PETER TORK AND SHOE SUEDE BLUES: Cambria Hotel

Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues

Cambria Hotel

© 2007 Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues (837101298407)

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Cambria Hotel - residence to an eclectic mix of original blues, pop, classic rock and a couple of bluesed up Monkees hits by an original pop icon and three of the best side men working in the music biz today.

notes

Peter Tork is a former member of the world-famous 1960s pop group, The Monkees. Peter has also put together a number of bands in the past, including The New Monks and The Peter Tork Project. He plays a myriad of instruments, including the 5-string banjo, piano/keyboard, drums, guitar, and bass. Peter plays guitar, keyboards, banjo and sings the majority of the lead vocals for the band.

Arnold Jacks, is a much sought after and well respected side man who can hold down a bass line with the best in the business. AJ joined Shoe Suede Blues in the winter of 2006 and hit the ground running. He is simply one of the most phenomenal bass players around.

Grammy award winner, Richard Mikuls, has shared the stage and the recording studio with such legendary artists as Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, BB King, Ike and Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and The Pointer Sisters. Richard has also produced music for TV shows and movies such as Ellen, Home Improvement, Unhappily Ever After, Boy Meets World, Doctor Detroit, The Last Dance, as well as TV commercials for Paul Mitchell, Coors Beer, Isuzu, and Honda - Acura.

The drummer for Cambria Hotel is SSB's former drummer, John Palmer. John is a premiere rockabilly drummer who has also shared the stage with Ronnie Dawson.

PT and SSB's new drummer is Jeff Olson who has also been out on the tour circuit with David Benoit. Jeff will be on the road with PT and SSB in 2007 beginning with the tour of the United Kingdom in February 2007.

Fellow CD BABY artists who make guest appearances on "Cambria" include AURA3. The ladies added BV's on "Bound to Lose." Tork can also be heard on the title track of AURA3's CD "For Pete's Sake," which he penned.


History

Long before "Peter Tork" became a legendary part of the prefab phenomenon known as the “The Monkees,” he was a well-respected musician/artist in the burgeoning New York folk and blues scene. Peter’s gift for playing a plethora of instruments (bass, guitar, keyboard, banjo,and french horn) generated high demand for his services as a sideman/back-up artist. Peter knocked around for several hungry years in the mid-60’s, hanging and performing with the likes of John Phillips, Steven Stills, Dave Van Ronk, Van Dyke Parks and Arthur Lee. The list goes on.

The fateful call, which would change Peter's life forever, came in June of 1965. Friend and confidante, Steven Stills, not quite hitting the mark with his own audition, rung his buddy, urging him to give it a go. Twice. Stills remarks to the producers that he knew 'just the man to fill the bill', were spot on. Peter aced the audition for a what would become a ground breaking multimedia project centered on a zany, young, rock/pop band - styled as THE American answer to the Beatles. The results were stellar and changed the popular music and television biz forever.

Peter, never totally satisfied with prefab fame even at the height of his pop icon status, stuck to his roots as a starving artist. He could be found frequently jamming with bands, learning and honing his chops. Music legend Jimi Hendrix jammed with Peter on several occasions, calling Peter - “The most talented Monkee."

Peter has continued his solo career through the years, performing with his own bands, writing and recording and also making numerous guest appearances on a variety of TV programs.

Peter realized a real love affair with the blues sometime during the 1990's. The result of that love is called Shoe Suede Blues.

Defining Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues is akin to describing the history of popular music. Band mates Richard Mikuls, Jeff Olson and Arnold Jacks have shared the stage with some of the most influential recording artists of the last 50 years: Ray Charles, BB King, Ronnie Dawson, Chaka Kahn and David Benoit just to mention a few.

Though Peter’s band of seasoned pros, Shoe Suede Blues delivers a heartfelt, soulful, uplifting and quite unforgettable mixture, divined from their vision of what music is all about.

Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues...witness that the heart and soul of music lives.

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Review: Peter Tork, The Cavern Feb 12 2007

by David Harrison, Liverpool Daily Post

FORMER Monkee Peter Tork finally laid to rest the old myth that The Monkees couldn't play their own instruments.

During a set which included old Monkees hits such as Daydream Believer, I'm Not Your Stepping Stone and an excellent, bluesy Last Train to Clarksville, Tork sang lead vocals and changed instruments with ease, from guitar, to banjo and then on to keyboard.

It was this myth which had contributed to Tork's departure from the Monkees at the end of 1968. Always cast as the "dumb" one in the TV series, a role he was never comfortable with, and as a multi-instrumentalist, he was always hurt by media jibes that they were just a manufactured band with no musical talent, made in the image of The Beatles.

The last complete Monkees reunion was 10 years ago, bringing all four original members together for a UK tour, TV special and a new album, Justus, where the Monkees wrote and performed all the songs.

The album failed to chart and, despite the UK tour selling out, the shows were heavily criticised by the British music press, leading to the departure of Nesmith from further projects. Tork followed suit and, according to various sources, all four Monkees have since fallen out, putting a dampener on a 40th anniversary tour.

However, Tork definitely made up for the missing three Monkees at The Cavern, confidently mixing in Monkee classics with songs from his new blues-orientated album, Cambria Hotel, his band, Shoe Suede Blues, producing a mature and authentic sound.

The place was packed with a mixture of age groups, and for a moment, it almost seemed that you were in the original Cavern of the 1960s.

After the gig, Tork chatted to frantic fans as he signed copies of his latest album. It was like Monkeemania all over again.

reviews

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  • Worth It's Weight
    author: Ms. Kin

    I think “Cambria Hotel” is another firm stepping stone carved into the musical path of Shoe Suede Blues; it is a mighty good example of what SSB is capable of... This album has a tighter construct of sound than previous, it carries a soulful groove, but it also exhibits a wider range of talent, sound and technique from the individual band members; it’s got a bold groove with a rockin’ edge, it also has a lighter, playful, mystical feel in sections with a sultry splash in others – A stepping stone in a path that suddenly became less traveled for one... In a testament to a fallen friend and the band that he graced for 6 years - May those that walk in the suede shoes in times to come... may they follow in the musical footsteps that have been set in the sands of time for Peter Tork and the Shoe Suede Blues of the future... [These shoes of suede may have been stained with fallen tears, but in time these blues can only lend themselves to a deeper, richer, more soulful sound] Thanx ~ M.

  • Cambria Hotel
    author: Tina Crowley

    Great CD! Thanks, Peter, for including a couple of Monkee's classics!

  • Return to the Blues
    author: Shilo Petty

    This is a great cd to bring blues fans back to the music. I haven't listened to the blues in years and heard about Peter Tork and Friends had a cd out. Being a fan of his other solo works and of the Monkees, I couldn't wait to here the disk. The music demonstrates Peter's talent as an overall musician and performer. Colorado needs a shot of this kind of good music.

  • Peter Tork & the Suede Blue Shoes - Cambria Hotel
    author: STEFAN GOULD

    This is a great CD! Totally unexpected. I heard Peter Tork on a radio program here in LA and decided to check out his music. The CD has an interesting variety of songs and a couple of awesome covers of two old Monkee's songs. Buy this CD!

  • PETER TORK AND SHOE SUEDE BLUES CAMBRIA HOTEL
    author: Steve Pearman

    Peter Tork & The Monkees have ALWAYS been UNDERRATED as musicians by the music media & the powers-that-be in the music business. However, we true fans know that Peter & The Monkees belong in the rock-n-roll Hall of Fame. This cd is just another example of Peter's GREAT TALENT as a TRUE LEGEND. He plays guitar, banjo, piano & sings lead & backing vocals. My favorite song on this cd is "I KNOW LOVE". This song really ROCKS! Also, the alternate version of "FOR PETE'S SAKE" will be worth getting the cd for Monkees fans. To non-Monkee fans, Peter wrote this back in the 60's. Yes he does WRITE SONGS TOO! If you like blues & rock, then this cd is for you. Take the advice from a Tork fan of 41 years & discover the music of Peter Tork. Peter please bring SHOE SUEDE BLUES to South GEORGIA. Wish you & the band A GREAT 2008!

  • SSB's Best Ever
    author: R MARKUS

    I can't stop listening to this CD. It's definately the Shoe Suede Blues' best ever. I love it so much I bought a second one for my best friend.

  • Cambria Hotel sings enjoy me, and I did.
    author: Randall Ferguson

    I have always respected Peter's aesthetic musical integrity and the spirited fun found in Shoe Suede Blues albums and live performances. This CD is filled with songs you want to hear and sing along with over and over again whether you are in your home or your car (or wherever). Cambria Hotel sings "enjoy me" and I did.

  • What a good CD!!!
    author: Karen Pickett

    Peter and his band show once again that they can rock it. I hope they come back up to San Luis Obipso county again very soon since I missed them last year when they were here. Peter come back up here!!!!

  • Shoe Suede Blues Grooves!
    author: Jack Garrett

    SSB's interpretation of For Pete's Sake is worth the price of admission. I love the eastern intro. Annie is another winner and this is by far the best of the band's three offerings. I had the pleasure to emcee a Tork show with James Lee Stanley a couple of years back and can say that he still has it.

  • Thanks Peter, for finally putting "Good Looker" out officially!
    author: Todd

    I had the good fortuen to see Peter Tork in a little coffeehouse setting in Burlington Vermont about 1997 or thereabouts...he and james Lee Stanley did an unplugged set together and I wound up sitting right next to the two of them. After the show I had the chance to tell Peter "Thank you for doing Good Looker...now tell me, when are you putting that on a CD?" Peter, not missing a beat, said "I give up, when?" He finally came through with the song on Cambria Hotel, which I'm very pleased to say is the same understated sublime stuff I've come to know him for. I've followed Peter's music from that "pre-fab four" band he played in back in the 60s and seen him countless times solo, with James and a couple times with Shoe Suede Blues. A VERY surprising take on Last train to Clarksville but, as with everything else he's revisited, he's put a distinctive stamp on that he can call his own. This is exactly the kind of album I expected from him...and that's not a complaint in the least, nor am I saying he's predictable, only that he's absolutely hit the mark again with this CD. Thank you Peter, and please come back to New Hampshire anytime!

  • I really loved the album - very fresh, and not over produced
    author: caroline

    good variety of tracks, and a fresh look at some old favourites

  • GREAT
    author: Aaron Burden

    Peter's new Cd is great, I really love the new version of "Last train to clarksville".

  • Brilliant
    author: Stewart Innes

    Saw Peter and SSB at Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline. Bought the CD. Never off the cd player both at home and in the car. Can't wait to see them live again.

  • Good - could've been better
    author: GoldenRod

    I've always been Peter T. fan, although not necessarily because of his voice. Some songs are better suited for him than others. "For Pete's Sake" is perfect. Peter sings Dylan is not so great. Also, the lead guitar often sounds as if it was not mic'd properly. I would like to hear a live album of their best material.

  • always the best from peter, nothing less***************************
    author: tera

    i really want one of the cd's form cambria, but i can only do money orders.please, someone, help me to get one. my e-mail, teramitchell@hotmail.com. thanks.******************* peace&love.********************

  • Great album.
    author: Dig It

    This is an awesome album- there isn't one song I skip over while listening to it.

  • Great Listen
    author: Joe

    This is worth it just for the remake of "For Pete's Sake", a great retooling of a classic Tork composition. The CD is well recorded, although I do wish they would capture a true "live" recording to CD, as I've seen them live, and the energy live is truly great.

  • Wow!
    author: Mary Lou

    I am very impressed with this CD! It is even better than Saved By the Blues, which I thought was terrific! Peter Tork is an uderrated musician who really delivers the goods on this CD. I'm already looking forward to the next SSB CD!

  • Very very nice.
    author: Laura

    I saw Peter Tork and SSB in concert in Cambria, CA during the time they were recording this. I was quite impressed. I had loved the Monkees as a kid, but hadn't been aware of his music since then. Particularly excellent on this album is his new version of "For Pete's Sake," which I swear helped to form my moral philosophy early in life, along with the Beatles' "All You Need Is Love." I'm glad to hear an updated version of it with Peter singing. All of the tunes on this album are great, though. I liked their previous album, but I LOVE this one.

  • Well worth it.
    author: Beth

    An excellent album. I've been a Peter Tork fan for 40 years and he did not disappoint with Cambria Hotel. Good Looker is a great tune that finally received a proper recording and the new version of For Pete's Sake has a great feel to it. Buy this cd.

  • author: Nessy

    Even more brilliant and delightful than Saved By the Blues...which I didn't think was possible!!!

  • Cambria Hotel Mixes Classics & Blues
    author: The Villager Voice

    With Cambria Hotel, Peter Tork and his band Shoe Suede Blues confidently mixes in a few Monkees classics with original Chicago style blues songs. SSB is a blues influenced rock/pop band creating their own style. In the current music realm of slick studio mass produced CD's, it's a relief to hear an authentic performance by truly talented musicians. And Cambria Hotel delivers that authentic sound. Other tracks to check out: NC based trio AURA3, whom Peter dubbed "The Tork Wenches" provide the backing vocals on a great track entitled "Bound to Lose." SSB guitarist Richard Mikuls' girls, Melody, Carrie and Jeri Lynne provide the backing vocals on Mikuls' powerful original, The Mighty Are Falling"

  • Peter & SSB Keep Getting Better
    author: Barry

    Cambria Hotel is Peter Tork & Shoe Suede Blues'third CD. It has originals and covers that blend extremely well. They do a great version of Bob Dylan's "She Belongs To Me" which was available on their first live CD which is out of print and no where near as good as this CD. Another cover sond was"Sea Cruise" which was a great sing along. For Monkees fans "Last Train To Clarksville" gets bluesed and while different is still fun to listen to. "For Pete's Sake" a song written by Tork during his Monkees days also appears and is a great alternate version. "G-d Given Grant" has catchy lines and will have you singing along to the chorus. Definitely check this CD out as well as "Saved By The Blues" the other CD available by Shoe Suede Blues

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