Janis Joplin - In Concert

Overall an uneven album, In Concert's highest moments are sublime. The collection is culled from concerts with Big Brother and the Holding Company and Full Tilt Boogie. "All Is Loneliness," with Big Brother, was an improvisational vehicle for Joplin unlike any other, and no other performance of this tune, which conveys a terrifying loneliness, is even remotely similar. The version here was recorded at a 1970 reunion with Big Brother, and Joplin at one point--"There ain't no TV, no radio, no nothin', man"--simply rips your heart out. We're also treated to the impromptu 12-bar blues of "Ego Rock," wherein Nick Gravenites and Joplin toss blues lines back and forth in an affectionate but competitive repartee. Joplin was looped during the outdoor gigs with Full Tilt. A lot of tequila went down the hatch on the festival train that puffed its way across Canada in July of 1970. It was four months before Joplin died, and her Calgary performance of "Ball and Chain" is inspired, brilliant, drunk, uncanny, and frightening. It's like work from the other side. --Myra Friedman Amazon.com

LONG LIVE "PEARL"

FOR THE MOST PART, THIS IS A GREAT ALBUM OF LIVE JANIS RECORDINGS WITH BOTH BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY, AND FULL TILT BOOGIE, THE BAND SHE RECORDED "PEARL" WITH. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SONGS WHERE SHE IS A BIT OFF AND THE BAND BEHIND HER DOESN'T QUITE GET IT RIGHT (MOST PROBABLY ATTRIBUTED TO MASSIVE ALCOHOL AND DRUG CONSUMPTION), BUT MOSTLY IT'S GREAT, 'CAUSE IT'S LIVE JANIS, AND SHE WAS THE GREATEST WHITE FEMALE BLUES SINGER EVER. November 14, 2007

To hear her speak is like tripping all over again.

Anyone who loves Janis will love this CD. The best part is that it's live. May 14, 2007

Don't miss it!

Janis fans, don't miss out on this one! The comments and mini-stories she makes between her songs are worth a listen. Some are inspirations for her songs.

For some reason, I don't see this CD as much as I do the others in music stores. It's sometimes hard to find, so order it while you have the chance. Janis's narrative is worth listening to if you want to learn more about her...in her own words. April 20, 2007

In Concert by Janis Joplin

EXCELLENT AND BROUGHT BACK SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES...IT IS SO SAD THAT JANIS WAS LOST AND NOT HERE ROCKIN NOW...SHE WOULD CERTAINLY BE THE TOP FEMALE THAT IS CERTAIN...NO ONE WILL EVER FILL HER SHOES... March 8, 2007

Great Janice CD

I grew up listening to this album, and wore it out many years ago. Brought back many memories and sounds even better than I remembered. February 14, 2007

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