Live Review
Peter Tork & Shoe Suede Blues
Poor David’s Pub, Dallas, Texas
July 12, 2006

Peter Tork and band rock Poor David’s Pub

    While most people know Peter Tork as one of the loveable, hilarious Monkees of yesteryear, those in attendance at Poor David’s Pub during Tork’s latest visit to the Metroplex know him for what he really is: a great guitarist that can really sing the blues. If you didn’t make it down to Poor David’s for Peter’s band, Shoe Suede Blues, you really missed out on a hot show and a smokin’ blues band. Shoe Suede Blues not only features Tork on guitar and vocals, it also includes some superbly talented musicians that have shared the stage with many of music’s greatest legends. On guitar and vocals is Richard Mikuls. Richard is a veteran in the music business and has played with the likes of B.B. King, Tina Turner and Little Richard. Mikuls also produces music for film, T.V. and commercials. Handling duties on the bass is a phenomenal entertainer, Arnold Jacks, and rounding out Shoe Suede Blues is John Palmer, one of the most respected Rockabilly drummers around. Not only can Palmer pound some awesome drums, he also can play harmonica at the same time! How many times do you see that?

The band hit the floor running with such blues tracks as Slender, Tender and Tall, Kiss & Tell and Messin’ with the Kid. Mixed in with these traditional blues cuts were some of the bands’ original songs from their album, Saved By the Blues. “Shoe” as the band is sometimes known, kept everything rolling with originals such as Even White Boys Get the Blues, Good Looker, Ain’t Your Fault and their CD’s title cut, Saved By the Blues. When the band launched into Dress Sexy For Me, there were more than a few shouts from the women in the audience. According to Tork, there always seem to be some nice looking women at his shows and this concert was no exception. During the evening, Peter received gifts and flowers from his admirers, while acknowledging the fans with humorous gestures and comments. At the intermission, Peter even accepted a woman’s request to autograph her body! The female reaction to Peter on stage proved to be an interesting sideshow indeed.

But the night wouldn’t have been complete without some of the old Monkees’ tunes from the 60’s. The fans wanted to hear them and Tork was glad to dish them out. The first Monkees’ song was a refreshing, slow blues version of Last Train to Clarksville. Changing gears a bit “Shoe” ended the first half of the show with an energetic version of (I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone, which got the fans out of their seats and moving to the beat. The second half of the show saw the band perform the mega-hit, I’m a Believer, the quirky Auntie Grizelda, and a superb sing-a-long version of Daydream Believer. With the obligatory Monkees’ cuts performed, the band flew into the rock-solid, Mojo, which again got the faithful on their feet and dancing to the groove. As expected, the boys were called back from the shadows for a brief encore and with a few waves and goodbyes sent the satisfied fans on their way. The next time Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues hit the Metroplex, you need to be there. If you enjoy the blues along with a few songs from the groovy past, it’s quite an experience.

Kirk deCordova
dallasmusic.com

For more information about Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues including concert schedule and updates on the band’s forthcoming CD, check out their website at www.shoesuedeblues.com