Reunion of Old Spirits

28 FEBRUARY 2019 | THE NEW YORK CITY JAZZ RECORD

Bassist Frank Tusa worked with Liebman frequently in the ‘70s including in the latter’s Lookout Farm. His wife Valerie Mabel Tusa passed away in 1997 leading to a partial reunion of the group to honor her. The music remained unissued until Reunion of Old Spirits. The inner sleeve includes heartfelt notes by the leader, his two children and Liebman. The former members of Lookout Farm (Liebman, Beirach, late guitarist John Abercrombie and drummer Jeff Williams) are joined by Liebman’s wife Caris Visentin on oboe, son Scott Tusa on percussion and bassist Tony Marino. Opener "Her Jewish Soul" has powerful wordless singing by Cantor Elliot Vogel. Liebman, Abercrombie and Beirach really dig into four of the six originals, not holding anything back. More introspective are Visentin’s beautiful playing on "A Mother’s Sacred Love" and Beirach’s solo piano for "Immortal Love". Rather than being excessively mournful, the feeling is celebratory.