Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of working bands in jazz, but when you hear one, you can tell. Synchronicity, trust, sympathy, and often a no-holds-barred musical approach. This record, and this band have all of that. You hear it from the opening notes of the first composition "Covid Nightmare." This tune goes everywhere and then finds its way back home. The legendary Ernie Watts' "For Michael" is a nice tribute to Michael Brecker. Pianist Adrean Farrugia's "Half Moon" and the Latiny funk of "Goose Dance" pour even more gas on the fire. Adam Nussbaum's tune "I Miss Missing You" sets up a jagged melody propelled by equally angular drumming. The angles evolve into a lope, and then an up-tempo jaunt, and then the tune evaporates into nothingness. This is a genius level composition! In fact, Nussbaum's drumming propels this entire recording into the netherworld of musical chance, and together with bassist Jay Anderson, and pianist Adrean Farrugia, this rhythm section makes it possible for Goode and Watts to go anywhere and everywhere (and they DO!) "Lover Man" is a nice respite, and "Someday My Prince Will Come" has some surprises. And speaking of surprises, listen to the duet of Nussbaum and Watts on "Goose Dance." Yes, this is a working band doing what working bands do, exploring, entertaining, and enrapturing an audience with wonderful music!