Kris Kristofferson Feeling Mortal out of five

FOLK • The first sound we hear on Kris Kristofferson’s 21st studio album is that craggy, lived-in voice without accompaniment, sounding as weary as ever and somewhat startling in its nakedness. It’s only a few words before the guitar kicks in, but it’s an appropriate touch given the title track’s focus on vulnerability and mortality. There’s no denying that Kristofferson’s wavering croak has an added depth to it these days. But unlike the latter-day work of Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell and even Willie Nelson, Kristofferson’s recent albums are based on the artist’s own impeccable songwriting, not his vocal chops. Before he hit upon that Renaissance-man fame in the ’70s as an actor and recording artist, Kristofferson was a songwriter’s songwriter who penned smart country hits for others. Feeling Mortal is a collection of heartfelt ballads about aging and wisdom backed by Don Was’s stripped-down production and sung with such plain-spoken ease that it’s often easy to miss the craft behind them. Kristofferson’s skill with melody shines through on the singa-long chorus of the warm tribute Mama Stewart and the stately Bread for the Body. On My Heart Was the Last One to Know, Kristofferson sings “Now my eyes finally learned to stop looking for you.” It’s the sort of simple, sadly beautiful line that reminds us of Kristofferson’s often underappreciated talents as a writer.