As such a consistently successful songwriter, and a sporadically successful performer, Kristofferson's "Greatest Hits" necessarily mixes his own few chart entries with his original versions of songs made famous by the talent of others (450 and counting!). But even as Ray Stevens, Roger Miller, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Ray Price, Sammi Smith, and Willie Nelson took his songs up the charts, it was Kristofferson's unique lyrical voice that provided the fuel, and that lyrical voice is never heard more clearly than in his own recordings.
Among the eighteen tracks are three of Kristofferson's own hits, "Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)," "Josie" and "Why Me" (his only #1 as performer). Also included are numerous roughly voiced originals of songs popularized by others. His LP debut take of "Me and Bobby McGee," shows off the weary, hobo flavor missing from Joplin's later hippies-on-the-road reading. Similarly, the cracking vocal and occasional flat note of "Help Me Make It Through the Night" reveals a desperation unmatched by the many subsequent covers.
A career as prosperous as Kristofferson's can't possibly be covered in a mere eighteen tracks. This is further complicated (on an album of the songwriter's performances) by songs he wrote but never released on his own. Early titles like "Viet Nam Blues" (Dave Dudley) and "Your Time's Comin'" (Faron Young) seem to be missing from Kristofferson's performance catalog, and though he recorded "Please Don't Tell Me How It Ends" (a hit for Ronnie Milsap), it doesn't appear here. The Grammy-winning duet with then-wife Rita Coolidge, "From the Bottle to the Bottom" is also missing, though the inclusion of "I'd Rather Be Sorry" amply shows off the power of their work together.
But discussing what's missing really misses the point. What's here are prime examples of Kristofferson's art, both as a singer and a songwriter. This disc is a great introduction to his work, and a good place to start exploring the rest of his (very much in print) catalog. What would be really nice is a companion volume collecting others' hit performances of these songs.
4-1/2 stars, if Amazon allowed fractional ratings.
I bought this CD for the "Lord Help Me Jesus" track (which I love), but discovered I also love many of the other tracks. I really love this CD!
This has to be one of the best collections of songs that KK has ever put together. I had it in an albumn, but things are now in cd's. I am glad I found it, again, and will suggest it to others who enjoy this type of music.
Good and Very Fast service. CD is wonderful and just like new. I will certainly order from this vendor again.
Great music, words and don't forget the unique gravel voice that is Kristofferson's trademark. The lyrics are amazing and describe situations that all too often we all have found ourselves in. I can't believe I am just discovering this huge talent all these years later.
