By Mark Foster
The Star on Swansea Road has always been known for the quality of its Sunday cavery but now it’s getting quite a following for the quality of its Sunday open mic night. All the regulars of the Llanelli open mic circuit are there; the night is compared by Dennis Lynch, along with his friend, Monkey.
The singing decorator, Dennis Lemon is there, or Eagle, as he is known in the Star, due to his preference for playing songs by a certain American band. Roger Forsythe, of Andy Pandemonium fame, is as entertaining as always.
On the night that I attended his instrument of choice was the saxophone but you may also catch him performing some Leonard Cohen on his accordion. Chris Clifton is ever-present on stage, providing the bass line for the night and various other familiar faces join the acts throughout the event.
Along with these recognisable acts were some performers new to me. There was Hedley performing poetry from the likes of Philip Larkin and John Cooper Clark, Pete, playing some classic Rock ‘n’ Roll numbers on his Gretch, Charlie, a retired jazz singer, who sometimes performs in Portuguese and Hannah Jones, a young performer from Ammanford who got every one singing along with her rendition of Mary Hopkin’s drinking classic, Those Were The Days.
Everyone was made to feel welcome on the night, when I had trouble with the input on my guitar; Dennis Lynch offered me a choice of replacements to use for the night. He also showed me through his collection of acoustic guitars, newly imported from Australia, including one which was made from a redwood tree which had been struck by lightning.
If anyone felt like joining the act currently on stage, then you could just get up, grab a guitar and join them. Some acts, which started as solo performances, ended up with a full band with many backing singers. Host, Carl Bates, even came round with some left over cavery, slices of cake and chocolates. It was a very warm and friendly night with some great entertainment and I will definitely be returning for another visit.
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