This Old Road is the first recording of all new songs by Kris Kristofferson
in the 11 years since Moment of Forever was released by Justice. (Interestingly
enough, that album was originally recorded a few years earlier by producer
Don Was for his Karambolage label, which lost its distribution deal.)
Was is on-board here as a producer and as a musician, as are drummer Jim
Keltner and old friend Stephen Bruton on guitar. Most of these 11 songs,
however, are simply Kristofferson accompanying himself on guitar. The
years -- Kristofferson turns 70 in 2006 -- haven't softened the old poet's
social conscience -- "Pilgrim's Progress," "Wild American,"
"In the News," and "The Burden of Freedom" are every
bit as radical as those found on his last two Mercury records, Repossessed
and Third World Warrior in the mid-'80s. But Kristofferson is also wise
enough to believe in love and forgiveness -- "Thank You for a Life,"
"The Last Thing to Go," "Holy Creation," "Final
Attraction" -- and still remembers how to write a killer outlaw country
song (check out "Chase the Feeling"). The tunes with the band
are solid, but there is something utterly irresistible about the man with
only his guitar. His voice is no better and no worse than it was in all
those years form the 1970s on. But his phrasing as a singer has improved
considerably. Kristofferson is dead-on here, razor-sharp, economical in
his language, and to the bone in his insight. This is a welcome comeback
for Kristofferson; as an artist, he proves he still has plenty to offer
to anyone willing enough to listen.
(by Thom Jurek, All
Music Guide)
|