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Kinky Friedman
The Honky Tonk Gift Shop is proud to feature Kinky Friedman. All of Kinky Friedman's books, CDs and videos we have reviewed are listed on this page for your
convenience.
You can also
search Amazon.com for more Kinky Friedman products.
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Kinky Friedman
Kinky Friedman
Price $ 14.49
Kinky's self-titled second album includes many of his best creations, and it works because, no matter
how far the lyrics stray from traditional country terrain, the songs are always delivered with sincerity,
conviction, and high-quality musicianship. Arrangements range from steel-drenched honky-tonk to
peppy swing to orchestral ballads, while lyrical themes range from the pseudo-gospel to the
adolescent, the satirical to the nonsensical, the mundane to the mystical. Another highlight is
Friedman's hysterical liner notes, which discuss the travails of a "Texas Jewboy" dealing with record
execs and coming to grips with his station in country-music society. Originally released in 1974, this
record must have done something right, for it precipitated appearances on both the Grand Ole Opry
and Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue. --Marc Greilsamer
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Lasso From El Paso
Kinky Friedman
Price $ 14.49
After riding with Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue in 1976, Friedman's star, as it were, was at a peak.
Therefore, Lasso from El Passo, his first post-Revue record, is his least country sounding and is
populated with very big names from the rock world: Eric Clapton (on Dobro), Roger McGuinn, Dr. John,
and four members of the Band among them. Ironically, the best cuts here are the ballads, notably
"Twinkle," "Lady Yesterday," and a dead-serious reading of Johnny Cash's "Ballad of Ira Hayes." Upbeat
covers of Ronnie Hawkins's "Kinky" and Dylan's "Catfish" (produced by Van Dyke Parks with a funky
New Orleans feel and featuring Lowell George on guitar) balance out the wide-ranging album. As
Friedman himself sings, "When it gets too kinky for the rest of the world, it's getting just right for me."
--Marc Greilsamer
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Pearls In The Snow
Kinky Friedman
Price $ 16.97
"Kinky writes from the bottom of his heart and/or the heart of his bottom," explains Captain Midnight in the
liners to this engaging 17-song tribute to the ultimate "Texas Jewboy." Friedman's songs offer a most
unusual blend of insight and irreverence, of scathing social commentary and absolute inanity, wrapped up
in traditional country clothing. "Ride 'em Jewboy," despite its lighthearted title, is a moving rumination
about the Holocaust, delivered sympathetically by Willie Nelson. Lee Roy Parnell assuredly honky-tonks
through "Nashville Casualty & Life," a poignant ode to a mistreated Music City busker, while Dwight
Yoakam dips his drawl into "Rapid City, South Dakota," a song about runaways and unwanted
pregnancy--perhaps the only pro-choice country song around. Lyle Lovett invests the proper amount of
resignation into "Sold American," Friedman's lament on fleeting stardom and capitalist betrayal. Guy
Clark, Tompall Glaser, Tom Waits, Billy Swan, and even the Kinkster himself also issue noteworthy
readings. Perhaps the impressive roster of interpreters here will show him to be more than a mere
novelty--or maybe they'll prove him to be the most weighty novelty act in town. Either way, the corned beef
will come by and by... --Marc Greilsamer
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Sold American
Kinky Friedman
Price $ 13.27
How far left of center is Kinky Friedman in terms of the country-music establishment? It took some
string-pulling from none other than Commander Cody, that bastion of country conservatism, to get
Friedman his contract with Vanguard. This 1973 debut would be the Kinkster's only Vanguard
release, and it introduced the world to his compelling and confounding musical vision. Everyone
remembers absurd titles such as "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed" and
"High On Jesus," but the real reasons to dig this up are the serious and sensitive songs. "Ride 'Em
Jewboy" is a touching Holocaust lyric, and "Sold American," about forgotten country stars and crass
commercialism, inspired cover versions from both the Kingston Trio and Glen Campbell. Top
Nashville pickers Norman Blake, John Hartford, and Doyle Grisham give the music its authentic
country style. --Marc Greilsamer
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A Case Of Lone Star
Kinky Friedman
Price $ 9.95
As far as kinky freidman goes, this is not a very good effort. That does not mean it is not a good novel, however. It
is tremendously funny, and just a tad sexy. If you are first getting started on kinky, then maybe you should start
with another one. This book is only for serious freidman fans only.
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Eat, Drink and Be Kinky
Kinky Friedman
Price $ 9.60
Written by Mike McGovern, one of the Kinkster's legendary Village Irregulars, Eat, Drink, and Be Kinky is a feast of
wit, wisdom, and some damn good recipes as featured in, drawn from, and inspired by the novels of Kinky
Friedman, private dick extraordinaire and culinary mastermind.
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Greenwich Killing Time
Kinky Friedman
Price $ 9.95
This was the first Kinky Friedman book I read, having known of him by reputation for many years. It lived up to all
I've heard of his books: fast-paced, quirky humor, a wild cast of characters, a touch hard-boiled. But Dashiel
Hammett he's not. As in many mystery novels, the writing in this book, although fun, breaks no new literary
ground and is typical for the genre. If you're looking for a good, easy read, you'll certanly enjoy this!
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Musical Chairs
Kinky Friedman
Price $ 9.95
"Kinky Friedman is the best whodunit writer to come along since Dashiell What's-his-name." Willie Nelson
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