|
Only a fool would claim to have Kinky Friedman figured out. The self-proclaimed Jewish Cowboy has spent the past two years whoring for every column-inch of newspaper and sound-byte of television he can get in his effort to rescue the Texas governor’s mansion from the once seemingly endless depredations of pig-fucking Republicans and a few hairy-palmed Democrats. His campaign thus far has created as many questions as it has answered, but Friedman is a galactic improvement on Rick Perry, whose handlers should have replaced his batteries before the campaign season, and whoever the equally forgettable Democratic nominee is.
The Kinkster, as he’s affectionately known by musical, literary, political and sexual supporters (I’m told), began his campaign with the equivalent of a poorly disguised 99-yard quarterback sneak. There haven’t been any other plays, but now that he’s made the first 90 yards, a lot of people are cheering him into the end zone. Just to see what happens, if for no other reason. The progressive country star, prolific scribbler and political propagandist may be Texas’s most media savvy prodigal son. So, it’s no surprise that his ongoing and increasingly realistic bid for governor of Tejas coincides with a blitz of media coverage, new books and, fortunately for us, the release of The Last of the Jewish Cowboys: The Best of Kinky Friedman.
I’m always a little wary of “Best of” albums. They are often a throwing in of the towel, an artist’s admission that they will not produce anything else of substance. Now that he’s moved on to world-shaking, Kinky’s “Best of” may be exactly that admission, since he’s not devoting much energy to music these days, and hasn’t for a while. So we may as well savor these fifteen songs and learn the words by heart before Kinky makes them mandatory fare at all Texas high school football games, to be played right after the national anthem.
The Best of Kinky Friedman is ideal for young fans who may not own any of his albums, as well as for older fans who actually remember when the alternative country artist was touring honky tonks across The Lonestar (of David) State and never completed their collections. We all need to remember that Kinky was progressive country before there was such a thing, and unlike a lot of what gets punched with the progressive/alternative country label these days, Kinky actually was musically progressive. His somewhat gimmicky songs “We Reserve the Right to Refuse Service to You” and “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore” lightheartedly deal with issues of war and racism that one would hope lost their relevancy when the ‘70s faded away, but which now seem as depressingly applicable as ever. But for those who may think Kinky is nothing more than a big schmaltzy gimmick, songs like “Sold American,” “Before All Hell Breaks Loose” and “The Take-It-Easy-Trailer Park” hold their own with the best of more traditional country music songwriting.
Many of the recordings on the album are from live performances. The live tracks are crisply recorded and, just as important, include Kinky’s characteristically irreverent stage banter. Overall, the album is a great ride for cowboys, jewboys, and even for the occasional “Asshole from El Paso.” And don’t forget to vote Kinky 4 Gov. Why the hell not? I, for one, want to live to see a half-naked stripper run screaming out of the governor’s mansion at 6 a.m. past a bewildered Willie Nelson who’s walking in with a box of cigars for Kinky in one hand and Texas’s new energy policy in the other. And if we’re really lucky, Kinky will make Mojo Nixon his press secretary, but with a better title. Why the hell not?
Websites:
www.kinkyfriedman.com
Myspace
