Another brilliant evening at the Navy   Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures: Matt Thomas

So the results are in, the referendum is finished and we are back where we started ….more or less. With only eight months now to the General Election, the political conference season is upon us and the TV is full of professional politicians sidestepping every question put to them. I say professional, because it seems to me that most of them have never had a ‘proper’ job, going into politics straight from university. Apparently Ed Miliband ‘forgot’ part of his keynote speech…what’s the problem? And before readers think I am getting too serious I just wanted to say that this is nothing new……..We of a certain age call that a CRAFT moment….can’t remember a flipping thing!

Fortunately, more than 50 people did remember the location of the Royal Naval Association Club in Bellman’s Yard, and helped turn this week’s Newport Open Mic into a cracker.

Haven’t seen Mike Collins for a while, travelling as he does from Perton, but he is always a treat. It is never easy to be first on stage, but Mike gave us a great opening set that featured songs from Stereophonics and The Fray liberally mixed with his own brand of self-deprecating wit. It is quite unusual to get the audience involved in a sing-along so early in the evening, but an acoustic ‘Sex on Fire’ by Kings of Leon did the trick.

Speaking of sing-alongs, great to welcome Ed Conway and his band Lost the Plot back to the Navy. Their extended set featured everything you want from a live band….great musicianship, brilliant stage craft (there’s that word again!) and good choice of songs. With the rhythm section provided by Paul Crewe on drums and Simon Mann on bass, the set fairly thumped along with traditional Irish Folk/Rock, and then just before you thought it was turning into a Ceilidh, a superb version of ‘Hey Soul Sister’ by Train brought it bang up to date. Keep an eye out for local dates and go and see Lost the Plot….I promise you won’t be disappointed.

The band Ricochet have been regulars at the club for some time now and always impress with their energy and enthusiasm. Only two out if the usual three members tonight, so going out as the O’Chet’s, they alternated between self- penned numbers and a couple of covers from first The Holloways and then The Libertines. Sand Kumar on vocals and acoustic guitar has realised the value of throwing in a couple of good songs from established artistes……a very good set from these talented youngsters.

Taking us up to the raffle was John Minor on keyboard. John is a great supporter of live music and the Newport Open Mic in particular, but he is, by his own admission, sometimes a nervous performer. No nerves on stage tonight however, as he rattled through a selection of instrumentals including one of my favourites, ‘I Want to Break Free’ by Queen. A word here about the Open Mic audience. No-one knows what type of music to expect on a Tuesday night, but the welcome and the applause that each act receives is fantastic and certainly helps build the confidence of our lesser experienced players.

Another quite brilliant performer who hasn’t been seen for a while, wisely recruited Lost the Plot as a backing band and the result was terrific. Dave White….not to be confused with yours truly, goes by the title of Dave the Barge, living as he does on his narrow boat. He pops in to see us whenever he is in the area and always brings something new to the table. He is an exceptional guitarist and singer, so it goes without saying that if you put a good bunch of musicians on stage with him, the result is likely to be outstanding. Using a borrowed guitar he opened with the Waterboys classic, ‘Fisherman’s Blues’ before leading us through a lively set that had the audience involved every step of the way. Special mention here to Simon Mann, the bass player. Some songs are easy to busk and some are not……Sting’s ‘Fragile’ falls into the latter category, but Simon and the rest of the band made it look like it had been on their set list forever. The crowd by this time were crying out for more and the lads duly obliged with a bit of Rock & Roll from Chuck Berry.

It must have taken around ten minutes to leave….so many people wanted to say what a great evening they had had. Remember, every Tuesday at The Navy…..at only a quid it’s the best value in town.

 Till next time…keep it live!

Talented new faces at The Navy   Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures: Laurence Gale

I have made up my mind and will not be swayed….I am not going to write about Scotland. The papers have been full of debate for weeks and I haven’t seen that much excitement on SKY since the last day of the football transfer window. Anyway, by the time you read this, the votes will have been counted and the decision made by Scotland, for Scotland. But whichever way the poll has gone, just remember, we English still love you and always will.

 I did expect that, on the last Open Mic before the vote, the set list would be dominated if not by Scottish music, then songs by Scottish singers, but it was not to be. First on stage Lexi Tapley hasn’t performed for a while and she admitted to me beforehand, that she was more than a little nervous. ‘What for?’ I asked her after a superb opening set that not only quietened the sizable audience, but had them joining in with the Snow Patrol anthem, ‘Run’….a really lovely start to the evening. The soft guitar of Alan Lane left space for Lexi to display her stunning vocal range….don’t leave it so long next time!

Only one song this week from our youngest member, 11 yrs old Jay Harris, but it was a good one. He has recently been to see Shed Seven and as a tribute to them played ‘On Standby’….credit to Jay, he never chooses the easy option. Great stuff from an incredible, young talent.

One genre that we very rarely see is folk music……..the Navy is often not the quietest place to play at times, and to get up and sing unaccompanied takes courage. Mitch Reynolds travelled all the way from Kidderminster to play for the first time and judging by the audience reaction to her powerfully delivered sea shanties, I suspect she will be back.

Bang to Rights haven’t been around for a while and we were lucky enough to have three quarters of them to perform a few rock classics in their own inimitable style. Pete Barton on drums and Steve Smith on bass provided the solid rhythm section, leaving Mark Langford on guitar and vocals. His playing continues to impress…….. his solo to close Hotel California was simply outstanding. You can hear some of their live recordings if you click on to www.soundcloud.com/bangtorights.

Time to welcome another newcomer to the club. Chris Ruddock had never played in front of a live audience before, but encouraged by friend and seasoned performer Sam Brizuela he performed a super set that featured Micheal Buble and Paulo Nutini. Sam then joined him on stage for ‘Say Something’ by American duo A Great Big World. Not easy to harmonise, especially if you are a nervous first timer, but they did a super job…well done to both.

Next up, new songs a plenty for Navy Club regulars, Vinyl Tap. Not happy to introduce just one or two different numbers, they weighed in with FOUR new songs. ‘Dock of the Bay’ complete with whistling finale was very good, but their closing number Chris Isaac’s ‘Wicked Game’ featured both Jude Paton and Cath Butler on backing vocals….that is surely a first?!

Olly Flavell has managed to carve a little bit of a niche….taking established songs and then reworking them into a jazzy style that is original and entertaining. This week a Beatle’s classic ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ was hardly recognisable, but very well done. Olly is another young performer who is happy to tear the rule book up and sing well known classics in a completely different way.

John Minor had been sitting patiently all evening and it was he who brought the evening to a close with a selection of instrumentals that included the fabulous ‘Eve of The War’ from War of the Worlds. John’s confidence has grown enormously over the last few months, and although the stage can seem quite large to just one man and a keyboard, he carries it off very well. A couple of classics from first John Lennon and then The Beatles brought a lovely evening to a close.

Once again, many thanks to the helpers, before and after…we couldn’t do it without you. If anyone out there has an interest in sharing the duties on the sound desk…. the most important job of the evening… we would be really happy to hear from you. No specialist knowledge needed, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Full training will be given, contact Jude or myself….go on, you know you want to! Thanks for your continued support….till next week, keep it live!

---

Dave

Normal play resumes at The Navy

Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures: Matt Thomas

This is the time of year when I always find myself saying ‘where did the summer go?’ Here we are almost in the middle of September and I can still vividly remember last Christmas….in fact I think we are still paying for it. We have just got back from a holiday in Spain, very unusual for us. Not going on holiday of course, we are retired after all, but going at this time of year when the beaches are crowded and campsites are full. One highlight was playing a couple of gigs at a bar in L’Estartit, where the locals and holiday makers are starved of ‘live’ music; more used to singers with backing tapes. Just one voice and a guitar can seem a little underwhelming, but the audience seemed to like it…perhaps it was the San Miguel at £1 a pint!

The same pound will get you entrance to the most popular live music venue in the area; the Newport Open Mic at the Navy Club in Bellman’s Yard, still going from strength to strength after more than ten years. Richie Evans has been a regular for most of that time and his lively set is always guaranteed to get the evening off to a great start. Somehow he manages to mix Lady Gaga with Men at Work and make it sound as if it was written that way…highly original and always entertaining.

I haven’t seen Scripted Youth at the club before, but brothers Keith and Mike Hatton along with Craig Cooper, all from Telford, have fashioned a nice full sound of mainly original compositions, and even though a well-received ‘Basket Case’ by Green Day was very popular, to me it didn’t sound any better that their own stuff, ‘Train’s Rolling On’ and ‘Nasty Habits’…….aren’t they great titles as well?

Graham Weir has become an Open Mic regular and it is clear to see how much his confidence has grown over the last year or so. Dylan’s ‘Simple Twist of Fate’ was excellent, and he then managed to inject variety into his act by first inviting saxophonist Ben Garrott to join him on stage and then Remynie Faith to sing the classic Dolly Parton number ‘Jolene’….really good stuff.

It takes a lot of courage to get up on stage in front of a large audience, but next up Jay Harris looks as if he has been doing it for years…even though he is only eleven. It is a fact that lots of Open Mic performers will stay within their sphere of comfort, playing familiar tunes every performance, but Jay always seems to bring something new to the table. This week a tribute to the Gallagher brothers, with songs from both Beady Eye and High Flying Birds, showed a remarkable stage presence for someone so young.

Telford’s Claire Shaw is someone I am always pleased to see at The Navy, and yet another talent who is never afraid to take a chance. Kacey Musgrave’s ‘Merry go Round’ was quite mesmerising, but it was her own composition ‘None of my Business’ that caught my attention. Singer songwriters Mellisa Severn and Melissa Walford have both gone on to bigger stages, with T in The Park and Britain’s Got Talent respectively and I really see no reason why Claire could not follow the same path.

Any Open Mic evening would not be complete without a set from a Scratch House band. These are usually likeminded musicians who although they may never have met, get up on stage to play together and busk through a few rock classics. This week I was delighted to join Rich Evans on bass, Steve Hammond on lead guitar and newcomer drummer, Steve Price who had travelled all the way from Derby. Rule of thumb is keep it simple….three or four chords are normally more than enough….it suited Lennon & McCartney! A short set of rock anthems from Steve Miller, T Rex and Rod Stewart closed the evening and sent the audience home happily humming the tunes. A grateful thanks to the small army of volunteers who helped replace the kit in the loft and indeed to all the ones who do the same at the beginning and end of every Open Mic….we couldn’t do it without you.

So…..good to be back? You betcha! Spain may have the sun, the sea and the cheap beer….but give me Newport anytime!

Till next week…..keep it live!

ALL HAPPENING IN NEWPORT

On 4^th and 5^th of September Newport, currently surrounded by a ring of steel, sees 60 heads of state or government, 10,000 support staff, 25,000 extra rail passengers, an estimated 20,000 protesters, 1,500 media, 9,500 police officers from 43 forces, 12 miles of security fencing, school closures and Prince Charles. Fortunately this is all happening in Newport, South Wales, but it is a real coup for Wales and a feather in the cap for Newport hosting the NATO summit.

Back at home in Newport, Shropshire we saw a ring of steel erected in and around the town centre last Saturday to protect the thousands of spectators who turned out to watch the 10^th Nocturne organised by father and son, Mick and Nick Jeggo together with about 100 volunteers enabling us to see many a cycling legend that most circuit races in Britain just do not see. A real feather in our own town’s cap thanks to these people and the sponsors.  

Newport hasn’t seen any rail passengers since 1967 and there is no ring of steel on a Tuesday night but occasionally “Ring of Fire” (a rather tenuous link I know) can be heard at Open Mic in Bellman’s Yard, notably from our own Rich Evans and Martyn Templeton.

Back to last Tuesday and a hot September night at the Royal Naval Association in Newport saw several new faces in the audience and performers from as far as Leeds and Manchester. After a blues jam sound check from Dave Blu, Steve Davis, Andy Clarke and Olly Flavell our first visitor from further afield was Malcolm Purvis.  It’s always nice that Malcolm regularly pops in when he is working in the area and he has many a kind word for Newport Open Mic which he says has inspired him in his creativity and song writing. With chorus pedal and yet another new song called “Prayer” which came about when away from home and missing his family his set of new songs never fails to please.

Telford band Ricochet were on fine form with Sand, Scott and Cameron playing all original material. These three young lads never fail to look energized on stage and obviously thoroughly enjoy playing to an appreciative audience. Rehearsal time I believe is very often outside on the car park! “Under Age and Under Paid” is a song they wrote and played at Open Mic a few years ago and was my particular favourite in the set. Ricochet’s drummer Cameron Pierce left the drum stool to take up his guitar to accompany prog rock backing tracks bringing yet another dimension to Open Mic whose philosophy is “anything goes”.

We are looking forward to the return of Dave Whiteman very soon and the Scratch House Band spot is invariably his favourite part of the evening. He would have enjoyed tonight’s collaboration which comprised Dave Blu, young Andy Conway on drums (lovely to see you back), Ben Garrott on his white polycarbonate alto sax, Olly Flavell and Andy Clarke on bass. There is probably no one who enjoys himself more alongside such good musicians than Andy who can play a driving bass line and is always seen grinning from ear to ear. Alternating vocals and guitar breaks from Dave and Olly brought us a splendid blues rock set which included “After Midnight”, “Black Magic Woman” and “Thrill is Gone”. 

Tuesday night brought us a great mix of acoustic solo sets as well as bands and next up was Josh Banks from Telford. What an outstanding voice this young man has and with his versions of Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and Radiohead’s “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” he held the audience spellbound.

Steve Davis has not been down from Manchester for a while but after his recent altercation with hedge cutters it was nice to see him back. Diversity was the name of the game with songs from Black Sabbath, Runrig and Crowded House sung in a higher register before delving into his vocal boots with JJ Cale’s “Call Me the Breeze.”

Pippin Henderson had a mention in last week’s Open Mic review with reference to his excellent version of “Whole Lotta Love” which we haven’t heard for ages from him and lo and behold he paid us a long overdue visit and treated us to “Whole Lotta Love” once again followed by an extended mix of “Voodoo Chile” with Andy Conway on drums and Olly on bass. John Heath would have been proud of his nephew, Pippin, from 6,000 miles away in Colombia.

Thanks to all those who turn up regularly to set up, keep the evening running smoothly and put everything away at the end of the night and a big thanks of course to all those who come to perform or just to listen making Open Mic on a Tuesday night the place to be in Newport.

Jude Paton