Customer Reviews

The Pilgrim: A Celebration Of Kris Kristofferson

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Kris Kristofferson's voice has sometimes been compared to a "croaking" frog. So, it is fitting that some of the best singers and Kris's friends should pay tribute to Kris and his 70th birthday by "breathing new life into his tunes".

"Kristofferson was never much for easy. For most of his life, he craved both desperation and accomplishment. Or maybe he craved the kind of accomplishment that can only spring from desperation. Anyway, he threw himself into worlds of bruised-hearted trouble, of excess and alcohol and worry and peril. That everything all worked out in the end is one measure of the man. "All alone all the way on your own/ Who's to say that you've thrown it away for a song?" he once sang. Well, plenty of people said that about him." an interviewer said of him.

This CD is everything The Legend would want; The producers selected Kristofferson's best songs and chose some major singers to interpret them. Willie Nelson, Roseanne Cash, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell are so well known and would ensure the quality of this CD. But, it is the lesser knowns that enliven this CD- just wait til you hear, BK.


Kris Kristofferson opens "The Pilgrim: A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson with an old intro to "The Pilgrim", which blends into the Emmylou Harris and friends' rendition

Willie Nelson's interpretation of the spiritual song "The Legend "is the best there is.

Emmylou Harris starts the CD off with her sweet rendition of "The Palm: Cheaper 33"".

Roseanne Cash gives a soulful version "Lovin Him Was Easier".

Rodney Crowell's "Come Sundown" is first rate.

It is the other singers, who are lesser known who are standouts.

Shooter Jennings sings "The Silver Tongued Devil" with flair.

Randy Scruggs plays an instrumental of "Smile At Me Again".

Todd Snider gives a gospel interpretation of those who find fault with friends in need of understanding in "Maybe You Heard".

Marshall Chapman sings "Jesus Was A Capricorn" with a smile in her heart.

Patty Griffin and Charanga Cakewalk take the political "Sandinista" and turn it into a personal plea for freedom.

Shawn Camp's "Why Me" would make even an agnostic a true believer.

Gretchen Wilson portrays life the day after with a mournful sound on "Sunday Morning Comin' Down."

Russell Crowe is the biggest surprise. He tells the story of a man preoccupied with his work and material goods who loses it all when he discovers his wife has been unfaithful on "Darby's Castle". Crowe lets the tension build by singing the lyrics clear and straight and letting the words do the work.

Brian McKnight sings a soulful version of "Me and Bobby McGee" that shows the sadness of this marvelous song.

Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis, husband and wife, sing "Help Me Make it Through the Night." They sing the song of seduction with a country feel.

Kris Kristofferson ends the CD with "Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends". This song functions well as a conclusion and also serves as pleasant reminder of the man behind the music.
This is a CD to remember and to play as a reminder of the marvelous talented song writer, Kris Kristofferson. Highly Recommended. prisrob 07-11-06

Kris Kristofferson is one of the true treasures of American music. I was skeptical when I purchased this disc, because I grew up with his renditions of these songs, but to my surprise, this was one of the best tribute albums I have heard.

The artists, for the most part nail the songs. Standout cuts include Shooter Jennings (son of the late great Waylon Jennings and Jessie Colter) singing "The Silver Tongued Devil and I", Rosanne Cash's version of "Lovin' Him was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)', Emmylou Harris (has she ever sung anything less than perfect?) covering "The Pilgrim: Chapter 33" (they even kept the original intro that Kris had done, paying homage to all of his outlaw friends), "Sandinista" by Patti Griffith, and Gretchen Wilson doing "Sunday Morning Coming Down".

Another song I must single out was the one I was the most apprehensive about, Russell Crowe's cover of "Darby's Castle". Some of the other reviewers were not as impressed as I was, but he made this song come alive; he has some serious vocal talent and it is one of the highlights of this disc. The Brian McKnight version of "Me and Bobby McGee" is a little jarring at first, but give it a couple of listens to get Kris's and Janis's versions out of your mind and I think you will appreciaate this different take.

For me the only real weak song was Lloyd Cole and Jill Sobule's take on "For The Good Times". It's not that it was a bad version, but it didn't feel as though they added anything to the song of their own.

All in all, if you are a fan of literate songwriting and interesting and new presentations of classic songs you will thuroughly enjoy this disc.

It's hard to make a tribute album, especially for an artist whose impact is as wide-spread and influential as Kris Kristofferson's. His songs have touched millions the world over, whether voiced by himself or his contempories; his songs have woven lyrical tapestries that graced mainstream and alternative music scenes alike; few artists have had the impact Kristofferson has, and those who have--say, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan--were proud to call themselves his friends.

THE PILGRIM: A CELEBRATION OF KRIS KRISTOFFERSON is exactly that--a musical celebration. The interpretations here rarely live up to the more famous versions, but that is a moot point; they aren't meant to. They are meant, instead, to reveal how individual artists have been inspired by Kristofferson's work. Brian McKnight's pop/hip-hop rendition of "Me and Bobby McGee" reflects this superly; as does Randy Scruggs's instrumental version of "Smile at Me Again" (Kristofferson's emphasis has always been upon the lyric; fortunately, this tune features one of his better melodies). Marshall Chapman turns "Jesus Was a Capricorn" into a bluesy romp of hypocracy and redemption. Gretchen Wilson sings the hell out of "Sunday Morning Coming Down;" Todd Snider takes a world-weary approach to the critical (as in, critiquing) "Maybe You Heard." Rosanne Cash's rendition of "Lovin' Him Was Easier" is angelic; Russell Crowe & The Ordinary Fear of God flesh out "Darby's Castle," here-to-fore always performed with sparse musicianship. Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis bring "Help Me Make It Through the Night" to desperate life, while Willie Nelson's "The Legend" turns the tables upon its songwriter--in a friendly manner, being performed by an old friend and colleague.

Kristofferson himself opens and closes the album--with his name-check introduction to "The Pilgrim" (beautifully woven into Emmylou Harris's superb cover) and a demo of "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends," both from around 1970. His performances provide bookends to an otherwise star-studded, humbled catalogue. Such obvious choices as Rodney Crowell, Willie, Emmylou, Jessi Colter, Rosanne Cash, and Shooter Jennings provide balance to those who were obviously inspired by Kristofferson: Bruce Robison, Todd Snider, Patty Griffin, and others. The result is this: a touching tribute album (complete with a detailed biography/essay by Peter Cooper) that focuses upon the writing of one of music's best songwriters...while allowing the contributing artists to expand themselves. A great record for Kristofferson fans, and for those who enjoy watching an artist (and his music) grow.

Never put Emmylou Harris at the beginning of a tribute album, because you aren't going to top that track--and this is true here as well, as she turns in a warm and affectionate "Pilgrim." The next track that comes to her level is Willie Nelson's "The Legend," and both the songs and the singers provide fitting bookends to this cd. Most of the songs glide along on a steady folk-rock/singer-songwriter vibe which is fitting for the material. For this reason Brian McKnight's "Me and Bobbie McGee" feels jarringly out of place, but listened to on its own it is quite a good track. Russell Crowe benefits from the overall flow, fitting in nicely with an Irish inflected "Darby's Castle" (and allowing the listener to see reviewers fitingly tribute Kristofferson's early reviews (heee)). And, to be fair, he does turn in a more convincing performance than either of the two mainstream country singers--Shooter Jennings who takes The Silver Tongued Devil way too seriously and Gretchen Wilson who makes Sunday Morning Coming Down sound like the night after a Zima bender. Rodney Crowell turns in a sweet performance on Come Sundown. Todd Snider finds his spiritual and musical home on Maybe You Heard. Rosanne Cash's "Loving Him Was Easier" is simply stunning and Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis are not to be missed. Marshall Chapman turns in a joyous Jesus Was A Capricorn. In fact, the albums only real mis-step in the plodding and dull "For The Good Times" by Lloyd Coleman and Jill Sobule. All in all a great collection for any Kristofferson fan.

ALthough I'm not a huge Kristofferson fan, I heard a few tracks on the local FM station and decided to give this cd a try. (Thanks to the previous reviews here also).
I'm glad I spent the $$$. The cd as a whole creates a mellow mood. The lyrics aren't over wrought by the performers. I think the producer did a wonderful job of maintaining an overall feel without restricting the artists own styles.
There are a few tracks I'm not fond of (very subjective) but I know that I will listen to this cd many times over the next decade. With our ability to create our own playlists for ipods etc., I don't see the point in quibbling over a few tracks. How often are there 15/18 songs on a cd that you truly enjoy?

Most "Tribute" cuts are not as I envisioned, but this one is fantastic !! Each Artist gives Kris' songs a different Life than the ones I have embedded in my mind. I have loved Kris and his songs for over 28 years, and have worn out plastic vinyl, 8 tracks, cassettes and other mediums listening to Kris ! He's my Number One Artist, and the "Tribute" extends my Love for Kris and his music ! Great Job Producers !!

From Kris's gravelly introduction to the last song on the album, it is a wonderful interpretation of his songs. A good variety and I can't stop listening to it.

I don't think there is a bad one in the bunch! Made my top 30 folk releases of 2006 list.

but this one I actually listen to. Marta Gomez makes 'The Circle' beautiful and compelling, Rodney Crowell's verson of 'Come Sundown' is perfect, Marshal Chapman does a great 'Jesus was a Capricorn'. Those are my favorites, but on the entire album, there isn't one song that I skip. Highly recommended.

The beauty of Kristofferson's poetry is done justice by this collection of talented artists. Particular gems are The Pilgrim by Emmylou Harris, Sunday Morning Coming Down by Gretchen Wilson, and Come Sundown by Rodney Crowell. There are a couple that I would have considered other singers to perform but that is quibbling. It is clear these singers appreciated the call to interpret these beautiful songs. A great tribute to the master songwriter of the past 35 years.