#Bookreview of Kristofferson: 67 Astounding Songs
By: Richard Somma
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Publication Date: August 12, 2025
ISBN: 979-8891327337
Reviewed by: Diana Coyle
Review Date: June 27, 2025
Kristofferson: 67 Astounding Songs by Richard Somma is one nonfiction book that will catch the eye of any Kris Kristofferson fan. Somma diligently breaks down 67 of Kristofferson’s songs by listing specific lyrics and how the artist sang the song for his fans. In addition, the author offers his own interpretation of these lyrics and welcomes the readers to perform their very own interpretation of these 67 songs as well.
Somma explains that he worked on this book for at least three years and had planned on giving Kris a copy once it was completed. Unfortunately, Kris passed away September 29, 2024, which happened to be the day before Somma was to submit his manuscript to Atmosphere Press. Although the author never met Kris, he referenced to him informally by his first name because of the true connection he had felt throughout the years listening to Kris’s music.
While breaking down these 67 songs for his readers, Somma explained that he felt that Kris’s lyrics were witty, very gritty and always honest in what he wanted to say to his music fans. Each song told a story and each listener could interpret the song differently depending what was going on in his or her own lives.
This reviewer clearly saw the painstaking hours Somma invested in compiling these 67 songs and lyrics, and then breaking each one down to what he felt the interpretation could possibly be for each song Kris wrote and sang. This book would definitely suit the older crowd of music listeners because Kristofferson’s music dated back to the 1960’s. By breaking this book down in such detail, it helps the older listeners reminisce about where they were in their own lives when the song was released for the first time or how it carried them through a tough time in their lives.
Quill says: Kristofferson: 67 Astounding Songs by Richard Somma is one nonfiction music book that will entertain readers who grew up with Kris’s music being played on the radio. It will transport them back to a time once ago when music was very different than it is now for the younger generation.
For more information about Kristofferson: 67 Astounding Songs, please visit the publisher's website at: atmospherepress.com/books/kristofferson-67-astounding-songs-by-richard-somma/
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