Where did it go? They do say that as you get older, time seems to accelerate, but I cannot believe how quickly this year has vanished. Here are just a few highlights from 2015 which had around 250 different acts over the year…far too many to fit into an article, but here is just a taster.
January started very well, with great attendances after the Christmas break. New face James Flanagan from Gnosall was a real breath of fresh air. His voice reminded me a little of Coldplay’s Chris Martin, but with a slightly rougher side….think James Morrison, and you are getting close. His original set showed a strong song-writing talent as well…. ‘Flying De Lorean’ was both original and excellent.
Whichever band I watch or listen to, I sometimes get a little fed up of hearing just the one voice, so Coal Train with three different vocalists always provide plenty of variety. Deborah Higginbotham gives us a brilliant KT Tunstall style, Bryan James acoustic rock and finally Dave Gitten provides the harder blues voice, along with a great blues harp. This was the first of many performances, culminating finally in a great set at Newfest.
February Sam Scott from Church Aston has a remarkable talent and an even more remarkable voice and he made his first appearance in February. One of his own songs ‘Seren’ had the audience spellbound, but it then just got better. Joining together with guitarist Tom Bond and our own Remynie Faith he gave us an unplugged and totally brilliant version of Ed Sheeran’s ‘I see fire’ with delightful three part harmonies….breath-taking.
It has been a wonderful year for Melissa Severn, winning competitions, playing festivals and releasing CD’s. I predicted when I first saw her four or five years ago, that she would have a career in music and it seems I will be proved right. Her music, all self-penned, has always been good, but her confidence on stage is now that of a seasoned performer….what will 2016 bring for this brilliant young talent?
March We often have musicians from Stafford, Wolverhampton and Stoke but the ones who travel the furthest have to be Gary and Darren Nettleton, all the way from Manchester. They run their own Open Mic in the city and were introduced to Newport by a regular at both venues, Steve Davis. Steve joined them onstage for their set and they soon had feet tapping with their versions of songs from The Jam and Peter Sarstedt.
Steve Reynolds is another musician who travels a fair way to play…..in his case from Wolverhampton. He is a big man and one would expect a loud gruff vocal to come out when he starts to sing, but his voice is quite soft and very melodic. He also has a lovely guitar style and covers from Crowded House, Eric Clapton and even Adele, delighted the crowd.
April One of the great young bands from the last few years was the Blue Tuesdays. Sadly they went their separate ways with members off to university and the like, but lead singer Dan Walton made a return to the club with just an acoustic guitar and what a super set it was. Songs from Dylan and Damian Albarn were excellent, but his own composition ‘Wandering Man’ was superb and deservedly got the most applause.
Will Morgan runs an Open Mic evening at Brewood and had heard about Newport Open Mic on the grapevine. Clearly Will has a lot of experience and as he launched into a Johnny Cash opener, the audience were clapping their hands and singing along. A beautiful version of Springsteen’s ‘Ballad of Tom Joad’ showed his musical prowess, with haunting harmonica over lovely guitar picking.
May Should Be Band started out as a trio with Derek Griffiths and Pete Ryan on stage joined by Joanna Deacon, vocalist in the most recent Groundhogs line up. Joanna is a natural performer and a
mini Nina Simone set was superb. Blues harpist Ed Sullivan joined them for Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee" to put the icing on the musical cake.
Singer/songwriter Alexandra Jayne paid her first visit to Newport Open Mic and has since become a regular. AJ, just 22 and from Wheaton Aston is another example of what fine young talent we have here on our doorstep recently supporting James Blunt on his recent tour.
June Two members of one of Newport’s most popular rock bands, Old’s Cool came in for a quiet pint but not for long as they were recruited into a Scratch House Band. Vocalist Stephen Simpkins and guitarist Dave Lowe were persuaded to join drummer Paul Mettem and bass-man Ed Young for a classic rock set. ‘Can’t get Enough’ is a real rock opener, but it was Free’s ‘All Right Now’ that had the crowd shouting out for more.
Cavan & Harry James, from Telford, played at the Open Mic for the very first time, and what a debut it was. From the opening chords of ‘All my Loving’ they had the sizeable crowd in the palm of their hand. The Navy audience loves good vocal harmonies and their set was full of them.
Happy memories from the first six months…..watch out next week for the rest of the Open Mic year!
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