An artist as prolific as Kristofferson is necessarily difficult to capture in compilation, not least of which because his songs and singing are half his artistic story. Without the hits that others launched from Kristofferson's pen, you can't assemble a full view of his impact on Nashville and pop music in general. Still, Kristofferson's own recordings, especially those of songs made popular by others, are intimate and revealing in ways that no one else's could ever really be. Jopin sung the hell out of "Me and Bobby McGee," but she lost some of the down-and-out brokenness Kristofferson laid into it. Similarly, for "Help Me Make it Through the Night" and "For the Good Times" the hits became icons for Sammi Smith and Ray Price, respectively, but Kristofferson's own versions are perhaps even more unforgettable for his earthier, less-polished voice.
These two discs lean heavily on Kristofferson's earlier work, which, for most listeners will be the right mix. As a recording artist, Kristofferson hit the ground in full sprint on his debut album, "Kristofferson." The follow-up, "The Silver Tongued Devil and I" was just as strong. These two albums alone contribute 16 of disc 1's 18 tracks. Disc 2, on the other hand, samples a dozen different albums, stopping for more than once at any particular release only a few times. The result is a highly consistent disc 1, and a more erratic disc 2. To be fair, one can't help but draw heavily upon Kristofferson's early pair, but given that disc 2 already fails to keep a linear timeline, it might have helped to add a few of the earlier tracks to disc 2.
That said, what's here is magnificent, and shows off Kristofferson's lyrical poetry to great effect. Disc 1 is only bettered by buying Kristofferson's first two albums as reissues (something that any serious fan is highly recommended to do). Disc 2 does an adequate job of surveying the work that followed Kristofferson's initial burst of genius. Included are tracks recorded throughout the '70s, including "Highwayman" with Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, and duets with Willie Nelson, and then-wife Rita Coolidge.
This is a good starter set, though anyone bitten by the works on disc 1 will want to pick up the full first two albums. Disc 2 provides a good sense of the path Kristofferson's work took, with good hints as to which albums listeners might wish to examine in full. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings.
I can't say enough about this set. The track selection is amazing! For once a greatest hits compilation with all the greatest hits on it.
I hope this is a sign of the re-release of all his albums.
No artist this good should be out of print!!
If you don't know Kris Kristofferson beyond Bobby Mcgee or Help Me Make It Through The Night then the journey has just begun.
I failed to mention that the version of "come sundown" is not the slow version represented on the singer/songwriter soundtrack. I personally prefer the slowed down take.
Also missing "Show me yours and I'll show you mine"
Did you ever 'discover' a song that you can't hear without weeping? That touches your heart with the simplest of words? Well . . . buried on Disc 2 (track 15) of this splendid retrospective of Kris Kristofferson's career, is the song Johnny Cash considered the very best (of those he didn't write himself).
Here in Canada "Mr. Diana Krall" (Elvis Costello) hosts a show which recently featured a stage-full of songwriter/performers. Bracketing Mr. Costello were Kris Kristofferson and (Ravi Shankar's little girl) Norah Jones, John ("no longer Cougar") Mellencamp and Johnny Cash's daughter Roseanne.
The highlight for me (for Elvis Costello too - it brought a tear to his eye which he tried to wipe away unobtrusively during the subsequent applause from the Toronto studio audience) was Kris Kristofferson's solo performance of one of his own songs.
[Just as an aside I'm partial to Kris Kristofferson having seen him perform in a coffee house in my hometown of Ottawa Canada 45 years ago (before any of his big hits like Me & Bobby McGee) - I remember his claim to fame then was as a "Rhodes Scholar" - wonder if he remembers performing at Le Hibou (The Owl) in Ottawa; Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee had performed the week before.]
Accompanied only by himself on his new signature model "Southern Jumbo" (J-45) Gibson (the simplest of chords, strummed with his thumb) Kris provided a vivid reminder of the power of the English language. He'd introduced this song to this audience (and to me - I'd not heard it before) saying,
"I read in his (Johnny Cash's) autobiography that this might be his favorite song."
[Then, looking heavenwards, his speaking voice choked with apparent humility at that thought ]
"And so I sing it for him."
-----
The scene, is a small roadside café, the waitress is sweeping the floor;
Two truck drivers, drinking their coffee, and two Okie kids by the door
"How much are them candies?" they asked her.
"How much have you got?" she replied
"We've only a penny, between us."
"Them's `2-for-a-penny' she lied.
[THE BRIDGE, KRIS BLOWING A 2-NOTE CHORD ON HARMONICA]
And the daylight grew heavy with thunder, with the smell of the rain on the wind.
Ain't that just like a human?
Here comes that rainbow again!
[KEY CHANGE]
One truck driver called to the waitress, after the kids went outside,
"Them candies ain't two for a penny!"
"So? What's that to you?" she replied.
In silence they finished their coffee - got up, and nodded Goodbye;
She called out "Hey! You left too much money!"
"So? What's that to you?" they replied.
And the daylight was heavy with thunder, with the smell of the rain on the wind.
Ain't that just like a human?
Here comes that rainbow again."
---------
After a standing ovation from the studio audience, and during applause that seemed to last more than a minute -- and after surreptitiously brushing away with his left hand a tear from his right cheek (and the camera switched to Kristofferson, clearly moved that this simple song -- "Johnny Cash's all-time favorite" --- still had such a powerful effect), the show's host regained his composure and stopped the proceedings right there to ask a question:
ELVIS: "I just have to say something . . . before we move on . . . that song . . . is just SO beautiful! And pure! Can you remember the moment when you wrote it?
KRIS: "Yeah. It was inspired by a scene out of THE GRAPES OF WRATH. And . . . it was always the one that choked me up. And it (the words) just came out - all together."
ELVIS: "That's the thing I hear! And it's something you share with Rose (Roseanne Cash, seated next to Elvis) - and Rose's father! It's the work of a writer. Have you ever thought of writing a book?"
KRIS: `Well yes . . . "
[POLITE LAUGHTER]
"When I get old!"
[AUDIENCE BREAKS UP WITH LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE]
Yes . . . disarmingly simple words . . . set to the simplest of tunes -- an almost generic country melody (like Tom T. Hall used to employ for instance, on his "Ballad of 50 dollars") -- producing 'high art,' evoking such emotion that the great Johnny Cash would proclaim it his all-time favorite song!
A cause for joy, that there is a Disc 2 of this delightful collection, including the lesser-known but wonderful early songs by (arguably) America's greatest living singer/songwriter!
Mark Blackburn
Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
Kris Kistofferson has much more "Essential" than this bland 2 CD set offers.
Kris is the legacy of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, WPA works, Selective Service System, and a life lived. Rhoades Scholar, US Army Captain, actor (heck, he even saw Barbra Streisand naked), and an American treasure.
This 2 CD is an attempt of his overall recordings. It just can't happen within the hour and half or so alotted. What is needed is a box set consisting of the Monument LPs "Kristofferson" "Silver Tongue Devil and I" and "Border Lord".
Latter day enthusiasts will appreciate the "Highwaymen" hits, but they are better off on that/those specific CDs.
+ hearing "For the Good Times" on LP is as good as an ache gets.
No! wait! hearing " Help Me Make Through the Night" even better!
Anyone wishing to hear some of the most clever lyrics written for everyone will enjoy this album. Kristofferson's sense of humor is direct, to the point and right on. The lyrics to the ballads offer some of the most beautiful visions one can easily get lost in.
