Busy nights once again at The Navy   Words & Pictures: Dave Whiteman

You would need a heart of stone not to be moved by some of the images seen in the newspapers and on TV this week. When Gavrillo Princip shot and killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie, in June 1914, who could have envisaged that he was laying the foundation for a conflict that would result in the deaths of over 16 million, with more than 20 million wounded? It is always difficult for the Royal British Legion to come up with new ideas to commemorate the 1918 ceasefire and at the same time raise valuable funding, but I think the Tower of London display was a master stroke, with 888,246 ceramic poppies….one for each British Military death….. absolutely amazing. One little known fact about the aforementioned assassination; the number plate of the Archduke’s car was A 11 11 18…..the date of Armistice Day…spooky.

The mood was anything but sombre at the Newport Open Mic this week, as more than fifty music fans made the pilgrimage to the Navy Club for their weekly live music fix.

Sixteen years old Tom Boddison, making only his second appearance at the club, once again had the crowd in his pocket within minutes. Standing alone on the stage with just his Fender Stratocaster, he mesmerised the audience with a fabulous performance. Tom made a bit of an assumption that the crowd may not know Joe Satriani or Stevie Ray Vaughn, but they certainly did and loved his versions of ‘Ten Words’ and ‘Testify’…a quite amazing talent.

Another emerging young talent is 11 years old Jay Harris. With his parents and grandparents proudly looking on he carried on the good work with a little known cover from one of my favourite bands, Semisonic, before finishing with an unusual choice…’Manic Monday’ by The Bangles. Always good to watch.

Nice to see John Minor back on the stage, and once again he didn’t disappoint with his keyboard instrumental set. He is a big Oasis fan, and his version of ‘The Importance of Being Idle’ stripped down to the bare bones with just a piano and no backing was excellent.

We normally see next up Alex Ash and Alan Lane as part of their band Vinyl Tap, but tonight it was just voices and guitar. Folk music doesn’t always go down well in the club….the audience generally prefer something a bit rockier, but ‘Streets of London’ is one of those songs that has crossed over into mainstream and will always get people singing along. A couple of Elvis classics finished off a fine set.

Steve Hammond travels each week from Shrewsbury to ‘advertise’ his superb guitar skills as he looks to join a band. Recruiting fellow guitarist Roger Clark to play bass, he needed only a drummer……step up to the mark new soundman Jonathan Newton who showed that he is no slouch and kept a great beat throughout a varied and entertaining rock set.

One of my absolutely favourite vocalists is Claire Shaw from Telford. She has one of those voices that just draws you in…slightly rock, slightly country, always fabulous. One of her own songs ‘Heavy Heart’ sandwiched between Kacey Musgraves and Ed Sheeran covers, also showcased her brilliant song writing talent. Come back soon Claire, we don’t see enough of you.

Graveyard shift tonight was half of local band One Nation, who will be playing at the Newport Open Mic Christmas Party on 16^th December. The key element in any band is to have strong vocals, and with Roger Clarke, Jon Davies and Carl Pope-Terry all more than able to hold a tune, they have this in abundance. Needing only a drummer to complete the line- up…step forward once again soundman Jonathan, they brought a cracking evening to a close. ‘The Weight’ only reached number 63 in the US charts for The Band, but it was nevertheless listed at No 41 in Rolling Stones Most Influential Songs of All Time, and was a fabulous choice. Their three part harmonies on the chorus, were note perfect…roll on the Christmas Party.

Till next week…..keep it live!