It feels like Academy Awards night at my place. Why? I’m listening (on repeat) to Movie Magic, the new album from Jack Wood and Nichaud Fitzgibbon. The collection of 16 sublime songs is given a loving presentation from the duo. Each track is a straightforward treatment, each note is sung or played as intended by the composer, and the result is a rewarding listening experience.

On an album full of nothing but highlights, there are a few that deserve special mention: drummer Jeff Hamilton, pianist Rob Mullins, guitarist Doug MacDonald, the late pianists George Gaffney and Bill Miller, for example. As for the material, the standouts include “When I Look In Your Eyes,” “I Will Wait For You,” “Speaking Of Happiness,” “Quando, Quando, Quando,” “Skylark,” and “Moon River”.

As if we needed reminding just how glorious these songs are. Still, somehow, the vocals of Wood and Fitzgibbon do just that, in a pure and refreshing way.