Customer Reviews

Astor in Paris

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

3 Leg Torso has produced an amazing second albulm follow up to their first high-acclaimed, yet surprising self titled albulm, "3 Leg Torso". After 5 years from their debut albulm, "Astor In Paris" follows their same unique style of Eastern European mixed with Klezmer beats that makes this Portland group so wonderfully different. They have double in size from their original trio and now boast 6 muscians. The additons have definately turned the former trio's chamber music sounds into much stronger beats with more percussion that adds to enjoyable hand clapping, foot stopping rhythms. Check out their titled song "Astor in Paris" and "Zemer Attic/Tanz Tanz Yiddelach" for the best taste of what this group has to offer. And if you ever get an opportunity to see them in concert, it will be the best $15 bucks you ever spent...truly enjoyable, down to earth, fun guys. If you like 3 Leg Torso (and I know you will), check out another wonderful Portland group named Pink Martini and you'll have some great party music for any occation.

Very hard to describe but unforgetable in passion and life. I saw these guys play live, to a packed theatre. We were transfixed by the beauty and depth of this Gypsy/Ethnic explosion of sound. As I recall several audience members ran up to the front of the theatre, stripped off their clothes completely and danced with wild abandon. Being as it was Portland (little Beruit) Oregon, no one objected. Highly recommended addition to anyone's electic collection!

Flattering adjectives stack easily on this energetic troupe of gifted musicians. Astor in Paris is a joyous sonic tapestry. That's because 3 Leg Torso pulls off the rare trick of creating a surprising melodic language that's instantly familiar and foreign - like hearing your cat speak to you - by mixing styles from Eastern Europe, modern classical, jazz, and music well beyond my ken. The brainy depth of compositions by principals Courtney Von Drehle (accordion) and Bela Balogh (violin) stages an ample forum to showcase the feline grace, humor, and boundless vigor of all the performers. After reading on the web about their live performances in the Northwest , I only hope these (shamefully provincial!) Oregonians can soon bring their spirited musical adventure to the East Coast!

This is one incredible CD, a collection of witty and engaging tunes, like nothing I've ever really heard before. It could be the soundtrack of a fabulous, as-yet-unmade film, perhaps a cross between a Hitchcock thriller, a French farce, and an unexpectedly tender love story. One song sounds like a chase through the Casbah, and the next a semi-cynical confession of indiscretion, told over drinks in a little cafe on the Left Bank. Throw in a bluesy number for an aging chanteuse, then perhaps a little bluegrass, and then maybe something a nostalgic Russian might dance to, after a round of chilled vodka and caviar. For all its world-wide, cosmopolitan flavor, the CD is focused, fun, and brilliantly performed. It's wonderful. I can't wait to see the movie!

I've become a big fan of 3 Leg Torso since they played at the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle in 2004. Mesmerized by the beautiful music, especially the violin, I bought both of their CDs, which I have listened to for numerous times. I was lucky to see them play live three times in Seattle. Hope they release more CDs and come here more often.

This combination of wonderfully unique tracks is a must have from 3leg torso. I love this music. If you get a chance make sure you catch one of their live shows too. Bela is a very energetic performer, and the mad stories they make up between numbers is worth the price of admission alone.

3 Leg Torso has a homepage (just so you know I'm not advertising, I won't post a link - you can, however, find it by searching in Google, Yahoo, etc). The have some full song samples there. If you enjoy those, you will enjoy this album.

I have both of their albums and love them both, but I realize this sort of music isn't for everyone. If I had to choose between the two, this would be my choice.

This band is a local Central Coast (California) group that I hope I get to hear live some day soon. I bought the album on a whim after hearing one song on the radio, and I was not disappointed. Mostly tango, the music is really great background music for a romantic home-cooked dinner for two. The group, I understand, has been together for a long time, and they are both tight and loose for all their history together. Good stuff!

Amazon sent me a second copy by mistake, billed me for it, and sent me someone elses' order by mistake too, just for good measure. I have been trying to reach Amazon customer service for almost a month now, by email and by phone to straighten this out. To date I have absolutely zero response from anyone - not so much as a smoke signal. If anyone has any suggestions on how to get a non-computerized response from Amazon, please help me. When their shipping works well, it works really well, but when it doesn't work out, you seem to be on your own.

The product was fine, a gift for someone else.

Amazon's customer service seems to leave a lot, make that a whole lot of room for improvement. Responding would be a good place for them to start. Astor in Paris