PETER'S ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: AN IMPRESSION 19 Broadway in Fairfax, CA was the site of Saturday night's celebration of the release of Peter's first solo album, STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED. It was called a party, and that's just what it was. Most of the people there were Peter's friends from the area--musicians and non-musicians---with a small contingent of loyal fans and some of the locals. But it didn't matter, because Peter made everyone feel like a very welcome guest That night, everyone was his friend. And what a night it was!! Peter was in excellent voice, all his hard work having given his already fine voice a fuller, richer aspect that emphasized all of its best qualities. Musically, it was fantastic. There were 4 sets in all---the first and third, with his band, consisted of all 11 songs from the album done in their playing order, while the other two were rock 'n' roll jams done with various of his musician friends, including Sam Andrew, and Chuck Day, and ranged from "Sesame Street" to Elvis with stops almost everywhere in between. They brought the house DOWN several times and made it impossible to sit still!! Anyone who didn't have a great time has only him/herself to blame.... The album sets were wonderful. The title track was the only completely new song, and it's a knock-out. STRANGER THINGS is very different---a bit ballad, a little reggae, a touch of New Age---but very suited to Peter's voice and style. The version of "Take A Giant Step" they did live came closest to the album rendition, which is rather folkish---soft but upbeat, with a '60's flavor that doesn't overpower. Great stuff. We had been given to understand that the album itself would not be played, but after the first set, Peter pulled out a cassette and said, "Here it is. We're going to play it for you guys during the break..." And they did. STRANGER THINGS transcends that "Monkees music" label by light years. By ANYstandard, it's an outstanding piece of work that can stand up against anything out there. One of the nicest things about the evening was Peter's including both his kids in the band for the occasion.---Hallie doing back-up, and Ivan playing congas. You could see how important this night was to him, and how important it was that they be there and be part of it. He spent the breaks mingling with the crowd, greeting friends, signing autographs, enjoying it all. It was his night all the way. He was so "up", so happy and excited that he RADIATED And everyone there was just that happy for him. Peter himself played for the better part of 4 hours, though during the last set, he turned his guitar over to one of his musical friends and sat down to watch. That state lasted for exactly one number. He couldn't stay still, but just HAD to get back up there, so he commandeered the bass, and RIPPED it. Everyone was having such a good time that if it hadn't been for the fact that the legal closing time is 2:00 am, it might have gone on all night. Afterwards, Peter was prsented with a cake by the Petermaniacs, and a balloon bouquet sent by a fan from Louisiana. And while he was starting to look a bit tired, it seemed that at least some small part of him was glad that it wasn't quite over. It was that kind of night---the kind you want to just go on and on.... It was an extraordinary evening. There was so much affection and good feeling, so much pride and excitement flowing in both directions; an audience that wanted to BE pleased and a performer who wanted TO please.....In short, a perfect match-up. It was an amazing thing to be part of. There will undoubtedly be official events to mark the album's release, bigger and more "star-studded", but not one of them will touch what happened in that little bar that Saturday night. Because 19 Broadway wasn't about sales, or promotion, or business. It was a gathering of friends to give a pat on the back to one of their own, to celebrate his effort, to share his success and to wish him well. It was personal. And that's something that can't be "officially" created. Eva Frizzi