Pop Music Reviews : Friedman Returns With Kinky Sets in Santa Monica

Country singer Kinky Friedman was into controversy before controversy was cool.

Back in the early ‘70s he named his band the Texas Jewboys, and came up with songs like “They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus No More.” He offended so many different camps that his record company stickered Friedman’s albums with warning labels. And naturally, he attracted a faithful cult following.

Friedman quit performing and established himself as a mystery novelist in 1986, so Tuesday’s appearance at At My Place in Santa Monica was a rare treat for his Southern California fans. Armed with an acoustic guitar, a shot of whiskey and a big cigar, the 44-year-old songwriter offered a greatest-hits package of sorts, peppered with sarcastic barbs and cameo appearances by a succession of cohorts.

The show featured a slew of spirited sing-alongs, including all the old classics. And while the humor in original material such as “Waitret O’ Waitret” and “Ole Ben Lucas” held up well, the high point was Friedman’s inspired version of Woody Guthrie’s biting folk standard “Pretty Boy Floyd.”

Friedman also used the stage Tuesday to promote his latest novel “Frequent Flyer,” chatting with members of the audience as he hawked T-shirts, posters and paperbacks during a brief book-signing break between sets.