Search - Kris Kristofferson :: Kris Kristofferson - All Time Greatest Hits

Fine introduction to Kristofferson?s songwriting and singing

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 10/01/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Ageless songs, done with feeling

Pieter | Johannesburg | 02/11/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Kristofferson's delivery of his classic compositions sounds intensely personal yet universal at the same time. Most of these tracks come from his debut album: Me And Bobby McGee that was covered by Janis Joplin and Gordon Lightfoot amongst others, the romantic masterpieces Help Me Make It Through The Night and For The Good Times that have seen umpteen cover versions and the glorious Sunday Morning Coming Down that has also been interpret by a vast array of singers. The lugubrious songs Casey's Last Ride and Darby's Castle are less famous but equally moving. There is also his later country-gospel classic Why Me that spent ages on the US charts and the beautiful ballad with Rita Coolidge, I'd Rather Be Sorry. My other favourites include Jesus Was A Capricorn and Loving Her Was Easier. Kristofferson's limited vocal range and talking style ensured that other artists made hits of his compositions, but his earthy tones have a charm of their own, while his tales of losers came long before Tom Waits. This is a great album if you're into authentic rebel country and singer/songwriter folk music. All Time Greatest Hits is a classic of ageless songs, done with feeling."

I Love This CD

M. Thomasson | San Frrancisco, CA | 07/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"