CityLife

Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson
Bridgewater Hall
July 31, 2010

In this age of smoke and mirrors – whereby the artist almost becomes side-lined by dazzling lighting, enormous video screens, backing singers with voices to die for, athletic dancers and pyrotechnics –  out steps 74-year-old singer songwriter/actor Kris Kristofferson on to the Bridgewater Hall stage alone.

Armed with an acoustic guitar, a harmonica and a pocket full of heartfelt songs, he manages to leave the lady in front of me in tears on several occasions.

His vocal ability is, by his own admission, not the best in the world and he is a very static performer, but I am with the teary eyed fan all the way, as Kristofferson is a masterful storyteller whose classic song Me and Bobby McGee remains as timeless as ever.

His ad-libs, protests, stories from the past and references to his family and friends add colour to this man’s extraordinary life.

He has starred in movies alongside the likes of Barbra Streisand, Jane Fonda and James Coburn you might expect a man who is still caught up in the trappings of Tinsel Town. But there is a reason why Kris is not dancing with Babs at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding; this engaging performer still has some fight left and this comes across in stunning songs such as Nobody Wins.

The lovable rebel jokes that George Bush probably sang this to Dick Cheney as they took a shower together!

It’s moments like this that make you realise why Kris is adored by UK audiences far more than in the US.

His material covers disappointment, heartache, injustice and love and each one is delivered to the audience minus sentimental window dressing, as the great man simply bares his soul with so much fragility, it feels like it is the first time he has sung it. Even more recent number, This Old Road, sounds like a classic here.

During Moment Of Forever, Kristofferson sings the line “Was it wonderful for you?”

Judging by the standing ovation, I would say it sure was.

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