I went to see Kristofferson last night (Yes I am still on cloud nine) and the show was very nice. Heard a lot of songs I hadn't heard in years. Brought back a TON of memories. Kris still sounds and looks good...still has the twinkle in the eye even if the step has gotten a little slower.

I was also very happy that he did a shout out to John Flynn. (You might know his work or from the CONO trip with Arlo. Some of you guys might have met at that overgrown dinner before Carnegie last year). Kristofferson said - "I wrote this song for Johnny Cash, but tonight Im singing it for John Flynn". What a nice thrill for John.

I saw John in the crowd later and congratulated him and he told me that the song he dedicated was the song that inspired him (John) years ago, so it was extra special. He was beaming.

The venue itself, "The ethical" treatment of something or other building - part of the Lincoln center complex, (on 64th & Central Park West,) in NY was a very old VERY cool old stage and about 800 seats. I was all the way on the side, but the acustics were excellent.

My honey came from work in a NYC yellow chariot and picked me up from the just starting rain. It was a lovely night. (But I did miss Viv).

So what was the song? Sunday Morning?

No, it wasnt that - although he said that most people think that he wrote that and the Pilgrim about Johnny Cash and he didnt.

This song has the line "If you waste your time talking to the people who dont listen..." and he ends with - "I didnt say I beat the devil, but I drank his beer for nothin' and then I stole his song"

I have to look it up, (will be a great effort I know LOL) but maybe you know the name of it.

Here you go--this is from http://www.lyricsfreak.com

Beat the Devil
[voice: it was winter time in nashville, down on music city row
And I was looking for a place to get myself out of the cold, to warm
The frozen feeling that was eating at my soul, and keep the chilly
Wind off my guitar; my thirsty wanted whiskey, my hungry needed
Beans; but itd been a month of pay days since Id heard that eagle
Scream; so with a stomach full of empty and pocket full of dreams
I left my pride and stepped inside a bar (actually I guess youd
Call it a tavern). cigarette smoke to the ceiling and sawdust on the
Floor.

Friendly shadows. I saw that there was just one old man sitting
At the bar; and in the mirror I could see him checking me with my
Guitar; he turned and said come up here boy and show us what you
Are. I said Im dry and he bought me a beer. he nodded at my
Guitar and said its a tough life aint it? I just looked at him
And he said you aint making any money, are you? I said youve
Been reading my mail. he just smiled and said let me see that
Guitar: I got something you ought to hear. then he laid
It on me.....]

If you waste your time a-talking to the people who dont listen
To the things that you are saying who do you thinks going to hear?
And if you should die explaining how the things that they complain about
Are things they could be changing, who dyou thinks goin to care?

There were other lonely singers in a world turned deaf and blind who
Were crucified for what they tried to show,
And their voices have been scattered by the swirling winds of time,
cause the truth remains that no-one wants to know!

[voice: well, the old man was a stranger, but Id heard his song before;
Back when failure had me locked out on the wrong side of the door; when
No-one stood behind me but my shadow on the floor and lonesome was more
Than a state of mind. you see, the devil haunts a hungry man; if you
Dont want to join him youve got to beat him. I aint sayin I beat the
Devil, but I drank his beer for nothing, and then I stole his song!]

And you still can hear me singing to the people who dont listen
To the things that I am saying, praying someones going to hear;
And I guess Ill die explaining how the things that they complain about
Are things they could be changing, hoping someones goin to care.

I was born a lonely singer and Im bound to die the same
But Ive got to feed the hunger in my soul;
And if I never have a nickel I wont ever die of shame
cause I dont believe that no-one wants to know!

I used to love listening to that song. I have an old vinyl disc somewhere with the tune on it. Somehow I always felt good after hearing it.

I've used that expression "You've been reading my mail" (in agreement) for years. Yes, I always felt good after hearing it.

It was the great part of seeing him again - and it has been 11 years ... I heard a lot of "old friends" and could remember back to when and where I was (in life and geographically) when I heard them.

He talked a bit about Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash which was nice and he even took some requests at the end. I dont know what one person said - but he went back to the mic and said "that's a Dylan song" ..."a good song, but Dylan song" I thought - Oh my - even Kristofferson spent some time "down stream of Bob Dylan".

I just looked it up - it was 11 years ago that I had seen K live, It was the same nite in NYC when Hilliary Clintons 50th birthday party was on the same street, and we (Me and my favorite republican - were both sick with bronchitis) got stopped at every corner, in the bitter cold.

Kris is the man. I always loved him in that movie. With Gene Hackman!

http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Pike-Kris-K ... B000C20VSM


Cisco Pike... If you've never seen it Reg, it's worth buying it on DVD... It'll be maybe the best 12 bucks you ever spent...

Harry Dean Stanton ( who played in movies like Cool Hand Luke ) plays a washed up musician...

Good stuff/RB

Love K.K. songwriting abililitys, along with his acting. ntm: The fact he's a road scholar... (sp ck ) and the movie he does with Barbara Streisdand, (another sp ck ) is so great.... He really rocks in that movie too... He's in Rolling Stone Mag this mnth. So if your not a subcriber, it might be worth the 5 bucks, just to read Kris's article..

I forgot to add, Kriss sings "Silver Tougned Devil' in it's entirety in this film. Along with Harry Dean Stanton, is a great singer performer in his own right!!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Peter-Boyle/dp/B00005V9HL


Here's another great movie starring Peter Boyle, and Dennis Patrick. Altho not as good as the Kristofferson flick, it's a great movie of the turbulent times, of drugs, sex and R & R. Which is very relevent today. It has a sad ending.... But an auseome soundtrack.... You won't be able to picture Peter Boyle playing this part, after watching him play Grandpa in the comdeday 'Everybody Loves Raymond'..

Another excellant film...

This thread really brings back memories... I saw KK back with Rita Coolidge in Valley Forge, PA. Can't even remember the year (or decade?).

If Harry Dean Stanton is who I think he is, he was the judge in Night Court. Never knew he did movies tho...

Rob - thanks for all the leads on the movies...I will most def. check them out.

As far as the Rolling Stone mag - John bought one for me the day they came out and left it open to that fabulous first photo on my night stand. Great way to wake up!!!

I can't remember if I discovered Kristofferson's music first or his acting first but I do remember the first time I saw Cisco Pike...I think that was when I "fell in love" with him! Of course his songwriting is brillant and I see his influence in John Flynn.

That's not who Harry Dean Stanton was. He was in a bunch of David Lynch movies...Paris Texas...Wild at Heart. I don't know the night court dudes name, but I liked him too.

Now back to your regularly scheduled legend.

Edited to say: And one of my biggest heroes.