Critics are raving! Women are swooning! Old men are crying into their stout, and looking for smaller, older, weaker men to trounce!

In other words, a typical day. Zak promised me a listen today, once he recharges his iPod. Ah, new technology.

I haven't heard the new Dylan CD yet either, but I have heard the new Duhks CD - Migrations - and it's terrific! Somehow I feel more curiosity about what Bob Dylan will come out with next, but I'm more excited about up-and-coming, young talent. It's all good though...

How about down-and-going, crusty old talent?

That's not her cup of meat.

That's not her cup of meat.

I swear I didn't post that twice. Not intentionally, anyway.

Careful Jack. We just got you out of blackboard-washing duties, and here you go trying to weasel back into the job.

Yikes!!!

I like all kindsa stuff, Jim. Including crusty. Today I was listening to, and loving, an advance promo of, "Why the Hell Not...The Songs of Kinky Friedman." It's a great listen...Willie and Lyle are on it...Todd Snider...Ray Benson...

In fact, here are some snippets from the press release about the upcoming CD. Check it out. {Hey JL, what do you make of this?}?

**********
Nashville, Tenn.—It’s a kinky world out there these days, especially in the Lonestar State where Texas music legend Kinky Friedman is running for governor. His campaign continues to build momentum toward that inevitable day when Texans can proudly proclaim, “Our Governor is Kinky!” Until that happens, they can celebrate the satirical, melodious, lyrical genius of Friedman with the upcoming release of Why The Hell Not…The Songs of Kinky Friedman. The new album, which hits retail on September 19, features some of the biggest names in Texas music putting their own spin on Kinky’s politically incorrect songs.

Kinky Friedman is a cigar chompin’, trash talking, purveyor of truth—in song, in print and in politics. So whether you’re looking for a new CD to add to your collection, want a great summer read, or a new governor, you have to ask yourself…Why the hell not Kinky Friedman?!

Kinky for Governor! Our Guv here in AZ is cool, but if I lived in Texas, I'd be a-stumpin' fer the Kink!

You know his campaign slogan is "how hard can it be?"

Against my former nature, Linda - I think it's time for a refreshing change in Texas. Kinky is garnering some support here (he made it on the ballot with a passel of petition signitures) and this album couldn't hurt his efforts. Best Yankee transplant we've ever had. Hope all this politics stuff doesn't ruin a perfectly good savvy wiseacher. If successful, the next years could be pretty entertaining. I pity the poor folk who take every word as literal though - they could be mighty confused listening to that Master of the tongue-in-cheek!
I'm gonna have to get my hands on that album!

Well, whether the album boosts his campaign - or his campaign boosts album sales, it's hard to really tell which way this thing goes. My guess is it goes both ways.

My favorite Kinky Friedman line is "We Jews believe it was Santa Claus that killed off Jesus Christ."

He does kinda get to the bottom line of things, doesn't he. Kind of reminds me of Mark Twain, or maybe Benjamin Franklin or some such deep wit.

I take it he never asked any of you to sit on his fate? Tongue in cheek?? Ha! Twixt tongue in cheek and Bush lies an acreage of comedic double entedre. Who's Govenor at the moment? Oral Roberts?

Rick Perry, Huw...and welcome back! How was the camping?

How funny JL - here in AZ we just call our guv by her first name, Janet - and your guv in Texas has two first names!

I'm really surprized it's not "Ricky Bob" or some such, Jim. He's not bad...just more of the same ol same ol.
The two other condenders are relative unknowns - or rather, not much is really known about them, in any case. One lady who we'd previously voted for in another capacity, now calling herself "One Tough Grandma", and the other one...I really couldn't tell you much about at all.
And Huw - Oral Roberts was from Oklahoma, as I recall. (lol...the humour of that name never really struck me until now.)

Whaaat! We've been giggling about that cracker for years over here!

Oh - the camping was... bracing! I'm a good colour, but I think it's wind-burn!

Some disjointed thoughts (after only three hours sleep) - but apropos to pulling this topic a little further off topic...

1) Texas is planning a much shorter appeals process after being convicted of murder and sentenced to death. One stand-up comedian from Texas was saying “While all other states are actively pursuing an end to the death penalty, we’all here are putting in an express lane”! I wonder what Kinky would do.

2) The first picture I saw that made the “Email Circuit” after Bush Jr.
was elected was a Photoshop rendering of Air Force One with the proverbial Texas “Long horns” coming out each side of the cockpit (pretty funny)
Can you imagine what Kinky would do with/to his limo - an electric guitar coming out of the engine block at a 45 degree angle? I mention it because I think this is a guy who would ACTUALLY DO IT!
3) Given Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura, etc. I can see it happening.
You have to hand it to someone who speaks his mind and always tells it EXACTLY like he sees it because he has no political strings pulling him at the moment.
I especially like the quotable line he used in the only quick interview I ever saw of Kinky.
When asked if he would continue his straight-forward and unabashed answers to some pretty “tricky” political questions/topics, he said with a grin (and with just a touch more Texas twang than normal) “If your always going to tell the absolute truth about everything to the government, the people, and the media, you better have one foot in the stirrup”. Love it!
Of course, I live in CT. It is easy to love this all from a distance!
I think I will hunt up a couple of Kinky's songs to listen to. Is he really that far "off-the-wall"?

The only new CD I can talk about is the new Kingsron Trio one. The three members (no orinal members left) have the energy, talant and vocal range of the original group in their prime. I saw them in concet a few months ago. I had also seen the original group and these guys are as good.
Even if you were/are a part-time fan, you will enjoy this! They are also coming out with a concert DVD in the next month or so. Again, worth the money. In short, there has not been this amount of positive press and fan accolades in over thirty years!

Mack Bailey is standing in now with the Limeliters. Mack's got a fine voice, and a great feel for the songs. He brings a new energy to the group, always a good thing.

According to BBC R4 - Modern Times is now number 1 in the US Charts. Straight in at No.1, not bad for a 65 year old. BBC also says this is the result of the ascendent 'gray Dollar' - boomers showing their financial muscle (and not being in the least interested in Playstations etc). I don't think so. Dylan was an old man when I was a teenager - he's transcended that now. He'll sell across the generations.

I may not know much about music, but I know what I like... and Dylans "Modern Times" is somethign I like

:-)

www.clintonhammond.com

Dylan is at his best with Modern Times