This weeks unabridged, in its entirity, Open Mic Report........ NOT as it appeared in this week's Newport Advertiser.
Jude
This week three bands, two duos and five single performers between them played a set list that had everything from Frank Sinatra to Imagine Dragons….and if you don’t know the latter ask your kids!
With a totally full board by 8pm it was Ben Garrott, first up to entertain the 60 or so audience. On guitar this week, he livened everyone up with an Irish singalong before Cork's own Dan Corcoran returned the favour with an English singalong...a good start to the evening.
Ian Simpkin runs his own Open Mic at The Star Inn, Copmere End, so it is always nice to get a little cross pollination across the live music scene. The Beatles ‘Nowhere Man’ was excellent, but it was the Pete Seeger rework ‘Pay Me My Money Down’ that had people joining in enthusiastically.
I have clothes in my wardrobe older than the collective age of the
next two on stage. 11 years old Jay Harris is already a seasoned
performer, but it was a first appearance for Liam Anslow, also 11,
playing together as Late Addition. A lovely set included Guns &
Roses and Eric Clapton was proudly watched by parents and family
friends….amazing young talent.
Speaking of young talent, it is easy to forget that Melissa Severn is
still only 16. She has been a regular at the club for quite a while now
and her thoughtful self-penned songs show a maturity far in advance of
her tender years. Her three song set was very well crafted and
completely new…… highlight for me was ‘Sleepwalker’.Shrewsbury’s Steve Hammond is a very talented musician, still looking for others to form a group. His Scratchouse band tonight did not sound like a debut outing with songs from U2 and Donny Elbert. If anyone out there needs a superb guitarist, come and check him out.
Our second Mellisa of the night, Mellissa Walford reached the final
stages of BGT last year and it is plain to see why. Not only has her
stage presence improved, her voice now seems to carry right to the back
of the room and she seems much more confident. One of my favourites,
‘This is The Life’ by Amy Macdonald was the highlight of her short set.
Time to mellow things out now as John Minor played a couple of lovely
instrumental piano tunes before resident bluesman took the audience
back to the 60’s with a blistering ‘Hey Joe’. Olly Flavell joined the
Collister brothers, to make a great four piece.
Tony & Andy C then stayed on stage to perform with their regular
band, Gaz & The Tones to finish off the evening with their original
and quite excellent acoustic rock.So whether you are looking to extend your musical knowledge prior to an appearance on TV, or you just want to get out of the house on Tues and listen to some of Newport’s finest musicians, The Navy Club in Bellmans Yard just off the Newport High Street is the place to be.
Till next week, keep it live!
No comments:
Post a Comment