Kinky Friedman: 'The Loneliest Man I Ever Met'

Kinky Friedman has accomplished more than many in his long and varied career. He’s toured with most of The Band, recorded with Clapton, written novels and appeared on the Grand Ole Opry as well as SNL. Now the singer-songwriter returns with an all new album, his first in over three decades, The Loneliest Man I Ever Met, on October 2nd via Avenue A/Thirty Tigers. The twelve song collection mixes originals with Friedman’s versions of songs by Cash, Waits, Dylan and others. 

The Loneliest Man I Ever Met opens with Willie Nelson’s “Bloody Mary Morning” which features Nelson, as well as Nelson’s sister Bobbie (on piano). That’s followed by Tom Waits’ spoken “A Christmas Card From A Hooker in Minneapolis” and title track, “The Loneliest Man I Ever Met,” which is a twenty year old, never recorded co-write with Tim Hoover that gives the feeling of not only loneliness, but the oft accompanied despair and sadness. Those sentiments overlie other tracks as well even as he sings matter of factly on Warren Zevon’s “My Shit's Fucked Up,” warmly on Dylan’s “Girl From the North Country” and sincerely on Cash’s “Pickin’ Time.”

Overall, The Loneliest Man I Ever Met has a sparse, quiet feel, along with a reflective quality that can particularly be found on “Lady Yesterday” and “Freedom to Stay.” The album closes with two American standards, “Wand’rin Star” and “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” capturing romantic nostalgia, hope and a need to roam, leading one to believe that wherever he chooses to wander, Friedman still seems to have endless possibilities.

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