Customer Reviews

Live at the Philharmonic

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I first began my interest in Kristopherson because my mother enjoyed his music. I found a tape of Me and Bobby Mcgee in her Volvo while driving around town in high school, and for a while, that was all I listened to. There was something about his voice and execution that just interested me. About ten years later now, I have bought nearly every CD that I could find, and of course, there are others in folk, country, rock and blues who interest me as much as he does. But Kris was the first; so after having bought so many of his albums to come across Live at the Philharmonic was a real treat. He teams up with Larry Gatlin, Rita Coolridge and Willie Nelson here in 1974 (the year I was born) when Nelson was not terribly well known by the public at large. Nelson sings Mountain Dew, and Nightlife, both just fantastic. Nelson also sings his song "Me and Paul" which he recently (late 1998) covered in a album. Gatlin and Kris sing "Help Me" together, which I have found inspirational in my own times of frustration. My favorite recordings on the album are "Whiskey, Whiskey" (origionally written by someone who's name escapes me) which I love to sing myself, and Funky Donny Fritz's (an old friend of Kris's mentioned in the begining of his famous recording, "The Pigrim") "Rainbow Road". Anyone listening to this album who has lived and breathed the '70s as days of their lives certainly will gain a little nostalgic remembrance listening to this album. I wish I had the authority to claim that myself. Being only 24 years old I cannot. Don Was said "Kris is one of the smartest people I have met." Believe it, and listen carefully.

This 1972 concert may seem a bit outdated, technologically speaking. However, to any fan of good country music, it still seems as alive and vivid as the night it was recorded.

Kris Kristofferson tears through such classics as "Jesus Was a Capricorn," "Nobody Wins," "Loving Her was Easier (than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)", "Sugar Man," "For the Good Times," "Sunday Morning Coming Down," and "The Pilgrim: Chapter 33." However, he also covers some other people's songs: John Prine's "Late John Garfield Blues," the Hag's "Okie From Muskogee," and his own keyboardist's beautiful "Rainbow Road."

There are a few surprises, of course. Guest appearances include future-superstars Willie Nelson (Kristofferson actually turns the stage over to Willie for four songs, to the crowd's delight) and Larry Gatlin (he sings his own "Help Me," along with Kristofferson). Kristofferson's wife, Rita Coolidge, helps close out the album on such classics as "It Sure Was (Love)" and "Me and Bobby McGee."

LIVE AT THE PHILHARMONIC is a must for Kristofferson fans. Whether you're a long-time fan (in which case, you already have this album) or are new (like me), this is one you've got to hear. If you like stellar songwriting and a down-home voice, this is also a must-have. Kris Kristofferson is without a doubt a legendary performer; this album helps show us why.

This is my favourite Kristofferson by far and has the best version of 'Sunday Mornin Coming Down' I've ever heard. Some of the other songs on this are really good too. Somehow, you can feel an emotion and a strength that are just sooooooo lacking in other (non-live) incarnations.
Between this and Billy Holiday's Jazz at the Philharmonic, I get a pretty good impression of that old hall.

This album only came out in 1992, twenty years after the 1972 concert it documents.
The sound is good, Kris Kristofferson is backed by an excellent band (drums, bass guitar, electric lead guitar, organ, piano), and he sings a fine selection of material from his then-current album "Jesus Was A Capricorn", as well as some of his older songs and a handful of Willie Nelson's compositions.

Willie Nelson, who hadn't yet achieved superstar status himself, guests on several songs, as does Kris Kristofferson's wife, singer Rita Coolidge, who duets with him on the classic "Me And Bobby McGee" and the slightly jazzy "It Sure Was (Love)".

Kristofferson performs great renditions of "Nobody Wins", "Billy Dee", "For The Good Times", "Sunday Morning Comin' Down", "Loving Her Was Easier Than Anything I'll Do Again" and John Prine's "Late John Garfield Blues". Willie Nelson takes the lead vocal on a superb reading of his own "Funny How Time Slips Away". And Kristofferson sings Tom Ghent's "Whiskey, Whiskey" and an altered version of Merle Haggard's redneck anthem, "Okie From Muskogee", calling it "the only bad song he [Haggard] ever wrote".

This is a very good document of Kris Kristofferson at the peak of his abilities. Highly recommended to Kristofferson fans, hardcore and casual alike.

This was recorded live at the Philharmonic Hall 12/02/72 and is EXCELLENT...also has Willie Nelson and Rita Coolidge...there is even a song on this cd that I had never heard before(LATE AGAIN) which is great. If you love Kristofferson, you will love this.

Some very fine music on this disc. A very good time in his life and it shows...

Kris, singing LIVE AT THE PHILHARMONIC in 1972, just brings you on into his life with him. There is something so real, so natural, so human about him sharing his life and feelings with you. Breathe along with him as he explores SUNDAY MORNIN' COMIN' DOWN, and FOR THE GOOD TIMES, as well as JESUS WAS A CAPRICORN, LOVING HER WAS EASIER (THAN ANYTHING I'LL EVER DO AGAIN), and, IT SURE WAS (LOVE) with Rita Coolidge... He's in fine voice here, and seems to be feeling energized, and happy to be performing. He has 'guru' Willie Nelson, Larry Gatlin, and Rita Coolidge join him, and you can experience how much they all really enjoy each other. One song after another, for 24 songs!!, you remember how much you just love hearing him and his gift. You'll love how he shares his thoughts about his songs and his friends and just plain ole livin' and learnin'. You'll feel moved, and emerge uplifted. I find myself craving to listen to this CD... Enjoy.