Report Jude Paton

Forget the bran flakes, breakfast just got some serious bling as Queen Elizabeth at 89 is now the longest reigning monarch in history overtaking Queen Victoria and notching up 63 years and 7 months on the throne. To mark this momentous event Kelloggs have brought out a new cereal called "Queen Flakes". The royal mouthful comprises gold leaf cornflakes, Special K, edible diamonds and pearls and Her Majesty's favourite macadamia nuts. Sadly you won't find Queen Flakes in the new Aldi store in Newport, nor any other supermarket for that matter but travel to Manchester's Black Milk Cereal Dive and a bowl of breakfast bling will set you back £6.30!

Here in Newport at the Royal Naval Association and for only £1 you can enjoy  around 3 hours of live music at Tuesday's Open Mic session and who knows you may well hear an excellent cover version of a song sung by Farrokh Bulsara better known of course as Freddie Mercury who joined the band Smile in 1970 with Brian May and Roger Taylor. Freddie persuaded the band to change their name however saying "I thought up the name Queen. It's just a name but it's very regal and sounds splendid as well as being strong, very universal and immediate". They were to become one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world. Unfortunately our itinerant musician Dave Whiteman is still away on his travels but had he been at Open Mic on Tuesday I am sure he would have obliged with his superb Queen medley. 

After a 7 week break Tuesday is back to being a "school night" so many of the youngsters (or their parents) were polishing their shoes for the start of the autumn term. Nonetheless there were new faces in the audience once again and some varied acts to entertain.

19 year old Richard Heywood got the evening underway with some great covers by Bryan Adams, Oasis and one of my favourites from him, "Lady Madonna". A loyal supporter on a Tuesday night and growing in confidence every week.

John Minor this week brought his keyboard and demonstrated what an accomplished musician he is. No easy task finding the right effects on the keys whilst playing the melody. From Jeff Wayne's musical adaptation of H.G.Wells' science fiction novel "The War of the Worlds" John's  interpretation  of "Eve of the World" was outstanding. Followed by 2 further instrumentals by Greenday and Oasis John was note perfect.

18 year old Olly Flavell first appeared at Newport Open Mic at the age of 13 and has been prominent on the music scene ever since and is now a prolific songwriter. No surprise therefore that this weekend sees him off to the British Institute of Music in Manchester to embark on a 3 year degree course in songwriting. A great set of original material this week,  I don't think the ink had even dried from a couple of them. We wish him well and although he will most certainly be visiting us during holiday periods it will be interesting to see how his style develops over the next 3 years. Fortunately Manchester has one or 2 Open Mic venues for him to visit, not least the Top Dog in Ashton-under-Lyne. A good one to drop by if you are ever up that way on a Monday night. You could even combine it with a bowl of Queen Flakes at the Cereal Dive.

Laurence Gale has not played for some time and good to see him back this week with a varied set list which included The Strawbs "Lay Down" and "Here Comes the Sun" written and performed by George Harrison from the 1969 Abbey Road album. This classic album track has featured several times on Desert Island Discs chosen by Sandie Shaw, Jerry Springer, Boris Johnson and Elaine Paige. A great choice by Laurence too.

High Society was the next and final name on the board and a first visit for this four piece band to Newport Open Mic. We have heard the lead singer Glenys Roston recently accompanied by Alan Laneand this week Glenys once again had traveled all the way from Llandudno to be joined by Ian Wellings on upright bass and from Bridgnorth, Jon Tame from Wolverhampton on drums and our own Alan Lane on guitar and just a stone's throw away from Church Aston. Some logistics involved for these four to get together to rehearse but well worth the effort with a great bluesy swing band sound fronted by Glenys. Seasoned musicians and performers their extended set included a song by the Dutch jazz and pop singer Caro Emerald, Bobby Darin's number one hit from 1959 "Mack the Knife"and "I Wanna be Like You" from Jungle Book. "Blue Moon", a hit from the doo-wop group The Marcels went down really well and is one of my favourite songs covered by the less well known band Cowboy Junkies. Worth checking out on youtube.

Another splendid night of live music from Newport and a salute to nearly 64 years on the throne for Queen Elizabeth and to Dave Grohl who ruled the night last Saturday from his throne of guitars at Milton Keynes Bowl with the rescheduled Foo Fighters gig where they performed "Under Pressure", a great Queen cover, accompanied by none other than Roger Taylor and John Paul Jones.  And appropriately, keeping the royal theme going, the support band at MK Bowl was Royal Blood.  

More live music to look forward to next week at Open Mic, Royal Naval Association in Newport and an extended set from Trevor Rowley's band Elmore's Dog.

 

Until next time