You know that old conversation starter “If you were having a dinner party and could invite anyone, who would you invite?” Well, good old Texas Jewboy, musician and author, Kinky Friedman, would be on my list. But, come to think about, sitting just a few feet away from him while I noshed at the Bluebird and hearing a few songs mixed in with his tales, I got my wish.

Vocally he’s no Sinatra and on the acoustic guitar he’s no Django. But, what Friedman lacks in musical skills he makes up with his offbeat personality and charm. With a song selection heavy from his latest record, Kinky was accompanied by his producer, Brian Molnar, on guitar and by harmonica-legend Mickey Raphael on a few numbers.

Mid-set, the multi-faceted Kinky read a brief selection from one of his few non-mystery books, Heroes of a Texas Childhood. There was also another reading of sorts when he used a prop Christmas card to guide himself through the lyrics of Tom Waits’ “Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis.” Friedman does have a knack for picking great songs to cover like that one from Waits as well as “My Shit’s Fucked Up” from another twisted songwriter, the late Warren Zevon.

Sitting at the band table stage right was local legend John Prine. Kinky acknowledged John during his set, but unfortunately there was musical collaboration in the cards.

The Kinkster was accessible after the show signing CDs and offering personal consultations. In my short turn with the man, mimicking his style, I told him I was making out my will and needed to know how many Kinky Friedman mystery novels I’d be leaving my heirs. For followers of these great works starring Kinky as a private eye living in New York City, the last one was Ten Little New Yorkers way back in 2005, which ended in a rather bizarre cliff-hanger. Well, readers fret not, since Kinky told me that there will be another one coming titled The Hard Boiled Computer. I’m still anxiously waiting!

SETLIST:

1. Pretty Boy Floyd (Woody Guthrie cover)
2. The Loneliest Man I Ever Met
3. Western Union Wire
4. The Ballad of Ira Hayes (Peter La Farge cover)
5. Ride ‘Em Jewboy
6. Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis (Tom Waits cover)
7. Lady Yesterday
8. My Shit’s Fucked Up (Warren Zevon cover)
9. Pickin’ Time (Johnny Cash cover)

BAND:
Kinky Friedman – Vocals
Brian Molnar – Acoustic Guitar
with:
[unknown]– Acoustic Guitar
Mickey Raphael – Harmonica