So, the most expensive sporting event in history comes to a close and nearly three thousand athletes from more than 80 countries make their tired way home. How was it for you? I must admit, being a winter sports fanatic, I really enjoyed it, basking in the limited success of our small island against the giants of the sporting world. President Vladimir Putin seemed happy; not only did the threatened terrorist attacks fail to materialise, but his country also finished top of the medal table. Sadly for him, the one he really wanted escaped, as Russia fell to the Finns in the ice hockey, but overall I think everyone regarded the games as great success. But at what financial cost? Russia spent more than anyone in Olympic history, around £30 billion……so even though they totalled 33 medals, that works out at just less than £909,090,900 almost one billion pounds each! Team GB however, only managed to win four medals, but at a cost of only £13.4 million….quite a bargain by comparison!
Even more of a bargain was this week’s Open Mic at The Navy, as the usual £1 raffle ticket entrance was waived for the acoustic evening, held on the last Tuesday of the month. With a few new faces on stage and the audience enjoying around ten live acts, we could have given out a few awards ourselves.
Putting down his camera and picking up his guitar, first up was resident snapper Laurence Gale, who gave us a great start to the evening with classic songs from The Beatles and Harry Chapin. He is a busy man is Laurence….before the applause had died down, he was back up with his camera taking pictures of the next act.
All the way from Market Drayton and making only his second appearance at the club, Tristan Wood brought new songs from Harvey Andrews and The Levellers to delight the crowd.The atmosphere at these acoustic sessions is completely different to a normal Tuesday at the Navy, and Steve Davis’s soft voice is perfectly suited to the occasion. I always thought ‘Across the Universe’ was a George Harrison composition, but it was actually written by John Lennon for the Sgt Pepper album. When he failed to convince the other Beatles about the songs qualities, a miffed Lennon gave the song to a charity release for the World Wildlife Fund. Nonetheless, a great version from Steve.
14 years old Isis Sky is a natural entertainer and once the sound man had figured out her backing tracks, she belted through the KT Tunstall song, ‘Big Black Horse and the Cherry Tree’…..what amazing confidence from someone so young…..it is very easy to picture her onstage performing in a musical.
Nathan Davis and Jobe Spencer collaborated next, with a couple of self-penned songs and then one written by Nathans late father, Martyn, I wonder Why’ A friend whispered quietly “Close your eyes and it sounds just like his dad” which is a superb tribute.
Hard to believe, but it is eight years on Sunday since the Open Mic lost one of its favourite sons, bass man Roy Hodges. Roy was great supporter of live music and is fondly remembered by many of his friends; none more so than next up Graham Dabbs. Onstage at the Navy, Roy and guitarist Dave Morris would be behind the singing Graham, often muttering and making comment at his expense. A heartfelt tribute entitled ‘I Can Hear You’ had smiles and sniffles in equal measure. 
John Minor is a regular member at Open Mic, but only ever in the audience, never on stage. This week he was encouraged to bring his keyboard and play for the very first time, and although admitting to being too nervous to sing, his instrumental set included a very original version of a fairly obscure Beatles song, ‘Run for Your Life’
Another vibrant song from Isis Sky, ‘Express Yourself’ livened up the crowd before the incredibly talented Ben Garrott, took to the stage with borrowed instrument. He insisted that he only intended to come and listen, but a little gentle persuasion had him debuting material from his just released album, ‘Here/There’, using John Minor’s keyboard. All three tracks were quite superb pieces of original composition, and my personal favourite ‘City Rain’ had film sound track all over it.So whether the rain is pouring or there happens to be footie on the telly, there will always be a hard-core of fans wishing to enjoy the live music at the Newport Open Mic. Back to normal next week, with full kit on the main stage, so come and see what all the fuss is about. Till then, keep it live….and give yourself a medal!
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