Michael Carley | San Joaquin Valley, CA | 09/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is Kris's fourth album and is an excellent one. This CD provides a great example of the different songwriting styles Kristofferson employs. There are three social/political songs. The title track is a criticism of closed-mindedness, very much in the vein of "Blame it on the Stones" and "The Law is for Protection of the People" from the "Me and Bobby McGee" album. Jesse Younger is probably better known. It is a sarcastic (as only Kris can be) take on parents who try to control the lives of their children. "Out of Mind, Out of Sight" is the other political song and it shows how involved Kristofferson was in some of the movements of the day.There are also a couple of gospel songs, unusual for Kris. "Help Me" was written by Larry Gatlin, who also helps sing it. "Why Me", written by Kristofferson, has become a gospel standard, performed by numerous artists such as Conway Twitty and Johnny Cash. It is, of course, better known as "Why Me Lord". In my opinion, Kris's own version is one of the better ones. The songwriter knows best.Most of the other songs are personal and/or love songs. Two, "It Sure Was (Love)" and "Give It Time to Be Tender" are duets with then wife Rita Coolidge. The latter is truly excellent.This CD is one that all Kristofferson fans will want in their collections."
Well, y'all jus haf ta sit n' lissen fer a spell.
Rick Buckman | Flagstaff, Arizona United States | 09/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Being from the river hills of the Missouri and Ozark rivers in Missouri, this album was a standy by for most of my family along with Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff. With that said, this album is in my opinion Kristofferson's best. Wheather you're a rock n' roller or hard core country freak or both, this album is a must have. It is truly a work of art and one of the most moving pieces of work from the country genre I have ever heard. His jumps into gospel are beautiful. His band on this album trtuly understands what Kristofferson is trying to convey. I first heard this on Quadraphonic 8 Trac back in 1974. I have heard it on vinyl and on cd. I like vinyl the best but the cd is definitely worth the buy."
Jesus was a Capricorn
Michelle Mieure | West Hills, CA USA | 07/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can remember watching my mom iron with the headphones on listening to this record (and singing at the top of her lungs?sorry mom! ) when I was just a child. I was checking this album out to purchase for her, and am sorry to say, she will have to buy her own! It made me cry, the songs are so wonderful. "Why me Lord" did not make any sense to me when I was a child. I thought it was a tragic song about someone who had bad things happening to him. This song (as well as most of the rest) make me feel so good, they give me such hope. As a child, I could not see why she thought he was so beautiful, well now as a woman I can see! Kris Kristopherson has a new generation of fans!"
Religion in review.
Timothy Yeo | British Columbia, Canada | 01/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have to echo the sentiments of Micheal Carley in his review about this album.I still have the original vinyl version and still play it frequently and am still moved in the same way each time,as I am with all the rest of Kris' music it never seems to become old.His step into gospel with Why Me and Help Me were a surprise for me at the time but I really did (and still do) find them quite moving.Other versions I've heard of these two hymns have never sounded or felt as meaningful as these versions. Being a young man at the time of this albums release,and having just left home, the song Jesse Younger really seemed to make an impact on me and like so much of Kris' music at the time seemed to reflect my own sentiments about the worlds politics and issues of the day."