After salvaging several recording careers, producer Don Was formed his own imprint, Karambolage, to continue such efforts in the early '90s, and among other artists worked with Kris Kristofferson, dormant as a solo singer/songwriter since the commercial failure of his two politically oriented Mercury albums Repossessed and Third World Warrior in the late '80s. But A Moment of Forever, the comeback album Was produced for Kristofferson, was shelved when Karambolage lost its distribution deal, and the album wasn't released until the summer of 1995 by the independent Justice label. That means it's a far more ambitious undertaking than you might expect, packed with Los Angeles studio heavyweights like drummer Jim Keltner, guitarist Waddy Wachtel, and Heartbreakers organist Benmont Tench, as well as studio wiz Was on bass and behind the glass. In his late 50s, Kristofferson has retreated slightly from the agitprop, but fighting is still a recurring motif in his songs, along with an old favorite subject, freedom. (Picking up on this, designer Cynthia S. Kinney even sticks the dictionary definition of freedom into a collage on one of the CD booklet pages.) But the songwriter often comes off as a sage elder rather than an active combatant, and the album is as concerned with emotions as it is with politics. Two old songs, "Casey's Last Ride" and "Good Love (Shouldn't Feel So Bad)," and two later ones, "Shipwrecked in the Eighties" and "Under the Gun," join the new compositions, and the old ones have a lyricism and clarity that makes you wish Kristofferson's mature writing wasn't so rhetorical. A Moment of Forever doesn't seem like the place to start in listening to Kristofferson, but those who have been following his work thus far will find it a good representation of his philosophical concerns, expressed in strong musical performances.
KRIS KRISTOFFERSON
A MOMENT OF FOREVER
Justice JR-2001August 15/1995
Produced by Don Was
Kris Kristofferson - lead vocal/guitar/harmonicaWaddy Wachtel - lead el.guitar/ac.guitar/slide guitar
Reggie Young, Jimmy Powers - el.guitar
Stephen Bruton - el.guitar/vocals
Dean Parks - el.guitar/mandolin
Danny Timms - piano/ac.guitar/vocals
Jim Keltner - drums/percussion
Benmont Tench - organ
Don Was - bass
David Campbell - viola/arrangements
Suzie Katayama - accordion/cello
Vocals:
Billy Swan, Jonell Moser, Sweet Pea Atkinson, Harry Bowens
1.
MOMENT OF FOREVER
(Kris Kristofferson - Danny Timms) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »Was it wonderful for you was it holy as it was for me
Did you feel the hand of destiny that was guidin' us together
You were young enough to dream I was old enough to learn something new
I'm so glad I got to dance with you for a moment of forever
Sometimes when you're cryin' you're happy sometimes you're just cryin' I know I know
Come whatever happens now ain't it nice to know that dreams still come true
I'm so glad that I was close to you for a moment of forever
[ piano ] Sometimes when you're cryin' you're happy sometimes you're just cryin' I know I know
[ harmonica ] Come whatever happens now...
**********
2.
WORTH FIGHTING FOR
(Kris Kristofferson - Danny Timms) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »Sunset on the highway to old Mexico Ruby like the wind upon my face
Thunder from a storm on the horizon far away Ruby cut directly to the chase
She said anywhere you're going baby
You just gotta know I'm on your side (I always was)
When you climb upon the stallion
You are bound to let him take you for a ride all the way
I know I'm still wild enough for you
And you know you you know you can count on me
Baby we used to be worth fightin' for so tell me are we
Anything like anything we used to be or tried to make believe before the fall
Tell me how the hell you keep your spirit (remember spirit)
Strong enough to answer to the call
Ruby closed her eyes and faced the heavens
She said take me to the stars one more time
I was doing eighty but I pushed her through the floor
And watched her climb out of sight (out of mind)
I know I'm still wild enough...
[ harmonica ] Anywhere you're going baby...
**********
3.
JOHNNY LOBO
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »Once upon a dusty reservation somewhere in the land of Sittin' Bull
Johnny Lobo played with fire and dreamed of open spaces
Locked inside a heaven gone to hell
All the dreams were gone but not forgotten murdered like the holy buffalo
But Johnny Lobo knew the rules and grew into a warrior
Fightin' for his people and his soul
Oh Johnny Lobo oh Johnny Lobo
Loaded down with lessons that he carried home from VietNam to Wounded Knee
Johnny Lobo burned a flag he knew had been dishonored
Paid the price for thinking he was free
Someone set his house on fire burned it to the ground
With his wife and children locked inside
Later when the bitter tears were falling to the ashes
Something good in Johnny Lobo died
Oh Johnny Lobo oh Johnny Lobo
[ harmonica ] In a darkened corner of a tavern burning down old memories again
Johnny Lobo stares into the smoke and dream of clouds
Runnin' like wild horses with the wind
Holy Phoenix rising from the ashes into the circle of the sun
Johnny Lobo's warrior heart was burnished in the embers and the battle's just begun
Oh Johnny Lobo oh Johnny Lobo
**********
4.
PROMISE
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »You gave me back my soul again by showin' me
The laughter and the wonder in your eyes
Saved me from the shuttered man I used to be opened up the windows of my life
And the happiness you've given me for lovin' you is sweeter love and deeper every day
I can't stop the changes that you're growin' through
Or someone new from stealing you away
So darling when it's time you can spread your wings
And I'll set you free to fly away and it's OK
Cause darling time changes everything but it won't change me
I love you oh I love you
[ piano - mandolin ] Inside of me you'll always be my valentine
I pray your freedom makes your dreams come true
As long as there's a heartbeat in this soul of mine
You'll know there's someone so in love with you
So darling when it's time...
**********
5.
SHIPWRECKED IN THE EIGHTIES
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »Well you fight like the devil to just keep your head above water
Chained to whatever you got that you can't throw away
And you're shootin' through space on this river of life that you're ridin'
And it's whirling and sucking you deeper on down every day
So you turn to your trusty old partner to share some old feelings
And you find to your shock that your faithful companion is gone
And the truth slowly dawns that you're lost and alone in deep water
And you don't even know how much longer there is to go on
[ harmonica ] Like an old Holy Bible you clung to through so many seasons
With the rules of survival in words you could still understand
When they prove something wrong you believed in so long you go crazy
And you're so close to folding the cards that you hold in your hand
Singing Holy Toledo I can't see the light anymore
All those horizon that I used to guide me are gone
And the darkness is driving me farther away from the shore
Throw me a rhyme or a reason to try to go on
**********
6.
SLOUCHING TOWARD THE MILLENIUM
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »It's time for truth the barker said and poured his self a beer
Oh yeah forsooth said Ben the Geek but who'll be left to hear
They've driven off the fools and saints and now they've stole the show
It's all a bloody circus mates and clowns are in control
If that's the truth said Marzipan the Midget from the floor
I know there won't be no demand for Midgets anymore
We used to be a novelty by simply being small
But next to them unholy men now Tiny Tim looks tall
And it's harder to matter at all when it's all comin' down (and it's all comin' down)
You've still got your duty to choose how you live or you die (that's just the way it is)
So many warnings to turn this old rascal around
We better heed 'em while we got the freedom to try
[ harmonica ] From the bombin' over Baghdad to the burnin' down at Waco
In the television courtroom of our trials we can see
If yow want to kill your parents or cut off somebody's business
All you got to do is make them hate the victim and you're free
Like Manuel Noriega Saddam Hussein David Koresh
And it's harder to matter...
We better heed 'em while we got the freedom to try
**********
7.
BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HERE
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »You got your reasons to choose not to ever believe me (believe me)
Maybe life done you so dirty you'll never be free
Look what you're doing to someone who surreally loves you
Is that the lonesome old way you wanted to be (I didn't think so)
Partner I know we could be soul to soul if we want to
Lord ain't it worth it there's so little lovin' today
Wastin' our feelings on somethin' when so little matters
Think of the time and the chances we're throwing away
We can do better than this we can go for the glory
I hope to God we can handle the worst of our fears
Then if you will if you're up to the thrill of a lifetime
Maybe we'll tear down the walls between heaven and here
[ piano + harmonica ] Maybe the secret is making believe when it matters
Maybe just keeping it simple and close to the heart
Love is so easy to make and so easy to shatter
We can be stronger together or tear it apart
We can do better...
Maybe we'll tear down the walls between heaven and here
**********
8.
CASEY'S LAST RIDE
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '70 Combine Music, BMI »Casey joins the hollow sound of silent people walkin' down
The stairway to the subway in the shadows down below
Following their footsteps through the neon darkened corridors
Of silent desperation never speakin' to a soul
The poison air he's breathing has the dirty smell of dyin'
Cause it's never seen the sunshine and it's never felt the rain
But Casey minds the arrows and ignores the fatal echoes
Of the clicking of the turn stops and the rattle of his chains
Oh she said Casey it's been so long since I seen you
Here she said just a kiss to make a body smile
See she said I've put on new stocking just to please you
Lord she said Casey can you only stay a while
[ piano ] Casey leaves the underground and stops inside the Golden Crown
For something wet to wipe away the chill that's on his bones
Seeing his reflection in the lives of all the lonely men
Who reach for anything they can to keep from going home
Standing in the corner Casey drinks his final bitter
Never glancing in the mirror at the people passing by
Then he stumbles as he's leaving and he wonders if the reason is
The beer that's in his belly or the tear that's in his eye
Oh she said I suppose you seldom think about me
Now she said now that you've a family of your own
Still she said it's so blessed good to feel your body
Lord she said Casey it's a shame to be alone
**********
9.
GOOD LOVE (SHOULDN'T FEEL SO BAD)
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »Damn the way you always bring me down can't you say a single thing that's true
You can take a perfect day and turn it right around
I'm afraid there ain't no way to please you
It's okay cause it don't matter now go your way and I'll go my way too
Find some new somebodies who you'd rather be around
Maybe they can see their way to please you
Darling good love shouldn't feel so bad this fightin' might feel righteous but it's wrong
We just make each other mad and lonesome so tell me why the hell we tried so long
[ harmonica - piano ] Yeah one more line and I'll be down the road do me one more dirty girl I'm gone
Ain't it you who used to say life's too short to live this way
Baby I believe that life's too long
Darling good love shouldn't...
So tell me why the hell we tried so long
**********
10.
NEW GAME NOW
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »The moment I entered the world of your vision I swear that I started to shine
You feel like an angel descending from glory to come like a dream into mine
Trembling and holding your breath at the wonder of hunger so holy and pure
Wild as the freedom I feel in my spirit so tightly entangled in yours
It's a new game now I cast my fortunes with you
I see the dream coming true I've got that feeling inside
When it all came down did you think I'd be tried and be true
Did you know I was waiting for you to love you the rest of my life
[ harmonica ] (Standing alone with your soul to the darkness deep as the stars in the sky
Are you the one they have chosen to lead me to wonder how far we can fly)
It's a new game now...
**********
11.
NEW MISTER ME
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »The moment that you saw him you just looked the other way
The blood within his eye was like a curse
He had two heavy pistols which were greasied up and ready
And a face like Bobby Dylan only worse
He ordered up a whisky which he drank like he was thirsty
And ordered him another of the same
Suddenly the silence of the frozen room was shattered
By a kid who shot before he called his name
He looked up at his killer from the floor where he had fallen
Said well look what you have gone and done to me
He said son I think you blew it but you're truly welcome to it
You can be the new mister me
Yeah you can be the new mister me me me
Ain't it true that's what you want to be yesiree Bob
And i'll be somewhere sunny where it's funny and it's free
And you can be the new mister me
[ piano + harmonica ] Well I was there the day they say that Bobby Dylan died
You and I both know he got away
He's out there stealin' horses really learnin' how to ride
And he's the reason I am free today
Singin' you can be the new...
**********
12.
UNDER THE GUN
(Kris Kristofferson - Guy Clark) « © '84 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »Break a man break a promise break a heart break a home
Take a long hard look at the heaven gone to hell under the gun
See the child young and hungry growing wild on the run
And he'll die reachin' for freedom he was born under the gun
Swollen men blind with power break the rules one by one
With their lies raising the danger of their games under the gun
[ guitar ] No more time no more chances no more wars will be won
In the end only the losers hold the land under the gun
Hold the truth like a candle let it shine like the sun
On the love that's left to believe in in a world under the gun
[ piano ] **********
13.
ROAD WARRIOR'S LAMENT
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »There's a silence full of stars for as far as I can see
In the silence where you are do you ever dream of me
The moon is dark the night is silver wild perfume is on the breeze
I feel the stars cold as forever half as true as you and me
And I'll be your friend I'll be your lover I'll be whatever you ever need
Right to the end until it's over I swear to you you can count on me
But my heart is breaking here tonight my soul is weary from the fight
My God I've tried and I've been true my love I'm coming home to you
[ harmonica ] I'll be your friend...
**********
14.
SAM'S SONG (ASK ANY WORKING GIRL)
(Kris Kristofferson) « © '95 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »I have been with the best that the bastards could muster
From Danny the Dildo to Sidney the Snake
And I feel like a working girl pausing to wonder
Just how much screwin' the spirit can take
I said Willie old buddy please tell me again the reason to keep going on
He said there's no harder words to say over a friend
Than they done you so righteously wrong
They stopped you from singing your song
He was our hero boys he took the bullet
But he went down swinging his fist from the floor
You can ask any working girl south of the border
Sam Peckinpah era un hombre for sure
I said Willie old buddy...
**********
