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Review: Kris Kristofferson's The Austin Sessions
by Jordan Hoffman

published 7/26/99

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Jordan Hoffman is LeisureSuit.net's Queens-based Senior Editor.



MOST RECENT YAK ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:

Subj: Kris's middle name
Does anyone know Kris Kristofferson's middle name, I was just thinking about this today (sure hope it is not a name beginning with "K", that would make his initials "KKK")

-- Doyle
Mar 3, 2006 at 8:17PM

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KK
KK doesn't really look like this anymore--but I love this picture
What could be more perfect than the recent casting of Kris Kristofferson in John Sayles' films Lone Star and Limbo? The two are chiseled from the same superman stone. Rugged men, renaissance men, in touch with their feelings, but in control of them. Yep, Kristofferson is more than just the star of Stargate or Heaven's Gate.

"The Austin Sessions" is the perfect Kristofferson album. It's a look back on all his hits, recorded with a tight yet unobtrusive band, in the best PBS special tradition. His voice, like all country singers, gets lower and wiser with age. The young gadabout bouncing on the back of a pickup is now a greying old timer with cracked boots and a bottle of label-less bourbon.

The collection dives in headfirst with "Me and Bobby McGee." Here's a song, like "Revolution," or "Come Together" or, good heavens "Lust For Life" that has become mostly a way to sell cars or telecommunications networking solutions. The version we all know, certainly not the fault of the sublime Janis Joplin, has grown to be as flat as Calista Flockhart. It's fresh and resonant as presented here: slowed down, mandolins, aching, reserved vocals, not the full-volume octave jumper on the radio.

Similar treatment is given to "Sunday Morning Coming Down" (the beer I had for breakfast song), with some cool Hammond organ and steel guitar added. The hits keep coming, with "The Silver Tongued Devil and I" and "Why Me?", but this is no Elvis revue. The cadence is reserved, almost respectful. "The Pilgrim: Chapter 33" (the song Cybil Shepherd quotes to Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver) is oddly bright and bouncy.

Two of my favorites are here. "For The Good Times" is a tune I knew by Al Green. A perfect slow soulful tune on his "I'm Still In Love With You" album. I didn't even know K.K. wrote it (shoot me, okay!) The sweet country version here, with twinkling guitar notes and brushed drumming is a million miles away from Al Green, but just as emotional. Boy, it took me a long time to make the mental connection. (Where do I know this song from???)

Another highlight is "Help Me Make It Through The Night" which is the theme to one of my favorite movies of all time, John Huston's Fat City. This is the awfully depressing story about a fallen amateur boxer living on a bordertown of despair, if I may quote Bob Dylan. The tune is played twice. Once, as Stacey Keach, in his best performance, wakes on a dirty mattress in a single occupancy furnished room and hunts for a match, and again, at the end, as Stacey Keach stares off into the oblivion of an all-nigh cafeteria, recognizing only that he isn't recognizing anything, sure only that he's unsure. It's a perfect song, and the version here on "The Austin Sessions" is more heartbreaking than anything I've heard in a good long while.

"Yesterday is dead and gone. And tomorrow's outta sight. And it's bad to be alone. Help me make it through the night."

I love this album. And I love country music. This is country music. Much of what's top of the country charts is something else. Shania Twain, Brooks and Dunn, even Garth Brooks. . .I don't know what that stuff is. (Read my interview with The Gourds for more on this issue.) Those artists wouldn't know June Carter Cash from Michael Jackson. Pity is that Garth Brooks has a fabulous voice—his work on the Kiss tribute albums proves that. When Kristofferson and his mates from The Highwaymen (K.K., Waylon Jennigs, Willie Nelson & Johnny Cash) pass, who will keep the flame? But I digress.

Guests on this CD include Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Alison Krauss, Marc Cohn, Mark Knopfler (!), Catie Curtis, and Vince Gill.


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Name: Doyle
Subject: Kris's middle name
-- Mar 3, 2006 at 8:17PM
Does anyone know Kris Kristofferson's middle name, I was just thinking about this today (sure hope it is not a name beginning with "K", that would make his initials "KKK")

Name: lynda
Subject: krisandwillie are soooo great
-- Oct 26, 2004 at 1:13AM
i have loved both willie and kris since "A Star is Born". MY SISTER AND I SAW THE MOVIE LIKE A MILLION TIMES. one day we saw a picture of Kris in a picture with a tee shirt that said willie waylon and me so it became our job to find out all about willie. being from okla. and with relatives in lubbock and littlefield tx. i already knew about waylon. we went to an all day concert in san jose, cal. in 1977. we were fairly up in front but we kept looking at the people on stage and wondered how they got up on stage. by our second concert i had figured it all out. willie just stood there and patiently talked to about 15 of us worshippers like we were the most important people that he wanted to talk to at the time. also got to meet kris in concord.ca. i saw him two different times, once when he was still married to rita coolidge and once after. all he would have to do is talk to me in his sexy voice, oh sorry for digressing.i have to be their biggest fan since before everyone else knew about them.

Name: Fernando Herran
Subject: me and bobby mcgee
-- Aug 23, 2003 at 6:55PM
el mejor country para mi en los finales 60 y primeros 70

Name: An LS.n Reader
Subject: Review: Kris Kristofferson's The Austin Sessions
-- Oct 28, 2002 at 3:52PM
what is charlie robisons middle name

Name: An LS.n Reader
Subject: bobby mcgee
-- Sep 26, 2002 at 8:37PM
how did they get the name bobby mcgee

Name: Rebecca
Subject: KK
-- Aug 4, 2001 at 1:27PM
He's just too cool!

Name: edi rapp
Subject: austin session
-- Jul 25, 2001 at 1:12PM
i live in germany and bought the austin session cd this afternoon. the only thing i can say: it`s great great great

Name: Jenny
Subject: Timing
-- Mar 28, 2000 at 11:14PM
They say timing is everything, well I think kk's time has come. I know Kris and I have been ahead of the times for a while but I think people are catching up. My grandson loves to listen to Kris. Could be because every time he is around me I have a kk cd playing. I never get tired of listening to the wisdom and humor of his songs.

Keep 'em comen, Kris!

Name: DUB REED
Subject: KK
-- Jan 21, 2000 at 12:35AM
WOW, THIS IS ACTUALLY THE FIRST KK CD I EVER BOUGHT, I AM YOUNG ALSO ONLY 23 BUT THIS IS WHAT MUSIC IS ALL ABOUT, BEST VERSION OF "LOVIN HER IS EASIER" THAT THERE IS, NO OFFENSE WAYLON. I AGREE TODAYS COUNTRY IS LESS COUNTRY THANT THE EAGLES, GARTH NEEDS TO JUST GO AWAY. SOMEONE NEEDS TO PUT COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK, LETS GIVE THE OLD GUYS A CHANCE AT RADIO AGAIN, WAKE UP NASHVILLE, WE WANT OLD DOGS AND OUTLAWS, NOT FAKE BREAST AND SILVER HAT BANS, SORRY HAD TO VENT A LITTLE, ONLY PERSON CLOSE TO THIS CD IN MODERN COUNTRY IS STACEY DEAN CAMPBELL, "ASHES OF OLD LOVE" BUDDY
MILLERS, "CRUEL MOON"
AND CHARLIE ROBISONS "LIFE OF THE PARY", THANKS FOR THE MUSIC KRIS, RESPECTFULLY DUB REED

Name: fred
Subject: good
-- Dec 6, 1999 at 9:35AM
very good observation/ review of austin sessions

Name: Irene
Subject: "The Austin Sessions"
-- Oct 13, 1999 at 6:43PM
-Oct 13,1999
Wow, what a fantastic CD. We all hope that Kris will come to Austria, Europe soon Would love to see him live in concert again.

Name: RIKI
Subject: "The Austin Sessions
-- Oct 3, 1999 at 12:20PM
As a fan and follower of K.K. since 1968, I was thrilled with this Album. Your review wasn't bad -- you can't help it if you're young.

Name: D.
Subject: love the album!
-- Sep 28, 1999 at 10:04PM
bought it today...haven't heard Kris sound better in years.
the old songs sounds really fresh...gonna spend a lot of time with this CD

Name: Lisa
Subject: Kris Kristofferson Review
-- Sep 23, 1999 at 1:35AM
I was very happy to hear that Kris Kristofferson came out with a new CK. I have listened to it so much that I actually think I will wear it out. I think he is a great artist and has has a gift for putting into words/music what people feel in their heart and soul. I have searched all over and am trying to find an address to send him a letter, but have had no luck. I would really appreciate any help in this area. Thanks!

Name: Kya Kidd
Subject: Review: Kris Kristofferson's The Austin Sessions
-- Aug 31, 1999 at 12:36AM
I just got this CD today, after having waited for it for a week or so.
I was tired and discouraged - just life getting me down - and then the mail came, and along with it, Kris's CD. Soon, I was listening to Kris - and I stopped what I'd been doing, turned out the lights, and just sat there and soaked it all in.
Even though these are all classic, well-known songs - well, well known by Kris fans, and others as well - they sounded new to me. When he said in the liner notes that"...there's nothing but bone and sinew..." left in the songs, he was telling the truth with a capital "T".
It's a great album, to say the least! I also really enjoyed your review, Jordan....I found this page by accident, and am glad I did!

Thanks! -Kya Kidd

Name: An LS.n Reader
Subject: Review: Kris Kristofferson's The Austin Sessions
-- Aug 30, 1999 at 11:41PM
Hey wait a minute. I didn't get a chance to respond.
Jordan, I loved your review. Thanks.

Name: An LS.n Reader
Subject: Review: Kris Kristofferson's The Austin Sessions
-- Aug 30, 1999 at 11:41PM
Hey wait a minute. I didn't get a chance to respond.
Jordan, I loved your review. Thanks.

Name: An LS.n Reader
Subject: Review: Kris Kristofferson's The Austin Sessions
-- Aug 30, 1999 at 11:41PM
Hey wait a minute. I didn't get a chance to respond.
Jordan, I loved your review. Thanks.

Name: Barbara Perlmutter
Subject: Review: Kris Kristofferson's The Austin Sessions
-- Aug 30, 1999 at 11:40PM
[No yak posted by this mo-mo. Apparently the concept of a Web form is too complicated for him.]

Name: joe hester
Subject: kk
-- Aug 30, 1999 at 10:57AM
kris fans check out my kk web page at
http://members.aol.com/
dblkfan/kkpictures.html


Name: Jordan Hoffman Responds
Subject: Re: austin sessions
-- Aug 30, 1999 at 2:33AM
I recently put this cd on in a crowded room. It opens with Bobby McGee. One person asked Who was butchering Janis Joplin's song? Another wondered Who was imitating Johnny Cash? And yet another, when it was disclosed that the singer, indeed, was Kris Kristofferson, said, "Ah! That actor is singing?!?"

It pleases me to no end that this review has gotten the respond it has from KK's fans.

Name: joe hester
Subject: austin sessions
-- Aug 28, 1999 at 4:16PM
i love this cd, as well as all the other music of kris's, thank you for the great article/review on it. kris is truely the greatest songwriter of our time. and he proves it over and over again.

Name: Dennis Deja
Subject: The holy trinity
-- Aug 27, 1999 at 4:38PM
Willie is the father...

Waylon the holy ghost...

Kristofferson is every bit the wayward/prodigal
son...

he is the truest sense of
"renaissance man"...

I forever cherish his gift to me through song!

Name: MARK FARRIS
Subject: KRIS
-- Aug 27, 1999 at 11:53AM
Some of the best times of my life were while listening to his music.I am glad to hear him bring back some of the old songs on this cd.It will also bring back alot of memories for me.Thank you kris for your great songs.

Name: MARK
Subject: KRIS
-- Aug 27, 1999 at 11:43AM
Growing up with His music saw me through alot of bad times and even more great times.Kris Kristofferson is the greatest.

Name: Clayton Moore
Subject: Kris live tonight
-- Aug 21, 1999 at 3:22PM
I saw a live taping of KK tonight for "E-Town," a nationwide radio show broadcast from here in Boulder, Colorado. When he started sang "Me & Bobbie McGee," "Sunday Morning Comin' Down," and "Help Me Make It Through the Night," (IN A ROW), I wouldn't have traded places with God. I can't wait for the album.

Name: Jordan Hoffman Responds
Subject: Re: Kris live tonight
-- Aug 21, 1999 at 5:03AM
From all the promotion this album is getting, it may even sell a few copies. Wouldn't it be great for K.K. to suddenly become "hip", like Johnny cash did 5 years ago?

The album comes out next week.

Name: Ingrid
Subject: Who will keep the flame
-- Aug 13, 1999 at 2:41AM
Steve Wariner will keep the flame. He's right there with the talent of Kris. And in time will also come to be appreciated for that talent.

Name: Jordan Hoffman Responds
Subject: Re: Kris Kristofferson's The Austin Sessions
-- Aug 3, 1999 at 9:12PM
Sean, from what I can tell, this CD will be available "later in the summer." Check it out when it becomes available. You may want to check atlantic-recordings.com to keep tabs.

Name: Sean Woods
Subject: Kris Kristofferson's The Austin Sessions
-- Aug 3, 1999 at 12:11PM
Great Review. I love Kristofferson. I think these songs were his best writings. Where can I get it?


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