4-Letter Words Spoil Performance at SPAC

by Marilyn Nason, The Post-Star, September 7, 1971

Both parts of last night’s program at Saratoga Performing Arts Center have to be billed as relaxed performers.

lan and Sylvia, who opened the show, were an enjoyable, clean, delightful couple who combined country western of the U.S. and Canada with Irish bluegrass, Bob Diamond tunes and even some spirituals.

Perhaps they represent the best of the wholesome in married show people, while Kris Kristofferson has to be listed as relaxed, super-talented and obsessed with repetitive use of the four-letter words found in grammar school witty bits.

Single Word

Why a former Rhodes scholar with the ability this man quite plainly possesses in the music world has to resort to such low attempts at humor appears to be answered in a single word—insecurity.

He is a passable guitarist, pleasant singer with a fine, deep range and his compositions have long been lauded by just about every major singer today whether in the rock vein or straight regulars like Andy Williams and Petula Clark.

He sang his own songs, some of a young Chicago writer, John Prine, who he feels has great potential, and then just generally ambled on singing, talking, often intermixing the two so you could not decide whether the words were lyrics or just simply comments.

His out-and-out vulgarity was inexcusable. I do not care who feels I have shattered any idols where Kristofferson is concerned with this statement. To get on the SPAC stage and spend half his time either using the straight four-letter words or resorting to double entendres of the lowest class does not pass for a performance. It is especially regrettable, since he is quite obviously possessed of considerable talent. Whether at 35 he feels he has missed some facet of his career that he sought I do not know and I really do not care.

Straight Singing

When he finally did settle down to some straight singing, he was as fine as anyone could want. He does not resort to overamplification or shouting to support his talent. He noted at one point he was trying to clean up his act. I certainly hope he succeeds soon. A bit of blue pencil would go a long way toward achieving this.

He was backed by two guitarists and a pianist who seemed quite good when everyone got around to performing.

Rain early in the night brought all 1,700 attending into the theatre. SPAC is dark until Friday when the Bee Gees and Tin Tin come in at 8 p.m.