by Ken DrydenIndividually, pianist Marc Copland and saxophonist Dave Liebman always create compelling music -- and when they occasionally join forces, the effect is astounding. Accompanied by bassist Mike McGurk and drummer Tony Martucci on this 2001 session for Hatology, they open with Jimmy Giuffre's powerful, very mournful "Cry Want," with Liebman's soprano gushing with emotion. Copland's intense "Lunar" percolates with energy, a gallop toward an unknown destination and fate. The one standard of the date is "You and the Night and the Music," though the piece initially takes on a very different character with Copland's eerie introduction and Liebman's haunting tenor. Liebman contributed the moody, almost tragic ballad "All That's Left," a gut-wrenching duet with Copland that suggests the conclusion of a death watch for a loved one, along with the constantly shifting "Brother Ernesto." John Coltrane's "Naima" is one of his most treasured ballads, yet Copland and Liebman (on tenor) reshape it into a more bittersweet setting as a beautiful duo finale to this rewarding session.