Big Brother & the Holding Company w, Janis Joplin - Live at Winterland '68

This belated collection of Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company tracks features 14 performances, a dozen of which debut here. Of the two familiar selections, the version of "Ball and Chain" here is the same one that graces Cheap Thrills, and "Bye Bye Baby" can be heard on In Concert. No matter if it's not quite the definitive Big Brother album; it is nonetheless a hell of a lot of fun. Big Brother's playing is intense and relatively tight. A magnificent moment is heard in "I Need a Man to Love" when Joplin urges the band on. "C'mon boys, play," she prods, and a stunning Sam Andrews guitar solo ensues. If you've never heard Joplin do "Summertime," grab this album. If you have, grab it anyway. It's wonderful. --Myra Friedman Amazon.com

big brother

i was very satisfied with this cd.i am a big fan of big brother and the s.f. sound.awesome! June 9, 2008

BALL AND CHAIN

I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A COPY OF THIS CD FOR QUITE A WHILE, AND I'M HAPPY I FINALLY PICKED UP A COPY. THIS MUSIC TAKES YOU BACK IN TIME TO THE WILD, PSYCEHDELIC 60'S. JANIS WITH BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY WAS ONE OF THE PREMIER SAN FRANSISCO PSYCEHDELIC ROCK BANDS, HEAVILY DRENCHED IN BLUES. AND JANIS REALLY SHINES IN THIS PERFORMANCE, THIS WOMAN JUST OOZES TALENT. THIS PERFORMANCE FROM WINTERLAND BALLROOM IN 1968 CONTAINS 14 SONGS, ONLY TWO OF WHICH WERE EVER PREVIOUSLY RELEASED. NO ROCK MUSIC FROM TODAY CAN COMPARE WITH THIS STUFF. February 4, 2008

Excellent recording of the band at its best

Big Brother with Janis was simply innovative and amazing. This is one of the best live versions I have ever heard from any band. Janis rips through the music with the bluesy soulful sound that made her exceptional. This is one I can listen to over and over again.

Roni November 19, 2007

One of a kind

I was a young teen in 1968. Even back then, Janis Joplin was an acquired taste, so imagine my surprise when I learned that she could send my old-fashioned dad into paroxyms of ecstasy! I once actually saw him rise out of his chair and sway back and forth in front of the TV as a feathered and boa-ed Joplin poured her heart out for a live audience. He was mesmerized, thrilled, smiling like a child. It was a moment I'll never forget, cuz my father normally listened to Perry Como, Peggy Lee and Bert Kaempfert on the "Music Of Your Life" station.

That's the sort of magic effect Joplin's rare talent had on listeners. She always sang full throttle, gave her audiences everything within her, and we responded in kind. This LIVE AT WINTERLAND '68 album is a fine example of Janis in top form, performing with a band that paled by comparison to her brilliance. Big Brother & the Holding Co. do their best, though. The miking and mix are excellent throughout-- recordings sound very clear. Includes 24 pages of liner notes.

"One of a kind" is an overused phrase, yet it's a certainty that there will NEVER be another Janis Joplin. We were blessed to have her, if only for a moment.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 75:53 March 4, 2007

janis y los brothers en la cuenta regresiva...!

esta grabacion del '68 realmente merece mucha atencion. aparte del momento especial que la banda atravesaba, es atrapante la performance del grupo. polenta, inspiracion, pifiadas, dejadez, sentimiento es lo que refleja cada surco del disco. el sonido crudo y por momentos desprolijo retrata la calentura del instante..piece of my heart, bye bye baby, ball & chain, summertime dificilmente tengan versiones superiores..el booklet es muy valioso, con fotos e informacion suficiente..como nos tiene acostumbrado Columbia Legacy otra edicion maravillosa... en definita retrata el momento justo que la banda despegaba.. no podes dejar de tenerlo. haceme caso, please!!!! September 29, 2006

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