A rare glimpse of Kris Kristopherson & Charlie Rich at the World Famous Palomino Club.  Kris Kristofferson emerged in the late ’60s and early ’70s.  His compositions merged the countercultural innovations of Bob Dylan and others with the troubadour tradition of Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams and Merle Haggard.  Songs such as “Blame It on the Stones,” “The Law Is for Protection of the People” are about as subtle yet complex examinations of loneliness and freedom.

The best-known songs from Charlie Rich’s 1972 effort, Behind Closed Doors, can’t compare with Kristofferson’s finest compositions. However, in the hands of a singer as gifted as Rich, ordinary songs transcend their limitations. Surrounded by Billy Sherrill-produced arrangements that are the down-home equivalent of Motown and Philly soul, Rich turns “The Most Beautiful Girl” and the title track into sensual expressions of heartache and love. When the songs are very good to begin with, as on “Sunday Kind of Woman” (by Charlie’s wife, Margaret Ann) and “Peace On You” (by Charlie himself), Rich’s subtle performances can be downright harrowing. Best of all is songwriter Kenny O’Dell’s “I Take It on Home.” Ostensibly a simple statement of a man’s devotion to his wife, this tune becomes — because of Sherrill’s pulsing, dynamic backdrop and the way Rich moans ‘cause I believe she’d do the same for me — a convincing reminder of what a leap of faith fidelity can be.

Source: The Pitch