Peter Lewy is known to New Yorkers as one of the city's most elegant street performers. He is also a very accomplished cellist, in demand as freelance soloist and chamber musician. In other words, Peter is one of New York’s hardest working musicians.
What most surprised me about this CD was the breadth of styles and influences that Peter has allowed himself to “muse” with in order to put this collection together. You will hear not only some very excellent cello playing, but also original songs, covers and instrumentals. And Peter can sing! It is a sometimes bluesy, sometimes whispering sound that comes together with the cello perfectly in songs like, “Cold Weather” by Mark Johnson. Word painting abounds as Lewy illustrates the lines:
All through the winter my socks hung on the line
They froze up when the wind blew and when they did, I did too.
The cello plays some tremolo chords that can easily shake those icy socks. You can feel that wind when it “socks me in the jaw”, as cello plays an energetic pizzicato note that slides on the ice with a lovely glissando. It is moments like this that Peter the artist takes center stage and are my favorite moments on the CD. 
In his original composition, “I’m Through Shedding Tears Over You”, one hears his cello become a one-person string quartet as he exploits the instrument’s register in a joyous realization of freedom from angst over a failed romance. He even injects a bit of humor into what could have been one of life’s bitter moments:

“I know there’s a drought in Africa
and it’s not that I don’t care
but I’ve looked into it honey
and there’s no practical way to get them (the tears!) there”
For his covers, Lewy has chosen for one, “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix. It is an inspired song on everyone’s listening list of the “Best of Jimi Hendrix”. Peter’s version is highly original while retaining Hendrix’ improvisational spirit. “No Expectations” by Mick Jagger becomes a warm country ballad as Lewy fingerpicks a lovely accompaniment and improvises one of the CD’s more beautiful instrumental choruses.
And, in fact, “no expectations” is a good way to listen to this music. Lewy brings together a lifetime of experience and musical accomplishment in this collection. There is something here to satisfy many musical cravings. If you are looking for a rare treat I highly recommend  “Some Other Way”
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