Janis Joplin - Essential Janis Joplin

Such was the visceral power of Janis Joplin's voice that her enduring legend as '60s rock icon was based on just a pair of solo albums and the two releases with her fronting Big Brother and the Holding Company that she recorded before her death in 1970 of a drug overdose. This 30-track double-disc anthology offers a concise introduction to the incendiary talents of a singer whose tortured blues seemed no mere affectation; being cruelly voted "Ugliest Man on Campus" during her tenure at the University of Texas barely hinted at the depth of Joplin's personal demons. Organized chronologically with its discs split between her band and solo careers, the anthology documents the story of a raw, riveting talent that carried the often slovenly psychedelic blues of Big Brother to stardom via "Down on Me" and "Piece of Heart," stumbled only slightly on her solo debut (I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama), and then reached full, ragged glory on the quintessential Pearl with tracks like her posthumous hit "Me and Bobby McGee" and the playful "Mercedes Benz." The collection also features a pair of previously unreleased live Big Brother tracks ("To Love Somebody," "Kozmic Blues") recorded at Woodstock '69. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

essential janis joplin

saw her at the Dallas Rock Festival in the 60's - sat in the f ront row - watched the sweat roll down her body - she swilled booze from a bottle that was on the piano - awesome - she was just awesome December 24, 2007

Buried Alive....

She was far too talented to die so young, she seemed quirky, happy, and carefree to the untrianed eye. But She was a turly disturbed and tormented soul. I believe she was so talnted at what she did had she stayed around her contributions to the world of art would have been as momentous as the works of Shakspere and The Bible.
This is turly an incredible compliation of her music and puts underated gems such as To Love Somebody and Kozmic Blues on the album. She is a truly talented performer. She didn't die from a overdose of herowin, she died from an overdose of Janice. August 18, 2006

All in one package

I love this because it has all of my favorite Janis Joplin songs in one package. After careful review of the many CD collection with this excellent singer decided this was the one for me. Wished all the songs was on one CD instead of two but one can't always have everything.... January 30, 2006

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. January 11, 2006

Great tribute to the goddess of blues

It would be difficult for me to rate any Janis Joplin CD with anything but 5 stars. I have never heard Janis sing anything that I did not love. I have been a Janis fan for over 40 years and I am happy to see her music still drawing crowds. This CD has many of the not-so-commercially-popular tracts, such as "Half Moon" and "Work Me, Lord" that are as great, if not greater, than her more commercially popular tunes like "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Piece of My Heart". I think anyone who is interested in getting to know Janis better would benefit from this CD. November 11, 2005

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