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Music for Nothin'

 

Report Jude Paton and photographs Matt Thomas

 

“The best things in life are free” sang the Beatles in 1963 from the song Money (that’s all I want). Certainly many of the best things in life cost you nothing at all, a sunny day, having a cuddle, saying “I love you” or how about a walk along the canal or the super new path along the old railway line, now a delightful 15 mile walkway and national cycle route from Newport to Stafford. Those who make music every Tuesday at Newport Open Mic session do so for FREE at the Royal Naval Association in Bellmans Yard. And what a night this Tuesday proved to be, with just a glance at the running order the 50 or so present realised that they were in for a feast of great live music. A sound check from Dave Blu Sandford and his band got the evening underway in a superb jazzy blues style which included Olly Flavell on vocals with a marvellous rendition of Johnny B Goode.

 

A welcome return by a young 4 piece band from Telford, Two Pence Short, who have been busy rehearsing for Battle of the Bands which starts on 5^th April. There is nothing better than a live practice in front of an appreciative audience and Jamie O’Neil, Ben Bromwich, Ellis Holmes and Nigel Stevens did themselves proud with 4 self penned numbers.

 

A real treat to see Joe Nunn back after a long absence together with Jon Lloyd. Fiddle and acoustic guitar combined beautifully with Amazing Grace as their opening number followed by 2 songs written by John which included a favourite for many of us there, Suzanne.  Big Neil McPherson was next in the spotlight and plays his 12 string guitar beautifully and had the audience spellbound with the Christie Moore classic “Ride On”.  Hard to believe that he had just finished the 4am shift and left the cosy cab of his London Midland train.

 

Rich Evans by way of complete contrast combined reggae with hip hop with the unlikely accompaniment of bass and ukulele delighting the audience with his unique style.

 Guitarist Steve Hammond put together a terrific scratch band, with his friend Clive on bass, Nigel Stevens on drums and a great choice in having tennis legend Darcy Crawford as vocalist. A jazzy version of “Superstition” and John Mayer’s “Gravity” were outstanding. Dave Sandford and friends performed a great funky blues set with Steve Davis to follow with 3 songs of his own accompanied by the talented Ben Garrott on saxophone.  Regulars Gaz and the Tones surprised the audience by including a cover version of Elvis’s “Burning Love” in their set of popular original songs.
 

With the clock approaching the witching hour those of us who were not thinking of 4am starts were treated to a fine acoustic set from Darcy Crawford, followed by John Minor gaining more and more confidence on keyboards and finally newcomer Jim Paton finishing off a wonderful evening of live music with 2 songs acapella.

 

A member of the audience said to me as she left at the end of the evening “What a wealth of local talent. Forget watching the TV and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and a great Tuesday evening of live music”. Thank you Pat. I know you’ll be back.
\Until next week Keep it Live!!