Peter Tork Coming to Ashford June 28, 2007

Last year, I got an astonishing response to my humble review of Peter Tork playing for the Joshua Land Trust. Read them here and here.

Unless you've been living in a cave, you'll know Peter Tork as a former Monkee. Last year he took the stage alone and was fantastic. This year he's bringing his band, Blue Suede Shoes (Richard Mikuls, John Palmer and Arnold Jacks) with him and, as proud owner of a Blue Suede Shoes CD, I am betting they knock your socks off.

The concert on Thursday, June 28, 2007 benefits Joshua's Trust again and the tickets can be purchased AT THIS LINK using THIS FORM.

The photo shown here, is linked from Joshua's Trust's website in good faith and fair use to promote this worthwhile event. If you can't make the concert, please consider making a donation directly to them.

BTW: This was a sellout last year. It is a small hall, intimate, and a great atmosphere, and Peter is loose, funny, and throws away some very interesting insights into his career. If you missed seeing great talent in smaller venues back in the day, you'll regret not coping a ticket for this.

Peter Tork Unplugged

Tonight my wife and I attended a fund-raiser for Joshua's Trust at newly reopened Knowlton Hall. I had no idea what to expect although I had been hearing very good things from some musically knowledgable friends that Peter had been playing out with some former Shaboo All-Stars and others who sounded very well.

So tonight in walks in Peter, casual as you please and good-naturedly mingling with old friends and locals who support Joshua's Trust. No band or backup - cabaret setting. Hmmm.

The minute Peter took the stage, the warmth of his personality just permeated the room. This guy is flat-out funny, genuine, and comfortable in his own skin. Between songs he joked about fame, age, and experience. The early evening show felt like catching a special performer playing at the Iron Horse Cafe in Northampton, MA. This turned into something very special, a performer performing without a net.

I cannot remember the entire set of songs nor the sequence so I'll simply stick to those that stood out.

Peter's two banjo sets were reminiscent of John Hartford. He performed a Motown tune, Higher and Higher that involved audience participation for the chorus and it played very well. The playful humor of these sets will also remind you of Steve Martin's [minus the balloons] fine banjo sets.

On acoustic guitar, Peter played Neil Diamond, Carol King, Van Morrison, and Boyce and Hart tunes from his earlier career. Like the recently released acoustic version of George Harrison's My Guitar Gently Weeps, the refreshing starkness of Peter's version of Daydream Believer is worthy of consideration of re-release in this stripped down form. His modulation of the chorus gives the song a haunting and warm regret of a lifetime for fading daydream believers.

Dress Sexy for Me and MGBGT are two of Peter's original songs that both were enjoyable reminders of songs that you can enjoy, listen to, and maybe sing along to.

In Peter's passion, the blues, songs like a Robert Johnson cover Come in my Kitchen and Ain't Your Fault, Babe exorcise a suprisingly accomplished inner blues man who serves up some very tasty blues that have the same quality of Robert Cray's delivery.

Most surprising though was the inclusion of an old Mills Brothers tune, 'Til Then. Again, maybe coming home is good for Peter's soul because this song, moreso than many of Springsteen's latest folk set, invokes a powerful emotional dialogue that could well be a conversation between one of our soldiers overseas and his loved one being left behind. Peter's version is a real treasure that complements the same sentiments of Neil Young's Living With War songs by providing a historical context. This one deserves to be offered up in MP3 form by Move On, Truthout, or other progressive venues. It's a find.

I'm sure I failed to mention a half dozen outstanding performances of other songs and I'll apologize - I hadn't planned on writing this.

Peter's new album Saved By the Blues is put out by Beachwood records and I'm happy to say I've bought a copy to play for my family's commuting.

This was a great show. Don't hestitate to attend Peter's show, in life this is known as the good stuff.

Postscript; My wife and I played the CD over dinner - fantastic blues... my wife loves it and wants it for her commute... easy come, easy go. I'll get it on the rebound.

Peter Tork to perform in Ashford - May 20

Form the Joshua's Trust website (click above link):

Peter Tork Performs at Trust Benefit Party

May 20, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Knowlton Memorial Hall in Ashford

Peter Tork, who first made his musical mark with the Monkees, will provide a musical interlude at a party to benefit Joshua's Tract Conservation and Historic Trust. The event will be held on May 20, from 5:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Knowlton Memorial Hall, Rt. 44, in Ashford. Wine and refreshments will be served starting at 5:00 p.m.; music at 6:00 p.m. Co-chairs of the event, Isabelle Atwood and Mona Anderson, hope to raise money for the Land Acquisition Fund. They encourage you to make your reservation early because many events this year have been oversold, disappointing some people who had hoped to come.

Peter Tork, who grew up in Storrs, is a versatile musician whose recent tours with Shoe Suede Blues have drawn enthusiastic audiences. He is donating his performance to assist with the Trust's local conservation efforts. Knowlton Memorial Hall, which is Ashford's former town hall, was donated by C.C. Knowlton, grandfather of Mildred Hamilton Knowlton, who gifted land to Joshua's Trust. Isabelle describes it as a beautiful space for a party. The hall is located just off Rt. 44.

Most of the land owned by Joshua's Trust has come as gifts from families or individuals like the Knowltons; however, the Trust has purchased a few parcels at below market value, such as Proposal Rock in Mansfield. In recent years, the Trust has adopted a more pro-active approach to conserving open space and during the coming year will have an opportunity to permanently protect one of the area's prime properties. The Trust will have to raise a considerable amount to do this. Help to start the campaign by inviting friends to join you for a great social event on May 20!

To print the reservation form, CLICK HERE. Reservations must be received prior to May 15th!