2nd October 2012

Musical youth at the Navy!       Words by Dave Whiteman, pictures by Laurence Gale

A couple of years ago, one of the things we used to do at the Open Mic was to throw down a musical challenge to our talented bunch of local musos. 

Basically, if someone liked to play a lot of, say blues or rock, they would be given a tune to learn for the following week which would take them out of their comfort bubble…perhaps a country and western classic. This provided much amusement, hearing a heavy rock interpretation of ‘Stand by Your Man’ or a folkie remix of ‘Paranoid.’

I thought of that this week as summer officially came to a close with many parts of the country flooded and the Met Office declaring September the wettest on record.   What about ‘Why does it always rain on me?’ maybe ‘Raining in my Heart’ or even ‘Stormy Weather?’   Certainly ‘Raining in my Heart’ and ‘It might as well rain until September’ would make the list!  Whatever the weather, though, you are always guaranteed a warm welcome at the Newport Open Mic, held every Tues at the Navy in Bellmans Yard.

Scratchouse band this week had Roger Clark, Keith Johnson, Dave Whiteman and first timer, Louis Coupe on keyboards, with a small warm up set featuring songs from Eric Clapton and Elton John.

Last week Ashleigh Husselbee and Robbie Pilgrim, just 15 & 14 respectively, wowed the crowd on their first appearance and they were back to show it wasn’t a fluke. Adele’s ‘Someone like you’ reworked for Robbie’s guitar was the highlight of a super set.

Next up, newcomer Louis Coupe, another visitor from Shifnal’s Open Mic, Jaspers. Louis is only 16  but his fantastic keyboard and vocal skills belied his tender years. ‘Lady Madonna’ and Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’ had the audience demanding more and they got it with a fantastic boogie woogie piece from Hugh Laurie, ‘Swannee River.’ Great stuff from this talented young man.

Another youngster, Mellissa Severn, 14, up next, and I realised that the combined ages of the first four performers was still less than mine! Self penned songs ‘Rear view mirror’ and ‘White Lie’ were musical poems and her expressions gave you the feeling that you were watching a musical. Surely a career in the performing arts beckons for this young lady?

Open Mic regulars Vinyl Tap lifted the tempo straight away with ‘Town called Malice’, The Jam classic and then Alex showed his great vocal talent with a strong rendition of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’. A very solid performance from this much improved five piece.

Dave Whiteman followed and had the audience singing along to ‘Sunny Afternoon’ and the Four Non Blonde’s anthem ‘What’s Up?’ before Remynie-Kiah Faith, at 15, reduced the average age once again. A lovely guitar/vocal set featured songs from Rihanna and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus…no I’ve not heard of them either!

Rich Evans always brings something interesting to the table and this week it was an electronic loop. A funky ‘Word Up’ was followed by ‘We are young’ from Fun, but he saved the best till last….Sting’s ‘Englishman in New York’ was simply superb.

Martyn Templeton is another excellent vocalist and his varied set had songs from Eddie Cochran and Johnny Cash but it was an Emili Sande song, ‘Read all about it’ that quietened the room.

Time for a bit of rock and Pippin Henderson, Andy Conway and Rob McDonald, this week showed that you don’t have to raise the volume too much, to raise the tempo. A tuneful guitar instrumental segued first into ‘Voodoo Child’ and then ‘Whole Lotta Love’ with Pippin’s vocals clear and superb.

The reputation of the Open Mic seems to be spreading, because we had yet another couple of newcomers to close the show. Sharn Hodgkinson and Steve Edwards, on vocals and guitar, were joined by Vinyl Tap’s Alan Lane for a lovely balanced set with songs from Gabrielle Cimi and Fairground Attraction before an outstanding ‘This is the Life’ from Amy Macdonald. 

Ten acts featuring more than twenty local musicians, all playing live. If karaoke is your thing, head for the pubs on a Friday night……but if you want to hear real live music, the Navy Club on a Tues is the place to be.

‘Forever 15’ is a concert to celebrate the life of Lewis Smith and will feature four great acts, The Making, Dylan Evans, Running Wild and Arcade Parade.  Doors open 7pm on Sat 13^th Oct at the Royal British Legion and proceeds go to CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).  Please give it your support.

Finally two more Open Mics to tell you about, Thursdays at The Lion in Edgmond and the new one at the Royal Victoria Hotel in St Marys Street on Fri evenings….go and have a listen!

Here is a picture of two sadly missed friends of the open mic. John Allen and Roy Hodges. Two better friends it would be hard to find. Who are now jamming with Hendrix.

Oh and here is one from the archives from one of the fantastic Open Mic Xmas parties.

 

See you all next week.

25th September 2012.

Top local band wows the  Navy:   Words by Dave Whiteman, Pictures : Laurence Gale

Following the success of top Newport bands Old’s Cool and Blue Tuesdays, another superb local group were the latest local talent to grace the stage at the Newport Open Mic, held every Tues in the Royal Naval Association Club in Bellmans Yard, Newport. 

 

Playing an extended set, Katy Caldicott, Toby Carter and Tosh Murase collectively known as Pre Sleep Monologue had the audience in the palm of their hand with a mixture of self penned songs and covers. 

The evening had started well with this week’s Scratchouse Band, Roger Clark, Alan Middleton, Keith Johnson and Dave Whiteman warming up the crowd with classics from the Stones and Steve Miller, before teenage veterans Olly and Jake took to the stage. 

These Open Mic regulars are now seasoned performers and excellent covers of ‘Ain’t no Sunshine’ and ‘Rehab’ cemented their growing reputation.

Another youngster in that mould, is Remynie Faith. She is one of those immensely talented multi instrumentalists who will delight audiences, whatever she chooses to play, be it guitar keyboards, drums, penny whistle, bagpipes or euphonium (OK, I made the last two up, but I’m sure you get my point!) 

Headline act Pre Sleep Monologue bounced on to the stage next. Forgoing the usual instrumental line up and using just mandolin, bass and drums, they have a terrific original sound, and if you want to catch them, they are playing at the Robin 2 in Bilston on the 16^th Oct, supporting Weasel Diesel and Dirty Ray.

No one ever wants the job of following such a brilliant act, but Robbie Pilgrim, just 14 yrs old and Ashleigh Husselbee only 15, showed no sign of nerves. A wonderful ‘Payphone’ from Maroon 5 was a nice opener, but it was the next song which brought the house down. With Robbie picking out a simple guitar melody, Ashleigh sang the Titanic theme song ‘ My heart will go on’ and you could have heard a pin drop. Spine tingling stuff from these youngsters.

Another couple of slightly more mature musicians, Roger Clark on guitar and Alan Middleton on bass were joined by Keith Johnson on drums and finally Lynn Bradbury on rhythm guitar and vocals. Sixth Sense was their band name for the night and a very polished set showcased Lynn’s excellent vocals with songs from Blondie and then Eric Clapton before a rousing rendition of ‘These Boots were made for walking’ 

Bringing the average age down yet again, 16 years old Mellissa Walford showed once more just why she is becoming such a firm favourite. Her confidence grows week by week, as does her repertoire, covering songs from Ed Sheeran and Paramore. Great stuff.

Another no name band followed, made up of Al & Rog on bass and guitar, local drumming legend Paul Crewe, lead guitar John Thompson and vocalist Dave Whiteman, they played a short lively set finishing off with an unusual version of the Phil Collins anthem ‘In the Air Tonight’

Next up the Vic Boys, Ed Young and Graham McCartney played a solid set of acoustic rock from REM, Pink Floyd and Tom Petty. The lads are starting yet another Open Mic, this time at the Royal Victoria Hotel, on a Friday evenings from 8pm. Give them your support!

Almost at the end of the evening but still time for Rich Evans to entertain once again, with his trusty guitar and this week, harmonica. Where does this guy get the time to practice? ‘Heart of Gold’ by Neil Young was neatly followed by Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’ before finishing with a new song, to me at any rate, ‘Travelling Soldier’ by the Dixie Chics.

Martyn Templeton had waited patiently all evening but such is the popularity of the Open Mic that you have to arrive early if you want to play before 11pm! ‘ Bad Leroy Brown’ had the room clapping along before a reworked ‘Masterplan’ from Oasis. Excellent stuff from a great performer.

Everyone loves a late night anthem to send you home, and the aforementioned multi talented Remynie assembled Rich Evans and Roger Clarke together with Neil Wilday on vocals, to finish the evening with a crowd pleasing ‘Sweet Child of mine to bring to an end a wonderful evening of music.

You can find us here at every Tues from 8pm at the Royal Naval Association Club, Bellmans Yard, Newport. Where else could you have a great night out for the price of a quid. See you next week.

18th September 2012

They think it’s all over! Not on your telly!   Words & Pictures by Dave Whiteman

The fabulous Indian summer looks just about over. The nights are drawing in and time to put your feet up in front of the box to watch a bit of footie. 

This week, megabucks Manchester City against mega, megabucks Real Madrid…..brilliant. Unless, that is, you are a live music fan. This week around 50 diehard followers headed to the Wembley for local musicians, The Royal Navy Association in Bellmans Yard to watch a Premiership display of superb live performances at the Newport Open Mic.

With Adam on the sound desk, The Scratchouse Band, this week made up of Mark Langford on guitar, Stuart Ball on drums, Jake Fosteroj on bass and Dave Whiteman, back from his European travels, on vocals, rattled through a lively opening with songs from Tony Joe White and T Rex

Jake stayed on stage to be joined by regular partner Olly for a brilliant opening set including songs from Jason Mraz and Amy Winehouse before finishing with a polished ‘Sweet Child of Mine’

Next up,  a couple of visitors from Jaspers Open Mic in Shifnal.  Dave Busby, who regularly gigs in the area, supported by Micky Keefe on bass performed a soulful ‘Let’s Stay Together’ by Al Green followed by a brilliant version of Ben E Kings’ ‘Stand by Me’  A great short set from this confident and talented performer, watch out for him.

 

Mellissa Walford, just 16 years old, warmed the audience further with a set that included Florence and the Machine and a superb self penned composition that reminded you of Lily Allen and Ellie Golding, but was purely Mellissa, ‘Happy Days’ This young lady gets better with every performance.

Dave Whiteman had the difficult job to follow and played a mellow ‘Your Song’ and Mike & the Mechanics ‘Living Years’ before finishing with a fine ‘Walking in Memphis’

Always something different from smooth voiced Martyn Templeton and this week he gave us a mixture that included The Box Tops and The Faces, but Paul Wellers ‘Pebbles on the Beach’ was many people’s favourite.

For me, one of the best things about Open Mic is the way a group of musicians, who may never have played or even met before, get up on stage and busk together. A six piece band led by Neil WiIlday on vocals (and a great brass section from Ben Garrott and Johnny Lewis on sax and cornet respectively) rocked the house with songs from The Stones, Elvis and Chuck Berry…….excellent stuff.

Time for things to get a bit heavier, and with one of Newport’s best young drummers, Andy Conway and bassist Rob McDonald providing the thumping rhythm for Pippin Henderson’s searing vocals, they raised the roof and the volume with songs from Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.

Olly and Jake then returned to the stage for an encore that included ‘Breakfast at Tiffanys’ and a lovely version of Ronan Keating’s ‘When you say nothing at all’ These young lads have improved enormously over the past few months….check them out for yourself on You Tube.

As full time neared another version of the Scratchouse Band brought Andy & Pippin together with Dave Whiteman and Mark Langford for the last music of the evening. Ambitious versions of ‘Every Breath you Take’ and ‘Sultans of Swing’ maybe not perfect, who cares, but a powerful ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ had the crowd shouting for more. 

So as the final whistle blows, another wonderful evening of live music comes to an end. Friday night you can catch the excellent Blue Tuesdays playing at the Navy and if you haven’t heard this brilliant three piece yet, you should check them out. Don’t be put off by their ages….all just 16;  the sound is pure 60’s and they are quite brilliant, Start time 8pm and admission just £2.

What does it cost to see a live footie match these days? At least £25 I guess. For that you could have six months of entertainment at the Newport Open Mic, every Tuesday from 8pm….go on, you know it makes sense!

If you have any local music news or wish to have your gig mentioned on this page, please contact overseasmuso@gmail.com

Doc P, D minor and more !

Newport Open Mic Night 11/9/12

After a spectacular London 2012 came to an end this Sunday with a brilliant, but slightly controversial, Coldplay concert, perhaps some musical variety was in order. Luckily, Newport Open Mic night was on hand once again: this Tuesday saw some brand new faces, welcomed back seasoned pros, and played host to a diverse array of music from performers both young and...not quite so young.

This week started with another great set by young musicians Olly and Jake, who are thankfully becoming Navy Club regulars.

Next we all got into the key of D Minor. After not having time to play last week due to the sheer numbers of performers, Dave Minor returned to grace the navy stage. Starting off with a re-worked acoustic performance of the Black Keys’ modern day classic ‘Lonely Boy’, Dave took us through a great set featuring the debut of a new composition of his: ‘As we fall’.

Martin Woodhall on guitar, Phil “The Gerbil” Jervis on bass, and Remynie Faith on drums joined forces to form the spectacular Uncle Knockout!  (as they were known for the evening). Dan Nicholas took a break from the journalism to join them on stage for AC/DC's Whole Lotta Rosie. In my unprofessional and biased opinion, they utterly smashed it, not least due to Dan's impeccable guitar work and stage presence. Believe me, you won't see bottom wriggling like it anywhere else.

Dan Walton, or as we know him, “the one with the moves”, played a stylish acoustic set, how does this guy know so many old songs!?(Of course we all know the old ones are the good ones!) Dan is normally seen with Blue Tuesdays, a talented young three piece who feature covers by the likes of Cream, Hendrix, Wings and more. They are playing live at the Navy Club on Friday 21^st September, if you are interested in hearing more.

Melissa Severn was back with another trio of her own compositions. Melissa brings particular value in her clever changes of pace throughout her songs, and her maturely constructed and engaging lyrics. Its hard to believe she is still only 14 years old. Keep up the good work Mel!

Doc P, usually seen on a Wednesday night at Stoke's Leopard Hotel, popped in for a SPOT of extra practice before his charity gig on Saturday. Doc is playing a charity gig in support of the Stafford defibrillator project. He finished, of course, with the Pet Shop Boys' Heart – I said it was a diverse evening!

Keyboards are allowed at the Navy club too! Well know Newportonian Roger Price tinkled the plastic ivories with a smooth selection of blues songs. With a little bit of good old audience participation, He finished off his set with renditions of crowd favorites We Are the Champions and delilah. Falsetto vocals and mouth trumpet were activily encouraged! 

Newport Open Mic Night would not be the same without Rich T on guitar and vocals and Chicken on bass, who once again gave it their all with an anarchical, punk-rock medley.

By this point it was late in the evening and people had begun to return home, but those that stayed until the end were rewarded handsomely when Martyn Templeton picked up the guitar and strummed out relaxed versions of The Letter, originally by the Box Tops, and Ben E. King's fabulous Stand by Me. Martyn has a really lovely voice; it was a truly top class way to round off another superb evening of music.

So next time you're sitting at home on a Tuesday night faced with another evening of dull football qualifiers, dreary midweek T.V and the wife/husband/cat, make sure you come along to the Newport Open Mic Night at the Royal Navy Club in Bellman's yard for a bit of R&R, it has to be the most entertaining, musical Tuesday evening that £1 can buy.

Thanks to all that turned up,

Words by Rebecca Threlfall and Dan Nicholas

Pictures by Laurence Gale