The Continental Drifters never made a proper live album during their original tenure, and finally got around to it during their reunion at Jazz Fest last spring. Presented complete on one CD, this was the shortest of the four shows they played during that week, and the closest they did to a straight-up greatest hits set. Both the show and the CD do the job of wrapping everything wonderful about the band into a tight 50 minutes.

Despite the two-decade gap since they last were a full-%time band, there wasn’t much rust to shake off: The opening “Christopher Columbus” charges out with the Vicki Peterson/Susan Cowsill harmonies shimmering as always; the band hits full throttle as Peterson calls to guitarist Robert Mache for a solo. The band’s more rocking side is actually captured better here than it was on any of the studio albums; Mark Walton and Russ Broussard’s sheer power as a rhythm section is evident throughout. And though she’s known for sweeter pop numbers, “Get Over It” shows that Cowsill can wail with the best.

There are certainly a few emotional moments here. The band anthem “Drifters” remains a warm embrace of a song, and Peterson’s loss inspired “Who We Are, Where We Live” has gained resonance over the years. The band’s late brother Carlo Nuccio gets a salute on “Sidesteppin’ the Fire,” and his presence is definitely felt; Cowsill joked onstage about how pissed he’d be if they messed up. Not the case however, as Peter Holsapple gives it a spot-on vocal that maintains the sly humor of Nuccio’s lyric.

Like the best Drifters gigs in the old days, this one closes with a lovely and impromptu (and unrehearsed) “Dedicated to the One I Love.” Through it all they sound less like old friends getting together to reminisce, and more like a vital band ready for another go-round.