Pythagoras understood. Devising his numerology, that mystic mathematician knew the power of 3 - completion, creation, the satisfying sigh at the end of things. 3 is the outcome, the reward. Father and Son send the Holy Spirit; mother and father deliver the child. 3 is intrepid (3 Musketeers; March, the third month sacred to Mars). 3 is wise (Brahman, Vishnu, Shiva; the Magi; the three pillars of Zen - the Buddah-mind, Dharma-body, Sangha-community). 3 explores (Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria). 3 gets a laugh (Groucho, Chico, Harpo). 3 rules the psyche (Id, Ego, Superego). And - the Andrews sisters, The Jimi Hendrix Experience - 3 swings, dances, rocks and rolls.

At 3 o'clock, kids - 3 cheers! - shake free of school. At 33, Jesus died of love. In Russia, 3 kisses mean greetings. And, 3, too, can terrify: 3-headed Cerberus barks at hell's gates; 3 strikes and you're out!

But mainly 3 is the sum of it all. 3 graces - Aglaia lending brilliance, Euphroysyne showering us with joy, Thalia coaxing every sweet thing to blossom. Life itself, that 3 ring circus, comes in triple-time - past, present, future - beginning, middle (and alas) The End.

Paul Evans, Rock Critic, Rolling Stone Magazine, on Rubino's assemblages.