Today marked two musical anniversaries.Fifty years ago fellow Saskatchewanian, Joni Mitchell, released her album titled Blue. A half a century ago -- wow! This album has been lauded as one of the best albums ever. Rolling Stone ranked it as third of the 500 best albums ever. NPR ranked it as the #1 best album of all time by a woman. Many other publications have included this album in their 'best of' lists. Many familiar songs comprise this amazing collection of Joni's songs.
Today also marks the 85th birthday of a country-crossover singer-songwriter, Kris Kristofferson, who holds writing credit for many huge hits. He was also a member of the country super-group, The Highwaymen, with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. Kristofferson was a Rhodes Scholar and studied at Oxford before his songwriting career took off.
I chose today to share two songs from Kristofferson, since I have included Joni Mitchell in the blog much more often. The first is one of his major writing hits that has been successfully covered by many artists. I also have included the cover that may be best known -- one that highlights the amazing voice of a young woman who died before the song was released. The second selection is not as well known, Kristofferson performed this song as the male lead in the third iteration of A Star is Born. I like it since it is well out of his usual recording choices. Stay safe. Enjoy!
Me and Bobby McGee -- Kris Kristofferson
Me and Bobby McGee -- Janis Joplin
Hellacious Acres -- Kris Kristofferson
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