Robert, you have created a very high bar for yourself. Somehow you manage to live up to it every time. As usual, I was not disappointed in your beautifully written appraisal of the great Kris K. Thanks to the links you provided, I re-engaged with the powerful poetic truth underlying this artist’s deeply moving songs. He certainly didn’t hide his light under a bushel. Thank you for focusing on the qualities that elevated him beyond the common fare. An excellent read, this!
First rate essay Robert. I had the pleasure of seeing Kristofferson in concert, once, back in 1983 w/ The Borderlords. He had movie stardom in those days, but the authenticity of his songs is what grounded him. He played all his hits and a song I did not know, “They Killed Him” which left a huge impression on me. I could feel Kris’s disbelief that men like Gandhi, MLK, and Jesus who were “holy men” could be killed for standing up for social justice. The song was so good even Dylan covered it in 1986. KK recorded it on Repossessed(Mercury).
Oh yeah - even as a kid listening to Elvis' version of it, very, very clear Kristofferson was tapping into something few other songwriters could or would tap into.
I got to know of him through his acting just after that (Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, for example) and a lot of what you're saying applies there too -- going to the heart of the matter in a poetic way that draws you in and makes you feel you're closing in on something real and true.
This is an excellent analysis/appreciation, and I especially appreciate your point that Kris Kristofferson managed to make smart "cool."
Kristofferson's death has offered a bounty of great writing from other Substack authors I follow. I've thought about doing my own piece — and one idea somewhat off the beaten path still comes to mind — but fortunately can recognize that you and others will do a far better job than I could.
One memory: My voice is so poor that I lip-sync "Happy Birthday," and my father once joked after hearing Kris Kristofferson sing that he "sounds like you." I told him I wished I wrote like Krisfofferson did.
Robert, you have created a very high bar for yourself. Somehow you manage to live up to it every time. As usual, I was not disappointed in your beautifully written appraisal of the great Kris K. Thanks to the links you provided, I re-engaged with the powerful poetic truth underlying this artist’s deeply moving songs. He certainly didn’t hide his light under a bushel. Thank you for focusing on the qualities that elevated him beyond the common fare. An excellent read, this!
Thank you, Andrew, for your incredible kind note. I really appreciate it and helps me to keep doing what I am doing here.
First rate essay Robert. I had the pleasure of seeing Kristofferson in concert, once, back in 1983 w/ The Borderlords. He had movie stardom in those days, but the authenticity of his songs is what grounded him. He played all his hits and a song I did not know, “They Killed Him” which left a huge impression on me. I could feel Kris’s disbelief that men like Gandhi, MLK, and Jesus who were “holy men” could be killed for standing up for social justice. The song was so good even Dylan covered it in 1986. KK recorded it on Repossessed(Mercury).
Thank you, John. I have never heard the song but will rectify that right away.
He was an amazingly talented songwriter- "Help Me Make It Through The Night" alone is an act of brilliance...
Oh yeah - even as a kid listening to Elvis' version of it, very, very clear Kristofferson was tapping into something few other songwriters could or would tap into.
I didn’t know much of Kris Kristofferson’s music. This was a beautiful intro and a lovely tribute, wonderfully written as always. Thank you
You're welcome, Mark - thank you for the very kind note.
Great, thanks a lot. I loved both reading & listening.
Thanks, Michael - appreciate your note.
Really good memorial to him, Robert.
I got to know of him through his acting just after that (Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, for example) and a lot of what you're saying applies there too -- going to the heart of the matter in a poetic way that draws you in and makes you feel you're closing in on something real and true.
Thanks, Ellen. I didn't even touch on Kristofferson's work as an actor - if he was in a movie, it was a sign that it would be worth watching.
This is an excellent analysis/appreciation, and I especially appreciate your point that Kris Kristofferson managed to make smart "cool."
Kristofferson's death has offered a bounty of great writing from other Substack authors I follow. I've thought about doing my own piece — and one idea somewhat off the beaten path still comes to mind — but fortunately can recognize that you and others will do a far better job than I could.
One memory: My voice is so poor that I lip-sync "Happy Birthday," and my father once joked after hearing Kris Kristofferson sing that he "sounds like you." I told him I wished I wrote like Krisfofferson did.
Thank you, Glenn. I hope you may reconsider and do your own piece on Kristofferson. Would love to read it and I'm sure others would too.
Most artists strive for one or two timeless songs. Kristofferson had several.
Yes, and pretty much right out of the gate. An amazing rush of creativity.