Kinky Friedman is an artist, writer, politician, but first of all Texan, even if he is born in Chicago. His songs and one-liners are witty, very politically incorrect, and sometimes quite provocative – specially to people of the republican persuasion. Yesterday night he played live at Café Mono in Oslo to an audience who knew their Kinkster history.

A Kinky Friedman concert is a mix of songs, stories and witty jokes.  One of his new jokes is  – according to him – from his friend Willie Nelson: “If you want to have sex with an animal, choose a horse. If it doesn’t work out, at least you will get a ride home.” Some people will take offense to things like that, but the audience at Café Mono were well prepared for his antics and had a good laugh at this one and the other stories he presented during the concert.

It is allowed to say that Kinky Friedman isn’t the greatest singer songwriter in the world, not even in Texas. But his songs are well worth listening to. Most of them are funny in a quirky way, but some have good musical qualities and with some serious reflections behind the humour.

Kinky Friedman’s books are also worth mentioning. He has written many good detective novels with the private detective Kinkster Friedman as the main character. Besides being humorous, they also have some really good plots. His last book is a collaboration with Willie Nelson, Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die.

At the concert Kinky Friedman played many of his best known songs. Homo Erectus, Men’s Room LA and Get Your Biscuits In The Oven And Your Buns In Bed. Before he sung the biscuit song, he told the story about when he performed at a college in Chicago in 1973, and some women stormed the stage and started a fight. Later that year he got an award, “Male Chaiuvinist Pig of the Year”. – I am still proud of that award, was his comment. He also played one of his best known songs, They Ain’t Making Jews Like Jesus Any More.

It is easy to judge Kinky Friedman as a harmless guy with bad taste and tasteless songs. If you do that, you risk underestimating him. I think he resonates with many Americans who are tired of the moralistic and outwardly political correctness of the politicians and also the music scene. What comes out of Nashville these days is generally so bland and toothless that no-one can be provoced by it.

With his witty humor and also quite serious standpoints, Kinky Friedman represents one kind of reaction to this. He has announced that he will try again to become the governor of Texas, this time as a Democrat. Let’s hope the Texans understands that the time may be right for an artist with some sound political positions on many important issues. They can’t do much worse than they did last time.

Kinky Friedman with one of his fans, Norwegian singer songwriter Lillebjorn Nilsen.

All pictures are © Per Ole Hagen and must not be used without written permission.