Open Mic goes with a bang on the Glorious 12^th!

This week’s Open Mic gave all attending a real treat with an eclectic mix of great talent. It takes a group of dedicated individuals to set up all the equipment each week and make sure the night runs smoothly. While other open mic nights in Newport may have gone by the wayside Tuesday nights at the Navy Club continue to go from strength to strength.

As I was in charge of tonight’s write up I thought it only fair I should dust down the guitar and play a few tunes. So I got the night going with some favourite covers of mine. I kicked off with a Bob Dylan track "Big Girl Now" from the Blood on the Tracks album. I then tried a little known number called "Millers Cave" by the wonderful Don Williams. My third offering was my favourite track by the Waterboys "Old England". Having managed to thankfully get through my set relatively unscathed I invited my good friend Alex Ash on stage. Alex is the lead vocalist with the popular band Vinyl Tap and he joined me to give a great rendition of "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John.

Next up was Ian Simpkins who gave us some wonderful acoustic covers. He got underway with a great version of Kate Wolf's "Across the Great Divide". Kate Wolf helped repopularise folk music in northern California in the 1970s and Ian gave us a delightful version of this classic song. He continued his set with superb covers of "Peaceful Easy Feeling" recorded by the Eagles in 1972 and written by Jack Tempchin and "Someday" by the legendary Steve Earl.

Taking to the stage next was a scratch band which included the talented regulars Dave Blu on lead guitar and vocals, Ollie Flavell rhythm guitar and vocals, Andy Clark on bass and Remynie-Kiah Faith on drums. They cooked up several spellbinding songs which included Eric Clapton’s "Crossroads" and "I Don’t Care What You Say" possibly by Sweet Thunder. There was also some wonderful jamming using the fabulous ll-V-l jazzy chord progression. I don’t propose that I really knew this, however Dave Blu, a guitarist of prodigious talent, informed me of this afterwards. They really kept us enthralled as they effortlessly poured out bluesy arrangements. 

A quick mention here for Harry Woolley who was aided by Dave Blu and ably ran the mixing desk for the evening and also performed some warm up blues early on in the evening. Up next were the young vibrant three piece band Ricochet who are regulars at the Open Mic and caused a real storm with their opening track "This Love" by Maroon 5. The guys, Sand Kumar on lead guitar and vocals, Scott Thompson on bass and Cameron on drums then served up two original works "The Deal" and "The Machine" which highlighted their edgy musical talent. They rounded off their set with "Modern Way" by the Kaiser Chiefs which was really good as I am reliably informed they only practiced it for 5 minutes in the car park before playing it tonight, well done guys.

Reappearing on stage next was the superbly talented Remynie-Kiah Faith. A regular at the Navy Remynie is often seen playing keyboard or drums but tonight took to stage on the acoustic guitar. She performed some wonderful covers in her own inimitable style of ‘"It Ain’t Me Babe" by Bob Dylan although in a more Johnny Cash style. She followed this up by "Radioactive" by the Imagine Dragons. At only 17 she is a remarkable talent.

Finishing up the night was John Minor on Keyboard. Another frequent visitor to the Open Mic John played some classic covers including "I Want to BreakFfree" by Queen and "Time is Tight" by Booker T & the MGs. Both were well done and showed the true nature of a truly eclectic open mic evening.

Ollie Flavell and Dave Blu jammed on stage a while longer which ended another great evening’s entertainment.

For a great nights entertainment please join us here on a Tuesday night and keep music live.

Words Grahame Weir

Photographs Laurence Gale