PRESS REVIEWS
	Clay Greenberg Tumbleweed	Pearls in the Snow The Songs of Kinky Friedman	Jesse Goldberg
A Review of the CD "Tumbleweed" by Clay Greenberg This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 1/01 "Kevin's Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews" http://www.surfnetusa.com/celtic-folk/index.html Write a few songs. Gather up some musician friends. Record a CD. Sounds fairly simple. Clay Greenberg has done just that--producing a pleasing, straightforward acoustic blend of country, folk and a touch of blues. But, outside of family, will anyone give a damn? In this case, yes. Because, in his initial release, Greenberg has compiled a collection of easy-to-listen-to and rewarding tunes that will deservedly find an appreciative audience. With pleasing vocals that cozy up well to his music, Greenberg weaves back and forth between the lighter and darker sides of humanity. One of the standout cuts mirroring this is "My Oklahoma." Sounding at times reminiscent of Robert Earl Keen in "Shades of Gray," Greenberg paints a pointed and accurate portrait of Oklahoma from the time of the land rush to Tim McVeigh's horrific bombing in Oklahoma City. Greenberg will take you to some different neighborhoods throughout this release, some humorous, some disturbing, some informative. Always entertaining, this is a very enjoyable and satisfying release. Greenberg, on vocals and guitar, is supported by Paul Lewolt on guitar; Vernon Thompson on guitar, mandolin, national steel; Aaron Sain on guitar; Jim Roller on bass; Tim McFall on drums; Loretta Brank on fiddle; Tommy Spurlock on pedal steel; Suzi Ragsdale on accordion; Jo-el Sonnier on cajun accordion; and Guy Clark, Grant Fowler and Stacy Middleton on vocals. by Tory Troutman It's hard to be a hero in your hometown. Former Hillbilly Love God Clay Greenberg left Oklahoma City for Nashville, where he can not only perform original material, but maybe market some to Nashville's finest. It's a win-win for Greenberg, especially with such a strong disc. "Tumbleweed" contains eight originals, plus Robert Earl Keen's "Dreadful Selfish Crime," and "Tinsel Town" written by Clay's brother John. The instrumentation is largely acoustic, with pedal steel occasionally, and has the feel of a loose, living room session. Sure to raise some eyebrows back home is "My Oklahoma," a tough-love tirade with all the mixed emotions that come with being a Sooner. References are made to Indian slaughter, the oil bust, and the Murrah Building bombing. "The House Song" features Texas legend Guy Clark singing backup on a lyric worthy of his pen. That Greenberg has such friends is a testament all it's own. 'Tumbleweed,' an independent release, should make Clay Greenberg a name in Nashville, a town sorely in need of his talents.
Nashville on Stage Bluebird Cafe Hosts Live Recording Session New Jesse Goldberg Album Keeps 'Em Laughing by Bill Dorian Recording sessions are not my usual turf, but I recently had the honor of being invited to the Bluebird Cafe for a live recording of Jesse Goldberg's new comic album. Only a couple of months ago I had reviewed Goldberg's and writing partner Gene Levine's musical play, "It's A Ruff Life" at the Darkhorse Theatre. This romp about a pack of talking, singing dogs was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen -- so I had a feeling Goldberg's solo session at the Bluebird was going to be a real treat. It was even funnier than I expected. Now first of all, I really expected the recording of a live CD to be much less 'natural' than it turned out to be. I expected lots of stops and starts with numerous 'sound checks.' I thought Sound Engineers would regularly stop Goldberg in the middle of a song, have him start over, rearrange an introduction, change keys -- just little irritations that would interrupt the smooth flow of the performance. However, it wasn't like that at all. His record producer thanked the invited audience (a full house with standing room only), introduced Goldberg, and then he performed his act. His repertoire includes a wide array of comic numbers, often called 'novelty songs' on Music Row. The songs were, without exception, dizzyingly funny. Between the numbers, Goldberg would engage in humorous banter with the audience. It was a very smooth performance. Not once did some sinister Sound Engineer dash on stage and halt one of Goldberg's hilarious songs. He sang and joked with the audience for close to two hours, taking only brief breaks to sip bottled water to clear his throat. I understand from a friend of mine in the music business that any editing to be done will happen in a sound studio later. Technicians will listen to the live tape and mix, match, and snip here and there -- polishing any perceived rough edges electronically. Ain't technology grand? But I can't imagine they're going to find much that needs to be changed. Goldberg is just too funny au naturel. Now I'm going to give you a sample of the kind of outrageous tunes you'll find on his new album. I was particularly blown away by one song entitled "The Civl War Is Over," which I think the readers of "The Nashville Pride" and the African-American community in general will find especially relevant and meaningly -- plus an absolute hoot. The zillion or so 'bubbas' cruising our streets in pickup trucks adorned with rebel flags, however, will probably be offended. Too bad. I sang this ditty to my daughter over the phone the other night, and she nearly had a seizure. She made me sing it again and then wanted to hear it one more time -- and I'm certainly no singer. When the album comes out, you'll just have to hear Goldberg's rendition Here are a few excerpts of some of the other gems on his upcoming CD: "I Used to Be a Liberal" (written with Bill Flowery) talks about how one tends to compromise idealistic principles in the face of every day catastrophes, e.g., "I was a bleeding heart liberal...until I was Mugged...." Or consider this ode to smokers everywhere called "Smoker's Rights:" "My lungs are black And I'm proud... I don't care how sick I get -- I want another cigarette...." Or take "My Name Is Goldberg," which pokes fun at the generalization that all Jews are rich. Goldberg prefaced this little number by saying that, "I'm the only Jewish guy in the world who doesn't know how to make money." (Incidentally, he is a licensed attorney in four states but gave up that high profile, high-paying profession to pursue his dream of becoming a song writer.) Goldberg laments the fact that even though he isn't a rich Jew, he can't change who he is because "...if I find a new religion,/They'll reverse my circumcision...." Then there's the song about Santa Claus' brother, Irving Claus, who does everything wrong but saves Christmas one year when Santa gets the flu. Or consider the nonsensical "Rhymes" he co-wrote with Bill Flowery, which is simply a mishmash of funny rhyming words. For example: "Multiply, pizza pie, zip up your fly... Fairy Queen, United States Marines...." (A comparison, he joked afterward, certainly can be have 'double entendre.') Goldberg did only one 'serious' song, "On the Other Side of Heaven" written with Gene Levine from their musical "It's a Ruff Life." One of the dogs is run over by a car, so from Heaven he looks back and wonders what the girl-dog he loved is doing just then -- while she sings along wondering what it's like in Heaven. A very touching, heartfelt and melodic number. Then there was the hilarious "It's Okay to be Gay" (about tolerance and sexual harassment) written with Tom Luteran, which along with a song called "Otherwise All the Best to You" about an old girlfriend who dumped him, and one entitled "Big Boobs" about his ideal mate -- can't really be printed in a family publication. Then anyone who has ever been pelted by bird-doo from up above will appreciate: "White Spots" "You know it's Spring When you hear the Robin sing, From his Giant Toilet In the Sky. They're aiming at you When they make Number Two..." Goldberg's newest album won't be available for six months or so, but my favorite -- "The Civil War Is Over" -- is available on another CD, which is available at all Media Plays in this area. It is also available by writing to Goldberg directly at jessetunes@aol.com or Jesse Goldberg P.O. Box 111113 Nashville, TN 37222 If you have a funny bone you'd enjoy having tickled or know someone else who would, I highly recommend Goldberg's material.
"If independent record albums were independent films, "Pearls in the Snow" would leave Cannes with honors and a front page story in Variety." -Bill Miller, Editor Blue Chip Radio Report ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "With friends like Willie Nelson, Delbert McClinton, Lee Roy Parnell, Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, Billy Swan, Lyle Lovett, and Tom Waits, who needs to sing his own songs? That's the question Kinky Friedman must be asking himself after hearing these outstanding performances of his songs by such an impressive cast of stars." -Paul Verna Billboard Magazine Billboard's Spotlight Album of the Week ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "....a batch of songs that deftly ride the fine line between novelty and poignancy. It's surprisingly serious material, and each artist seems to take the songs and their delivery just as reverently as they would their own." -Andy Langer The Austin Chronicle ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "These days Kinky Friedman is a best-selling mystery writer, but "Pearls in the Snow," a 17-track compilation of Friedman's early work, signals his return to the music biz. Willie Nelson's "Ride'em Jewboy" and Lyle Lovett's aching "Sold American"are high points, but Delbert McClinton, Marty Stuart, and Guy Clark turn in stellar performances.... -J. Poet San Francisco Chronicle ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "It looks like Kinky Friedman might get the last laugh. His 11th novel, "Blast From the Past" (Simon & Schuster), continues his string of literary successes, and his album "Pearls in the Snow" (Kinkajou) is one of the top sellers at the online retailer Amazon.com" -Bobby Reed The Chicago Sun Times ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "Wonderfully improbable--and deliciously politically-incorrect, Kinky Friedman is as fine a candidate as I could name for "legend in his own time." Pearls in the Snow is a long overdue tribute to the Great Man, and it is a pure delight." -Jim Musser Iowa Press Citizen ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "The year is still young, but its biggest musical surprise already is spinning in CD players around the country: "Pearls in the Snow, The Songs of Kinky Friedman." Example after example of fine writing could be pulled from this album's songs..." -Ed Will The Denver Post ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "The success of a tribute album rests on three salient points: the artist being toasted, the material being covered, and the talent being assembled. Pearls in the Snow, coming nearly 30 years after Kinky Friedman's debut album was released, succeeds on all counts and in fact is a long-overdue treasure." -Brian Baker No Depression Magazine ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Nowadays, when most of country radio sounds like a record called Boy, Do I Suck, outstanding tribute albums are a rare and wonderful thing. This is one of the very, very, few. You don't have to be Jewish to dig Kinky's songs, you only have to appreciate a true country original." -Waylon Wahl Modern Screen Country Music Magazine ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Generally, mixed artist tributes are a ragbag and one's expectation's should err on the low side. In this case, however, the result is a delight. Good performances throughout render this a near compulsory purchase....." - Craig Baguley Country Music People **** London, England -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "The Kinkster's tunes translate well in the capable hands of others, and producer Kacey Jones casts a superb ensemble to delivery them." -Billy Block Music City News --------------------------------------------------------------------------
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