Kinky Friedman RESURRECTION

Kinky Friedman
Resurrection
Echo Hill Records

Introspective, Thoughtful and Soul Affirming Country From a Master-Songwriter.

I’ve got a friend, ‘Scribbler’ who is not just a fan but a friend of Kinky Friedman; introducing The Star many times over the years at The Jumpin’ Hot Club on Tyneside. My friend once made me a ‘Best Of’ cassette that I didn’t have the heart to tell him never got past Track #3 or 4.
In my defence The Kinkster was always more of a Novelty Act rather than a songwriter to be taken seriously by the likes of me.
That changed a few years ago with the release of The Loneliest Man I Ever Met in 2015 when he sort of ‘got his act together’ and wrote and performed ‘proper songs’ that reflected his life as a man in his late 60’s.
This third album since that renaissance is very much in the same lineage, and full of songs that an aging man who has had a full and interesting life can write.
Opening track Mandela’s Blues is fascinating, partly because the melody is South African in concept (think Paul Simon’s GRACELAND) and Kinky’s loving story of this Great Statesman will surely make us think twice about today’s political leaders who are generally financially motivated rather than a genial and caring Statesman, caring for all under his care as Nelson Mandela was.
More than once here Friedman taps into his early coffee-shop troubadour heritage for inspiration; one of the best is title track Resurrection, with it’s jaunty Country Beat masking a beautifully heart rending and even heart reviving story. Somewhere in the mix Willie Nelson makes an appearance, duetting on the chorus, but it’s Friedman’s words and the way he drawls them that will stay with you hours after hearing this song.
I’m still impressed that Friedman can use his songwriting powers to touch the frayed parts of my heart that others rarely touch these days; with I Love You When It Rains and The Bridge That Never Burns, which immediately follows are two such Classic Country-Folk songs that deserve to be heard not just in the safety of our homes but on National Radio too.
In a similarly enigmatic vein Blind Kinky Friedman takes us on a dark journey into his soul and heart, with a scintillating Country Blues soundtrack and later on A Dog In The Sky, a love song to ‘mans best friend’ who has passed and the innate feeling of loneliness that can leave their owner/best friend with.
Kinky Friedman has never ever been a ‘one trick pony’ and he proves that here by slipping seamlessly between genres while still making a cohesive ‘Americana’ album; Greater Cincinnati is a straightforward Country tune in the style of George Jones yet Ai! Mariachi is a Border Song Deluxe that Tom Russell would be proud of, which shows what a rare talent this man actually is; and probably always has been.
As a ‘man of a certain age’ myself many, many songs here have touched me in a way that I’ve thought “that will be my Favourite Song”, the gentle and evocative Me & Billy Swan is a perfect example as Friedman sings of all the unsung heroes from Nashville of old; but then again the Honky Tonky waltz Carrying The Torch is just beautiful; pure and simple; but in the time old tradition Kinky Friedman has kept the best until last with Spirit Dad.
Friedman’s ‘band’ of Larry Campbell, Lincoln Schleifer, Dennis McDermott and Bill Payne come into their own as the hottest swing band to ever play on a song; and boy what a song! I won’t spoil the ‘surprise’ but woah!!! is this a doozy or what?
With the benefit of hindsight I think I can give you an eloquent argument as to why Johnny Cash’s AMERICAN SERIES opened the door for the likes of Kinky Friedman and a host of other singers who can no longer actually ‘sing’ regale us with tales and interpretations that ‘mean something’ without really worrying about commercial success; whereas they do often, ironically win Awards and top radio charts!

Released October 25th 2019
http://kinkyfriedman.com/