Beautiful Love

Terry Plumeri, bass; David Goldblatt, piano; Joe LaBarbera, drums

Terry Plumeri’s take on “Beautiful Love” gives off the impression that the bassist is squinting at a masterpiece and seeing an entirely new work of art. This being music and not paint, thankfully he can share what he hears inside the standard. His floating bowing style gives the tune a uniquely haunted, wispy quality that’s unlike anything I’ve heard before. The sound is almost vocal. His colleagues at the piano and drums back that vision up with more sonically rooted performances, allowing Plumeri the room to let out all his kite string to enchanting effect.

—MS