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.