The Austin Sessions

by Kristofferson

Overview

For the follow-up to Moment of Forever, his first set of new original songs in years, Kris Kristofferson decided to record a set of stripped-down new versions of his classic songs. This project, released on Atlantic Records and entitled The Austin Sessions, was a star-studded affair, featuring harmony vocals from Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Matraca Berg, Vince Gill, Marc Cohn, Alison Krauss, Catie Curtis, and Mark Knopfler. In one sense, it's easy to question why Kristofferson needed to record these songs again, since much of his catalog seems to consist of reinterpretations of these songs, but taken on its own terms, it's a good listen. In a way, Kristofferson's voice -- which never had too much range, even at its peak -- sounds better now that its older; the ragged edges and wear give it more character, which lend character to the songs. Ultimately, The Austin Sessions isn't a major addition to his catalog, but there's enough warmth and personality to these recordings to make it worth a listen for longtime fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	02/10/2017
Label:	Atlantic / Rhino
UPC:	0081227943684

Tracks

1. Me and Bobby McGee
2. Sunday Morning Coming Down
3. For the Good Times
4. The Silver Tongued Devil and I
5. Help Me Make It Through the Night
6. Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)
7. To Beat the Devil
8. Who's to Bless and Who's to Blame
9. Why Me?
10. Nobody Wins
11. The Pilgrim: Chapter 33
12. Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends
13. Best of All Possible Worlds
14. Jody and the Kid

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kris Kristofferson   Primary Artist,Harmonica,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals
Mark Knopfler   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Guitar,Vocal Harmony,Guitar (Tremolo)
Jackson Browne   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocal Harmony
Vince Gill   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocal Harmony
Alison Krauss   Primary Artist,Vocal Harmony
Marc Cohn   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocal Harmony
Matraca Berg   Primary Artist,Vocal Harmony
Steve Earle   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocal Harmony
Catie Curtis   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocal Harmony
Stephen Bruton   Guest Artist,Guitar,Mandolin,Hi String Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Matreca Berg   Guest Artist
Fred Mollin   Percussion,Tambourine,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (12 String),Strings
John Willis   Dobro,Mandolin,Slide Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar (Nylon String),Guitar (12 String Acoustic)
Jim Cox   Organ,Piano,Accordion,Fender Rhodes
Joe Spivey   Fiddle,Violin
Mike Baird   Drums
Paul Franklin   Guitar (Steel)
Larry Paxton   Guitar (Bass),Bass (Acoustic),Bass (Electric)
Larry Cox   Bass (Acoustic)

Technical Credits

Fred Mollin   Producer,Liner Notes,Photography
Greg Calbi   Mastering
Kris Kristofferson   Lyricist,Liner Notes,Composer
Reggie Collins   Project Assistant
Robert Abriola   Design,Art Direction
Bruce Weber   Photography
Shannon Ward   Repackaging Supervison
Doran Tyson   Product Manager
Brian Nevin   Engineer
Sal Grimaldi   Assistant Engineer
Susanne Savage   A&R
Nancy Roof   Assistant,Production Coordination
Rory Wilson   Art Direction
Michael Davis   Engineer
Jay Landers   Executive Producer
Jeff Wolpert   Mixing
Mark Linett   Engineer
Steve Chadie   Assistant Engineer
Bergen White   Arranger
Fred Foster   Composer,Lyricist