Album Review - Peter Tork - Stranger Things Have Happened

Wow, suddenly it has been almost 12 weeks since I've done an album review.  Nothing to say but "sorry", because we all know what they say about excuses.

Anyway, After hearing that Peter Tork passed away yesterday (2/21/2019), I spent my morning commute with his "Stranger Things Have Happened" album.  And decided to do a review. So here you go:

Artist:  Peter Tork
Album:  Stranger Things Have Happened
Released:  1994

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Everybody ought to know that Peter Tork was part of the 60's TV show /pop band The Monkees.   The "pre-fab 4".  Hopefully, most of you know that The Monkees was a groundbreaking TV show, and one of the most successful music acts of the time.  IMHO, they belong in the R&RHOF.  I'm a huge Monkees fan and a huge Peter Tork fan.

But, let's talk specifically about Peter Tork.  Tork was one of the two musicians Hired for the Monkees (along with Michael Nesmith), and had been active in the Greenwich Village folk scene.  There's a story that when they were called in to do the first Monkees record, he brought his guitar, expecting to be recording songs, not just adding vocals to the otherwise completed songs.  He is credited with guitar on Papa Gene's blues from that album.  Later on, when the band took a more active role in the music, he played bass, guitars, banjo and keyboards.  HE wrote several songs during the Monkees years.  He was also the first to quit the band in late 1968.

Moving on to "Stranger Things Have Happened".  This was Peter Tork's first solo album.  It didn't receive much fanfare, I'm not even sure how I discovered it.  But I did, and bought it (on CD).  And it is a solid, if not outstanding effort.  The review at Allmusc states:  "No one's going to believe it, but this is a good album".  On Amazon it has a 4.2/5.0 star rating.


My take?  I'll agree, this IS a good record.  It has some really good moments, but no "instant classics.  But no real duds, either.  Most of the songs have a bright, but relaxed feel pushed along with upbeat drums and generally sparse instrumentation.  Torks far from a great singer, but his voice fits the music.  There's 11 songs here, just over 36 minutes.  Six songs are written by Tork,   3 by others and 2 are covers (including a Monkees cover).

My favorites:

Take A Giant Step - this is a cover of a Monkees song, but a really fun reworking.It starts out with just guitar and voice, with bass and percussion coming in with backup vocals on the chorus. Including Mackinzie Phillips singing back-up.  Just plain and simple fun.

Stranger Things Things Have Happened - The title track and opening song, this is one of the more "produced" songs on the record, with keyboards, echo on the voice, a range of sonds...  But is all works.

Miracle - This is a pretty solid rocker, chunky rhythm, a guitar solo....  I mean, we're not talking AC/DC or Van Halen here.....

Higher and Higher - a remake of the old Jackie Wilson song.  Another really fun reworking, and my favorite song from the album.  It starts out with just banjo and voice.  Voices join in at the chorus, then (acoustic) bass and drums after the 1st chorus and throughout the rest of the song.  This is a joyous song, and (IMHO) reminds me of something I'd expect from Pete Seeger...