I must admit to feeling a little bit sorry for David Moyes, sacked as Manchester United manager after only ten months. Not too sorry though; I am sure that there are ten million reasons why he will soon get over it, if estimates are correct. That works out at £1,000,000 per month…nice work if you can get it. Mind you, it’s the fans that will pay in the end, as they always do. Last time I went to a match, just a few weeks ago, with entrance and a programme there was little change out of £40. Infinitely better value down at The Navy for the Newport Open Mic, where the same forty quid would get you admittance, raffle ticket and drinks all night for at least you and three mates!Interestingly, first up tonight Dan Corcoran started with a tribute to the aforementioned David Moyes with the great Bee Gees song ‘To love Somebody’ before closing his short performance with a Bert Jansch number…..a very nice start to the evening from this likeable Irishman.
Always nice to welcome newcomers to the club and Kreek, a four piece from Telford and Cannock gave us a superb high octane blues rock performance that had the audience shouting for more. A thumping rhythm section from John Evans on drums and bass-man Andy Plant perfectly suited the rocking vocals of Al Wood through a set that had everything from Black Crowes to The Who. Guitarist Rob Peach completed the line-up and told me they are actively seeking gigs in the area…check them out, you won’t be disappointed!
You can always count on Richard Evans to step up to the mark whoever he has to follow, and this week he dusted down his trusty, but rarely seen, 12 string guitar. He told me he intended to put the instrument up for sale, but as soon as he started playing it he realised he didn’t really want to lose it. Lots of variety followed, from Lindisfarne, 10cc and Bon Jovi amongst others…….he even found room to remix Neil Sedaka with Shaggy, an interesting combination! As a finale, he was joined onstage by a visiting Ed Sullivan on harmonica to close with a John Mayall classic. A superb set from this seasoned performer. 
Olly Flavell has improved his stage craft massively over the last couple of years, not least because of his enthusiasm to get up on stage with other musicians and play things he isn’t totally familiar with. Steve Hammond on guitar persuaded Kreek’s bassist Andy Plant to join the fledgling band who now only needed a drummer. Andy Chapman had just walked in, and he was soon up on the drums to give us a very tight Scratch House Band, opening with Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’….. never an easy song to attempt. Olly did a sterling job before handing over vocal duties to Steve to rock us through a very lively ‘Further on up the Road’, recorded by Eric Clapton amongst others.So by usual Newport Open Mic standards it was a fairly quiet night, but it did turn up a gem of a band in the form of debutants Kreek, who, I am sure, will be back.
I suppose European football on the telly had an effect, but the smaller than usual audience certainly enjoyed the evening. Don’t forget every Tuesday at 8pm in the Royal Naval Association in Bellman’s Yard, un good old Newport Shropshire. Till next time….keep it live!
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