Various Artists,
Why the Hell Not: The Songs of Kinky Friedman



Label: Sustain Records

(3 out of 5)

Anyone who makes light of Kinky Friedman's gubernatorial campaign hasn't given his long career its proper due. After all, he's no political newbie. While in recent years he may be best known for his lighthearted mystery novels, Why the Hell Not: The Songs of Kinky Friedman reminds us that Friedman has been a sociopolitical maverick for decades.

Nothing was off limits when Kinky was in his singer/songwriter prime in the 1970s. He was — and as proven by recent campaign controversies, still is — an equal opportunity offender. Why the Hell Not, which borrows its title from one of the campaign slogans, thankfully doesn't shy away from its subject's no-sacred-cows approach.

Most of the highlights, such as an almost painfully earnest rendition of "Sold American" by Lyle Lovett (listen) and the emotively bluesy outpouring by Delbert McClinton on "Autograph" (listen), are carried over from a previous tribute album, 1999's Pearls in the Snow. Solid new contributions come from the lovely harmonizing of Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison on "Lady Yesterday" (listen) and an appropriately corny rendition of "Get Your Biscuits in the Oven" by Kevin Fowler (listen).

Despite Todd Snider's predictions inserted into "They Ain't Makin' Jews Like Jesus Anymore" (listen), it's unlikely Kinky Friedman will be the next governor of Texas. He's run an intelligent grassroots campaign and helped elevate public discourse and awareness, but he's still the Kinkster. And God love him for being that, and for staying true to his self throughout the campaign.

Hopefully he'll stay in the public eye and remain a thorn in the side of the Austin establishment. And who knows, perhaps four years from now we'll again be asking ourselves, "How hard could it be?"

Reviewed by Patrick Nichols (email)
October 10, 2006