Customer Reviews

Essential Janis Joplin

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

This is the best Joplin CD to get for both novice and true fan. It covers all the bases in a nice chronological order, and gives a great overview of what all the shouting is about. Note to Jerry McCulley: Big Brother was NOT her band at Woodstock! Put down the bong next time you write an intro and do a little fact-checking.........

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.

With a good selection of studio and live tracks, this is THE best introduction into Janis' music. This collection has all of her good songs, but you will need to get something like Cheap Thrills or Pearl to get the full effect.

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

Just a great CD. Has a little of evrything you want to hear from the greatest female rock singer.

I am a "new" Janis Joplin fan and have scoured the internet looking for something that would give me samples of all of the types of her music, early, live, unreleased. This is an unbelievable collection and am SO glad that I made this purchase. What an extreme loss for all of us

Gina B
41
Southern California

this is two cd's of songs (15 on both cds) of Janis Joplin. i love this cd becasue it gives you alot of songs and each one is great!

I met Janis Joplin very early in her career and like her singing and song writing, this is a good collection of her most popular songs