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Editor’s note:

I just want to say that although I have been writing for over thirty years, ten of which has included music reviews, and have been a fan for over thirty years as well, I was hard pressed to find the words to express what can only be spoken through the soul. In a minimal attempt at research, I read pages and pages of online reviews written in heart-felt emotion by Kristofferson fans for "This Old Road,"  and there is no reason to even attempt further praise in that arena. This is not a review, nor a bio, just an editorial encouraging readers to see the October tour. If you are not familiar with the life and works of Kristofferson, that data is easy enough to find. Meanwhile I hope I have discovered a few Kristofferson stones unturned. This is more Kristofferson as Music, Myth & Lit 101. * CB

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Originally from the southern-most point in the southwestern United States, Kris Kristofferson, though having come a long way from Brownsville, Texas, has after a successful career as an acclaimed country and western singer/songwriter and Hollywood screen star, continued to remain as earthy as the Texas soil he left so many years ago. His 2006 release of, "This Old Road," is proof in point. Kristofferson’s easy style and wizened approach to music along with his outspoken yet poetic lyrics, appeal readily to many music fans of similar nature residing in the southwest. The southwest has long been host to many alternative musicians seeking a similar path leading away from that of the music industry’s cut and dried grid to one of honesty, creativity and individuation, just as it has to artists and writers seeking the same. Though Kristofferson keeps busy with his acting and touring in other parts of the world, during the month of October, this legendary folk-hero (yeah, I know, cliché, but true) can be found in Southern Cal. If you’ve ever wanted the opportunity to see a bardic warrior in action, don’t miss this tour. Warrior. Bard. Poet. Hero. He will argue these, particularly the hero part, and he has. Understandably so, who is a hero? Aren’t we all heroes on our journey? He might say, "I ain’t no hero," in that laid-back Texas delay, hiking his britches up, clearing his throat with a conspicuous raise of the eye-brows, defying the fact that he is as educated as they come (you can take the boy out of Texas . . . ) as he espouses names like King, Lennon, Ghandi.

Webster’s defines hero as:

1 a : a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability. B : an illustrious warrior c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities

d : one that shows great courage 2 4 : an object of extreme admiration and devotion.

Other that the fact that he was not born of a virgin, that pretty well sums it up.

In The Hero With a Thousand Faces, published in 1949 by Joseph Campbell, Campbell demonstrates his theory of the archetypal hero’s journey seen as a wheel which may be found in examples of myth and folk-lore worldwide. The Departure (the call to adventure), the initiation (a road of trials), and the return (bestowing the boon on his fellow man), are the stages on this wheel. This theory may be found in every life, but most especially in Kristofferson’s. These elements are reflected in his lyrics from his early door-opening classic love songs, through his activism, to the sharing of his deepest affections for family, friends and colleagues. Through love, marriage, family, loss, depression, addiction, obligations and war; through life, we have cycled along the journey on this hero’s wheel. His triumphs and pains mirror our own with words, music, and inspiration there for anyone seeking a greater road. A modern-day Beowulf; defeating our dragons, forging the path that we may step safely if we are listening.

From Billy Bob’s Texas to the Royal Albert Hall, and most everywhere in between, his dusty voice echoes an age-old bloodline of troubadours and their love songs, the battle-cry of ancient warriors, and the pleas of the mystic muses. Enlightening and entertaining audiences for over forty years, Kristofferson’s strongest message though has been his faith in humanity as exemplified in the 1971 release of To Beat the Devil:

. . . you still can hear me singin' to the people who don't listen,
To the things that I am sayin', prayin' someone's gonna hear.
And I guess I'll die explaining how the things that they complain about,
Are things they could be changin', hopin' someone's gonna care.

I was born a lonely singer, and I'm bound to die the same,
But I've got to feed the hunger in my soul.
And if I never have a nickle, I won't ever die ashamed.
'Cos I don't believe that no one wants to know.

The upcoming solo performances in this southern California tour will undoubtedly be an intimate communication between Kristofferson and the audience as previously un-experienced in his days with the Borderlords or The Highwaymen. Though you may have heard Kristofferson in years past, heard all of the good old songs, today whether in the studio or on stage, you will hear him changing up the lyrics to meet the man he has become and the times he is up against. So even if you think you’ve heard it all, you haven’t.

He is a keeper of the flame, a flame that is passed on to every audience to which he plays, hoping that even a few may carry the torch forward as he makes his "lonely way back home." Sacrifice, endurance, tremendous talent and some plain ol’ grit make Kristofferson one of the most unique artists of our time. In light of Joseph Campbell’s research and the development of the hero’s wheel, Campbell came to the conclusion that on our individual hero’s journey, the journey is toward living our bliss. We should follow our bliss; some do, some don’t, bliss has its price. Let’s thank Kristofferson for following his.

For more information visit:

www.kriskristofferson.com

www.newwestrecords.com

www.pollstar.com

Editor's Picks

Repossessed 1986 -
Best music, Kristofferson at his best with his former band, The Borderlords

The Austin Sessions 1999 Best overview of his classics

This Old Road 2006 -
Kris Today; New insights; Favorite songs to play along with
 

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