Do you like guitar music? If so, then surf on over to JoeMonk.com and see and hear what you’re missing.
JoeMonk is an understated, homespun tribute site built by Andrew Gertler, in memory of the late guitarist Joe Monk. The site features five main areas to surf where visitors have a chance to glance a snippet of the life of this Long Island, New York guitar legend: Joe Monk; Arrangements; Joe Monk Live; Stories; and Lessons.
In a lot of ways, visiting JoeMonk evokes the best of what I like to call “a coffeehouse moment”–settling into a comfy stool or chair, cradling my favorite hot brew, getting cozy with my special lady, while one of Joe Monk’s compositions washes away the workday debris cluttering one’s brain.
In a lot of other ways, JoeMonk evokes the worst of what we like to call “an itch that cannot be scratched.” The site does not give enough basic biographical information on Joe Monk, the man. Is he really dead? If so, when did he die? (Only a conversation with Mr. Gertler revealed that Mr. Monk was deceased.) Nor does JoeMonk offer any history behind the CD that currently is for sale there. Is it one of a series of previously unreleased recording session tapes? Is it a bootleg? Will Five-O haul us away if we buy it? Is there a way to buy it online and then download it? Where can we buy more Joe Monk? Is there more Joe Monk to buy? And what the heck is the name of the site soundtrack anyway?
Alas, while the site may have some flaws, it does have some really nice features. For instance, memories, quotes and anecdotes about Joe Monk appear in “Stories”. Here, site surfers really get to know just how effusive, how challenging, and how passionate Joe Monk was as a guitarist, and as a guitar teacher. Reading those stories makes one want to spread the good music on JoeMonk around the world. And the elegant use of Flash animation is an appealing, if broadband-required touch.
To summarize, JoeMonk is a touching tribute to a little-known but very gifted musician. The site has a great smoky flavor to it, paired with some beautiful tracks. It does lacks some basic Joe Monk information though. Nevertheless, it is a site worth visiting by music lovers planet-wide. We’re hoping Mr. Gertler will put other Joe Monk pieces into rotation on the soundtrack. Just one more reason for site surfers to return.
Finally, JoeMonk rates a .com Dish! “T” for teenagers and older.
