What's in a Name?

Imagine the late sixties and Robert Plant talking to Keith Moon of The Who saying that he was thinking of forming a new band with a folk/blues style to which Moon replied, "That'll go down like a lead zeppelin". And with that remark Led Zeppelin was born and of course the rest is history as they say.

Still  in the sixties and Ian Anderson together with Mick Abrahams, Glenn Cornick and Clive Bunker were playing the London club circuit with ever changing band names including "Navy Blue", "Ian Henderson's Bag o' Nails" and "Candy Coloured Rain". Band names were often supplied by booking agents' staff, one of whom, a history enthusiast, eventually christened the four piece" Jethro Tull" after an 18th century pioneer of British agriculture who helped bring about the Agricultural Revolution with his invention of a horse drawn seed drill and a horse drawn hoe.
 

There have been numerous bands who have come and gone over the years within the local Open Mic circuit and behind many of these band names there is often a story to be told. Some of you may remember: Urban Dreamer, Dead Moon Society, Maybe Tomorrow, Anything Goes, Band of the Cake Fairy. Brakedust, Robbie's in Rehab and Broken Routes and the unique aspect of Newport Open Mic is that it can provide a platform for not only solo artists but full bands as well. I recall, not so long ago, a NINE piece band called Under the Cocktail Bar on stage at the Open Mic session at the Royal Naval Association in Bellmans Yard (although admittedly I don't think we had a full band complement on that night). Almost as big a band however as Bellowhead (11 members) who happened to be performing in Warrington on Tuesday night and attracted some of our Open Mic regulars. Probably not much change out of £20 for that gig but for only £1 a sizeable audience in Newport heard some great live music provided by no less than 10 different acts.

Early doors and Dave Sanford treated us to a lovely rendition of John Martyn's "May You Never" before being joined on stage for an opening blues jam by the ever smiling Andy Clarke on bass, Olly Flavell and Jon Newton on drums. 

 

Richard Thomas performed a lively and varied set which included "Poison Ivy" originally recorded by The Coasters in 1959. One of my favourite cover versions of this song was done by the Stones in 1963. With Abba, Steve Earle and Gloria Gaynor also on his set list he couldn't fail to please.

Eddie Maiden has become a regular at Open Mic and as a vocalist it is not always possible to find a guitarist to accompany him unless Dave Whiteman is present. Away on his European travels however it was Tony Rodberg who stepped into the breach tonight and Eddie was in his element and had the audience singing along with "Delilah" and "Sweet Caroline" and even demonstrated a bit of a dance routine on stage. Still pretty agile for a man in his seventies.

A treat in store with Remynie Kiah accompanied by boyfriend Gaz Giles up next. Remynie is probably one of the best female vocalists you will hear around and would undoubtedly have The Voice panellists spinning in their chairs. Left handed Gaz on guitar played beautifully to Billy Bragg's "Birds and Ships" followed by "Girl With One Eye" by Florence and the Machine. "Bang Bang" however seemed to be the song that the crowd were waiting for and they were not to be disappointed when Alex Ash joined Remynie and Gaz on stage to sing the Sonny and Cher classic. Alex, if you didn't already know, it is a massive Cher fan sonhe came off the stage smiling like a Cheshire cat!

Nice to see Tony Rodberg tonight and together with Dave Blu, Olly on bass and Jon once again on drums we were treated to some classic rock and blues. Dave and Tony complemented one another perfectly playing lead and bottleneck guitar from "Route 66" to "Thrill is Gone" to "Honky Tonk Women",  just a part of a splendid 20 minute set.

A difficult one to follow but John Minor hardly seemed fazed at all, alone under the spotlight tonight playing guitar and singing songs by his favourite band Oasis. Well done John.

Olly Flavell was back on stage once again with Dave Blu and Jon Newton and the talented Tony Rodberg, this time on bass. A great up tempo foot tapping set which included "Johnny B Goode", "All Right Now" and "Hey Joe". Just when we thought it was all over Claire Shaw from Telford was a welcomed latecomer and our second female vocalist of the evening. Bob Dylan's song "To Make You Feel My Love" and of course covered by Adele brought the evening to a gentle close along with a lullaby written by Claire and Whitney Houston's "Your Love is My Love".

 

No unusual band names tonight but great live musical entertainment from a wealth of local talent.

 

Same time, same place next Tuesday - Newport Open Mic at the Royal Naval Association in Bellmans Yard.

 

KEEPING MUSIC LIVE!!