Pearls in the Snow

"Kinky writes from the bottom of his heart and/or the heart of his bottom," explains Captain Midnight in the liners to this engaging 17-song tribute to the ultimate "Texas Jewboy." Friedman's songs offer a most unusual blend of insight and irreverence, of scathing social commentary and absolute inanity, wrapped up in traditional country clothing. "Ride 'em Jewboy," despite its lighthearted title, is a moving rumination about the Holocaust, delivered sympathetically by Willie Nelson. Lee Roy Parnell assuredly honky-tonks through "Nashville Casualty & Life," a poignant ode to a mistreated Music City busker, while Dwight Yoakam dips his drawl into "Rapid City, South Dakota," a song about runaways and unwanted pregnancy--perhaps the only pro-choice country song around. Lyle Lovett invests the proper amount of resignation into "Sold American," Friedman's lament on fleeting stardom and capitalist betrayal. Guy Clark, Tompall Glaser, Tom Waits, Billy Swan, and even the Kinkster himself also issue noteworthy readings. Perhaps the impressive roster of interpreters here will show him to be more than a mere novelty--or maybe they'll prove him to be the most weighty novelty act in town. Either way, the corned beef will come by and by... --Marc Greilsamer