Kinky Friedman plays MEMO Music Hall Saturday October 8
With special guests: NELSON, LITTLE JEWFORD AND MICKEY RAPHAEL
Legendary country singer/songwriter Kinky Friedman returns to our shores off the back of his latest album.
Best known for penning some of outlaw country’s most outrageous tunes, as well as touring with the likes of Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue and recording with Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr, The Loneliest Man I Ever Met is the first release for Friedman in 39 years.
GIG INFO
Doors Open 7.30, Showtime 8.40pm (with intermission)
Tickets at www.memomusichall.com.au
Reserved Seats: $52.00 +bf, General Admin: $47.00 +bf, At the Door: $50.00 (if still available)
88 Acland Street St Kilda, 3182 (Venue entrance at the rear of the RSL, via Albert Street)
Nobody could invent a character quite like Kinky Friedman, the stogie-waving, black-hat-wearing Texas Jewboy singer, storyteller, tequila purveyor, animal rescuer and full-time iconoclast Along with authoring bestsellers and running for governor of Texas, his 45-year career includes touring with Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue; recording with Clapton, most of The Band and Ringo Starr; appearing on Saturday Night Live and at the Grand Ole Opry; and writing one of Nelson Mandela‘s favourite songs. He also became the protagonist of his own crime novels, because even he couldn’t invent a character that could out-kink Kinky Friedman.
A favourite of Australian audiences Kinky revisits our shores with a brand new album – his first in 39 years!! – ‘The Loneliest Man I Ever Met’, that may well be one of the longest-awaited follow-ups in recent memory. Not that fans have complained; the continued popularity of tunes such as “Sold American,” “Nashville Casualty and Life” and “Ride ‘Em Jewboy” (the Holocaust-referencing song that soothed Mandela in prison) prove Kinky is that rare talent whose work withstands the test of time. Friedman still delivers those songs — interspersed with his inimitable blend of politically incorrect quips, jokes and tales both tall and true — to appreciative audiences around the world.
Filled with never-heard-before Kinky originals and beautifully rendered covers of such artists as Tom Waits, Warren Zevon and Willie Nelson, the new CD is all about Kinky’s ultimate ability to deliver much more than just a funny line or humorous tune. The spare, yet lush arrangements all point up Kinky’s unique talent as both a songwriter and interpreter of great material. Guest performers Nelson, Little Jewford and Mickey Raphael support but never override the simplicity and grace of the tunes and the artist.
‘The Loneliest Man I Ever Met’ is available now through Thirty Tigers/Cooking Vinyl Australia.
“Friedman’s dark humour frequently raises its head but the overwhelming emotion from the sparse and graceful musical treatments is one of melancholy and sadness – all framed by the passage of time. An overdue album but one that’s exceeded expectations.”
