3 Leg Torso supplies great music, humor and unbelievable stories
June 30, 2008
It's easy to enjoy an evening of entertainment by 3 Leg Torso. The group is five phenomenal musicians and composers, who tell creative humorous stories, setting up their own unique brand of instrumental tunes. Describing the genre of their music is a bit more difficult since it often sounds like eastern European folk music, then switches to soothing orchestral melodies, only to become a racy, almost gypsy-style tune; or the other way around.
It does not take long to know this quintet is very tight as friends and as performers. No matter what your musical preference is, you would find yourself joyfully entertained by this five-piece group.
3 Leg Torso consists of Bela Belogh, who will remind you of "Penn's Teller" with a voice, plays violin and trumpet; Courtney Von Drehle the accordion; and Michael Papillo on the upright double bass. Along with Gary Ewing and TJ Arko on mallets, drums and percussion, they produce an extraordinary blend of sonic pleasantries.
Each original song is set up by a humorous tale. Most of the stories are told by Belogh and Von Drehle. Belogh also has some of the most wonderful facial expressions.
Divertisments for Dancing Bears, Frog - Secret Agent, In the Inner Mind of Chigault (Who I Am) and Driving with My Cow are all titles of songs written and performed by 3 Leg Torso. While most of the jokes are encased within the stories that tell what the music is supposed to relate, they do drop a few simple lines here and there. Example: What do you get if you drop a piano down a mineshaft? A flat minor.
3 Leg Torso performed at one of the best nightclubs in town when this writer was fortunate to hear them. One of the brightest nightspots in the Hollywood district is definitely Tony Starlight's at 3728 N.E. Sandy Blvd. At the corner of Halsey St., it is a shining star in both cuisine and entertainment.
The menu features numerous fantastic entrées named after celebrities of the past. You can choose from Sir Duke's Filet Mignon, Satchmo's Spicy Blackened Catfish, Rosemary Clooney's Marinated Hanger Steak, WC Handy Pork Chop, Eggplant Chevalier, Tony Bennett's Chicken Parmesan, and Peggy Lee-nguini. For those who wish a slightly lighter meal, try the one-third pound Strom Burger or half-pound Starlight Burger.
One of the best and favorite items is the homemade tomato soup served with Mrs. B's Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Tony Starlight's also features a full array of liquors, beers and wines from well-stocked lounge.
Tony Starlight's has a wide variety of entertainment. Once a week, Tony Starlight himself takes the stage and entertains with his repertoire of classics and parodies.
On the evening 3 Leg Torso performed, the opening act was a phenomenal L.A. diva named Jessica Fichot, who sings her original songs in French, Spanish and English. She also shows her versatility by playing piano and accordion. On this evening, she was accompanied by Robert Marshall on woodwinds, Michael Papillo on double bass and Mark Orton on guitar.
3 Leg Torso will perform at The Holocene on July 10 and the Lake Oswego Moonlight & Music Concert Series on July 13. For more information on 3 Leg Torso, check out their MySpace site at www.myspace.com/threelegtorso . (Also, see ad and Bandstand this issue.)