every Tuesday at the Navy. Keep it live, Adios!
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