Search - Janis Joplin :: Janis

JANIS JOPLIN'S 1962-1965 PERIOD

W. T. Hoffman | Pennsylvania, United States | 06/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For the longest time, this important piece of Janis's growth and history, was only available as a cassette. (And naturally, that is not available anymore, unless you find it used.) The "JANIS" CD was originally the SOUNDTRACK ALBUM for the movie JANIS. (A cool biography film, indispensible for Janis fans.) Only the second half of this recording, is really the movie soundtrack. On that CD, you find interviews with Dick Cavette (1970), a talk from Albert Hall (1969), and TV interviews from her first High School reunion. There's also some live cuts from the FESTIVAL EXPRESS Canadian tour, with FULL TILT BOOGY band, and a live cut from a local San Fransesco PBS music show, with BIG BROTHER, from early 1967. Other of her key songs are on that first CD, to complete that part of her superstar story. However, the REAL reason to buy this CD, is for what's on the FIRST CD. It's a long tape of songs, from Janis, and the WALLER CREEK BOYS, from late 1962- early 1963. There are also songs from 1965 when Janis sang with the DICK OXTOT JAZZ BAND, and a few folk songs, that Janis recorded very early. These songs include :TROUBLE IN MIND, WHAT GOOD CAN DRINKING DO, SILVER THREADS AND GOLDEN NEEDLES, MISSISSIPI RIVER, STEALIN, NO REASON FOR LIVIN, BLACK MOUNTAIN BLUES, WALK RIGHT IN, RIVER JORDAN, MARY JANE, KANSIS CITY BLUES, DADDY DADDY DADDY, C.C. RIDER, SAN FRANSESCO BAY BLUES, WININ BOY, CARELESS LOVE, I'LL DROWN IN MY OWN TEARS. The sound on these recordings are acceptable, especially considering the age, and historical value. (If you happen to have the 1966 rare live recording of BIG BROTHER, made just weeks after Janis joined the band, it's obvious Janis brought a few of these songs with her into BIG BROTHER's early set list.) This CD should be released domestically, but it could be that because the film is out of print, and not availible as a DVD, that the soundtrack album is also not in print. What a shame. Hearing how JANIS developed her gift, that INCREDIBLE gift, is just as musically rewarding, as listening to the first BOB DYLAN LP, or the Beatle's ANTHOLOGY CDs. If nothing else, it shows that Janis KNEW HER BLUES AND FOLK HERITAGE. She did not just join BIG BROTHER, and suddenly become a star overnight. So, if you do not mind dishing out the money, buy this 2CD set. Listen to Janis, before the drugs, and loud rock music, made her start to scream and yell so much. Here is JANIS, a beautiful, aware, blossoming talent the likes of which has not been heard since. Buy these CDs for that reason."

'Janis' is a must have CD for the Joplin fan

Bill | Keizer Or | 03/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since Columbia Records seems to have an issue with releasing this state-side, I am sure glad that I splurged on this import. It does the original 2-lp set justice, right down to the accompanying booklet and VERY sturdy jewel case. Oh, yeah-and the audio is dynamite. 5 stars."