Kris Kristofferson – Live From Austin, TX (2-LP Black Vinyl)
On black vinyl, Live From Austin TX captures Kris Kristofferson's 1984 Austin City Limits appearance—the Oxford Rhodes Scholar and Army helicopter pilot turned Nashville songwriting legend performing the compositions that reshaped country music's lyrical possibilities. This New West Records archival release preserves "Me and Bobby McGee," "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down," "Help Me Make It Through the Night," and the literary craft that earned Kristofferson comparisons to Bob Dylan and respect from Nashville's old guard.
Before Kristofferson, country lyrics traded in simple sentiment and predictable rhyme. After "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" won CMA Song of the Year in 1970, Nashville recognized that poetry belonged in country music. This ACL performance showcases the voice—worn, honest, bearing every mile of hard living—delivering songs covered by everyone from Janis Joplin to Willie Nelson. Kristofferson's Texas audience understands they're witnessing literary country music's founding father.
Black vinyl LP. Austin City Limits 1984 performance. New West Records PBS archive series. Essential outlaw country songwriting.