REVIEW: Kinky Friedman “Poet of Motel 6”

Kinky Friedman – Poet of Motel 6

Fortunately, this is a wonderful but unfortunately posthumous set by the ever-creative artist & iconic storyteller Kinky Friedman. The songs were written at his Echo Hill Ranch in Texas & address departure, gratitude, resilience & vulnerability, performed with emotional authenticity. The last 10 songs of the cigar-loving Kinky’s fine career were produced by David Mansfield (multi-instrumentalist/harmony vocals) for Poet of Motel 6 (Dropped March 21/Hardcharger Records/Blue Elan Records/32:21).

Opening with the title track Kinky’s in fine voice. I’d like to say he sounds a little like Townes Van Zandt but Kinky had been around a little longer than Townes. “Poet of Motel 6” has the voice of God welcoming Billy Joe Shaver to heaven. Clever. The recording is pristine & rural with songs like “Hello, Good Morning” brightened by Amy Lee Nelson’s voice, who decorates Kinky’s cigar-smoking voice with her tones.

The waltz beat/Tex-Mex “Buddy, You’re Living My Dream” & “The Life & Death of a Rodeo Clown” are framed in the delicacy of Joel Guzman’s accordion. The songs have a magical way of being heartfelt farewells. I always felt Kinky Friedman should’ve been as pertinent as Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard & Johnny Cash. But maybe his personality & controversies were contrary to theirs because even though he had respect for the genre, he seldom traveled in their circles.

Kinky did have a dedicated cult following with his recordings & publishing. He was also part of the second leg of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder tour. So, he was no outcast.

“Sometimes” is one of his most accessible & mainstream-friendly songs. Lyrically superb. There are lots of final references but they’re more in a “don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine” tradition. I had some communication with Kinky over the years. He often sent his latest albums when he wanted them to be reviewed. I mentioned his books & we corresponded. I wasn’t a fan of Kinky’s — I was an admirer. He overcame obstacles in his storied career & if he couldn’t go around or over, he’d go through.

This collection has its La Saveur. It’s a work shaped by emotional creativity, not musical tradition. Many of Kinky’s works have been like cups of coffee, one after another. But this one comes with a slice of lemon pie & whipped cream. Delicious. Thanks, Mr. Friedman, you will be remembered. And maybe that’s what matters.

Highlights – “Poet of Motel 6,” “Hello, Good Morning,” “Buddy, You’re Living My Dream,” “See You Down The Highway,” “The Life & Death of a Rodeo Clown,” “Sometimes,” “Hummingbird Laniai” & “Whitney Walton Has Flown Away.”

Musicians – Joel Guzman (accordion), Mickey Raphael (harmonica), Steve Bernstein (trumpet), Charley Drayton (drums) with special harmony vocalists: Amy Lee Nelson, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Rick Trevino, Rodney Crowell & Steve Soles.

CD cover photo courtesy of Celaine Andrus. A folded-down lyric insert is enclosed. CD @ Bandcamp & Amazon + https://www.kinkyfriedman.com/

Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Kinky Friedman’s “Circus of Life” is Impeccable Songwriting on First Release in 40 Years