The Essential Kris Kristofferson (CD - 2004)

Personnel includes: Kris Kristofferson (vocals, guitar); Steve Burton, Fred Carter Jr., Johnny Christopher, James Colvard, Ray Edenton, Chris Gantry, Mac Gayden, Steve Gibson, Jerry Kennedy, Mark Knopfler, Dennis Linde, Grady Martin, Jerry McGee, Wayne Moss, Jerry Shook, Billy Swan, Fred Tackett, John "Bucky" Wilkin, Chip Youn (guitar); Peter Drake, Paul Franklin, Weldon Myrick (steel guitar); David Briggs, Glen Clark (keboards); Dennis Belfield (bass); Kenny Buttrey (drums); Bobbye Hall (percussion).

Producers includes: Fred Foster, David Anderle, Nancy Carlen, Dennis Linde, Norbert Putam.

Compilation producer: Gregg Geller.

Recorded between 1969 & 1985. Includes liner notes by Jim Bessman.

Personnel: Kris Kristofferson (guitar, background vocals); Jerry McGee (guitar, dobro, mandolin, sitar, background vocals); Fred Tackett (guitar, mandolin); Mark Knopfler, Stephen Bruton, Billy Swan (guitar, background vocals); Chip Young, Chris Gantry, Dennis Linde, Fred Carter, Jr., Grady Martin, John "Bucky" Wilkin, Jim Colvard, Jerry Kennedy, John Willis, Johnny Christopher, Mac Gayden, Ray Edenton, Wayne Moss, Steve Gibson, Jerry Shook (guitar); Paul Franklin, Pete Drake, Weldon Myrick (steel guitar); Josh Graves, Norman Blake (dobro); Norman Bruton (mandolin); Tommy Jackson, Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Charlie McCoy (harmonica, horns); Nick DeCaro (accordion); Don Sheffield, Chuck Findley, Dick Hyde, Darrell Leonard, Dwight Smith, Earl Lon Price, Harrison Calloway, Jackie Kelso, Jim Horn, Harvey Thompson, Ronnie Eades (horns); Donnie Fritts, Mike Utley (keyboards, background vocals); David Briggs , Glen Clark, Jim Cox, John Harris , Shane Keister, Bobby Emmons, Bobby Wood (keyboards); Gene Chrisman, Kenneth A. Buttrey, Andy Newmark, Sammy Creason, Jerry Carrigan (drums); Farrell Morris, Bobbye Hall (percussion); Clydie King, June Page, Sherlie Matthews, D. Bergen White, Donna Rhodes, Terry Dearmore, Don Gant, Jack Skinner, James Cason, Herb Pedersen, Randy Cutlers, Allan Wald, Benny Whitehead, Gary Busey, Sandra Chalmers, John Beland, Larry Gatlin, Larry Murray, Alan Rush, Mentor Williams, Mickey Newbury, Ray C. Walker, Rita Coolidge, Sammi Smith, Terry Paul, Venetta Fields, Gordon Stoker, Hoyt Hawkins, Millie Kirkham, Buzz Cason, Byron Berline, Charles Chalmers (background vocals).

Recording information: 1969-1983.

Photographers: David Gahr; Jim Marshall .

Drunkards, free spirits, wayward travelers, and lady-killers populate the songs of Kris Kristofferson, who was a wandering soul himself before becoming a professional musician. Always one to appeal to country and rock fans alike, Kristofferson is a songwriter's songwriter, as illustrated by this double-disc collection. The first disc is primarily comprised of nine tracks from his landmark 1970 debut, KRISTOFFERSON, and seven cuts from 1971's equally strong THE SILVER TONGUED DEVIL AND I. These include "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down," "Help Me Make It Through the Night," and "For the Good Times"--all hits for other artists, though Kristofferson's weathered, raspy versions feel definitive.

Disc two culls tracks from more varied sources, though a mere five of 19 go beyond 1979. It opens with 1972?s narcotic "Border Lord," and continues through four tracks from 1972's JESUS WAS A CAPRICORN (including "I'd Rather Be Sorry," a duet with his then-wife, Rita Coolidge), "How Do You Feel About Foolin' Around" (with Willie Nelson, from the 1986 film SONGWRITER), and a 1985 cut from the country supergroup Highwaymen (with Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings). A strong collection for the true fan, or a fantastic intro for the uninitiated, ESSENTIAL is a concise overview of this groundbreaking songwriter's work. minimize