A bit of French ‘Ooh, la, la at the Navy! Words & Pictures by Dave Whiteman

It’s really nice to be back in Newport, despite the horrible May weather. I have been away for the last couple of months, touring around Europe, and when I do I always seek out the local music scene wherever I am. This time I managed a couple of Open Mics in Spain and also Germany, and although I enjoyed them, it was like watching a Blue Square footie match after being used to the Premier League. Very basic set ups, no lights or club instruments, and usually no sound man, the ones I visited rely very heavily on the enthusiasm of the crowd and the musicians. Well we have that in abundance at the Navy, but it is coupled with enough instruments for a six piece band, lights, PA and a resident soundman…….like I said, it’s good to be back!

Our usual opener, Carol Cartwright got the audience in the mood with her usual blend of melodic voice and soft guitar before our first newcomer of the evening. Ian Simpkins runs an Open Mic at Copmere End near Eccleshall and it was clear from his short set what a talented musician he is. Songs from Steve Earle and Guy Clark captured the audience straight away. Catch him at the Star Inn every 2^nd Sunday of the month.

Olly Flavell hadn’t intended to play this week, but after a little cajoling for yours truly, he borrowed one of the clubs guitars and reminded us all of his prodigious talent with an original set which included ‘Sunday Morning’ and ‘So in love with you’. It takes me all my time to write a column like this, never mind such lovely soulful ballads…tell me how you do it, will you?

Talking of young talent, Melissa Severn is just 15 years but she sings and plays with such maturity. Her self penned ‘songs about boys’ amused and delighted the crowd, in particular her final song about the object of her affections in her maths class, appropriately titled ‘Love struck’

Darcy Crawford was in an experimental mood tonight. After a couple of new tunes from Taoi Cruz and Garth Brooks, he surprised us all by singing his closer, ‘Je me lache’ by Christophe May, entirely in French. Always something new from this talented young man. 

Another newcomer next on stage, Mike Smitten delighted the crowd with a soft acoustic set of Beatles covers and the Willie Nelson classic, ‘You were always on my mind’…great stuff.

Vanessa Williams sang ‘You went and saved the best till last’ in 2009, and I hope I am not being dismissive of all the singers and musicians who played before when I say that that is exactly what we did. Graeme Beardmore and Sheena McDonagh are an acoustic duo called ‘Rain’ (very appropriate given the weather this month), They  heard about  Newport Open Mic from previous performers, Sons of Clogger, and travelled all the way from Stoke to bring us their excellent mix of covers and self penned songs. As soon as the first chords rang out, Joan Armatrading’s ‘Love & Affection, I sensed that we were in for something special and so it proved.

Given the location, ‘The Bosun’s Chair’, an original song about the Battle of Trafalgar, was very appropriate, showing off Sheena’s excellent vocals backed by terrific guitar from Graeme. They also showed their versatility, by responding to Darcy’s earlier French song with a brilliant version of ‘Non, je ne regrette rien’ which we know as ‘No regrets’ once again entirely in French. 

Keep eye open next week for an acapella group from Toulouse who will be entertaining us at the Navy with English covers of ‘What shall we do with the drunken sailor?’ and ‘Roll out the barrel’ (The last statement may not be entirely true.)

A busy weekend of live music next weekend. On Fri 7^th June here at the Navy, the excellent ‘One O’clock Hogs’ will be playing a charity gig in aid of Cancer Research, to celebrate what would have been the 30^th birthday of Daniel O’ Rourke. Tickets are just £3. 

The following night at Cosy Hall in Water lane Newport, prolific fund raisers ‘Running Wild’ are playing their 50^th fundraising gig having raised many thousands of pounds for great causes. This time Severn Hospice is the beneficiary. Bring your own food & drink and enjoy this great band for just a fiver. Keep it live, keep it local.