Kris Kristofferson
Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends-The Publishing Demos 1968-72
(Light in the Attic)

There are a handful of modern songwriters that I’d consider in Kris Kristofferson’s league; Dylan, John Prine, Jimmy Webb, it’s a short list. And while the bearded guy has indulged himself lately in some long-winded political song-making there is no denying ol K.K. is a master at his craft. Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends-The Publishing Demos 1968-72 features this iconic songwriter’s rough and raw demos.

Opening with K.K.’s own solo version of the classic “Me and Bobby McGee,” he then goes into some classic material like the sad title track, a full band on “Smile At Me Again,” then the funky “Border Song,” into cowboy laments like “Just The Other Side Of Nowhere” and character sketches like “Slowdown” and the very sweet “Little Girl Lost.”

How can you not love lines like: “If you don’t like Hank Williams buddy, you can kiss my ass!” or this first line from the tender ode to old friend Billy Dee in the song of the same name: “Billy Dee was seventeen when he turned twenty one.”

There’s a sweet piano on “Epitaph (Black and Blue)” but for most of this CD it’s really Kristofferson on acoustic croaking out his classics. “Getting By, High and Strange” ends Please Don’t Tell Me How The Story Ends-The Publishing Demos 1968-72 and after getting through these 16 songs the listener really has and is all for the better.