The Essential Kris Kristofferson

The foundation of Kris Kristofferson’s reputation as a songwriter is comprised of material from his first two albums, which fills up the first disc of this collection. During that time he injected an audaciously erudite sensibility into the candid, small-town storytelling of country music. Even now, it’s hard not to be stunned by the craft of “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” In contrast, the second disc spans an astonishing 14 years, and while it may be less consistent, it's more fun. In addition to essential tracks like “Border Lord,” “Why Me” and “Nobody Wins,” the disc includes several high quality works that slipped through the cracks, among them “The Bigger the Fool, the Harder the Fall,” “Shandy” and “Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends.” Due to licensing disagreements, there are no selections from Kristofferson’s two brilliant “comeback” albums 1995’s A Moment of Forever and 2003’s This Old Road. Nonetheless, The Essential Kris Kristofferson forms a lasting portrait of a songwriter whose art was connected yet deeply separated from the ‘60s generation of singer-songwriters.