Janis Joplin - Greatest Hits

1. Piece Of My Heart
2. Summertime
3. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)
4. Cry Baby
5. Me And Bobby McGee
6. Down On Me
7. Get It While You Can
8. Bye, Bye Baby
9. Move Over
10. Ball And Chain
11. Maybe
12. Mercedes Benz

''Time heals all wounds'', goes an old saying. But in the case of Janis Joplin, time has only served to intensify the magnitude of the loss.

A bad image (she was an...addict, a bad student, runaway daughter, etc...) made Janis Joplin a hard sell with parents to put it mildly. But after hearing her rendition of "Summertime" (the old Gershwin song from ''Porgy and Bess''), it was clear that whatever her personal shortcomings might have been, Janis Joplin was an awesomely talented singer. The rest of "Cheap Thrills" matched the quality of her rendition of "Summertime". So does the rest of theis "Greatest Hits" CD.

Janis Joplin was a huge fan of 'Big Mama' Thornton, a somewhat tragic figure in her own right. Thornton co-wrote and recorded the original version of "Hound Dog", a song Elvis made famous. "Hound Dog" was never recorded by Janis, but "Ball and Chain", an emotional plea for love and understanding -- or maybe a cry for help-- is here on the greatest hits CD. I doubt that a 9 minute song was really a 'top-40 hit', but this CD serves more as a heartfelt 'thanks' to Janis for the musical memories she left behind, ands not just a document of what radio stations played.

The blues singing here is as good as it gets, and the songs have never really gone away. The play "Love, Janis" (featuring nearly all the songs from this CD) still draws huge crowds, and because the music has aged well, it's the songs --not Janis' excessive lifestyle-- that people now remember.

"Move Over" and "Cry Baby" are two sides of the same coin: a love that's over and the pain of aftermath, when all that's left is the pain. It is almost impossible to sing the blues with so much conviction if you have not 'lived them'. So it seems that Janis Joplin, lived a very sad and lonely life.

Janis Joplin was a classically tragic figure from recent times. Not a "hero" by any stretch, but certainly a great talent lost. "Me and Bobby McGee" makes one wonder if Janis ever found a great love in her life. If not, then the tragedy of her death is even greater.

The songs collected here are not just radio hits. They are more like a requiem. -- B. Lynch "the_onewhoknows" (USA)

Release Date: 08/31/1999

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Festival Express

With more than 50 additional minutes of exclusive performance footage not seen in the theatrical version of the film, the Festival Express DVD set features the following "bonus" set list:
Grateful Dead "Hard to Handle"
Grateful Dead "Easy Wind"
Janis Joplin "Move Over"
Janis Joplin "Kozmic Blues"
Buddy Guy "Hoochie Coochie Man"
Mashmakhan "As Years Go By"
Eric Anderson "Thirsty Boots"
Ian & Sylvia "Tears of Rage"
Tom Rush "Child's Song"
Seatrain "Thirteen Questions"
The DVD set also offers 25 minutes of additional interviews

Folks, I can only say...it sure brings tears to my eyes to see these people again, the ones that are gone. Richard Manuel singing "I shall be released", Rick Danko jamming with Jerry Garcia "no more cane", and especially seeing Pigpen blowing harp during "new speedway boogie", and the shots of Janis singing two great tunes "cry to me" and "tell mama".
I guess I'm getting nostalgic in my old age, but these musicians meant a lot to me when I was young, providing the soundtrack to a lot of my youthful escapades. The Band played the best concert I ever saw in 1970 in Pittsburgh, just a few months after this film was shot, so they are captured here in practically the same spirit.
I went to see the Flying Burrito Brothers once in 1971, but couldn't get into the bar because my girlfriend was underage, but they are shown here as a four piece singing "lazy days", so I finally get to see them perform. This is a wonderful film capturing a wonderful cross country music express. The only complaint - woefully short for my taste- I could take a few more hours of this. -- Joseph A. Kengor (Youngstown, OH USA)

Release Date: 11/02/2004

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Essential Janis Joplin

Disc: 1
1. Down On Me
2. Coo Coo
3. Women Is Losers
4. Bye, Bye Baby
5. Ball And Chain (Live)
6. Roadblock
7. Piece Of My Heart
8. Misery'n
9. I Need A Man To Love
10. Summertime
11. Flower In The Sun (Live)
12. Farewell Song (Live)
13. Raise Your Hand (Live)
14. To Love Somebody (Live)
15. Kozmic Blues (Live)

Disc: 2
1. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)
2. Maybe
3. One Good Man
4. Little Girl Blue
5. Work Me, Lord
6. Tell Mama (Live)
7. Move Over
8. Cry Baby
9. A Woman Left Lonely
10. Half Moon
11. My Baby
12. Me And Bobby McGee
13. Mercedes Benz
14. Trust Me
15. Get It While You Can

With the release of the 2-CD ESSENTIAL, interested listeners can now sample Janis' career in either 1, 2, or 3 disc sets. Although those who just want the major moments may still want to opt for a single package, ESSENTIAL is an excellent choice for those who want a bit more perspective on the entirety of Janis' brief career...I'd recommend this over the 3-disc boxed set to everyone except collectors.

Disc one starts with Janis' breakthrough hit DOWN ON ME, offers a few additional quality tracks from the same sessions (12/66), then gets into three key tracks from the classic 1968 album CHEAP THRILLS. From there disc one takes it to the stage for a selection of live cuts from such major gigs as Monterey, Woodstock, and Winterland. Previously these Sony ESSENTIAL sets tended to avoid concert tracks, but Janis' legendary, energetic live performances were obviously too compelling to ignore.

Except for a live version of `Tell Mama,' disc two focuses on tracks from Janis' last two studio albums: 1969's KOZMIC BLUES (5 tracks) and the posthumously-issued 1971 PEARL (9 tracks--i.e., EVERY vocal track from the original album...and all the original masters, no alternate takes!). MERCEDES BENZ was recorded just three days prior to her passing. At the time of her death, Janis seemed to be in transition, singing with a bit less volume...but no less passion or feeling. One cannot help but wonder where Joplin's obvious desire to create music would have taken her had she lived. -- J. Lund "jazzbrat" (SoCal, USA)

We Miss This Voice
Aside from the absence of her great little birthday tribute to John Lennon, this is a wonderfully comprehensive collection of Janis Joplin's work, ranging from her days with Big Brother & the Holding Company to her last recordings, and including all her most popular songs. The sound quality is excellent. Many have designated her performance of "Ball and Chain" at Monterey as her defining moment (and it is included here), but her soaring performances of "Work Me Lord," "Little Girl Blue," and "My Baby" may make you question that. All told, a fabulous retrospective on a magnificent voice that was silenced too soon. -- J. Merritt (Washington-Baltimore Corridor)

Release Date: 01/14/2003

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I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again, Mama

1. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)
2. Maybe
3. One Good Man
4. As Good As You've Been To This World
5. To Love Somebody
6. Kozmic Blues
7. Little Girl Blue
8. Work Me Lord
9. Dear Landlord (Session Outtake)
10. Summertime (Live At Woodstock)
11. Piece Of My Heart (Live At Woodstock)

Myra Friedman (who also was Janis' first biographer) writes above that "Big Brother loyalists were determined to hate" Janis' second band. Even critics who found Big Brother sloppy and amateurish were dismissive of the Kozmic Blues Band. That may have had as much to do with the way it all happened (rather suddenly and right on the heels of the major success of CHEAP THRILLS) than with the fact that it did happen. Janis tried to explain that she "loved those guys" but that they were stagnating artistically. That may well have been true, but it was hard to sell the public or the emerging rock-crit establishment on that point so soon after a major hit album.

And, of course, it seemed like a violation of the hippie ethos. Forget the fact, that virtually all bands of that era had internal strife and endured nasty break-ups that would probably have made Janis' departure from the group that brought her into the public eye seem like small and underdone potatoes. It was viewed by many as an unforgiveable offense--worse than Dylan going electric.

All that seems very far away now (as indeed, it is) and Janis' recorded legacy is so slight that many who resisted this release at first have come to accept it as a valid stage in Janis' musical evolution. More importantly, it happens to be pretty darn good on its own terms.

Friedman's comments above that the band never quite jelled is probably a fair criticism, but they certainly had their moments. And the idea of Janis' working with a horn section always had real appeal, even if the ideal was never quite realized. When people complain about the horns proving to be musical "sludge," I think they're primarily talking about the intro to the track "As Good as You've Been to this World," which is just a bit too long and gets a little draggy. You can sense Janis straining just a bit at the beginning of her vocal, as though she were trying to inject a little energy into a track that's been kind of sputtering along up 'til that point.

But that's just one song (and it's really not a total disaster even so)! Elsewhere the horns seem to give Janis a kind of push that leads to some triumphant moments. Two of those moments, I've always maintained, come on the album's opening track "Try," with those two scalding wails at the song's end. Those are hair-stand-on-end notes and serve as proof positive that Janis' had lost none of her power in the transition from hippie band to soul revue.

That song segues into Janis' version of "Maybe," the old Chantels classic, that is as good in its way as the original, with Joplin improvising on the lyrics and slipping easily into her upper register to provide a soaring end. The sassy self-penned "One Good Man," follows with excellent guitar work by guest instrumentalist Mike Bloomfield.

The album's only real weaknesses are the two attempts at "Ball and Chain" style epics, the aforementioned "Good as You've Been" and Nick Gravenites' "Work Me, Lord." I had heard advance word on "Work Me, Lord," that suggested that it would be the album's highlight. Janis gives it quite a work-out, but it is one of those moments that really doesn't quite crystalize. Over the years, I've come to develop an affection for these tracks, despite their minor failings. As I say, there's not enough in the Joplin oeuvre that fans can afford to be picky. And more importantly, there's something about Janis' efforts to overcome the musical stumbling blocks that is--dare we say it?--almost heroic.

KOZMIC BLUES is indeed Janis Joplin's most underrated effort. I wish she had lived long enough to reach her potential. I can see her working with horns on some projects and with a tight boogie style band (a la Full Tilt) on others. (Big Brother styled psychelic wildness was wonderful in its way too, but that was music that was definitely "of its era" and not to be repeated). I've never bought the myth that Janis' death was inevitable, nor that her musical light would necessarily have burned out even if she hadn't died.

She was a talented artist and would likely have continued growing and evolving. I'm grateful for what we have.

(PS--for fans of this album in particular, you might want to consider looking into the latest release by Joplin's contemporary, the equally powerful but shamefully ignored Tracy Nelson. TRACY NELSON LVE FROM CELL BLOCK D is a great album, complete with an excellent horn section. Nelson, who was often compared to Joplin back in the day, is a distinctive blues stylist in her own right--less raspy and with a tinge more gospel--but fans of the legendary Joplin would do well to check out this record and others form Tracy's extensive catalog.) -- Gregory B. Callahan

Release Date: 08/31/1999

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Box of Pearls: The Janis Joplin Collection

Disc: 1
1. Bye, Bye Baby
2. Easy Rider
3. Intruder
4. Light Is Faster Than Sound
5. Call On Me
6. Women Is Losers
7. Blindman
8. Down On Me
9. Caterpillar
10. All Is Loneliness
11. Coo Coo (Single)
12. The Last Time (Single)
13. Call On Me (Alternate Take)
14. Bye, Bye Baby (Alternate Take)

Disc: 2
1. Combination Of The Two
2. I Need A Man To Love
3. Summertime
4. Piece Of My Heart
5. Turtle Blues
6. Oh, Sweet Mary
7. Ball And Chain
8. Roadblock (Studio Outtake)
9. Flower In The Sun (Studio Outtake)
10. Catch Me Daddy (Live)
11. Magic Of Love (Live)

Disc: 3
1. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)
2. Maybe
3. One Good Man
4. As Good As You've Been To This World
5. To Love Somebody
6. Kozmic Blues
7. Little Girl Blue
8. Work Me, Lord
9. Dear Landlord (Session Outtake)
10. Summertime (Live At Woodstock)
11. Piece Of My Heart (Live At Woodstock)

Disc: 4
1. Move Over
2. Cry Baby
3. A Woman Left Lonely
4. Half Moon
5. Buried Alive In The Blues
6. My Baby
7. Me And Bobby McGee
8. Mercedes Benz
9. Trust Me
10. Get It While You Can
11. Tell Mama (Live)
12. Little Girl Blue (Live)
13. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) (Live)
14. Cry Baby (Live)

Disc: 5
1. It's A Deal (Studio Outtake)
2. Easy Once You Know How (Studio Outtake)
3. Maybe (Live)
4. Raise Your Hand (Live)
5. Bo Diddley (Live)

This Box Set contains 5 CDs with 55 re-mastered tracks feautirung all four Janis Joplin studio albums plus an exclusive bons EP of unreleased tracks.
The first two albums are the ones Joplin recorded with Big Brother and The Holding Company: Big Brother and the Holding Company and Cheap Thrills.
The other two are her solo albums I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!, and her largely acclaimed Pearl.
The last CD is the EP Rare Pearls with 5 tracks that can only be found here. Be aware that this box does not include every single track Joplin recorded. For example, the tracks Misery'n, Farewell Song, and Raise Your Hand can be found in her last Essential compilation, but they are not included here. I would not bother about that, though. If you like Janis Joplin, I would recommend you to get this Box Set. You won't need anything else. It also contains a 36 page booklet with interesting pictures, credits, and liner notes to the five albums included here. -- Benjamin (Chicago, IL USA)

Release Date: 08/02/2005

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Pearl

Disc: 1
1. Move Over
2. Cry Baby
3. A Woman Left Lonely
4. Half Moon
5. Buried Alive In The Blues
6. My Baby
7. Me And Bobby McGee
8. Mercendes Benz
9. Trust Me
10. Get It While You Can
11. Happy Birthday, John (Happy Trails)
12. Me And Bobby McGee (Demo Version)
13. Move Over (Alternate Version)
14. Cry Baby (Alternate Version)
15. My Baby (Alternate Version)
16. Pearl (Instrumental)

Disc: 2
1. Tell Mama (Live)
2. Half Moon (Live)
3. Move Over (Live)
4. Maybe (Live)
5. Summertime (Live)
6. Little Girl Blue (Live)
7. That's Rock 'N Roll (Live)
8. Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) (Live)
9. Kozmic Blues (Live)
10. Piece Of My Heart (Live)
11. Cry Baby (Live)
12. Get It While You Can (Live)
13. Ball And Chain (Live)

Janis sang the truth. This was only her third album, and it was to be her last, and the tragedy of that gets to you as you listen to the greatest woman ever in rock and blues take apart these songs. There is an overwhelming sense of tragedy as she delivers the famous "Mercedes Benz," but if you can divorce what you know from listening to this disc, especially the Legacy edition, you'll receive one of the most sublime musical experiences of your life. Every cut was perfect, even the title Coda instrumental that closes what was the official release. Richard Bell and his Canadian cohorts proved that Roberston, Danko & Co. weren't the only Ontarians who could deliver the goods. They band was perfect at every moment. Proof positive comes on the swecond disc, which is culled from the Festival Express tour across Canada. The tour occured before the recording of PEARL, but you can hear PEARL coming. The second disc is one of the best live CDs you'll ever hear.
It is just such a shame that Joplin fell victim to old habits. There is a circle in hell for the rotten scum who sold her the uncut horse. Anyway, there would not be a voice with this kind of power again in rock until Sinead, whose wild horses are more psychological. All the same, nothing prepared rock for Janis when she hit her stride, and singers, male or female since, have never been the same. This is, beyond the cliche, what a classic CD sounds like. Do yourself a favour and pick this up. -- o dubhthaigh (north rustico, pei, canada)

Nothing has gone stale about Joplin and her band on the all-time classic Pearl. After all these years, it remains a magnificent listening experience because of the quality of the songs, the band's tight playing and the impressive emotional range of Joplin's vocals. The second CD includes some stirring live versions of her greatest songs.

Unlike Cheap Thrills, where there was mostly a cosmic battle between Joplin's voice and Big Brother's heavy metal onslaught, here the voice is the star. My favorites on an album of classics include the poignant Me and Bobby McGee, the tender A Woman Left Lonely, the edgy Half Moon, the emotional Cry Baby, the buoyant Get It While You Can and the plaintive/humorous Mercedes Benz.

Perfect arrangements, brilliant playing and masterly vocalization combine here to create a rock masterpiece. The live album shows the extraordinary power of Joplin on stage. This CD is essential for all rock fans, providing the very best of 1960s rock. -- Joburgpete "irridium" (Johannesburg)

Release Date: 06/14/2005

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