Kris Kristofferson, ‘Best of All Possible Worlds’ [Exclusive Premiere]
The Boot is pleased to exclusively premiere "Best of All Possible Worlds," a previously unreleased Kris Kristofferson song featured on his forthcoming album, The Austin Sessions: Expanded Version.
The Austin Sessions was recorded in 1997 and released by Atlantic Records in 1999; the project features stripped-down versions of some of Kristofferson's best songs, such as "Me and Bobby McGee," "Why Me?" and "Sunday Morning Coming Down." On Friday (Feb. 10), Rhino Records will release The Austin Sessions: Expanded Version, a remastered version of the record featuring two never-before-heard songs: “Best of All Possible Worlds” and "Jody and the Kid."
At the beginning of "Best of All Possible Worlds," listeners can hear Kristofferson say, "I'm ready, God knows I'm ready," before launching into the song. The tune tells the story of someone trying to catch the evening train, taking a swig of his bottle and then literally running into a policeman, which lands him in jail; it shows Kristofferson's sharp tongue and wit, with instrumental sections interspersed throughout. Readers can press play below to hear "Best of All Possible Worlds."
The Austin Sessions: Expanded Version includes liner notes featuring several unpublished photos from the time of the album's recording sessions. Kristofferson recorded the project at Arlyn Studios in Texas, and the session musicians were veterans hand-picked by producer Fred Mollin, who also plays acoustic guitar on the album. (Kristofferson's longtime touring guitarist Stephen Bruton plays on several songs as well.)
"I knew in my heart that I could pull off a great under-produced production and give Kris the album he always wanted to make: one that felt like it had the uniqueness and rootsy feeling that Dylan accomplished on his early electric albums," Mollin recalls in a press release. The producer adds that The Austin Sessions: Expanded Version's two new songs show two different sides of Kristofferson's songwriting: "One is lighthearted, dry, sarcastic and one of the greatest examples of Kris' humor and storytelling, while the other is just deeply emotional and shows the true aching heart that can be felt like an arrow, from Kris to the listener."
Kristofferson, already a five-time Grammy Awards winner, is nominated at the 2017 Grammy Awards, for Best Americana Album, for The Cedar Creek Sessions. The Austin Sessions: Expanded Version is available for pre-order on Amazon, and information on Kristofferson's tour can be found on his official website.
Kris Kristofferson, The Austin Sessions: Expanded Version Track Listing:
1. "Me and Bobby McGee"
2. "Sunday Morning Coming Down"
3. "For the Good Times"
4. "The Silver Tongued Devil and I"
5. "Help Me Make It Through the Night"
6. "Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)"
7. "To Beat the Devil"
8. "Who's to Bless and Who's to Blame"
9. "Why Me?"
10. "Nobody Wins"
11. "The Pilgrim: Chapter 33"
12. "Please Don't Tell Me How the Story Ends"
13. "Best of All Possible Worlds" *
14. "Jody and the Kid" *
* previously unreleased
Listen to Kris Kristofferson, "Best of All Possible Worlds":