Run, Kinky, Run!

A recent article in the New Yorker (yes, the New Yorker!) profiled Kinky Friedman - a musician, author, and raconteur who is currently running for governor of Texas. Since it has been already demonstrated that a half-wit asshole can govern Texas (and be President, no less), this is more than a quixotic gesture on the part of the Kinkster who's already practicing his tone of command with his old friend and band-mate, Jewford (example: "The governor wants more beer!").

The article inspired me to dig out another worthwhile tribute album, Pearls In The Snow. This collection of songs from the Kinky Friedman songbook by a group of country artists (plus Tom Waits, who lives in category all his own) gives a good view of Kinky's work both with and without his old band, The Texas Jewboys, and is worth having just for Willie Nelson's sensitive and tender cover of Kinky's take on Jewish history, "Ride 'em Jewboy". But it also offers solid versions of "Rapid City, South Dakota" by Dwight Yoakum (which someone called the only pro-choice country song), Lyle Lovett's version of "Sold American", and an inspired "Wild Man From Borneo" done by Guy Clark. For those who have never heard the Texas Jewboys, the guys do a medley that includes two of my favorites - "They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore" and the raucous "Homo Erectus". And Tom Waits - who marches close to the head of my all-time favorites list - does "Highway Cafe", a song which would have fit on his own Nighthawks At The Diner without much editing.

It's well worth a listen, both for those who know Kinky and those who don't - so go out and buy a copy and throw a few cents in his direction. Why, with your help, the Texas Jewboys could become the official band of the state of Texas!