Album Review: Gregory Lewis – Organ Monk Coming Home
This New York City based organist is immersed in jazz, funk and blues. And for his latest album, Lewis has chosen to interpret the work of Thelonious Monk. Fronting a spare trio (himself plus guitarist Kevin McNeal and Nasheet Watts on drums), Lewis cut the album in a pair of one-day sessions. The vibe is up close and personal, and the character strikes a good balance between faithful readings and personal expression. Lewis also does a fine job of choosing material, splitting it between well-known numbers like “Brilliant Corners” and lesser-known material.
The set includes one Lewis original, the set closer “Jaclyn’s Eyes.” I had half expected it to show the influence that Monk has upon his compositional style, but the tune is quite different, with more of a gospel-meets fusion flavor (if one can imagine such a thing). Taken as a whole, though, Jazz Monk Coming Home is expertly played, subtly rendered and engaging.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.