SCENE ONE REVIEW OF SHELLEY THEATRE SHOW on 27^th September 2014

What a perfectly charming evening this turned out to be – a unique cabaret-style entertainment performed by the hugely talented trio of Bethany Jameson (vocals), Janet Beale (accordion, flute & saxophone) and Simon Newton (guitar & bass), in the  intimate surroundings of the delightful Shelley Theatre, a venue perfect for a show of this type.

The secret is, I think, in that very uniqueness; Bethany, who seems to become more and more French every time I see her, has developed a lovely, slightly ditzy character who is sometimes apparently not quite sure of her words, or what number might be coming next, and gets upset because Janet has changed into a rather beautiful dress – cue a quick rummage through the ‘dressing up’ box for something to rival it – and Simon isn’t wearing a bow tie.

Don’t be fooled – I suspect that every move, raised eyebrow and dithering moment has been well rehearsed and will reappear in tonight’s sold-out show at the same venue. But it’s those little things that are part of what makes this such a thoroughly enjoyable evening, with the audience being drawn into those events and being invited to relax and laugh along.

Perhaps the best example of this was during Simon’s superb solo, . As he played – and played – and played, pausing every now and then to yawn or scratch an imaginary itch, Bethany’s face was a picture as she sat on the edge of her chair poised to leap up as soon as the number finished.

Inviting the audience to join in certain numbers, with song sheets thoughtfully provided, also added to the fun, even though I’m sure I wasn’t the only one whose rarely-practiced French accent left a lot to be desired. I think I did a bit better with Joyeux Anniversaire (Happy Birthday to you and me!) as there were only a few words to worry about.

On a more serious note, the eclectic mix of numbers ranged from Piaf standards – La Vie En Rose, Milord and Non, Je Regrette Rien to name but a few – to Tom Waits’ Temptation (I loved the saxophone accompaniment), Manhattan Transfer’s Chanson D’Amour, Jacques Brel’s Amsterdam, the evocative Autumn Leaves and even the theme tune to ‘Allo ‘Allo. Without exception they were glorious. 

As I’ve already mentioned, tonight’s show is sold out or I would suggest that you should beat a path to the Shelley’s door. Just keep a look-out for this remarkable trio’s next performance because they’re well worth your support.

Our 14 track debut album is now available at our gigs or by mail order !! If you would like to purchase a copy to be sent to you by Royal Mail, please contact us via our messaging service(CONTACT US in header menu) for details. Albums are £10 plus pp . 

Track listing:

1. Gottingen

2. Liquid Lunch

3.She(Tous les visages de l'amour)

4.Girls Don't Cry For Louie

5.Temptation

6.May I ?

7. Milord

8. What Has The English ?

9.Your Heart Is As Black As Night

10.Amsterdam

11. Night and Day (Nuit et Jour) LIVE 

12.Darling,  Je Vois Aime Beaucoup

13. In These Shoes ? LIVE 

14. Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

Bethany Jameson :vocals/arrangements.

Simon Newton: Guitar/electric bass/uke/2nd vocal/arrangements.

Janet Beale: Accordion/flute/tenor sax.

Ian Ellis: tenor sax/clarinet.

Nick Dyer: double bass.

Engineer: Gordon Clark

l                      musiciens

Welcome to our website ! We are a Dorset and Hampshire based band formed in April 2013 which plays  an eclectic mix of french themed music.

MUSIQUE à TROIS  features Bethany Jameson (vocals) and  Simon Newton (guitar,bass and backing vocals) ; Ian Ellis (tenor sax and clarinet ); Nick Dyer (double bass) .  

Guest Players

Sarah Bolter (Tenor  and alto sax ,clarinet ); Paul Stiles ( Tenor,alto and soprano sax, clarinet and flute) ,  Ben Taylor  and Joe Limburn (Double Bass) ; Tobie Muir (Tenor and soprano sax ) 

 If you would like to be included in our mailing list please email simonnewton22@aol.com

• We are pleased to endorse Ringwood based company  the discfactory for all your CD duplication needs. Please click on the logo above to visit their website.

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About Musique a Trois ............

In spite of the name, we are a 4 (and sometimes 5) piece band, playing up to 8 instruments between us.  We are known for our special cocktail of French ‘chansons’ old and modern - from Piaf to Pink Martini – Django style Gypsy Jazz, traditional Swing, Jazz and Latin in French and English, and rarely performed favourites from artists as wide ranging as Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Caro Emerald, Robert Plant, Leonard Cohen …. All specially arranged for us by Simon Newton, including his superb arrangement of Dave Brubeck’s Take 5, with vocals, in English and French, and Beth’s own award winning song ‘Just Her Younger Man! '

 We bring an evening of great musicianship plus audience engagement; clean and classy cabaret-style fun, or something with a little sauce, depending on the venue and audience.  We create  shows that are perfect for intimate theatres and cabaret venues, where the audience are treated to both the accomplished on-stage performance of the songs and back-stage shenanigans of the quartet, as they put the show together and try to manage the glamorous but irrepressible Madame J.

We also do performances suitable for festivals, pubs, clubs, bistros, restaurants and private functions, where the focus is just on the music, or includes the cabaret comedy and glitz, depending on the event.  Bethany Jameson our Anglo-Belgian star and front lady is a powerful singer and terrific entertainer in any language (she also sings in Italian, Spanish and Russian!)

Many of our customers and venues create a French themed evening of food and wine, and even invite audiences to dress up as ‘Cabaret’ as they dare.  We can organise a wine tasting evening and include the notorious Absinthe, known as ‘La Fée Verte’. (The Green Fairy).  Book well ahead if you would like us for Bastille Day!

We are well organised and professional, and will ensure you and your friends, family, audience or customers have a truly fabulous and unforgettable evening.

Our set list includes songs/chansons made famous by Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel  and Django Reinhardt as well as some contemporary and original tunes in the swing style.  You can see us performing songs marked with an * on our AUDIO AND VISUAL page, plus a short compilation show reel including some of the other tunes from our set which are included in our cabaret show. 

• Johnny tun’es pas un ange   *
• Liquid Lunch *
• Dance Me To The End Of Love
• Ne Me Quitte Pas
• In These Shoes 
• Nuages
• Minor Swing 
• J’attendrai *
• La Foule 
• Undecided 
• Autumn Leaves 
• Amsterdam 
• La Vie en Rose 
• Je Ne Veux Pas Travailler 
• She
• Milord

• Take 5 *
• Temptation
• Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us
• Original  compositions by Bethany Jameson and Simon Newton , including Just Her Younger Man *