There was a Happy Easter in Shrewsbury from the roof of St Chads and through the streets of our county town when, over a warm and sunny Bank Holiday weekend, around 300 musicians performed during the third annual Big Busk. The event came about as a tribute to musician and artist Ben Bebbington who died aged 43 from head injuries after being attacked on a footpath in Ditherington in 2012. The 2 day Big Busk has grown into one of the most popular events on the town’s calendar and there at the front of a massive crowd of buskers was 12 year old Jay Harris, a regular and great supporter of The Newport Open Mic.

Starting out as a busker on the streets of Toronto in the sixties probably the best female singer/songwriter ever is Canadian born Joni Mitchell now recovering in hospital having been found unconscious at her home in Los Angeles just over a week ago. Joni too is an artist and musician of extraordinary talent whose lyrics divulged her innermost fears and pain and how the loss of a lover leaves you feeling "The bed's too big, the frying pan's too wide" - sheer poetry from the song "My Old Man" from one of my favourite albums "Blue". 

At the age of 8, she contracted polio which affected her fingers, and consequently she had to devise dozens of alternative tunings of her own in her song writing and playing in what she calls "Joni's weird chords".

No weird chords for Jim Paton at this week's Newport Open Mic, in fact no chords at all for Jim who was first up to sing a capella songs by Rick Kemp, bass player with Steeleye Span and Ben Watt, best known as one half of the duo Everything But The Girl. Jim brought complete hush to the room with his version of Watt's song "The Night I Heard Caruso Sing." As he said himself "It makes a change from jazz and blues and rock and roll".

18 year old Olly Flavell brought us a set of original songs in his own unique jazzy funk style. If you imagine yourself sitting in Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho then a session from Olly would certainly not go amiss there. 

 

Definitely a night for our young singer/songwriters with young Dan Walton back in Newport from university for the Easter break, and at The Open Mic for the second week running. Dan has moved away from his blues roots of Clapton, Blind Faith and Hendrix and with only one cover,  the Gorillaz'  "Feel Good Inc".  Dan's originals were outstanding especially "Shadow of the Mountain". 

Sand Kumar, Scott Thompson and drummer Cameron Pierce upped the tempo and the decibels with their band Ricochet up next. Always good to see these lads and their stage presence is that of sheer enthusiasm and enjoyment. Once again 4 originals from this band and for me their last song "Left Hand Blues" written just a fortnight ago and practiced in the car-park before its first airing tonight was excellent. Great to see you back lads.

Another prolific songwriter from Telford was next up on stage, Claire Shaw, surprising us with her opening number, a lovely acoustic version of The Monkees "Daydream Believer". Whitney Houston's "My Love Is Your Love" a song she learnt just 2 days previously was delightful and together with an original "I Hope" and George Ezra's "Blame It On Me" Claire brought an excellent set to the Open Mic stage. It's well worthwhile checking out Claire's recent live acoustic session at Hey Jude's on you tube filmed by regular Open mic photographer Matt Thomas. You can also catch Olly and Rich Evans on you tube at the same venue. 

Dylan Evans, also back from university, arrived with mandolin tonight. This young man delivers music and song in a unique style and has an outstanding voice which has developed into something quite special. He was ready to make a quick getaway after only 2 songs on the mandolin saying he couldn't do any more as his guitar was broken. Fortunately Newport Open Mic can provide house bass, acoustic and electric guitars as well as a full drum kit and cahon, so there is no escape should you turn up without an instrument! A final song from Dylan as the acoustic guitar was passed to him, was met with enthusiastic applause from his friends in the corner and the rest of the assembled crowd.

The evening finished as it started, unusually with a second set a capella, this time from Alex Ash. Usually fronting Vinyl Tap, Alex claimed to be quite nervous in the spotlight on his own, but he is a man with big presence and a big voice to match and "Through the Barricades" from one of his favourite bands Spandau Ballet soon put him at ease, and with a powerful encore of Frankie's "Power of Love" an evening of live music at the Royal Naval Association in Bellman's Yard was brought to a close.

Same time, 8pm, same place next Tuesday. Until then KEEP IT LIVE!

A reminder that there is a Charity Night at the Royal Naval Association on Friday 24th April with music by Olly Flavell, Thom Morecroft and T-Live winner Melissa Severn and many more. Tickets are £5 in advance from Hey Jude's in Newport Indoor Market otherwise £7 on the door or call 07772239769.