The Year 2000 saw the release of Jenny Newman's highly acclaimed debut CD
Toms Fiddle which had considerable airplay and enthusiastic reviews in all the major glossies "47 minutes of exquisite music - truly beautiful fiddle playing." (For full reviews and information see the
Reviews page).
Now in 2002 Jenny has joined forces with two outstanding musicians from the world of contemporary music,
Andy Glass and
Pete Hemsley, to create
3sticks - a refreshingly new dynamic outfit who are sure to take the traditional music scene and festival circuit by storm.
Equally comfortable playing for Ceilidhs or on the
concert stage,
3sticks
have a big funky sound yet they manage to retain the beauty and integrity of the traditional tunes which form the basis of most of their material . To hear
3sticks whether live or on this new CD, provides moments of intimacy and an irresistible urge to dance.
3sticks can be booked via
this
website. They can provide a range of suitable
music for your function - from mellow background music to a full Ceilidh or
Barn dance with a caller suited to your needs. Recent bookings include Weddings
(both services and receptions) corporate functions, Birthday parties, village
Do's, Fundraising events and even a couple of Funerals!
The large number of letters from satisfied clients that the band receive
speaks for itself - the following are typical
" ...a huge thank you for providing the boys and girls (13 - 18year olds) at
our School of Music with a truly great experience. I don't think many of them
had ever been to a Barn Dance before and found the whole thing enormous fun and
very exhilarating. Our violinists were stunned by your playing as indeed was I."
(YAMAHA/CLASSIC FM SCHOOL OF MUSIC)
"A Big Big Thank you . You were absolutely amazing , we keep trying to find
another occasion to use you again. You were everything we had imagined and more.
You are truly gifted musicians. I had been so together all morning , until I
walked in and heard you playing....
Thank you for helping to make our day so perfect! We wish you every success, and
most certainly wouldn't hesitate in recommending you.'' ( HAPPY NEWLY WEDS!)
All three members of
3sticks are currently in great demand as experienced and inspiring teachers and workshop leaders both individually and collectively.
"
Jenny Newman has been described as an 'inspired, uncluttered player whose depth and maturity of style is remarkable for her years'. I can't improve on this most appropriate description. Much of her repertoire is self penned, many of her tunes now appear at sessions around the country, a richly deserved compliment. Jenny's interests and musical influences are many and varied. Long association with some of the finest Irish musicians including James Byrne and the legendary Bobby Casey, touring with Rock Salt And Nails and the rock band Solstice and performances with artists as diverse as Yehudi Menuhin and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Jenny has a long history of playing for dances of all styles ranging from Playford to Appalachian (with Hot Taps ) to swedish polska workshops with Kerry Fletcher..........'
Toms Fiddle' GHCD001 is an exciting album with Jenny's fiddle outstanding. Definitely one to watch."
(Living Tradition - Jan 2002)
As well as being an outstanding and versatile guitarist
Andy Glass is an experienced sound engineer, writer and producer. (Most
recently working with Vicky Clayton, Dave Whetstone, Dave Shepherd, Cliff
Stapleton and Clive Bunker, currently of Poormouth.) He has worked live
all over the world as Front of House engineer for Jethro Tull. Andy spent
much of the late 80s and 90s touring, writing recording four albums with
his own band Solstice although he still managed to find time to tour as
lead guitarist with the likes of Bill Withers and The Temptations, and was
also signed to RCA America working as Musical Director for various acts.
(It was in Solstice that Jenny and Andy first played together and after
supporting Fairport Convention in Germany they played their last gig as
Solstice at the Cropredy festival in 1998.)
Pete Hemsley has played with such icons as Robert Plant and Jimmy Page of
Led Zeppelin, and has toured world wide with virtuoso guitarist Slava
Gregorian. During his recent time in Australia Pete received music
industry awards for his many achievements as a producer and remixer and
for the success of his project "The Lord's Garden" on Sony Records.
Examples of his work are frequently heard on both C.D. and film/ T.V.
Jenny's
Chickens
3sticks was formerly known as
Jenny's Chickens (Not quite sure why the name of the band had to change - something to do with the boys complaining about itchy feathers in uncomfortable places and the yellow rubber feet being difficult to control on stage). Some people still prefer to book us under the former name.
Red Moon
'Track listing for 'Red Moon'
- The Paps of Glencoe
- Hand Jigs
- Spirits of Wine
- Johnny Cope
- Jazz
-
Red Moon
- African Reels
- Lady Muck
- Sergeant Early's Dream
- Motorway
Mazurka
- Peter's Song
- Blue Lips
- Coming Home
Red Moon' (GHCD 004) is the title of 3sticks long awaited second album and contains 13 tracks, a combination of traditional and more contemporary tunes, each given that special 3sticks treatment.
'Versatile fiddle Jenny Newman, guitarist Andy Glass and
drummer Pete Hemsley strut their stuff on a collection of tunes
with cohesively integrated influences & rhythms ranging from folk to
jazz, military and samba. Dynamic, passionate and full-bloodies,
this is an impressive and genuinely refreshing release.'
Review from fROOTS - Jan / Feb 2005
'Every now and then a CD drops through the door for review which proves
to be a breath of fresh air - and this is just one such. For a start it
wasn’t obvious if it was 3sticks by red moon or the other way round !
Luckily a useful press release cleared this up, with more info on their
web site.
I’d heard of Jenny Newman through her work with Rock Salt and Nails.
Her fiddle playing is a joy to listen to - totally
uncluttered and honest, showing an excellent range and ability, whilst
sympathetic to the material she is playing. She is quite a prolific writer,
but there is a balanced mix of her material and more traditional tracks on
‘Red Moon’.
Andy Glass is a
stunning guitarist - listen to ‘Jazz’ co-written with drummer/percussionist
Pete Hemsley - who is able to provide sympathetic support on one track before
taking over lead on the next. Incidentally one of his claims to fame is to
have provided lead guitar to the likes of Bill withers, The Temptations and
Geno Washington.
The line up is completed by drummer/percussionist Pete
Hemsley. Again he is much in demand and it is clear to see why. Mostly happy
to be in the background, he is allowed to come to the front - I like his
solo on ‘African Reels’.
Three excellent
musicians come together in 3Sticks. Red Moon is a smashing album full of good
honest music.
There’s none of this ‘look how clever we are’ which in my opinion spoils some
more modern CDs. This is totally honest in its message and deserves plenty of
exposure.
Thanks Pete, Jenny and Andy. I have really
enjoyed this - hopefully others will also.'
The Living Tradition
'This CD is a fine example of 'the whole exceeding the sum of the
parts'. The individual musicians display a nicely judged, restrained
stylistic sense - elegant and passionate at the same time - but it's the
ensemble as a whole - the sense of musical communication and closeness -
that demonstrates the true genius of the band. Everything fits, and fits
beautifully: rhythms are tight, harmonies secure, and there's a tonal
clarity that, at times, is quite spine-tingling.
Overall a beautiful album, and an essential for any good collection.
Extract from a review by Jill Fisher - Fiddleon Magazine
'Here we have an exciting and varied album from Jenny Newman on
fiddle/viola, Andy Glass on guitars/bouzouki and Pete Hemsley on
percussion, collectively known as
3sticks. All three are
experienced musicians particularly Jenny who teaches fiddle in the Milton
Keynes area and Andy who teaches guitar and accompaniment also around
Milton Keynes. So you can expect this CD to be good - and good it is.
There are thirteen tracks on the album, some written by the band members,
some are traditional including the fabulous 'Mouth of the
Tobique' , others are written by other contemporary composers such as Jon
Swayne's 'Motorway Mazurka' - a terrible title for such a beautiful tune.
There are lilting hornpipes, exciting jigs and reels, along with some slow
and haunting tunes. There's even an out-and-out jazz piece that slips
effortlessly into the classic Irish jig 'The Geese in the Bog'.
But the thing that makes this album so enjoyable for me, are the fabulous
rhythms and interesting arrangements that back Jenny's sweet sounding
fiddle playing. This album shows
3sticks off as a tight, skilful and imaginative band.
This is not your average fiddle album, this is and exciting varied and
hugely enjoyable recording.
Look out for this one.'
Jed Mugford - Shire Folk
'I first became aware of 3sticks when there was some controversy on
a certain website as to whether they were a dance band or not. The jury
might still be out on that one, but on the evidence of these sets they're
damn fine musicians and I'm sure they could be if they choose.
Red Moon features a mixture of both traditionally arranged and self-penned
sets, mostly celtic or celtic inspired. I'm never sure which camp
French-Canadian falls into, but on the evidence of a storming Caribou Reel
/ Mouth of the Tobuique, I don't really care.
What struck me most about this CD was the tasteful percussion; essential
when the two other components are guitar and fiddle. Both full kit and
hand held are used to tremendous effect. The guitar playing edges towards
the jazzy end of the spectrum; lots of numbers after the chords I
suspect...9, 7, 13 aug... you know the sort of thing. And way up the dusty
end. The fiddle playing is excellent. (I think they might have once been
called 'Jenny's Chicken's', but a glance at the website should tell you
all you need to know on that score.)
Favourite tracks are the aforementioned French Canadian set, a storming
Johnny Cope, and Bruckless Shore / McSweeneys, paired as Hand Jigs due to
Pete the drummer playing the drum kit with his hands. (On first glancing
at the booklet notes I misread that as Arthur Daly's.. there's a name for
a tune!) There's also John Swayne's Motorway Mazurka played as a waltz,
and very neatly played too.'
Shreds and Patches
Your music is WONDERFUL! Each CD better than
the last. You and
3sticks are incredibly
talented artists.
As for me I'm a fourth generation American. Perhaps there is a little
genetics in why I find your music so compelling, but I think the larger
part is your industry and talent.
thanks you so much for bringing a little piece of heaven into my life!'
Your biggest U.S. Fan - R Mc
Crossing Currents
Crossing Currents (GHCD 003) is a collection of traditional tunes , some of which are very familiar, others being more unusual tunes drawn from the Donegal Tradition, France and beyond. It is in the setting and arrangement of the tunes that
3sticks excel themselves.
It is hard to put a finger on what makes this band so different and so good. After listening to Crossing Currents one cannot fail to be impressed by the range of musical styles with which
3sticks demonstrate technical excellence, rhythmic interest and harmonic subtleties, yet the overall impression we are left with is that of sheer joy and a love of the music they are making.
Track Listing from
3sticks' debut CD ' Crossing Currents'.
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