The King is dead, long live the King

 I had a text message from a friend at 8.21am on Friday 15th May saying "Have you heard that BB King, the legendary blues guitar player, has died?" Until that point I hadn't, but the strangest thing was that at the exact same time the text message came through "The Thrill is Gone" was playing in my stall in Newport Market.

You don't have to be a blues fan to have heard of BB King, a name synonymous with blues much as Louis Armstrong's is with jazz. Rolling Stone magazine placed him behind only Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman in its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time and his vibrato style of playing influenced a generation of rock and blues guitarists. Perhaps not top of the list of greatest guitarists but certainly the king of vibrato.

BB was 89 when he died and exactly 5 years ago last Tuesday a certain young Newport lady made her first appearance at Newport Open Mic just 2 days before her 13^th birthday when she sat behind the drums and played Led Zeppelin's “Rock and Roll”alongside her older brother. The young lady in question is Remynie-Kiah Faith and since then she has been a great supporter of Open Mic and more so a great emerging talent not only as a multi instrumentalist but also as a superb vocalist, one of the few who can hush a crowded room and make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when she sings.

Remynie was back behind the drums on Tuesday, 2 days before her 18^th birthday to start the evening off alongside bluesman Dave Sanford, 18 year old Olly Flavell and the ever grinning Andy Clarke on bass with a great blues/jazz set which included Dave's self penned song “Black Country Boy” and the 1958 Chuck Berry rock and roll classic “Johnny B Goode”. A real treat in store next with Dave and Olly performing a lovely acoustic set together and of course the obvious opener, BB King's “The Thrill is Gone” followed by a couple of Clapton classics who himself was a great friend of BB King as well as musical collaborator. Two songs by John Martyn, “May You Never” and “Sweet Little Mystery” and sung by Dave brought an excellent acoustic set by these talented musicians to a close.

Another delightful set to follow this time from Remynie accompanied by boyfriend Gaz Giles on guitar. Three great songs sung beautifully by the birthday girl and not the easiest choice with Billy Bragg's “Birds and Ships” followed by “Girl With One Eye” by Florence and the Machine. An already hushed room was delighted to hear Remynie's version of “Bang Bang” written originally for Cher in 1966 by her then husband Sonny Bono but also covered by Nancy Sinatra in the same year but remaining in relative obscurity until it was used in the opening credits of the 2003 film Kill Bill. Remynie's version is more akin to Nancy Sinatra's cover and is quite simply breathtaking as is Gaz's accompaniment. By way of complete contrast Gaz played his own death metal version of “Happy Birthday” which had the crowd smiling and Remynie trying to hide her blushes.

Always a sign of good musicianship when a vocalist can choose 3 or 4 songs and find a couple of guitarists who can accompany him and so it was with Alex Ash singing alongside Dave Sanford and Olly Flavell, totally unrehearsed but melding easily together with songs by Bill Withers, Tom Petty, Marvin Gaye and Wilson Pickett.

A good crowd at Newport Open Mic were treated to a splendid evening of mainly acoustic music – two nights are never the same – and what better way to send a happy crowd home on an unseasonally cold May evening with the final song of the night from Dave Blu “Miss You at the Dawning of the Day.

Same time next week, Tuesdays at the Royal Naval Association, Newport Open Mic

 KEEPING MUSIC LIVE.

Just over a week ago the British nation was caught up in the results of the General Election coming in throughout the day. A massive "yes" for the Scottish Nationalists winning 56 out of 59 seats and probably less surprisingly a 5 year term of office for a Conservative Government who will be under close scrutiny in the months ahead. By way of celebration for everyone whatever your political persuasion the 8th May 2015 heralded the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. There would have been dancing in the streets and party fayre would have consisted of dripping sandwiches - that's when you cook roast beef and the pan ends up with a solid layer of white and brown sludge if you leave it to cool: that's dripping. Yum. Faggots made of offal and offcuts, wrapped in fat and fried, corned beef and of course spam.....cue the Monty Python song where everything on the menu at the fictional Green Midget Café in Bromley contains spam. This was a time of food rationing which would continue until 1954.

 

Wind the clock forward to Tuesday and once again a celebration of song and music at Newport Open Mic at the Royal Naval Association. Young Jay Harris and Russ, his dad, were on hand as usual to help set up at 7pm with Jay doing a sound check. By 8.30pm there was a sizeable audience but not a single name on the board to entertain. Eddie Maiden was in the audience so that was a good sign and in the absence of anyone to play alongside him he had come ready equipped with some backing tracks. Football on so looks like we could be in for an early night I thought, this time with music rationing. Thankfully I was proved wrong as our own blues harp player Ed Sullivan arrived followed by a crowd from Wellington. It is always a pleasure to welcome new faces at Newport Open Mic but none more so than blues guitarist Tony McPhee, founder member of The Groundhogs and Joanna Deacon who joined The Groundhogs as vocalist in 2011. New faces indeed at Newport Open Mic but certainly not in the music industry. Tony was one of the great exponents of the British blues scene in the sixties backing  John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Champion Jack Dupree and Little Walter and touring with The Stones. All legends in music. Tony suffered a serious stroke in 2011 but came back to play with The Groundhogs until they retired in 2014. So there was a great buzz in the room to find him sharing an evening of music with us here in Newport.

 

Another musician and singer, Steve Reynolds, had arrived so by 8.45 the curtains were up and we knew we were going to be in for a great night. Eddie Maiden got things underway with songs which included The Mavericks, Glen Campbell and Barry White with some nimble dance moves and audience participation. His musical career goes back a long way and he can certainly still engage the audience.  

Wellington newcomers Derek Griffiths on guitar and vocals and Pete Ryan on acoustic bass were next up and their opening song "Goin' Back" written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin but made famous by Dusty Springfield was delightful. Follow that with songs from The Killers, Pink Floyd, Ian Dury and Dr Hook these two guys had the audience in the palm of their hands.

 

It's been a while since we heard Steve Reynolds at the Navy but he stands very tall on stage and woos the crowd (the girls in particular) with songs sung from the heart as well as beautiful finger picking guitar. "Sweet Child of Mine", "Wonderful Tonight", Crowded House's "Fall At Your Feet" and "You Do Something To Me" by Paul Weller, four classic love songs had us entranced. "It Must Be Love" originally written by Labi Siffre in 1971 but released 10 years later by SKA band Madness was used recently in a US advert wooing the Volkwagen Passat! - a splendid choice of songs from Steve.

 

Should Be Band started out as a trio with Derek and Pete back on stage joined by Joanna Deacon. Vocalist in the most recent Groundhogs line up Joanna is a natural performer in her own right.   Nina Simone' s "My Baby Just Cares For Me" slid into "Top Cat" then, cue Monty Python again, "Always Look on the Bright Side" and then back to Nina Simone. Blues harpist Ed Sullivan joined them for Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee", the man behind the sound desk and the camera, Jon Newton, found himself behind the drums, Steve Reynolds and Cath Butler were up there too and suddenly we had Should Be "Big" Band. With Derek and Jo providing lovely harmonies we enjoyed some classics from Bob Dylan, The Animals, The Drifters and Johnny Cash, "Folsom Prison Blues" perfect for Ed who was that train coming down the track on his harmonica. "Dead Flowers" from The Stones album "Sticky Fingers" was superb and  sitting next to Tony McPhee it took little persuasion to get him up on stage to see us out with a magnificent blues jam session demonstrating why he is a  British blues legend.

 

Many thanks to all of you who contributed to a memorable evening of Live Music at Newport Open Mic, every Tuesday at the Royal Naval Association.

 

Joanna and Tony are starting up their Open Mic nights again at the Wrekin Inn, Wellington from 19th May, another great venue 

 

 

KEEPING MUSIC LIVE!

 

This week's review copied below has been written by visiting musician from Manchester, Steve Davis.     Photographs by Matthew Thomas

Well I suppose it had to happen but this year celebrates a "Musical" landmark: yes this year the Eurovision Song Contest enters its 60th year. No matter what you think of it the contest has never succumbed to any critisism scooped upon it but takes the knocks and bounces back and for ever onward it seems,  when for instance in 1967 the world was full of love and peace and social change our entrySandie Shaw singing "Puppet on a string", and so it has been throughout the past 60 years that brought forward such musical gems like "Refrain", "La, La, La", "Ding a Dong"and the unforgetable "Diggi-loo, Diggey-Ley" it also causes people to gather and celebrate this amazing tournament in the comfort of their own front rooms. The most wins in the competition is held by Ireland with a total so far of 7 with the UK in second place with 5, we do however share this position with France,Sweden and Luxembourg with the UK's last victory being 1997 with Katrina and the Waves and "Love Shine a Light" and of course we all remember the words to that little ditty, anyway folks moving quickly onto this week's musical gathering that is the Navy Club Open Mic night......

 

Opening the evening in fine form for the soundcheck starter was a scratch band called Dave Sanfords Birthday Bashers, (in celebration of Daves 61st birthday today) and accompanying Dave in  the Birthday Bashers were Steve Black on drums and Steve Davis on bass, with a selection of blues tunettes including one of Dave's own songs "Mr Bartender" it was a  set which got the audience tapping their feet.

Next on stage was local singer Lexi Tapley from Edgmond, accompanied by Alan Lane on guitar this young lady sang songs ranging from  Paulo Nutini's  "Last Request" through to a Terence Trent D'arby "Let Her Down Easy" and with the audience giving their full attention sang her set of songs with consumate ease.

Rich T has a unique if somewhat cheeky approach when doing a set and as usual he brought along a variation of different tunes which he then puts his own slant on. Tonight he  had songs from Joni Mitchell, "Woodstock", through to Neil Young, "Rocking in the free world"and  "Breathe" from Dead Moon Society which certainly caught the attention.

Jay Harris has already appeared at the Navy Club for some while now and  in that time has probably brought forward a bigger variation of different songs than anyone else, and he is still only 12 !!! So it was tonight with a set that set included songs from the likes of The Stereophonics, "Indian Summer" and the wonderful "Driftaway" by Dobie Gray. It's always a treat to hear him sing and play and to see him growing up and so into his guitar.

On stage next was a revisit by tonight's scratch band Dave Sanford's Birthday Bashers joined on harmonica by the glorious talent of Ed Sullivan playing "Honky Tonk Woman" and "Brown Sugar" from the Rolling Stones. Canned Heats "Work Together" and finally with "Can"t Get Enough" from Free.

Vinyl Tap are a well known beat combo in the Newport area where they play every  once in while  usually giving their time for free in order to help various causes to raise money. Tonight's appearance began with the band of Alex, Cath, Jude and Alan being augmented by Gail Faith on tambourine and Jon Newton on drums, doing 3 songs dedicated to the sad passing last week of the great Ben. E. King with renditions of 3 great tracks by The Drifters of whom Ben E King was the lead vocalist "Stand by Me", "Save the Last Dance" and "Saturday Night at the Movies". The set was completed with a brace of songs by The Monkees.

Last solo performer on stage tonight was Laurence Gale who played a collection of tunes including "Sorrow" originally recorded by American band The Mcoys but making number 1 in the UK by The Merseys and later by Davis Bowie and "Wonderful Tonight" from the pen of Eric Clapton for which Laurence was joined by Alan on guitar and Jude on bass. A fine performance indeed as its not always easy when going on later in the running order.

To finish off the night there was an amalgamation of various people into a scratch band of Andy Clark bass, Rich T guitar,Ed Sullivan harmonica,Steve Davis drums and of course last and by no means least birthday boy Dave Sanford on guitar where they rattled through a few songs to close the night.

If I may be so bold as to say that I don't get to come to the Navy Club much from my home in Manchester but when I do I immediately always feel right at home. 

It inspired me to start an open mic where I live and I have always used the Navy as an example of how to bring forward new/young/mature talent. So well done to everyone who comes to the Navy and plays or comes and listens, but please remember that all the on stage equipment has to be set up and put away so if you can get down early to set up or stay behind to put away it would be very much appreciated....................thank you, ta ta now.

And keep the music live.

 

 

Report by Jude Paton.     Photography by Matthew Thomas

One of Dave Whiteman's favourite spots at Open Mic is The Scratch-house Band when someone gets up on bass, another on drums, guitar (or two) and vocals. This is totally unrehearsed and very often the band members have never actually met before. The musicians however are thoroughly enjoying themselves and it is hard to believe that this 15 minute spot has not required hours of practice.

The Severn Theatre in our county town puts on some great live music and last week I saw Birmingham band Quill, whose music is described as Celtic/Rock. They are currently doing a theatre tour and it was interesting to see THREE drum kits on stage before they came on. The puzzle was solved when, as well as their usual drummer, the band was joined by drummer and percussionist Bev Bevan, one of the original members of The Move and ELO and the touring drummer with Black Sabbath. By no means comparable with an Open Mic Scratch-house band but an interesting collaboration of musical talent with the wonderful voice of vocalist Joy Strachan. One of the highlights of a great concert was "The Bonnie Banks O' Loch Lomond" and with Bev Bevan on drums!

 

With plenty of new faces in the audience Open Mic at the Royal Naval Association in Newport kicked off with an extended Scratch-house Band sound check with the ever smiling Andy Clarke on bass, Dave Blu Sanford on guitar and vocals, Steve Black on drums and Olly Flavell, guitar and vocals. A bluesy start leading in to some early classics with  "Johnny B Goode", "Honky Tonk Woman" and BB King's "The Thrill is Gone" got an evening of great live musical entertainment underway.

 

Always good to see Open Mic stalwart Laurence Gale, this time with guitar instead of camera and some lovely gentle songs. Harry Chapin is one of his favourite artists but "Norwegian Wood" with some lovely finger picking was the one that stood out for me.

 

A return visit to the Navy Club and long overdue was Mitch Reynolds, originally from Stockton-on-Tees but now living in Telford. Mitch is a prize winning singer of sea shanties so wek new we were in for something different from her tonight when she stepped in to the spotlight with concertina and a low G whistle. The room was hushed from the start with her opening song "Lord Franklin" about a British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer who perished on his last expedition along with his entire crew in 1847. Conditions on these expeditions were dreadful with men forced to eat lichen, their own leather boots and even resorting to cannibalism and in the end often dying from starvation, hypothermia, scurvy, lead poisoning or tuberculosis. A couple of Irish tunes on the whistle was followed by the sea shanty " "Shallow Brown" and with shouts for an encore Mitch ended a delightful set with "The Poison Pasty Song/My Boy Billy" a capella. How she remembered the numerous verses to these songs I have no idea but Mitch brought something quite different to the Open Mic stage on Tuesday.

 

Dave Sanford and Friends (Olly, Andy and Steve) were back on stage with the Santana version of "Black Magic Woman" followed by a folk version of "Hey Joe" supposedly written in 1962 by Billy Roberts. The Surfaris "Wipeout" showed just what a great drummer Steve Black is - he was really in his element with this classic 12 bar blues instrumental from 1963.

 

17 year old Olly Flavell remained on stage for a solo spot proving what a talented, versatile and confident young musician he has become. With a couple of his own songs and the promise if his new album due for release soon he is proof that Newport definitely has talent in abundance.

 

Singer/songwriter Alexandra Jayne was paying her first visit to Newport Open Mic and her acoustic style complemented by a strong soulful voice brought a hush around the room. Alexandra Jayne at just 22 and from Wheaton Aston is another example of what fine young talent we have here on our doorstep. Supporting James Blunt on his recent "Moon Landing" tour Alexandra Jayne treated us to 3 of her self penned songs after a superb opening cover of The Beatles "Helter Skelter". Her own songs "Clumsy Love", "Home" and "Troubadour" held the audience spellbound. Maybe the first time here at Open Mic but I don't think it will be the last.

 

By way of complete contrast Rich T was up next and he always chooses some great songs which inevitably make us smile, not least with lyrics such as "driving a truck with my high heels on" by Al Yankovic and "I'll never smoke weed with Willie again" - a tribute to Willie Nelson. And "Mississippi" by the all girl Dutch band Pussycat?.....not often you would hear that sung at an Open Mic session. A great choice Rich.

 

John Minor was in good form tonight on borrowed keyboards and playing an instrumental set with 2 songs from his favourite band Oasis and finishing with "I'll Get You" the B side of The Beatles 1963 single "She Loves You". An excellent set from John.

 

3 members of Vinyl Tap recruited Dave Sanford on guitar, sound man Jon Newton on drums and Gail Faith on tambourine with  additional vocals from a member of the audience to bring the night to a close. Great fun, completely unrehearsed and just a splendid way to bring an evening of live music to an end.

 

Same time next week - Newport Open Mic every Tuesday at the Royal Naval Association, Bellmans Yard, Newport. Live music, there's nothing better.