On the rare occasion when I have an early night there is nothing I like better than snuggling under the duvet with a good detective novel which got me thinking about how many musical references there are, made by some of my favourite crime writers.

Mark Billingham's Tom Thorne in the book Lazybones claimed that real country music is nothing at all to do with lost dogs and rhinestones and tries to convey the beauty of George Jones’s voice, the wickedness in Merle Haggard’s and the awesome rumble of Johnny Cash, the dark, daddy of them all whilst Hank Williams was a tortured genius who was undoubtedly the Kurt Cobain of his day. Music plays an important part in Tom Thorne’s life, as it does in Mark Billingham's and, in common with many modern crime writers, it has come to be seen as an important aspect of the novels with authors putting as much research in to music as in police procedures and medical matters.

I would think that at the end of a particularly grizzly day in any walk of life there would be nothing better than listening to music. Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch likes jazz as does John Harvey’s Charlie Resnick. Inspector Morse loves his classical music and progressive rock was Ian Rankin’s area of expertise. Everyone listens to music on iPods, on the way to work or on car radios. It would be hard to avoid music even if you wanted to.

Definitely no early night under the covers on a cold rainy evening in Newport  for the 45 or so who came to to play and listen to live music at the weekly Open Mic Session at the Royal Naval Association. Great to see the return of 14 year old Frankie Wakefield from Market Drayton who made her Open Mic stage debut in August this year. Under the watchful eyes of parents and guitar tutor Steve Alden, Frankie performed like a veteran but the fact that she has only being playing the guitar for a year and already is writing her own material is hard to believe. Two superb covers by Adele and Ed Shearan but her own song "You Said" had the audience in the palm of her hand and absolute hush around the room. Many of our younger performers bring fresh new material to the Open Mic stage and "Riptide" by 27 year old Australian singer/songwriter James Gabriel Keogh otherwise known as Vance Joy was a new one for me. Great to see Frankie back and hopefully it won't be long before her next visit to Newport on a Tuesday night.

Mike Collins from Perton is no stranger to the Open Mic stage but on Tuesday he was accompanied by first timer, Joan Davies, on bass which she has been playing for only a matter of weeks. The Stereophonics " Wouldn't Believe Your Radio" and "Dakota" went down particularly well but the country pop song "Blown Away" by Carrie Underwood certainly blew us away with Joan's stunning lead vocals. Well done to Joan and acknowledgement was made when a friend of hers in the audience presented her with some flowers, a lovely and well earned gesture.

Kieron Cahill, originally from Plymouth and now living in South Wales, came along to Open Mic last week to see what it was all about and this week he was ready to take to the stage to perform on his own. Keiron is very obviously an accomplished singer and musician but as a war veteran and currently on a 6 week stay at Combat Stress performing in front of a room full of strangers, although great therapy, requires bravery and determination. A lovely voice and finger picking style from Keiron with songs by Plain White T's and Guns 'n' Roses "Sweet Child of Mine". Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" from 1964 was quite stunning however, sung by a man who has lived through the horrors and atrocities of war. Jon Newton our sound engineer and photographer  was having a busy night but was peruaded to accompany Keiron playing drums for his final song which I remember the first time round in 1966 by the Bobby Fuller Four - "I Fought the Law". Tragically Fuller was found six months after its release dead in his mother's car of asphixiation. The verdict was suicide but others believed it was murder. He was only 23. In 1979 the most famous cover version of the song was made by The Clash. A great performance from Kieron who will hopefully be back next week.

No stranger to Open Mic, having made his first appearance at the age of 18, saw Ben Garrott, 4 years on, celebrating his 22nd birthday with us in Newport. Ben is a hugely talented musician, on piano, mandolin, guitar and on Tuesday treated us to a delightful "Ronnie Scott's Experience" on tenor sax. Some arm twisting/dislocation persuaded Ben to continue with 2 self penned songs on guitar with "Whiskey and Cigarettes" going down particularly well. The second song "Me and My Guitar" elicited the best quote I have heard for a long time from Ben saying, "this was my stairway to professional musicianship which I eventually fell down". Finally from the the Man in Black, the dark daddy of them all, Ben finished a fine set with "Folsom Prison Blues".

It's been too long since Graham Dabbs last performed on stage here in Newport and what better way to end an evening of live music with Graham deciding to "give it a go" on the house acoustic guitar. "Into White" from Cat Stevens' album Tea For the Tillerman was outstanding with Graham looking relaxed and comfortable despite earlier nerves. "Hello Mary Lou" and goodbye to another Tuesday evening of live music here in Newport. Thank you Graham and everyone else for making it happen each week.

2am and  thankfully back under the duvet with Jeffrey Deaver. journalist, folksinger, attorney and writer of my current read The Burning Wire

 

......till next week KEEP IT LIVE!

Fathers and Sons at The Navy!    Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures by Matthew Thomas

No doubt about the live music event of this week……it surely had to be Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening as the England football team played France. Sporting rivalries between the two may well go back to Agincourt and beyond, but on a blustery November evening the two nations united to sing La Marseillaise and I cannot ever remember hearing a more moving or stirring version of a national anthem. The stadium itself was awash with red white and blue as thousands of English fans waved the French tricolour in support of a country devastated by last week’s atrocities. The result? England won 2-0 but does anybody care?

It was a bit of a family affair at the Newport Open Mic this week, with not one but two sets of Father/Son playing together on stage, but more of that a little later.

First up though, a warm welcome back for Jay Harris, one of our youngest and most enthusiastic members of the Open Mic. Jay has been practicing a new discipline, bass guitar, with a young band he is forming with school friends but he was back on stage in familiar guise this week with just his acoustic guitar. Always an interesting set from Jay, with covers from The Shires and Oasis, but his closer was one of Neil Young’s most famous songs, ‘Rocking in the Free World’ ……amazing talent from one so young.

Speaking of talent, next up was a new face to me, Dave Weir, nephew of Navy regular Graham Weir, and what a fantastic performance he gave. His voice is clear and strong, a sort of cross between Damien Rice and James Blunt, but there is also real song writing ability here as evidenced by his self-penned song, ‘Sea beneath the Knife’. The audience certainly let him know what they thought of it with loud shouts for an encore….a great set from Dave.

Guitarist Steve Hammond from Shrewsbury is a regular at Newport Open Mic, but tonight it was his son Miles, making a first appearance as ‘Pubnutz’ with drummer Louis Doran, both aged 19. Steve looked on proudly as the duo overcame first night nerves to give us a rocking selection from Blink 182 and Slaves before a rousing rendition of The Who classic ‘My Generation’ which still sounds as fresh as it did, well, a couple of generations ago! 2-0 to the youngsters.

Father Steve then assembled a Scratch House Band that had both regular soundman Jon Newton on drums and Jude Paton, normally bassist with local band Vinyl Tap, to give us a super set of guitar based rockers from The Eagles, Bill Withers and Marc Cohn. It was now the turn of son Miles to watch a little bit of  guitar wizardry as father Steve pulled one back to make the score 2-1.

Not to be out done, Matt Doran, father of Louis was then persuaded to search for a late equaliser as he picked up the bass and joined both Hammonds and Louis on stage for a completely unrehearsed  ‘Boom Boom’ by John Lee Hooker……in off the post and full time result 2-2 gave us a very creditable draw.

A very busy Jon Newton was once again enticed back to the drum kit as three of Newport’s finest young musicians took to the stage to bring the evening to a close. Ben Garrott and twins Andy & Tony Callister have been very busy writing new material since the split of their band Darcy, and were keen to try it out on the Navy audience. It is difficult enough for a drummer to play along with unfamiliar songs, but when the songs are completely original, there isn’t a reference point….just the timing and style directed by multi-instrumentalist Ben, so a great effort by Jon. Keep an eye out for this band…..their sound is interesting, a bit quirky and certainly original; I think they are going to do rather well. 

So when I walked down through the town wrapped up against the biting wind on Tuesday evening I didn’t expect that we would have many turn out for our weekly Newport Open Mic, but what do I know? Live music has a way of bringing people together and whether it is Wembley Stadium or the Royal Naval Association, audiences found a way to temporarily forget the horrors of last week and unite in a way that perhaps only singing along with others can. 

Once again many thanks to the helpers, who arrived early to help set up the kit and those who stayed late to put it away…….without you few we would not have a club at all, see you all next Tuesday.

Till next time, keep it live!

Report: Jude Paton
Photographs: Matthew Thomas

A 200 foot rollercoaster had drummer Tommy Lee making 360 degree rotations 60 feet above the audience and 30 foot flames leapt from Nikki Sixx's fire spitting bass at Motley Crue's 16,000 sell out concert at Birmingham's Genting Arena last week as part of their final tour which ends their career in Los Angeles on 31st December billed as the Crue Year's Eve Show.

Support was from 67 year old Vincent Furnier and a boa constrictor weighing in at around 28lbs. If you are puzzling as to who this might have been, the hit songs "Poison", "Elected", School's Out" and "No More Mr Nice Guy" may give you a clue. It was indeed Alice Cooper spanning 40 years of rock music mayhem.
On Saturday there was more music mayhem in Newport Indoor Market with our very own Newport band Lost the Plot cavorting around with a variety of hats and flying plastic ducks with an audience on a slightly lesser scale but with no less enthusiasm.

Two contrasting  yet outstanding one man shows have taken place in and around Newport in the last few days, the first one being a moving and tense piece of theatre from Wolverhampton born actor and musician Tony Barrett performing in The Life and Times of the Tatman at the Royal Naval Association in Newport last Friday. Director Glen Buglass said "In the 18 months the show has been running it is the first time I have heard people openly sobbing during the performance." An intimate crowd of around 30 certainly seemed to enjoy Tony's remarkable emotional portrayal of The Tat Man.

A similar number on Monday night were to be found at the Wheatsheaf in Chetwynd Aston to hear Little Toby Walker from New Jersey, blues guitarist, singer/songwriter and raconteur extraordinaire. Looking around the room there were many local musicians of the highest calibre who listened in awe to Toby's two hour concert. He certainly held us all captivated and from start to finish had a flawless rapport with the audience. Many thanks to Tosh and Sarah for hosting this as well as Two Faced Tom and the Bootleg Boys who appeared at the Wheatsheaf's Bonfire Night party on Saturday.

And so on to Tuesday's Open Mic at the Royal Naval Association and it looked as if we were all gigged out with only a few regulars in the audience and a definite absence of musicians and the question was asked, "What if nobody turns up to play?". By way of reply however the door opens and in walked Rob Bryon, Laurence Gail, Rich Thomas and Alex Ash. Relief all round and the evening got under way with Rob and Laurence first up with openers "Wonderful Tonight" and Norwegian Wood". "Up the Junction" by Squeeze is always a favourite with the crowd but I particularly liked Rob's version of Alan Jackson's "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" a great country song and very reminiscent of John Prine.

Rich Thomas never fails to please with an ever changing repertoire of songs from his vast catalogue moving effortlessly from one to the other to include Jimmy Dean's "Big Bad John", Neil Sedaka's "Oh Carol" then Boris Pickett and the Cryptkickers "Monster Mash" from 1962! followed by "Woodstock". A great set as ever from Rich T.
Alex Ash on his own tonight with no Vinyl Tappers behind him but happy to sing a cappella, well almost, as Paul Crewe drew up alongside him on cahon to provide percussive accompaniment to Meat Loaf's "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" followed by "Rock DJ", two great songs to show off Alex's vocal capabilities.

Graham Weir has been coming down to Open Mic more regularly recently to perform and it was good to see him back again this week with a  splendid version of Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate" and Hazel O'Connor's beautiful love song "Will You" from probably her best known album and the film soundtrack "Breaking Glass". Graham's nephew Dave was in the audience and a little gentle persuasion from his uncle had him up on stage to sing "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", a wonderful song written by Paul Simon when he was in South Africa. Graham then accompanied Alex Ash singing "Your Song" to complete a lovely set.

It looked as if we might be in for an early night but Laurence was keen to do a couple more, this time without his sidekick Rob, and surprised us with his excellent version of Chris Rea's "Road to Hell" which I have not heard him perform before.

 It was gone 10pm and I had an inkling that we might have a late arrival and surprise guest on the way. And so it was that who should walk through the door but Little Toby Walker, the very same man who blew us away at the Wheatsheaf just 24 hours earlier. Once more a captivated audience were held spellbound by this exceptional talent in our midst. Straight in to Freddie King's "Hideaway" and NO-ONE was heading off for an early night! Toby is a terrific singer/songriter as well as guitarist and his own song "She's Shakin Her Bacon" demonstrates his great sense of humour before sliding off in to "Texas Tornado"....slow, sultry, blues to quote Toby followed by the Allman Brothers "Whipping Post".  Tosh Murase and blues harp player Ed Sullivan were in the audience and were invited up to accompany Toby, with Tosh on cahon and a song entitled "She's Just Crazy About an Automobile". Probably the loudest applause and cheering I have ever heard at an Open Mic and Little Toby Walker brought the evening to a close with an instrumental version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

I think it fair to say that everyone felt privileged to be present at yet another memorable Tuesday night at the Royal Naval Association. What a great evening and thanks to you all for playing your part in KEEPING MUSIC LIVE here in Newport.



See you all next week, same time same place.

A full week of live music!    Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures by Matthew Thomas

 

Wow, what a busy musical week this one has been. Last Thursday The Magpies hosted the Royal Oak Open Mic in Gnosall, and what an excellent night it was. Friday had Robbie’s in Rehab rocking the Navy Club at the Halloween Party, Sunday night saw the superb Paul Parker and all the Right Friends at the newly refurbished New Inn, and before you know it we are back at the Navy for the Newport Open Mic….a real live music fix. Just as an aside, in 1971 at a theatre in Minneapolis, USA, promoter Al Dvorin quietened a very lively crowd who were demanding an encore, by uttering the immortal phrase…..’Elvis has left the building’. Interestingly, we had our own Elvis in the building this week, but more of that later!

 

Lexi Tapley started the proceedings with Alan Lane accompanying on guitar and wowed the audience with heartfelt ballads from Sam Smith and Leann Rimes to give us a great start to the evening. 

 

Nice to see Graham Weir coming down to the club more often and it’s clear that he has been practicing a fair bit. He always had a good voice and a nice stage manner, but he now seems a lot more confident and it shows in his playing. Lovely ballads from Dylan and Brian May preceded a right old singalong with Irish folk song Donegal Danny, and it seemed we were in for a good night.

 

I don’t always get a chance to sing and play, but when local drumming legend Paul Crewe turned up looking for someone to perform with, how could I refuse?  Bass player Nick Wells completed the rhythm section and we were off with a little medley of hits from Sam Cooke. It has just been announced that Phil Collins is to tour again after many years, so it seemed fitting to close with one of his most famous numbers….’In The Air Tonight. Always a pleasure to play with musicians of this calibre.

 

The Dynamite Dick Band (yes, honestly) are a Telford based classic blues & rock group and two of their number were in the audience looking for musicians to make up a Scratch House Band. I love it when this happens, it almost always means a great set, and this lot didn’t disappoint. Guitar vocalist Paul Townsend and guitarist Gary Williams were delighted to recruit Steve Davis on bass and John Dougill on drums and together they made some very good sounds indeed. My particular favourite was also one of the most requested Radio Two songs ever….Warren Zevon’s ‘Werewolves of London’ so was a perfect choice to finish a terrific set.

 

Steve Davis, who regularly travels down from Manchester to the Newport Open mic, stayed on stage to give us lovely laid back songs from JJ Cale, Neil Young and a super cover of ‘Hurt’ which was originally released in 1994 by Nine Inch Nails. This version however was much more like the Johnny Cash version and, quite rightly so, you could hear a pin drop.

 

Newcomer Eric Barlow travelled over from Albrighton to check out our Open Mic, but hadn’t intended to play. Luckily for us though he had his guitar in the car and after a little gentle persuasion he was welcomed onstage for his debut performance, and what a set it was. He is clearly a superb guitar player, well used to retuning from open tuning during the set, but it was his voice that also grabbed the attention. It reminded me a little of Joe Cocker, but without the shouting….more melodic, and if possible even more soulful. I may be a little biased though as he played two of my all-time favourite songs….’May You Never’ by John Martyn and ‘Blackbird’ by The Beatles so for me, this was the best act of the night.

 

I mentioned Elvis in the introduction and next up Anthony Cox has a brilliant tribute act to the great man, complete with wig, white suit and cloak.  No dressing up tonight for Ant, however. Performing as Harbour Lights, he fronted a tight little band that had Alan Lane on guitar and the aforementioned Nick Wells and John Dougill on bass and drums. He cannot get up and NOT do an Elvis song, so the band duly obliged with ‘That’s All right Mama’ but it was Roy Orbison’s ‘Pretty Woman’ that brought the most applause and closed a strong set.

 

So another brilliant night of local live music played to a very appreciative audience, see you all the same time next week. 

 

Keeping it live

 

 

One of the best nights EVER  at The Navy. 

Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures by Matthew Thomas

You may remember that last week’s column related the BBC news that so many live music venues were closing and those that were still open had falling attendances? Well the day after, I received an invitation from The Navigation at Gnosall to their re-opening party and what a feast of live music it was. The Navi always did have a great reputation amongst local musicians, but when the tenancy changed a while ago, the place closed for refurbishment and with it went the music. I am pleased to say it is now back and I feel a new Open Mic will rise Phoenix like from the ashes.

And what about dwindling audiences …what do I know? Walking to the Navy in the pouring rain on Tuesday, I wasn’t optimistic, but it turned out to be one of the best live music evenings in many, many years and a sheer delight for the sixty or so audience.

We knew it was going to be something special when the sound-check kicked off. With regular Dave Blue on guitar and vocals, Mikey Collins on bass and newcomer Lauren Hughes, just 16 years old from Shifnal on drums, the stage was set for a brilliant opener with tracks from Robert Johnson and Jimi Hendrix before  Mike senior joined them for a couple from Foo Fighters and Green Day.

Last time we saw Conor Ross, he was guesting with the band Coaltrain at just 9 years old!  Still only 12, he is developing into a heck of a guitarist. He travelled over from Stoke with Dad Steve, and gave us a virtual masterclass with covers from Kygo and Deep Purple. Proof indeed that practice really does make perfect.

One of Newport’s great singer guitarists and an Open Mic regular Martyn Templeton moved away a while back when work took him to the Middle East, but back home visiting family he couldn’t resist the pull of the Navy. ‘Maybe Baby’ had the crowd singing along but his signature tune ‘Bad Bad Leroy Brown’ that had them calling out for more.

We haven’t seen Duncan Talbot in quite a while, but together with new recruit, guitarist and singer Tracey Wynn, they were next up. Tracey admitted to me that she was very nervous….first time performing in front of an audience, but there was no need to worry. ‘I’m Gonna Do it all Someday’ the little known song by Karine Polwart was her opener and the audience was in her pocket. 

Clearly  the standard tonight was going to be very high, and next up Alexandra Jayne, who recently supported James Blunt at the NIA confirmed that notion. I have heard many versions of The Beatles ‘Helter Skelter’ but hers was one of the best, simply outstanding. She reminds me at times of Amy Macdonald, but, make no mistake, she is an original local talent and will, I am sure, go far.

When professional musician Matt Woosey met Jude Paton at a gig a few weeks ago, she never thought that he would take her up on an invitation to visit our Open Mic. I can truthfully say, I cannot remember seeing a more accomplished musician on stage at the Navy…. the class was there for all to see….and hear. His guitar playing is simply awesome and his bluesy soulful voice had the crowd spellbound. Playing originals from his latest album, ‘Black Smoke Risin’ was simply outstanding but his follow up ‘Love is the strangest Thing’ was even better. I don’t know if we will see Matt again as he will shortly be moving to Germany, but I certainly hope he comes back to see us at some point.

How do you follow that? Well, with a legend or two of our own. Rich Evans and Ed Sullivan are well used to playing large crowds and soon had the Navy audience clapping along with Folsom Prison Blues followed by a couple of crackers from Gary Moore and Whitesnake. The audience would not let them leave however, so a ‘folkie’ finale with photographer Matt Thomas on bass pedal had the floor full of Riverdance trainees! Excellent stuff from these musical stalwarts. 

Just when you thought it was all over Melissa Walford, after some gentle persuasion, finished off a spectacular evening of live music with Ed Shearan's "The A Team". Great to see her back in Newport.

Wow! As I said we have had many great evenings at Newport Open Mic, but this was one of the absolute best. More live music on Friday (tomorrow) at the Navy as Robbie's in Rehab entertain at the Halloween Party. Entrance just £3 on the door, why not get dressed up and come and see? 

Till next time, keep it live!