Cheap Thrills

When the Album art has R. Crumb doodles you know it's gonna be a *freak out* All of a sudden, it's 1968. Vietnam. Nixon. Motown. Psychedelia. And screaming atop that Mountain is Janis Joplin. Such voice, such energy. I like to imagine Janis at the Crossroads with Robert Johnson, selling her very soul for her voice. That growl, that twang. It's unmistakable and irresistible. Especially on my new favourite version of "Summertime". The guitar tone is fuzzy and the temp is funky and soulful. There's solos, call and response. The piped in crowd noise before each track adds a wonderful electricity to each. These are the hymns of the counterculture, sung by their troubled high priestess and burned into our collective memory of the late 60s. Take a piece of my Heart, Janis. Just take it.

Honestly, I had no idea that Janis Joplin fronted a band until this album came up. I always thought she was a solo act only. I also found out today that Congress has several subway trains connecting their buildings. So not to brag, but I learned two things today! Janis has a voice that shouldn’t work, but is just right for theses songs. It’s gravelly. It sort of sounds like what happens the day after a night of drinking and screaming too many songs. It sounds like the after effect of smoking too many cigarettes. Maybe she drunkenly screamed too many songs while smoking gravel cigarettes. Nothing would surprise me here. The guitar distortion during the first minute of Ball And Chain reminds me of her voice. Maybe she has a distortion pedal in her throat. The point is Janis’s voice is perfectly imperfect. I like the songs on this album, I don’t love them. There is a bit too much jamming for my taste that’s better saved for the live show.

Janis Joplin kills it in the vocals, strong blues roots, great guitar

This was made for me. I loved this. Also I kept thinking of 30 rock when Jenna has the fake Joplin doc.

Let's fucking party! Lo-fi and wild, and Janis sounds amazing. Great fun all round.

OKAY JANIS

Incredible album, I love it. Janis Joplin is timeless.

Cracker. Surprise Janis Joplin gem.

Dripping in acid haze and California heat wave, so damn cool and confident

Not a big Janis Joplin fan. There are some things I can appreciate - Piece of My Heart is a classic and deservedly so, but in a lot of cases her voice grates on me. For example, her rendition of Summertime is supposed to be a classic but I couldn't stand her voice on it and even the fuzz guitar was annoying me. I liked a bit of the first track, "Combination of the Two" - it was half good sixties heavy rock and half hippy time. "I Need a Man to Love" had some good funk going on, but it also made me feel that this album is very much of its time. The best albums are timeless. I found Joplin's voice grating again on Ball and Chain, which is a shame because I really like Big Mama Thornton (her original version of Hound Dog blows away Elvis). Not sure if a link will work, but here's how Ball and Chain SHOULD sound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbdUjHmCHA4 ...take it away Big Mama. Have to call this album a 2, unfortunately.

The vocals were grating, like Robert Plant scraping a dying budgie down a blackboard.

A classic. Raw, powerful, soulful. And that voice.

The cover art could’ve been beautiful but instead it’s just straight up racist. I know the maker of it was a satirist, but I’m not sure that compensates for that. The music is great though. Janis Joplin has an amazing and unique voice which in my opinion reflects a lot of emotion.

Janis Joplin’s vocal cords might have mothered Axl Rose’s. Years ago, during my loud "never trust a hippy" phase my dad, not a man in whom I've noted more than an atom of hippy, told me that actually, they did some great stuff, and I shouldn't be so dogmatic. Without disaggregating the whole bursting of restrictive social norms and segregation that they contributed, I'll tip my hat to my dad for the necessary corrective. The sort of disorganised, bold and restless spirit I associate with the movement is present in this record. This list has resurrected my fondness for messy '60's blue-rock recordings, off-the-cuff albums with a bunch of covers thrown in to make up the numbers, production carefree and murky, audience sounds dubbed in, echoes thrown into odd places, and a sense of wanting to capture a moment before moving on, who cares if it isn't perfect, the next one will be better, though the next one often never came. The bass sometimes is off hidden in some corner of a club, stoned and noisily planning some sort of revolutionary arts happening to a bunch of comrades, probably outnumbered by FBI spies, the guitar sometimes is just inappropriately blitzed out in a way that you'd never hear on a contemporary record, they've raided the party, swept the canapés into a bin bag, and have blazed off down the canyon. Anyway, pretty good. Now I'd probably add a star to each of those Doors albums that were thrown at us early in the run.

Is Janis Joplin the greatest singer of all time? No, but damn if she isn’t great

Incredible album, I love it. Janis Joplin is timeless.

The arguable peak of blues rock, Janis Joplin’s voice is absolutely vibrant and aggressive. You can almost smell the late 60s on this record. 👍

This is a gem! I'm slightly embarrassed to have never even heard of the band or album before, but grateful for the tip, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Pure class.

Definitely has a raw, faux-live energy that is both fun but a little bit grating at the same time. Songs are solid though, and everything has a pretty loose and jammy feel to it. All the players here are great, but compared the Janis they are like candles to a torch, which really holds back the songs where she isn't in the spotlight. Overall a very fun time, and Janis is always a pleasure, and its flaws are many but minor.

J'ai profité d'une heure durant laquelle je devais surveiller une élève pendant qu'elle rédigeait son devoir de français pour écouter cet album. Bien que je l'aie globalement apprécié, deux moments ont bien failli gâcher son écoute. En plein milieu de l'album, l'élève en question eut l'impolitesse de me demander comment "langweilig" se disait dans ma langue. J'enlevai mes écouteurs et allai écrire le mot "ennuyeux" au tableau avant d'éclater la craie au sol d'un geste d'humeur et de me rasseoir. Enfin, alors que mon écoute en était à la dernière piste, si proche du but, l'élève crut bon de m'annoncer qu'elle avait terminé son devoir. J'entrai alors dans une colère noire. Les tables volèrent, les chaises voltigèrent, les fenêtres se fracassèrent... Une note de quatre sur cinq bien méritée en attendant de finir incessamment les trente secondes restantes.

Zeppelin couldn’t copy if they tried.

Big brother and the holding company if they didn’t have Janice Joplin: 💀📉😭

“Psychedelic blues” is not a combination of words that I like to hear, but leave it to Janis Joplin to overcome that and then some. I love the way the band kinda sucks. They sound like they’re about to fly off the rails from the first few measures of the first song, right up until the end, but they never really do. And Joplin herself was never on the rails to begin with. Everything she did was good to me, but this is the best. Sounds like her in a natural state, whereas later albums sound a bit reigned in. Love Cheap Thrills, always have always will.

Loved it.

Amazing record, those live track are huge and this is the record that has Sumertimw in it. As great of a record as Pearl

Brilliant album. Nice bit of Janis screeching away!

This was simply great! The vocals, the guitar, the drums, the bass, the whole band, the album cover. Even not liking too much the "live" inserts in the middle of the songs, this still is a great piece of modern music. Enough said!

Enjoyed more than I thought I would.

Good would listen again

I’d never listened to this. Amazing

Janis is so good.

Another mistake of judging a book by its cover. Loved this way more than I expected. I had never heard of this album or Big Brother & the Holding Company, yet I actually knew some of the songs (and had wrongly thought they were solo Janis Joplin songs). I think the obvious runaway star of this album is Joplin’s voice but a close second is the absolutely stunning guitar solos. I confess to not having listened to much 1960s rock at all but can hear how this album has influenced Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crowe and Lady Gage to name a few. Probably not one to listen to on earphones for future repeat listens as the sound quality didn’t hold up great there - my fault though!

What a voice. There was a time In my teenage years when she was one of my all time Favourite vocalists. I’ve listened to her less over the proceeding years but whenever I hear her I remember how powerful she is. She had a punk aesthetic that I would imagine influenced the likes of Patti smith. The album as a whole is good, the band is ok.

One of the joys of this project has been discovering Janis Joplin Not discovering really as I was always aware of her but this has been the first time I’ve really listened to her Hell of a voice. One of a kind

Hello, it’s me, the broken record. Just wanted to stop by and remind you that literally every band in the late 60’s San Francisco psych scene were better songwriters, better musicians and more engaging performers than the Grateful Dead. Why you would listen to the Dead when Big Brother and The Holding Company could harness more focused intensity in the first 45 seconds of this record than the Dead were capable of in their entire career? I am not one for conspiracies, usually, but I do believe that when MK Ultra shuttered, the CIA allowed the Dead to traverse the US giving out LSD as a means to further study the effects of the drug on the population. They may not have been involved directly, but i can't imagine that they weren't watching the results intently. Think about it, they no longer had to worry about the risks of CIA involvement in dosing civilians when there was a band who was traveling town to town doing it for them…There's no way they weren't more than happy to let it go on unfettered. Anyway… On “Cheap Thrills”, Big Brother and the Holding Company are in fine form. The band is tight, with an excellent rhythm section, guitar leads that are fuzzy and frenetic and Janis Joplin at the top of her game. I highly recommend it.

Love that Jackie Jormp Jomp voice.

This album gets so much worse when someone besides Janis does vocals

Who let Marge Simpson join Jefferson Airplane?

One from my Dad's record collection - I would gaze at the cover art but never got to playing the actual vinyl. So, good to get it here! Unfortunately pretty generic 60's blues/rock with some histrionics. Also features that weird 60's 'live but not really' anomaly. R Crumb remains the highlight

Both Joplin and the band are raw and powerful. The cover versions are incredible. Album art by Robert Crumb. Not sure about the audience sound effects, but a great album nonetheless.

I wasn’t a fan of the opener but after that it got good fast “I Need A Man To Love” and “Summertime” show a bit more of Joplin’s softer vocals and “Piece Of My Heart” is obviously amazing and shows off her fantastic vocals. The next two tracks were also very good and “Ball And Chain” was a fantastic closer

Cool instrumentals, I think the effect of making it sound like a live album despite not being one is very cool. But Janis' voice is pretty grating, made me think of Marge Simpson at times lmao. Regardless, I managed to enjoy a fair few tracks and the short total length works in it's benefit. Very solid.

This is just good music, also helped me to find out janis joplin sounds like robert plant when she wants and can sing really well when she wants

Engrossing listen, well-produced. Fake crowd noises are kind of a crutch but interesting. Classic late-60s heavy hippy stuff.

This was a delightful, if unpolished, musical romp. I love Janis and I love her bluesy band but parts were uneven.

Janis is the best thing that has ever happened to Big Brother. an artist with an incredible voice and immense talent – she is the only thing I hear when listening to this album and it's more than enough

Incredibly strong album. The hooks are on point, Joplin kills it vocally, and there is no filler. Only complaint is that the band aren't as interesting as the vocalist.

Blues is not usually my jam. I think this is the second time listening to this album; the first time through I was not grabbed at all...this time definitely moreso. Summertime is my personal favorite and the one two punch of that song and Piece of my Heart is worth the price of admission. Though I find the gutar on Ball and Chain heavy handed Janis' vocals are tour de force. And there are other incredible vocal performances. I'm giving it a 4 which after my first go through I would have never thought would happen. Maybe it will increase still on my next listen (hard to find to listen to anything but the next two on the list (yeah I'm doing 2 per day.

That's rock bottom, when this life makes you mad enough to kill That's rock bottom, when you want somethin' bad enough to steal That's rock bottom, when you feel like you've had it up to here 'Cause you mad enough to scream, but you sad enough to tear

i have never really liked janis joplin’s voice. nails on a chalkboard to me.

Janis Joplin’s vocals carried this or else everything would have blended together.

I had no idea that Janis Joplin was in a band. I always thought she was a solo artist. The music is a perfect blend of funky blues and Janis has the perfect voice to sing these songs. Favorite song: Piece of My Heart

She’s got soul

JANIS! here is the first member of club of 27. c

Janis! Piece of My Heart alone gets this album 5 stars. But the mix of Janis’ bluesy vocals and the band’s 60s psychedelic rock is fantastic throughout.

Janis Joplin was amazing.

Classic 60s soul/blues/rock. There is no other voice that compares to Janis. Simply stunning.

One of my favorites. I love Janis!

excellent music, janis can really sing

Well this album has blown me away. For context I'm age 32 and do love a lot of older music. The musicianship is simply outstanding. The dynamics of so many of the tracks here, never quite knowing where it's going to go. And goes without saying Janis Joplin shines here. I'll admit I hadn't heard much of Joplin (or hadn't heard of this group) but everything here is up my street. The drums are thunderous and keep a ridiculous pace, the bass is solid and shines in its own right with freedom and creativity. The guitars speak for themselves, wailing solos mixed with pure emotion. "Summertime" is haunting and stunning at the same time.

Lacks earworms, but has unique sound that exudes vibe, atmosphere and live energy. Album as a whole is balanced and memorable, but it means songs stand less on their own. Since this is albums and not songs reviews, it gets a high score.

Janis Joplin’s powerful lead vocals take the listening experience to a whole new level. The backing vocals add a beautiful color to the songs, and of course, the piano and guitars are everywhere, filling each track with pure energy. It’s a true classic of rock music. That wild spirit runs through all her performances, and track number 4, “Piece of My Heart,” is one of those songs everyone from a certain generation recognizes instantly. It became a major hit single. Track number 2, “I Need a Man to Love,” hits you right away — what an entrance! Then there’s “Summertime” (track 3), where Joplin takes the Gershwin classic and turns it into pure, aching soul. Nobody could pour emotion into a song the way she did. For anyone curious, the album feels like a live show, but only “Ball and Chain” came from a real performance. The rest of the tracks had audience sounds added later to create that same raw, concert-like vibe. And the album cover deserves a mention too. It was designed by American cartoonist R. Crumb, who became famous for his iconic character Fritz the Cat. This album was the band’s last work with her. Her solo career would bring us a handful of great songs and unforgettable albums. To me, Janis Joplin represents emotional intensity and rebellion. Say no more — the album is fantastic, and she remains one of the greatest of all time.

Would have LOVED to see them live.

I love this album so much!

First half of the album is perfection. JJ’s growl NOURISHED me. Flower in the Sun also made me feel some type of way. That little guitar part - dododo dododo + the vocals + the bass, ok let’s be serious ALL OF THE PIECES come together to make magic. Also, also she died on Oct. 4…. Was I her in a past life????????????

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: I Need A Man To Love, Summertime, Piece of My Heart I have never heard of Big Brother & The Holding Company, but I have heard of Janis Joplin, and when I read that this band and Janis are associated with The Grateful Dead, I was excited to say the least. And man, this album did not disappoint: Experimental, psychedelic rock with slamming vocals from Janis. :chefs_kiss: Excellent album cover. I also really enjoyed discovering that Eminem sampled Summertime in The Slim Shady LP's Rock Bottom. That was cool.

Awesome awesome album. Love Janis Joplin, an artist I didn't listen to before this project. Incredible energy and pipes. Not a single miss. Welcome back to the 5 star club, Janis and Co.

These guys came to rock and they understood the assignment.

Oh yeah her voice scratches the itch in my brain

Huge fan of Joplin's vocals, this was an awesome album

Nice history behind this album. Canned crowd noise. Janis Joplin! A 4? And what a cover. Open, a 5. Way too many hits on here.

Janis Joplin might just have the best voice in music. So real. And so much emotion.

What a classic

Sex, Dope and Cheap Thrills was to be the original title, but Columbia records took issue with the album title & it was shortened to Cheap Thrills. The cover art one of the most iconic in rock history was done by underground comix living legend, Mr. Robert Crumb. Rarely has an album cover captured the music within so perfectly. And what of the album? Hard blues acid rock with big bombastic cooking vocals by Janis Joplin (who joined Big Brother the previous year) backed by Big Brother and the Holding Company at their ever loving prime. Essential stuff! Get it before it gets you!

Discazo

Janis Joplin was one of the greats, and this album affirms it. You’re telling me she had this vocal range at 24?? the feeling she communicates, the rawness to it all, but the control — unmatched. We saw a lot of girlies shredding in their silk dresses at all things go this weekend, and I like to think it has a direct lineage to Janis. Vocals on Piece of My Heart go crazy, and the shred intro to silky vocals on Ball and Chain 😮‍💨 This album takes me back to sitting in the back of my dad’s blue Toyota pickup and being “educated” in all the rock greats on long drives. I’m glad Miss Janis was one of them. Changed the game, gone too soon. Also learned in my research she was the one who insisted the album cover stay a cartoon and for that she is, yet again, an icon.

Love this album,

Classic album with Piece of my Heart being a song I was raised with. I can't imagine what music Janice would have created if she had lived longer, but thank goodness she recorded what she did. Her voice is so unique and easily identifiable. Tragic end to a talented musician. As for the album, I loved it. Great album through and through.

Very enjoyable but due to the recording capabilities in that day and age, there were voices from the crowd that were audible throughout several cuts. Not a deal breaker but it dampened an otherwise great performance by the first female rock star: Janis Joplin. I'll probably revisit this one and keep an eye out for it when next I go crate digging!

Best Song: Piece of my Heart I think technically I can say that this is a first time for me. However, I have heard every song on here dozens of songs, just not in this form. Greatest hits albums can be both a blessing and a curse. This is quintessential 60's music with one of the greatest singers ever. 5/5.

First time listening it in full. Expectations were big and it didn't dissapoint me. Janis is good. Loved this album.

A classic rock album. Time and mimicry may have stripped it of some of its originality, but it was a very fun listen nonetheless. Joplin does an amazing job on the vocals

Hard not to give anything with Janis Joplin a 5, her voice is so iconic of the late 60s and of a whole cultural phenomenon. Never been a voice like it since.

I got a new toy to listen to my albums when in my home office, and this album was a great one for testing it out. A fantastic live album that made me feel like I was in a grassy field surrounded by 1000s of muddy hippies. Peace and Love.

Nice

A fantastic blues-rock album. I used to prefer her solo albums, but this one is pretty great too, with a raw, unapologetic vibe that really convinced me this time around. An instant classic ! I see people talk about « psychedelic blues », but there’s nothing really psychedelic here (except maybe the amount of LSD and psilocybin the band was probably taking at the time) – it’s just excellent blues with a Summer of Love twist. The band itself is all right, although not on par with Janis Joplin’s performance. Janis could sing the phonebook and it would still sound sexy and powerful. She carries the whole album on her shoulders with an insane energy that hasn’t aged one bit.

In the discussion for best live album of its era AND best collection of guitar solos on a record. Yeah the audio’s kinda shit, who fucking cares. shreds top to bottom with some of the most ripping electric guitar you’ll ever hear. Summertime is one of my top tracks ever. Janis obv incredible. Listened to: walking through BBG. Favorite tracks: Summertime, Piece of My Heart, Ball and Chain

Overall - 8/10 Nice intro to psychedelic and blues Skipped a few in between Also Janis Joplin!

9/10

Oldies but great stuff🎤🎤🎼🎼🎼

Brilliant album.

Incredible album

Producing this to sound like it was recorded live was a brilliant choice, and made me look it up to confirm it. Quite enjoyable. The band feels both tight and loose.

5/9

LOVED this

!!!

One of the all time best albums. I think I still have the LP. I was 16 when it came out. Album perfectly curated up through 'Ball and Chain' which is one of the top songs in rock history as far as I am concerned. The gentle and melodious, but ominous bass accompanying Janice's pained voice/story interspersed with hard diving psychedelic rock is unmatched. The album losses its direction after Ball and Chain, but it is nice to have those songs for posterity as well.

Even though she died at 27, Janis Joplin sings and sounds like my grandma. 9/10

Janis Joplin is incredible. Would give 4.5 stars but I can’t, so it gets 5

Janis Joplin feeds my souls every time she wails in the microphone. 10/10