Jack Reilly continues his pianistic impressions of the major tool of psychic prediction and intervention, the Tarot Deck. Recorded at a live concert in Utica, NY, this second volume is unlike the first in that it links each track of music to a special card or set of cards. Once again
Reilly uses cards from the Thoth school of Tarot. Thus, on track five where
Reilly gives his musical impression of The Hierophant -- which suggests divine wisdom, manifestation, explanation, teaching, and occult wisdom -- one can hear and absorb
Reilly's musical explication of this card. Included in the same track is the pianist's musical explication of the Tarot Moon -- which connotes dissatisfaction, voluntary change, error, lying, falsity, and deception -- to hear how he resolves these two apparent conflicting states of being. The playing on this second volume is somewhat more intense than on the first, especially for such cards as "The Wheel of Fortune." But what remains the same is
Reilly's ability to engage in free improvisation without resorting to cacophonous gimmickry and stylistic anarchy. His playing stretches the mind without destroying the ears. This is an excellent undertaking which every student and fan of free jazz piano should treat themselves to. ~ Dave Nathan