Kris Kristofferson Album: “Repossessed/Third World Warrior”

It was another 'poet and a preacher and a problem when he is stoned', Kurt Vonnegut who said, "let your language be the slave of your idea" and this, in a nutshell, is what this album is about. The music, lyrics and voice are still pristine but what knocks me dead after all these years is still his "ideas". The courage and the sacrifice of Kristoffferson to take this path has to be applauded. When many lesser musicians would play safe, Kritofferson has always been true to himself and this leaps out at you in this album. He laughingly admits to being 'distinctly less employable' as he made these songs. Yet he kept on. Kristofferson effortlessly exudes the cool of moonlight. What more can you say of a man who has shown us the nobility of all the blue patches that life has to offer and then goes on to play on the side of all the mistreated forgotten children of other worlds. He does it again and again with stunning effectiveness. Try "Broken freedom Road" (live and exquisite)and "A moment of forever" (more recent).Bless you KK.

I'm referring to the 1980 Sandinista! album by the Clash, a 3-disc monstrosity that was the beginning of the end for a great band. Kristofferson, of all people, is the one who eulogized the Nicaraguan revolution brilliantly in popular music. Third World Warrior is the kind of in-your-face political album Sting wishes he could do. Kristofferson's band is one of the best country-rock aggregations ever assembled. Even when his voice starts to wear, Kristofferson can depend on the musicians. The songwriting tells a unified story, in which Kristofferson unashamedly makes the case for honoring the Nicaraguans who withstood, but only for a time, the brutality of the most powerful country on earth in the form of the Carter, Reagan, and Bush I terms. Kristofferson understands something has to be said about the destruction of a nation that helped its own people survive, and did no harm to the U.S. He says it well.

Two Kristofferson CD's are represented here: "Repossessed" and "Third World Warrior."

The first one is a pure delight for songwriting enthusiasts. "Mean Old Man" features Carl Perkins. "They Killed Him" compares Ghandi, King, Christ, and the Kennedy brothers in a moving tribute that looks at the inner evils of humanity. "El Coyote" is a rompin tribute to outlaws, while "The Heart" is a song about life.

"Third World Warrior" is an album that revolves around American involvement in Central America in the 80s. "The Eagle and the Bear" is an autobiographical piece, while the romping title track says it all: "Ain't no chain as strong as the will to be free." "The Hero" is a powerful number that says you can be great if you only try. "Jesse Jackson" is a song of impending world peace, sung with Willie Nelson.

Kristofferson is the best singer/songwriter there is. These two albums showcase his talents, while sending out a stark message: it doesn't matter who you are, the future is in your hands--you can do wonders with it, or you can toss it aside in exchange for material gains. It's your choice, but Kris Kristofferson has already made up his mind; thank God, he decided to sing it to us.

Thank God for this re-issue! Kristofferson writes songs of freedom (political and personal) that hit you right in the gut. One would think because these are mainly political songs, that they are inaccessible and boring. Not so! If these songs had lyrics about drunk cowboys, they would have been hits when they where originally released. Kristofferson couldn't care less about pleasing mainstream Nashville and Middle-America.

Buy it and prepare for major goosebumps!

These CDs are a reminder that there was a time, not so long ago, when even Americans criticised their leaders and didn't swallow all the lies fed to them.

The inglorious Reagan years of CIA thugs running amok in Latin America are vividly recalled by many of Kris Kristofferson's songs. I recommend these

DCs to those who prefer to think for themselves.