Janis Joplin - 18 Essential Songs

A slightly flawed collection drawn from the three-CD box set Janis, this still isn't a bad introduction to Haight-Ashbury's favorite blues shrieker. Skimming Cheap Thrills, Kosmic Blues, and Pearl, the disc catches some of Joplin's most stunning moments. In acknowledging the "rarities" aspect of the box, however, Essential occasionally goes wrong; the acoustic demo version of "Me and Bobby McGee" is incredibly touching, but a strange choice if there's room for only one. The must-have version remains the full-blown take heard on Pearl and Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits. That there's enough interest in Janis remaining to justify a set like this one is heartening, though. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com

Janis at her BEST!

Listen to this CD and understand the greatness of Janis Joplin's talent before the drugs owned her and her voice. In this CD, she calls out, sings out in LOVE and Pain and in loneliness. Listen to this and understand why she ended up with the drugs. A musical plea in every song for life and love and then, unfortunately, a solution that prevented either from happening and her songs live on in albums like this. You will not make a mistake in choosing this CD to understand the greatness of Joplin. Be prepared though that your heart will break along with hers but you will survive it. A great only one, if that is the case, Joplin CD to add to any music collection/selection! June 20, 2008

Great for two tracks

I bought this because it has the better version of "Down On Me" as recorded on Mainstream Records . Also of exception and making this collection worth the $$ spent is the acoustic version of "Me and Bobby McGee"...it's a nice alternative to the original full band version...revealing the best qualities of Janis's voice. May 27, 2008

Here's How "Essential" This CD Is!

I just discovered about 20 minutes ago that my much loved copy is broken & I am already purchasing a new one! Hope I can hold on long enough for delivery ("I'll wait for delivery, each day until 3..")LOL!

This is the best compilation I have seen so far. Far more superior than "Greatest Hits" for sure. The only disappointment is that they didnt include "Cry Baby", the live version of "Try" from Pearl or the standard version of "Me and Bobby McGee". However, I do love the alternate version of "Bobby" included here. I am also glad that they included "Get It While You Can", which I think is often times overlooked as possibly one of her best songs.

I highly recommend this to any Janis fan, old or new, as they will surely find many treasures here. December 6, 2007

If you don't like this CD, you missed the point...

We'll get no more from Janis Joplin... the only NEW stuff now available is what was previously left out of the earlier production quality CD's. So, what you have here is some songs you've heard before, but not THESE songs. Some not so great, but all essentially Janis.

Whatever. But here's the bargin on this disk...

Track 4, Ball and Chain, 1967 Monterey Pops Festival... This is THE song, THE live performance that knocked the crowds socks off, that had audience member Mama Cass shaking her head saying "Wow", and started Janis Joplin on her short but dynamic life as a star. When they released the movie of this festival, the band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, were shocked that they were essentially missing... their entire segment was focused on their female vocalist, Janis Joplin. This CD is worth the price for Track 4 alone... the rest is a gift that can never be re-created.

November 17, 2007

Worth it if you like Janis!!

Others have written a lot so I'll just be brief. If you already know that you like Janis, this CD is a must have! Really shows her depth and pure frenzied passion. Worth buying if only for the live recording of "Ball and Chain," which is FAR superior to the recording on Greatest Hits; it is possibly one of the most desperate, impassioned and powerful vocal deliveries I have ever heard. Also, the lead track Trouble in Mind is a wonderfully tasty blues number (just Janis, her guitar, and her roommate typing on a typewriter in the background), and the delivery of Me and Bobby McGee is a little more personal, a little more tender. Overall a great album! December 3, 2006

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