Kris Kristofferson Preps 1981 Concert Album & Shares ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down’ Single

Kris Kristofferson will release Live at Gilley’s – Pasadena, TX: September 15th, 1981 on September 2 via New West Records. A preview track, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” from the previously unreleased set arrived along with the album announcement.

The September 15, 1981 concert at the renowned Texas honky tonk Gilley’s saw Kris Kristofferson backed by a band of Stephen Bruton, Billy Swan, Donnie Fritts, Tommy McClure, Glen Clark and Sammy Creason. Along with the latest preview, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” The Boot premiered another Kristofferson classic, “Me and Bobby McGee,” last month.

Live at Gilley’s – Pasadena, TX: September 15th, 1981 contains liner notes from country stars Mickey Gilley — the late co-owner of Gilley’s — as well as George Strait. Gilley penned his notes just months before his death on May 7. Read an expert from Mickey’s notes below:

“Gilley’s could hold several thousand people, but the club was very intimate. You were right there on the stage with people all around you. You could bend down and shake hands with people. Right next to the club was the recording studio, and we recorded everything that was done onstage. We could record onto the 24-track machine that we had in the studio, then we would do the mixing…We booked a lot of shows around that time, including some people I didn’t think would want to play the club. We got some acts that made me think, ‘Are you kidding me?’…Kris Kristofferson was one of those artists that I didn’t think would want to play Gilley’s, because he was such a big name and a tremendous talent.”

George Strait wrote:

“What a great album this is! Classic Kristofferson songs throughout, and live!! Kris was in his prime and his vocals were outstanding and very soulful as always. I got to play Gilley’s a few times back in those days and this record takes me right back there. You can tell the crowd is loving him and he’s loving them right back. That’s what it’s all about. It was an exciting time to say the least. So close your eyes and listen to this record. Imagine you’re right there standing in front of the stage with the man himself looking right at you. I think you’ll get a really good idea of what Gilley’s was like back then when Kris played there. What a treat that must’ve been.”

Preview Kris Kristofferson’s Live at Gilley’s with “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” premiered by Holler, below:

Live at Gilley’s – Pasadena, TX: September 15th, 1981 Tracklist:

1. Me And Bobby McGee
2. Here Comes That Rainbow Again
3. Casey’s Last Ride
4. You Show Me Yours (And I’ll Show You Mine) / Stranger
5. Nobody Loves Anybody Anymore
6. Darby’s Castle
7. If It’s All The Same To You
8. The Pilgrim
9. For The Good Times
10. Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down
11. The Silver Tongued Devil And I
12. Smile At Me Again
13. Same Old Song
14. Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)
15. Why Me