In the years before his death Johnny Cash released a series of five astounding acoustic albums, reminding people what a talented singer and interpreter of songs he was.

The stripped-bare qualities of Cash's American Recordings series was probably not far from producer Don Was's mind when he approached long-time Cash acolyte Kris Kristofferson to produce his first album in 11 years.

Made up of 11 new self-penned songs, This Old Road focuses solely on Kristofferson's acoustic guitar and grizzled voice as he looks back over his life, and offers his own perspective on events going on in today's America.

"It is a very personal album," says Kris. "I have been doing my shows on the road by myself for about four or five years now. It puts a focus on the songs. Everybody's reaction to the album has been surprisingly good."

The songs themselves range from nostalgic pieces based around a man looking back on his life, like the fairly self-explanatory Thank You For A Life and the opening title track, to comments on the political situation - particularly In The News and The Burden Of Freedom.

"I have been making my political views known for some time," says Kristofferson. "It didn't always help my record sales. It has been something pretty consistent with me.

"I think it is the scariest time on the planet since I have been here. I grew up during the Second World War, and believed our government stood for freedom, justice and human rights.

"It's almost as if we have become the Nazis of the new millennium. It seems like, when you look at Iraq, there is no way we can make it up to those people we bombed unprovoked."

Kris feels there is a wind of change blowing through America in terms of reactions to artists making political statements.

"For myself, I get a lot less criticism and protest about the things I'm talking about because the audiences are experiencing the things I was complaining about," he says.

"Back in the early Eighties I had a lot of audiences who expressed their displeasure when I was talking about what was going on in Central America. Nowadays I really have a receptive audience."

Another major theme in the album is Kris' reflections on the heroes and artists who have gone before him, particularly on songs like Wild American and The Show Goes On.

"I feel very blessed that all these guys who were my heroes ended up being my peers and my close friends," says Kris.

One such was Johnny Cash himself, who recorded Kristofferson's classic song Sunday Morning Coming Down.

The legend goes that Kris landed a helicopter in Cash's backyard to give him the song personally.

"I did land the helicopter there," he admits. "But I had already known John for a couple of years before that, as his janitor at Columbia Recording Studios.

"He definitely was my inspiration. When he recorded Sunday Morning Coming Down it was a big break for me.

"He was such a powerful person, always larger-than-life. I wish I'd have known the years would go by so fast and be done.

"I would have cherished each moment."

  • Starts 8pm, tickets £27.50. Call 01273 709709.