Customer Reviews

Border Lord/Jesus Was a Capricorn

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It was great to see our friends over at wounded bird get Kris' catalog back in print, and at budget prices. My aunt was kind of like a big sister to me - she's 14 years older than I am, so when I was in my early teens, we'd go to the movies and listen to music. She LOVED Kris. These two albums got played quite a bit around the house - so much so that I STILL know the words to "Jesus Was A Capricorn" by heart! I've seen Kris several times in the last few years - and every time he delivers. If he comes your way, make a point to see him (He's in his 70's!). You can't go wrong seeing the guy who wrote all those classic songs do them alone on acoustic guitar and harmonica!

I love everything that Kris does so I gave the CD 5 stars. But, whoever cobbled the CD together neglected to put in the song titles. When I put it on my I-Pod the songs are only numbers and there is no artist listed. This will make it difficult to find once it is no longer in my "recently added" playlist.

1972 saw the release of both Border Lord and Jesus was a Capricorn. Border Lord, Kristofferson's third album, is not as solid as his first two, but it still contains an impressive array of songs. One theme of Border Lord seems to be women with less-than-pleasant lives, from the strong opener "Josie" to "Somebody Nobody Knows" to "Little Girl Lost" with the classic line "She'll feed your hungry ego till you think you're quite a man / But, you'd better count your fingers when she turns loose of your hand." "Kiss the World Goodbye" is pure Kristofferson swagger ("I owed the devil some debts, boys / And paid 'em all up but one); Dean Martin did a hell of a fine cover of this song on his Dino album from the early Seventies. My favorite track on Border Lord is "Burden of Freedom." Really, has any other songwriter captured the exhilaration and sobering responsibility of personal freedom as Kristofferson has throughout his career? I don't think so. When he sings "Lord, help me to shoulder the burden of freedom," man, he means it, and you feel it. All in all, a fine album from Kris.

Then, there's Jesus was a Capricorn, one of Kristofferson's best selling albums, and by far my least favorite Kristofferson album. Don't get me wrong: there's some really good stuff here. The title track is one of Kristofferson's pointed and hilarious looks at the fear and hypocrisy that makes people judge those who are different. And, "Why Me" justly deserves its place as a country standard. But, I'm just not a big fan of Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge duets, and there's two of them on here. "Sugar Man," in my opinion, is the low point of Kris's songwriting. And Larry Gatlin's "Help Me" (sung here with Gatlin) was done better by Elvis Presley. I know there are many who would disagree with me, but the reason to buy this reissued two-fer is Border Lord, hands down. And, folks, Border Lord is a good album to have in your collection.

kris at his best perhaps? brilliant. best listened to in a peaceful area with a glass of wine. chill time.

Six months ago I received a seven figure settlement from a traffic accident. Attorneys kept telling me to take a vacation to anywhere in the world I wanted to go. When I thought about the things I could do or see again or even for the first time in life, what occurred to me was that once again I wanted to see Kris Kristofferson in concert. I will be doing just that in November in Newport News Virginia. Kris may not be the consumat singer or a terrific showman but he is THE BEST songwriter ever and. Conrthere is something in his voice that leaves me completely comfortable. Although these albums are not some of his better known ones some songs contained on them can touch your soul...listen to the songs with your heart, they are wonderful!

If you listen to Kris' words you can learn so much about compassion for your fellow man.He sees the injustices and speaks out for the forgotten,and discarded people in life.He feels it all,sees it all and brings it to the surface as no other writer ever has for me.

Great songwriter, voice needs some improvement. BUT the songs are great. Get all his early works.

The worst CD from Kris that I have had the misfortune of purchasing. I did not like the songs or the way he sang them!