{"id":7297,"date":"2019-11-17T13:51:16","date_gmt":"2019-11-17T13:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/?p=7297"},"modified":"2019-11-17T13:51:17","modified_gmt":"2019-11-17T13:51:17","slug":"resurrection-kinky-friedmans-new-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2019\/11\/17\/resurrection-kinky-friedmans-new-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Resurrection – Kinky Friedman’s new CD – Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written Jane Ponte<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A couple of weeks ago I was presented with the opportunity to chat with music provocateur Kinky Friedman. At first, I was a bit intimidated by the thought of having a conversation with the Kinkster. He\u2019s the stuff legends are made of, in my humble opinion. And while his outspoken demeanor may occasionally ruffle a few feathers, the fact remains that he\u2019s a national treasure and a Texas icon. So when I agreed to speak with Kinky about his current tour and new album, I wasn\u2019t quite sure just what I\u2019d just gotten myself into. Turns out he was every bit as kind and engaging as I\u2019d hoped he\u2019d be, and, at age 75, is still full of the same caustic wit and wisdom he\u2019s bestowed upon the public since he hit the Texas music scene in the early 70s.<\/p>\n

Friedman, who was a chess prodigy at age 7, a candidate for both agricultural commissioner and governor of Texas, and who has released almost 20 albums and written more than 30 books, is still going strong at the tender age of 75. Having just had a birthday, I was eager to chat with him, see what he\u2019s been up to, and talk to him about his current tour in support of his newest release, Resurrection <\/em><\/strong>(Echo Hill Records, 2019).<\/p>\n

One thing is for certain when it comes to dialing up the Kinkster on a random Saturday afternoon and expecting it to be a run-of-the-mill Q &A session\u2014it\u2019s not gonna go down like that. When it comes to talking to Kinky Friedman, it\u2019s best to just hope he answers the phone, and then just sit back and enjoy the ride, which is exactly what I did.<\/p>\n

After exchanging pleasantries and wishing him a happy belated birthday, Friedman launched into a lively spiel about the new album. It was clear that he\u2019s extremely proud of it, and rightfully so. Produced by multi-instrumentalist, 3-time Grammy winner Larry Campbell, this 11-track release could, in my opinion, be Friedman\u2019s best release yet. After going nearly 40 years without releasing any new music, Resurrection <\/em><\/strong>seems, in a way, to be the sequel to Circus of Life, <\/em><\/strong>(Echo Hill Records, 2018). But while Circus of Life <\/em><\/strong>was full of Friedman\u2019s trademark sardonic wit and wry observations about life and its cast of characters in a more stripped-down, acoustic style of delivery, Resurrection<\/em><\/strong> seems to tie up a few loose ends from the previous release with a more rootsy, Americana-infused vibe that at times seems almost poignant, while at the same time sounding current, fresh, and radio-ready. \u201cI wanted to make a record with the world\u2019s greatest producer, but Phil Spector wasn\u2019t available,\u201d quipped Friedman. \u201cSo Larry and I decided to work together, and I\u2019m very pleased with the results. Larry outdid himself on this record, and it\u2019s just great. I think a lot of people are going to hear this record, which makes me very happy. You can do something great, but to get it played on the radio; well, that\u2019s another story. It was Bob Dylan\u2019s original goal and I think it is mine as well. I think that Larry has produced something that has a great shot of making it to the radio.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The 11-track release consists of all original material, with 4 tracks co-written by Doc Elliot. Themes on this record range from love to mortality to the human condition in general, and Friedman\u2019s somewhat raspy and gritty vocals are showcased in such a way that his humanity resonates throughout all 11 tracks. The record is real, it is relevant, and it is a breath of fresh air compared to much of the insipid drivel that is being overproduced and shoved down music aficionados\u2019 throats these days. The title track, which features his long-time pal Willie Nelson, is a beautiful reflection about getting older, receiving second chances, and the mystery of how life isn\u2019t always fair. It is a brilliant song that leaves the listener feeling a bit more grateful simply by having heard it and seems to be the most autobiographical tune on the album, with the exception of \u201cBlind Kinky Friedman,\u201d which\u2014obviously– is also self-referential, but far less sentimental than \u201cResurrection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other masterpieces on the release include \u201cDog in the Sky\u201d and \u201cGreater Cincinnati.\u201d The former was written for his beloved 4-legged friend, Mr. P, who passed away a few years ago. \u201cReally, I still miss Mr. P every day,\u201c Friedman stated. \u201cThe coyotes got him, and I\u2019m still not over losing that dog. He was a best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

The latter tune is getting some airplay, including being played on Outlaw Country stations on Sirius radio, and I recently heard it on one of the local college stations in the area, which is indicative of the notion that despite the Kinkster being a tad long in the tooth, he has garnered a following among a younger crowd. Part of that may be due to the 4 songs he co-wrote with Doc Elliot, a 23-year songwriter that Friedman met in San Diego. \u201cI thought he was just some homeless kid,\u201d said Friedman. \u201cHe ended up coming out to the ranch and we just clicked,\u201d he said, referring to Echo Hill Ranch, where he and his 6 dogs (whom he affectionately refers to as \u201cThe Friedmans\u201d) live. \u201cSome of these songs had always been in my head, like \u2018Greater Cincinnati.\u2019 But working with Doc was great–our chemistry just works.\u201d<\/p>\n

What also works on this album are the arrangements by Campbell and the contributions by Bill Payne on keys, Campbell on pedal steel and backing vocals, Dennis McDermott on drums, and Lincoln Schleifer on bass. Their chemistry is also palpable, and shines a bright, refreshing light throughout the entire release. They are a far cry from Friedman\u2019s days with The Texas Jewboys, when Friedman delighted in being as politically incorrect and outlandish as possible and wrote and performed songs such as \u201cThey Ain\u2019t Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore,\u201d and \u201cGet Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>These days, Friedman may seem a bit more sentimental and politically correct, but he was quick to tell me that the first cut on the album, \u201cMandela\u2019s Blues,\u201d written about Nelson Mandela\u2019s 27-year long incarceration, stemmed from his finding out that night after night, when Mandela was locked away on Robben Island, he would play Friedman\u2019s \u201cRide \u2018em Jewboy\u201d every night for 3 years straight. While on a book tour in South Africa, Friedman met Tokyo Sexwale, an anti-apartheid activist who occupied the cell next to Mandela and told Friedman that the song was \u201ca lullaby of sorts\u201d for Mandela all those years. In \u201cMandela\u2019s Blues,\u201d Friedman acknowledges Mandela\u2019s sacrifice for the greater good of his country, but also told me, \u201cTokyo made sure to tell me not to get too excited over it all. Just because the guy listened to my song every night doesn\u2019t mean I was his favorite singer\u2014that honor went to Dolly Parton.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other gems on the new album include, \u201cMe & Billy Swan, \u201c \u201cThe Bridge That Wouldn\u2019t Burn,\u201d and \u201cCarryin\u2019 the Torch.\u201d All three songs are introspective, tender, and perfectly produced\u2014\u201cbut not over-produced\u201d\u2014by Campbell. In short, the entire record is a masterpiece\u2014one I am supremely grateful to have stumbled across, simply by agreeing to interview the iconic (and surprisingly sweet) Kinky Friedman.<\/p>\n

Friedman is currently touring in support of Resurrection<\/em><\/strong>, and will be at McGonigel\u2019s Mucky Duck in Houston, TX on November 23rd <\/sup>for 2 shows, and The Old Quarter Acoustic Caf\u00e9 in Galveston on November 25th\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>for one show as well. Tickets are going fast, but there are still a few available for all 3 shows. Don\u2019t miss your chance to see this iconic, legendary performer while he\u2019s in town, and make sure you wish him a belated happy birthday. He\u2019s come a long way from the days of The Texas Jewboys, to running for office and writing mystery novels (look for \u201cThe Tin Can Telephone\u201d <\/strong>out sometime next year) and touring with Bob Dylan or partying with Iggy Pop, John Belushi, or Bill Clinton. He\u2019s still rescuing stray dogs, plans to start a new foundation with his sister to help the children of first responders, and, according to him, is \u201cpretty proud of the fact that I\u2019m 75 and can read at a 77-year old level. I\u2019m still making original, fresh music, and I\u2019m not finished yet.\u201d Finally, some good news we can all agree on. Thanks, Kinkster.<\/p>\n

~Jane Ponte<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written Jane Ponte A couple of weeks ago I was presented with the opportunity to chat with music provocateur Kinky Friedman. At first, I was a bit intimidated by the thought of having a conversation with the Kinkster. He\u2019s the stuff legends are made of, in my humble opinion. And while his outspoken demeanor may… <\/p>\n

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