Cheap Thrills

Loved it

God damn. Fucking beautiful. Everything.

Back to back 60’s rock albums on this list left me wanting more after that slightly disappointing Byrds album so I went into “Cheap Thrills” optimistically and I couldn’t be happier with the result. This album is an attention grabbing rock fusion that mixes in hard rock and blues rock for a rocking, and slightly unpredictable, set of tracks. This album hits hard with groove and style which all kicks off on the opener “Combination of the Two”, now this song doesn’t have much in terms of lyrics but actually they compliment the funk of the track very nicely so you’re focusing on the groove of the music which allows you to be struck hard in the centre of the track by a roaring guitar, nothing better to hear. The funk doesn’t stop on “I Need a Man to Love” and “Piece of my Heart” where both tracks are riding the instrumentally so well it almost sounds improvisational at points especially with the guitar player but you can tell the band are really into it. “Summertime” and “Oh, Sweet Mary” are more vocal ballads, more the former rather than the latter, with intense instrumental build ups. A killer guitar fill on the first and a an army stampede of drums on the second with both letting the instruments breathe and the vocals shine through at some point or another. “Turtle Blues” is unique here being a largely piano driven song however it fits so well in the album and really contributes to the blues rock aspect. The official track listing finishes on “Ball and Chain” which is an immense 9 minute hard rock slow burner that I can’t get enough of with the guitar shining through the middle of the track again, it’s really a hard hitter that you can’t help but think about how insane this would’ve been to see live. I would also like to comment on Janis Joplin, the vocalist of the album, who’s raspy voice slightly put me off at first but she’s got so much soul and has great booming vocals to lead the band it compliments them so well. Finally, I have to give props to the album art, a very unique and fun way of displaying each track pictorially along with each band member. To conclude, this album is a true pick me up collection of songs, there’s an immense amount of soul in every song you can’t help but admire the effort put in. Massive respect to Big Brother & The Holding Company and of course Janis Joplin, this really surprised and I hope to hear more of this type of music from the list in the future. 5/5

Pura energía, temazos, la portada es chulísima, la pedazo de voz de Janis Joplin, la producción, los instrumentos suenan super llenos, pedazo 5

People playing instruments. It’s good.

This is one of my favorite albums. I have a vinyl copy that came from one of my parents (mom, I believe) and I've been listening to it for about 35 years. And the R. Crumb artwork is just a bonus.

Really enjoyed it! Janis Joplin had some pipes.

This album and this group felt like (and still does feel like) the pivot point for our segue into modern rock! Such a classic and still stirs the soul!

5*

Cracking mix of blues and classic rock. Janis Joplin's voice is like Robert Plant and marge Simpson had a child and I absolutely love it.

So far this album is unreal, not a fan of the racist depiction on the front cover mind

One of THE era-defining psychedelia albums - I don't have the same kind of personal connection to this one as I do to "Surrealistic Pillow", but I still gotta give it props. And Jackie Jormp-Jomp can pretty much go toe to toe with Grace Slick, which takes some doing. Fave track - "Piece of My Heart" - an amazing version of an already amazing song!

TAAAKE IT, TAKE ANOTHER LITTLE PIECE OF MY HEART NOW BABY

Loved it.

Four gentlemen and one GREAT, great broad! A great band just cutting loose so nearly an hour, Janis at her most raspy begging you to take another piece of her heart, and you want to... But mainly they are gonna knock ya, rock ya, gonna sock it to ya now.

I was there. The band were in front of me. My jaw was on the floor the entire time. In 6 hours I listened to this 4 times and bought the vinyl. Incredible stuff. 4.9

I never knew.

Fantastic blend of folk, country and rock. The album really wants to make me get up and go to their live show that isn't around anymore. That's a definite 5 from me.

I love it, I've never heard of it.

Wow, this one was an adventure. I'm not sure if I ever listened to this album from start to finish, but piece of my heart has always been one of my favorite songs. Really enjoyed listening!!!

Nobody could sing the blues like her.

An all time classic. Janis was great. Iconic album cover. I don't need to hear Piece of my Heart any more. I'm pretty burned out on 60's rock anthems. But Turtle Blues is an outstanding tune. Great album all the way around.

Haven't listened to this in years. It is a fantastic album, and live, to boot!

Great album, one of the first vinyl records I purchased.

Feel good classic, never gets old.

Janis is amazing. 5/5

That voice... wow.

A blast to the past! The power of their voices electrifies the instruments. This album has it all!

A new album for the rotation

Great

One of the cokiest albums I’ve heard. Janis Joplins voice is crazy and amazing

Amazeballs raw classic rock voiced by a legend

Amazing

Janis is so amazing to listen to.

Had no idea this was the Janis Joplin band. Love this Album! Would play it on repeat if I could, especially if I had it on Vinyl.

I knew this music sounded familiar off the start but I couldn't pin point it initially. The psychedelic guitar solos reminded me of Jimi Hendrix but there was an unmistakable combination of jazz and blues fuzed in. It wasn't until Piece of My Heart came on that I knew exactly where I had heard this style before. The crowd noise and raw audio mix made it feel like I was hearing Big Brother & The Holding Company live in a small jazz bar in New Orleans. Even though I wasn't born yet, I feel like I'm dropped right into the 60s listening to this album. And let's not forget Janis Joplin's fantastic vocals dominating this album. The way she seamlessly switches from the emotional scratchy sound to the smooth and serenading sound fuels this album with so much emotion. Loved this listen and definitely saved for later.

One of my favorites long before it was suggested here. Janis Joplin vocals are both timeless and completely rooted in their own time.

pretty good

DOPE!

Ah… to have seen this band in their prime. This was a top 5 record for me growing up. Oozes with energy from the opening note and Janis of course is extraordinary with the passion and character in her voice. There is really no one like her as a performer. A phenom who put everything she had into it

JJs best album before she started making those show offy Jazz albums.

Man that was a great listen. Can easily rub shoulders with early Zeppelin and Allman Brothers. Psychedelic, soul and a whole lot of dirty and intense rhythm and blues mixed into one. This album is so authentic and genuine and such a nice contrast to the polished and over mixed stuff of today. Janice Joplin is on top of her game and is just a fantastic singer. Love it.

never heard this full album before, big fan!!

So good

Lekker een boel nasaal en schor gegil op een bedje van dampende blues. Bijzondere zangeres, het lijkt Janis Joplin wel. Ze zou solo eens wat platen moeten maken, en nog wat meer alcohol en drugs moeten gebruiken. Of misschien toch beter maar van niet. Zonder gekheid, sommige mensen zullen wel kriegel worden van die stem, maar ik vind het wel geinig als mensen zonder terughouden er vol tegenaan gaan. En extra ster (als die nog nodig was) voor de hilarische hoes.

Janis Joplin. Wow!

Tour de force from Janis and the band. So many classic from this one. I didn't realize they were all from a single album. I think I got contact high just from listening.

I've got a soft spot for Janis. And I love the guitar playing here too, unhinged and wild. Sounds like they were having fun on this. And uh... Janis. Nuff said.

I mean it's Janis Joplin, 10/10

Loved hearing Janis belt her heart out again. This totally hold up.

Much greater than the sum of its parts. Really strong part of the era that has held up over time. Janis sure could wail.

so THAT is janis joplin

I took away a star because it's a fake live album. But that's okay because I wanted to give it 6 stars.

Oh yesss, psychedelic rock. My favourite And that voice!

JJoplin, everything she does is good

love

This album fucking rules. Janis Joplin makes every track she's on more fun, and the backing instrumentals are right there with her. I'm really glad I got to hear this album. Favorite track: Ball and Chain

Love this album - Janis Joplin is a Queen!

Woah, Janice Joplin was in a band? I had no idea! Anyway, she's just unreachable

My first 5 star album of this challenge! Janis is obviously a legend. My favorite songs were Piece of My Heart and Turtle Blues

In the Winter of 1993, I drove away from my university in Ohio and my girlfriend at the time with the mixtape she gave me playing in my car. I lost the tape a number of years ago, and I've forgotten the majority of the tracks that she put on the tape. I think about how much I liked the songs from time to time, and I keep a running list that I add to whenever I hear one of the missing tunes in a potentially vain attempt to recreate that piece of my past. Summertime just went back on the list. That was a sweet relationship, but I have to admit: I miss that tape more than I miss the girl. Nostalgia aside, Big Brother & Holding Company is a hell of good band. They just put it all out there. Then Janis' vocals explode all across the stage and blow me away. Huge and bold, raw emotion on display. God, I live for these kinds of performances. The uncompromising expression of those things you can't express any other way. It's just sublime. The piecemeal acquisition of the performances that compose this album just add to the charm. I love me a good live performance, and this whole album has all the vitality of the best live performances whether recorded in the studio or on stage.

One of the best albums of all time. Amazing theme, great tracks, amazing artwork, its got it all. 5/5

Yeah it's awesome

Awesome album, I love Janis Joplin, what a singer. Favourite tracks: 'Summertime', 'Piece of My Heart', 'Turtle Blues' and 'Ball and Chain'. 5/5

An absolutely incredible album! Last Big Brother album with Janis Joplin on it and she leaves with a bang! She really gives everything she has in this album, her voice is just so recognizable and so different and raw all coming from so deep within. Truly one of the greatest singers to grace the microphone. Cannot believe this album isn’t a live album and only produced that way, gives it such a raw sound that steps the album up to a whole other level. Always have loved this album cover, incredible artwork. Great album with classic songs on it!

leuk

Early Janis Joplin. Pretty amazing.

Glorious abandon. Janis is fearless.

From the jump “Combination of the Two” set fire to my speakers. Is that JANIS JOPLIN I hear?! (AND HOW!) How am I just now discovering this song? I listened to this barnburner over and over… The rest of the album consists of incredible songs performed by an incredible band with an incredible lead vocalist. Incredible!

Actually didn’t know that Janis Joplin was in this band before her solo career. This is a very solid album and I really enjoyed it Saved tracks: I Need a Man To Love, Piece Of My Heart, Oh Sweet Mary, Ball and Chain

Very very good

Amazing, definitely listening again

Fuck yes. Was gonna hit 4 stars, then that first live track came in. Janis for prez

Absolutely an incredible experience. Presenting such a heavy bluesy album in the unpolished format of a live performance is a truly remarkable sound which emphasizes the nonstop assault this is. The type of album which makes you want to look up every detail about the artists. Janis Joplin deserves all the praise she gets. 9/10

love dit album

There are some pretty incredible performances on here. Of course the star of the show is Janice Joplin. I am certain that rock music had never heard a voice of her range and emotional power. Her performance on Summertime, Piece of My Heart, Turtle Blues and Ball and Chain are seminal. Although i'm not typically a blues-rock lover this album is an exception and its all because of Janice. 5 stars

Great album

OMG what is this voice?!

An absolute glorious mess. 1968 summed up in a record. Changing the world through music, messing up themselves with drugs, everything is possible and nothing is sacred. Joplin burning bright but too, too fast.

I can't be the first person to have this realization but I think Robert Plant bases a lot of his vocal stylings on Janis Joplin? Just another thing Zep stole... This record is great! Imagine hearing these people live. They're really going for it.

I almost wish I didn’t see the R Crumb album cover before listening to the album itself. The racial caricatures aren’t cool. Janis’s vocals are superb, a surprise to no one, and the band highlights her voice well. The guitars are fantastic, it’s the early days of the fuzz pedal and you just don’t hear tone like that anymore. You can feel that they’re pushing the boundaries of the music that’s currently available to them. I could do without the tanbura (or super sparse sitar?) on “Oh, Sweet Mary,” but I can’t fault them too much for wanting to experiment. Overall I’m super glad I listened to this, no complaints about the music.

Soort van psychedelische bluesrock met een dijk van een zangeres. Heel goed album!

Janis!

Really solid psychedelic and blues album. Really good.

Honestly, wasn't expecting this to be that good. Never heard a thing from Janis Joplin before, really only knew her from her image being painted on numerous hostels when backpacking Europe and news articles about The 27 Club. Must say she blew me away with those vocals. The instrumentation is also top notch and although not live according to Wikipedia, it feels right at home at a den or a cavern type theatre full of smoke and booze. Nice little variety too for blues which can be repetitive at times from experience. Got great solos, reliable rhythm section and some slow acoustics too. I guess the thing I find odd is that the songs themselves feel secondary to the performances. I didn't come away point at a particular song and say "This was the shit" or alternatively "Well that was shit". But if the performances were so good that you can view this record as an album, then who cares. Also the artwork, very creative and innovative instead of an image of the band or a model. Love how the comic style features images of each song along with the band members. Only bad thing about it is a couple of the images not aging well (*cough* Summertime *cough*).

harsh twangy gritty blues. soulful screeching and smoky backroom parlor vibes. note: the last 4 tracks are bonuses, hence the drop in quality

I'm struggling to find words for how much I enjoyed this album. I really didn't expect much from it which is why I was caught off guard, I guess. I forgot that Janis Joplin used to front this band. Joplin was an absolute powerhouse of a presence, though. She was one of those singers who never holds back and just leaves everything on the stage. And the rest of the band ain't slouches either. Overall, an utterly riveting performance from top to bottom. Super great. Instant repeat. Saved to listen to later again and again.

one of the best psychedelic rock albums of all time . 10/10

rnr

Janis showcase. She was so good.

Janis Joplin. What more needs to be said !

Screaming guitars Angela growling vocals. I loved this

Almost Zep feel, heavy influence on later music. Why didn't I know more

Janis at her finest

This album slaps so hard, oh my god. The album cover, from R Crumb's hand, is super cool and a super creative way to present the band and songs. Apart from the... you know...

Excellent album. Though there is a clear sound (Joplin's singing voice is quite distinct) throughout there is enough variety and energy in each song that you'll find you skip barely any.

It's a wonder I haven't heard this one early. With my recent enamoring with The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather. These bands feel like future successors of Big Brother & The Holding Company. It's also easy to see how this band fit right into the counter culture movement and hippie scene in San Francisco. If this is Janis Joplin in her early and inexperienced, I can't wait to listen to more as she grew as a person and artist. Favorites: 'Summertime', 'Oh, Sweet Mary', and 'Piece of My Heart'

Buenísimo, te lleva a los inicios del rock & roll de los 70's

Stuff of legends! Dem pipes, dem pipes.

I haven’t participated in this as much as others but this is the first album that I actually really liked. The amount emotion in Joplins voice is palpable. It’s impossible to not be moved by it. She’s one of the best rock singers ever and this album exemplifies it.

Excelent!

God damn, Janis was good. I never knew which of her hits were actually part of Big Brother and the Holding Company vs. solo. But there are some big time classics on this album. And you've got to love this album cover.

<3

😳😳💌🫣

This is another really good example of music that would be better produced, rather than live. I mean, the live performances are superb - genuinely remarkable - but the reliance on "first take" recording means that there's so much in here that could be made better. The drums, I don't think, were mic'd particularly well, so they sound rather clipped and tinny. The balance between Joplin's singing and the music is not great. I mean, this music is brilliant. Truly brilliant. But it would have been so very much better in a studio. Even a mediocre producer could have taken this from brilliant to world-changing.

This album is just rock and effing roll

Awesome album. Amazing voice. Amazing blues.

Janis Joplin??? Iznenađena san (ugodno naravno). Slusat ću ponovo!

Vraiment bon, janis est super bonne et les tounes sortent vra8ment de lordinaire. C’est a reecouter car toutes les tounes sont bonnes. 4.95

Amazing experience, epic Janis vocals

Man...Janis Joplin whoa.

Fantastic album. Great energy, the songs have so many layers, I could listen 100 times and hear something new each time

Cool

Super bon album, l'essence de la musique hippie même. Bons passages plus blues rock aussi. Définitivement un classique à revisiter.

Joplin!

Fanfuckinhtastic! Another of my all time faves

Sulla fiducia, da un primo ascolto senza cuffie. Da riascoltare

Amazing

Heard this one before, food album.

Jesus this vocals.

Fav song: - I Need a Man to Love - Summertime - Piece of My Heart - Oh, Sweet Mary - Ball and Chain -

Wow! 5 songs in and LOVE IT. Loved it all the way through

52. Ele já te vê de longe e ainda não sabes o seu aspecto. Uma eternidade à espera na montra do Preço Certo. Gostava de ter mais bom texto p'ra ti. Meu bem. Meu bem. Leva a aorta primeiro. MotA: Piece of My Heart "Everybody's got it"

very good loved the vocals

wasnt expecting that

Janis Joplin en directo. Espectacular.

!

This record has always felt a little disjointed to me, but it is undeniably an all-time classic.

A very powerful blues rock album, indeed. There are several good tracks on this record, my favourite being "Piece of my Heart". The guitar work is really good, as is the drumming and of course, the vocals by Janis Joplin. The guitar tone is very powerful, rich and colourful (note the beginning of "Ball and Chain"). I really enjoyed listning to this album.

I love her voice, even if she does sound like Marge Simpson

4/5

Janis Joplin has that amazing gritty voice. RIP

I imagine I would have never gone out of my way to find this, but this is some real solid psychedelic rock. Piece of My Heart is the standout track and a solid 5/5.

Blues and rock n roll, can't ask for much more! Joplin's voice is not for me but I can respect this incredible album and her performance. 7/10

Janis es increíble

ayo pretty FUCKING good, piece of my heart is one Ive heard before, seems like a pretty influential piece of work

Janis Joplin ist so Taff.. ich wünschte ich wäre so Taff aber wahrscheinlich würde ich dann Heroin nehmen. Die Band auch ganz nice so

Buenísimo y lleno de clásicos

me gusta pero tremendo mehh, como q esta super bien hecho, me gustan las guitarras y las baterias, pero amo la voz de la kbra. nose, le falto algo

Mas que una lección de Musical es la apreciación de la voz y el sentir de la vocalista, se agradecen los giros musicales y cambios tanto de ritmo como tonales. hacen de la música, música viva no como la momentaneidad de hoy en día

This is a solid album, and Janis Joplin's vocals kick ass. Turtle Blues is probably the song I enjoyed the most, but I don't think anything here was bad. The "fake live" thing was kind of annoying, but at least it means it didn't have any of the issues a real live album usually has. Cover art is 10/10.

Confused that I didn't like this more than I did, since Janis's voice is perfect to me. I gave her album Pearl a five, but there were a lot of moments I felt lost here. One of the many albums I wonder if might turn into a five with more listening, though I also wonder if perhaps I was too enthusiastic about Pearl.

Damn this album starts super high energy! I don't know what's up with the racist caricature on the cover?? The music is amazing with a few songs I know an love and a few others I've never heard before. Janis really just had such a unique voice and the energy she puts into her songs just blows my mind. Pretty good album but it dwindles a bit near the end.

Would have been a 5 but I'm not cool enough for these people.

Janis okayyy! Like many people, I didn't know she fronted a band before this but I'm glad I've been given the opportunity to hear it. Super fun acid rock and great guitar through-lines support this absolute time of an album. However, I also have to dock a point; I would've loved the cover art if it didn't have a bunch of racist caricatures plastered all over it. Yuck :/

At its best, this album was excellent. It is however, a mixed bag. The faux live tracks were jarring and there were times where it felt a little samey. The mammy figure on the cover is pretty tasteless too, but I'm not going to mark it down for that.

Janis can jam

Very good surprise, Janis Joplin has a very good voice.

Classic album that I recently bought. Artwork, songs, playing, and those vocals, stunning.

The music is good and all, but Janis blows you out of the water. Her voice hits like a crashing wave.

Some truly incredible tracks on here. Janis Joplin’s voice is just insane.

Janis’ big introduction to the world. So much energy here. Such a weird, cool cover art too. Piece of my Heart is the star of the album, but it’s solid throughout and The Holding Company sounds great throughout the record. Don’t sleep on Turtle Blues.

I see why Janis Joplin left

Sick ass R. Crumb cover

Stundtals skränigt men mysig Janis, får Led Zep vibbar för det är så bluesigt stundtals.

Blues in one of its highest forms, raw, vulnerable, and full of tension. The vocal performances steal the spotlight, with good reason, but they don't overshadow the rest of the band; hard hitting percussion and nasty guitar tones help maintain the album's high energy and emotional intensity.

The guitars are just like Janis Joplin's voice: harsh but warm. I like the dynamic range this has.

Album 212. Cheap Thrills (https://open.spotify.com/album/2rogKfOpmCFuqNhtGKf2dX?si=i-yN8mpXSqKK336YZAmmrQ) — Big Brother & The Holding Company (1968) It's a really solid and great album. I had Ball and Chain, Piece of My Heart in my playlist for a long time, but never listened to the whole album. I listened to the album twice actually. The first time it slipped away too easily from my mind. I was too lost in my thoughts. The second time...it happened again. It's an album problem, not mine. It's great, I mean really great. But it somehow doesn't catch my ears enough. It's more hypnotizing in a good way, than catchy. Janis Joplin's voice is unique and marvelous. So, I have mixed feelings about the album, but this blues+psychedelic rock I love so much that I can't give it a rating lower than... 4/5 Liked: — Piece of My Heart — Ball and Chain

Good

Incredibly amazingly filthy

Absolutely. The considered notes should be the workshop, not the verdict. Something more like: One of the surprises of revisiting this is how much of the album’s reputation rests on a handful of moments. In memory, I carried around a picture of a force of nature fronting a great band. Listening now, I hear a force of nature fronting a band that often seems unsure whether it wants to be a blues outfit, a psychedelic outfit, or simply an excuse to make an interesting noise for a few minutes. The singer remains unmistakable. What has changed is my relationship with what she’s doing. When I first encountered this record, I tended to equate visible commitment with greatness. The abrasion in the voice, the sense of somebody pushing themselves beyond comfortable limits, felt inherently profound. These days I’m less convinced. Some performances that once sounded like depth now sound more like intensity. Not the same thing. The album itself is a curious mixture of discipline and chaos. There are moments where everyone seems to be participating in the same song, and moments where the singer appears to have brought a blues record while the band have brought a San Francisco happening. The tension is occasionally productive and occasionally distracting. Either way, it is never boring. What struck me most was how young the central figure now seems. The mythology surrounding the record has a tendency to make her appear fully formed, almost elemental. The songs reveal something much more human. The emotional world presented here often feels less like wisdom than a set of assumptions being lived through in real time. I found myself responding less to the legend and more to the person. The album’s strongest moments arrive when force is balanced by restraint. The long blues performances towards the end work precisely because the singer doesn’t attack every phrase as though it might be her last. Space appears. Dynamics appear. The songs stop being demonstrations of commitment and become performances. That’s where the record reveals its real sophistication. The cover may be the perfect introduction. Not because it explains the music, but because it prepares you for a gloriously cluttered experience. Contradictions, competing impulses, questionable decisions and occasional brilliance all coexist quite happily. The miracle is not that the album is messy. The miracle is that something this messy works as often as it does. It’s one of those records that becomes more interesting once the legend starts to wear off. Not less impressive. More human.

Janis elevated this

The counter culture at it's finest.

Nice! Didn't know I knew a lot of these songs.

Notable Textzeile: I guess I'm just like a turtle That's hiding underneath its hardened shell Like a turtle hiding underneath its hardened shell But you know I'm very well protected I know this goddamn life too well Ich finde die Idee, so zu tun als sei es ein Live-Album in dem künstlich Zuschauer*innengeräusche eingespielt werden eigentlich völlig bescheuert – in diesem Fall kann ich aber den Impuls auch irgendwie nachvollziehen. Denn die Lieder haben ein Livefeeling, die Energie und positive Spannung zwischen den Instrumenten und Stimmen ist zu hören und manchmal ist die Band auch nicht ganz so tight wie sie sein könnte. Insgesamt gefällt mir das sehr gut, es hat den Bluessound, die Hippe-Hair-Verbindungen, aber ergeht sich nicht in Love&Peace sondern rockt.

I was ready to be a curmudgeon and be like “1001 Album COVERS You Must See Before You Die” because that’s mainly how I know this album, and the whole psychedelic jam-y white person-blues is a style of music I have not generally vibed with throughout this project, but hey, I love to be wrong. I enjoyed this a lot and was on its level almost immediately. Surprised myself at how much fun this was. Pleasant to listen to, great musicianship on display, didn’t overindulge itself.

Janice sure could belt it out, couldn’t she? Big Brother tried to hold up the instrumental aspects but, really, the guitar work can’t hold a candle to her vocals and we just want Janice to recover enough to continue. Oddly my previous album of the day was James Brown - at least one of whose songs reminded me of Joplin. But after I checked the dates I wondered if the influence was the other way around and Joplin had done a bit of cultural appropriation

I didn’t think I’d heard of this band before this morning but the R Crumb cover art had me very interested. It turns out that I’d always assumed “A Piece of my Heart” was a Janis Joplin song, when it was a song she sung as the vocalist for Big Brother and the Holding Company, which is almost the same thing, but not quite. This is good, properly heavy, psychedelic rock. I’ve never been big into Janis Joplin but she has a powerful voice and it works well with the big amps and big riffs. A nice surprise here.

Man, I love Janis. She’s so raw and chaotic and messy and the music from BB & the Holding Company matches her to a tee. Her voice is outstanding and when she sings she gives you her whole soul, and you can feel it. Great album, I actually own this one. I was happy to see this on the list.

Janice joplin

Anything involving Janis Joplin has to be good. Piece of my Heart is an amazing track. The rest is good and the live aspect of it provides extra energy. But ultimately I'm not really up for a whole album of this sound, just the glimpses of Janis Joplin genius please.

Really blistering album, at the start certainly - Janis Joplin's vocals are crazy, so gravelly and powerful, and the album has a heady, unhinged energy. A great mix of soul and rock that I was completely unaware of! The album settles into more typical blues rock as it goes on, less inspiring and less justified in being so overblown. Still, the start of this album is incredible. I didn't know Piece of My Heart was from this!

Pop off, Janis Joplin!!!!

When I put this on I really didn’t think I was in the mood for it, really just needed a distraction, but this is just incredibly good. Very fun, technically talented parts of this that make me stop and just appreciate a 2 minute guitar part and the like, really good stuff. Not every song was a memorable standout, but the experience overall was wonderful. Also LOVE Janis Joplin, that needed to be said. Favorites: Piece of My Heart and Oh, Sweet Mary Rating: 7.9/10

Starts off like an average rock jamming session then kicks into some great guitar licks and bass lines with some great vocals from JJ

This clearly had a lot of inspiration from Jefferson Airplane. But it was still really good. The singer was a bit hit or miss but it was either "okay" or "damn she's killing it". Really liked it tbh, Ball and Chain is amazing and I can see why they decided to go for the live version of that song. Retroactively making the whole thing sound like a live album because of that song is a but wild tho. 4/5

Discazo. Uno de los mejores discos de Janis, aunque solo tenga 4. Puta chad.

Janis kinda sounds like Marge Simpson at points of "I Need a Man to Love." I really like the guitar on "Summertime" Honestly, I'm liking this album a lot more than I thought I would. I wasn't sure I liked Janis Joplin that much, but the band is great and her voice is definitely powerful.

I feel like half of these albums are only on here because they have one or two songs that got really popular at one point. its not bad tho i like turtle blues janis joplin 3-4

Didn’t realise Janis was in a band before. Surprised how good this is as a first listen to me. Raw, bluesy and still holds up. 4.1/5

Give me a dark, smoky bar with this playing and I would be one happy girl.

Janis's vocals are insane genuinely. Album has alot of great songs

Janis is great, and this album was lots of fun!

Best Song: Piece of My Heart. There's a reason this song is generationally loved. It's hard not to be affected by Joplin's aching, straining vocals. She sings with such emotion that it is easy to imagine alternately that she's giving away that piece of her heart freely and joyously, or spitefully and despite herself. I really love how the sing ebbs and flows in these waves, cresting each time with that effervescent "Take it!" Worst Song: Oh Sweet Mary. I'm here for Janis Joplin, that's it. Get this male singer out of here. Overall: Janis Joplin makes this whole album. Her voice is electric, and has the exact kind of raw energetic force that I love in a vocalist. The album definitely exceeded my expectations.

😃

Much better than I expected

I knew half of the songs on this album, which may sound impressive at first, but there are only 7 proper songs on Cheap Thrills. I listened to the edition of Cheap Thrills that had two bonus tracks, which I believe were outtakes, and I can see why they were outtakes. Roadblock and Flower in the Sun were not on par with the rest of the album. Cheap Thrills had to be in this book, as the mix of Janis Joplin and the blues were an essential part of the late 1960's. Pretty much had to be in the book and hearing Janis Joplin at her peak is a great listen. Favorite songs: Combination of the Two I Need a Man to Love Summertime Piece of My Heart Ball and Chain

I love Janis Joplin

4/5 Best Song: Piece of My Heart Worst Song: Oh, Sweet Mary Weirdest Song: Summertime Janis Joplin's voice is so tastefully raw and raspy. Combined with the great selection of bluesy and frenetic melodies, this album contains some great classics and hidden gems.

This album was really incredible. Honestly enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. I need more.

Heavy psyche elevated to legendary status by Janis Joplin’s absolutely legendary voice

Pretty cool. Great vocals

J'adore la cover, mais un coup j'aime beaucoup la voix de Janis Joplin puis un coup je l'aime pas. En tout cas c'est de la bonne

I can see why Joplin wanted Crumb's artwork on the front cover. The music itself is fine, and really lights up when Joplin gets roaring. An important album for the West coast counterculture. Not sure it has aged particularly well.

Siempre merece la pena escuchar a Janis Joplin, aunque su grupo no sea gran cosa.

This is a surprisingly good album that shows how really good Big Brother & The Holding Company were. Janis really hits it on some cuts like Ball n Chain plus Summertime. The bonus tracks are not really a bonus they sound just okay at best.

Janis is always a 10 from me

I love this.

Solid classic with lots of soul. Will continue to hold up with time.

I liked it

Such a great Janis album, definitely one of her best. She brings such an energy that makes this a very interesting and dynamic listen. 9/10 [KEEP]

I kinda feel for the fellas in the Holding Company. You're lucky enough to be a talented young rocker in the epicenter of the emerging psychedelic rock scene - you're lucky enough to hook up with one of the great vocalists of that time and place - you're lucky enough to make two records with her - and everyone who sees you play live is thinking "Janis is GREAT but she needs to get out on her own." And then she does, and you're.... back to square one. Anyways. This is the record they were able to make before Janis left for greener pastures. I've gotta say - the performances for the most part are good - it's the lead guitar tone that's killing me. Sounds like razor blades. The songs are good. Overall a quintessential 60s rock record. FOUR STARS

I like it, it rocks. Janis Joplin was just so good!

Really good.

Great sound great vocals. Best: I Need a Man to Love, Summertime, Piece of My Heart, Oh Sweet Mary, Ball and Chain. Worst: Turtle Blues.

niceeee

Joplin delivers a raw and mesmerizing performance, and although it's a studio recording (except Ball and Chain), it feels very much like a live recording.

It earned a lot of points just by the sheer energy put forth by the band. Not all of the songs were really that good as a whole, but Janis's energy was incredible.

Whelp now I know where some references come from.

1 - Combination of the Two (a fiery Stooges-esque opening with every instrument sounding enraged. It then softens up into a simpler blues song. Joplin's voice, initially distant, towers over everything soon after, which is especially impressive considering this was recorded live. A powerful, raw opener to this album that doesn't at all feel nearly 6 minutes in length) 4.5/5 2 - I Need a Man to Love (Joplin shows her surprisingly good sense of dynamics on the verses of this song. This one is a standout even very early in the album. Joplin's laboured gravelly voice is loud and clear no matter how soft she is. However, it exposes how "raw" her talent truly was, and, hilariously enough, the coarse falsettos kind of recall Marge Simpson to my ears. The distorted guitar solo lends a psychedelic edge to the whole song and really ties it in with its era) 4/5 3 - Summertime (a straight-up blues ballad dominated by Joplin's coarse falsetto. This one recalls Since I've Been Loving You by Led Zeppelin even though this song came first. The main riff being so delicate contrasts with the gruff guitar passages that make up the solos. A change of pace without deviating too far from the high-energy one-two that preceded it) 4/5 4 - Piece of My Heart (one of Joplin's best-known songs. She sounds just incredible on this one, her voice never quite sounding so clear. A soulful performance by all those involved on this song and a standout. This song is a very simple verse-chorus affair but there's just enough change each time to make it worthwhile) 4.5/5 5 - Turtle Blues (a piano-led 12 bar blues piece. Sounds so completely out of its time especially as the rest of the album is incredibly modern (for its time anyway.) Joplin displays a mastery of the blues structure and stylings and, barring the modern sound, this could pass a song 20 to 30 years older than it really was) 4/5 6 - Oh, Sweet Mary (a more adventurous affair than most of the previous tracks. The intro riff sounds prog at times and the song moves from a capella harmonies to huge instrumental freak-outs. After a couple solos, there's a straight-up soul and gospel section to this song. A definite highlight of this album) 4.5/5 7 - Ball and Chain (this 9 minute closer begins with an actual, real noise freakout. While this wasn't unheard of at the time it's certainly not a common occurrence for an album as old as this one. Joplin does her classic rise-and-fall displaying the full extent of her voice and dynamics. Much of the song is another slow blues groove despite the noisier parts. Over time the song quiets down until it's only Joplin singing the outro a capella, which then reveals the entire thing was live. Another excellent track to end off this already strong album) 4/5 OVERALL - 8.4/10

Rough hewn and powerful

rock insano dos anos 60 e vocais incríveis. experiência foda.

This was an actually good album! Quit enjoyed it, and it proves the 60s are able to produce some good stuff too.

I had a nice time listening to this

Janis joplin es espectacular

So four things: 1. Didn't plan on seeing a depiction of Janis Joplin's erect neeps... 2. Also, disturbing is the racist depiction of an African American woman...Thanks Crumb. Side note, I'm realizing he may have been the American Toriyama (Dr. Slump) just way less charming. 3. The music actually goes along well with the album cover. Feral and a good bit of fun. 4. So yeah, Janis Joplin is like Robert Plant with a vagina?

Very good album. Love Joplin’s voice and some great guitar!

me sorprendió mucho. nunca había escuchado a esta banda pero la verdad muuuy buena le doy un 4/5

Really liked this

This was enjoyable

Didn't know Marge Simpson had a band

Janis Joplin sure has one hell of a voice on her, and my God does she use it well. Her screams of passion work so well to get her point across, whether it's anger or heartbreak, she really lets you know how passionate she is about it. And the intensity of her voice really suits the style of psychadelic rock that the rest of the band is playing, all ultimately adding to the chaos and loudness of the whole experience.

I don’t love that they started this album w a song where Janis is turned up to 11 the whole time. I’ve never specifically enjoyed her voice and often what I’ve heard he joining in on, she’s completely overtaking the song in a way that’s annoying and detracts from the rest, like in this first song. In the majority of the rest of the album, she showcases her voice in a way that gives the rest of the band room to breathe and is actually enjoyable. Turtle blues 😎 Ball & chain 🔥🔥🔥The band is 🤌🤌🤌 Song 1 is a 1 for me but the rest of the album redeems itself.

Love it

Legendarni album, definitivno zaslužuje mjesto tu, ovo je opća kultura, ono što puštaš djeci jer ne možeš dopustiti da ne znaju za to. 4/5, 7/10

Enjoyed this. Really liked the music. I enjoyed the vocals although it occasionally was a little too raspy for me. I found the songs a little repetitive at times, but had a good time overall. Fav song: Turtle Blues Least fav: Ball and Chain

I Need a Man to Love // Summertime // Piece of My Heart // Ball and Chain //

Damn, this slaps. Piece Of My Heart is a classic. The rest of this is very, very good. Glad I listened, would come back to it.

It’s not often I start one of these reviews by talking about the album art. In fact, I think this is actually a first for me. My God, that is something. It’s terrifying to be completely honest. That really does just immediately reach out and tell you that you’re about to go on a hell of a trip. Are you on drugs?? I think Janis would prefer you were before turning this one on. Anyway, that was all an assessment of the album art before I’d even started listening to the album itself. Real review starts now. Yeah. It’s good. Vibes match the album art, it’s Psychedelic Rock with a twinge of Blues. Lot of understated gems, but I wouldn’t skip any of them. In fact, the actual hardest part of listening to this album for me is trying to figure out which one is my favorite. If I’m being completely honest here, I didn’t know that Janice Joplin was ever in a band. I thought she was always a solo career, and even then I couldn’t pull any of her songs out of my head. Not sure I’d actually heard any until now. The best thing I can say about her is that her voice is extraordinarily unique, and extraordinary in general. Her range is quite impressive, especially the high notes, and I could listen to her singing for hours. Now that I mention it, let’s change “could listen” to “did listen”. I couldn’t get enough of this one. I still do think there are some forgettable tracks here, but even they’re bangers themselves. Damn, if I’m forced to pick a favorite song, I’ll go with “Ball and Chain” because the intro starts off with a mind melting solo, continues into a great Janice performance, and has a few more killer bouts of guitar magic throughout. It’s also over 9 minutes long, so I get to spend some more time with this band when I’m jamming out to the “Best song on the album” playlist I’ve set up for this project. Very silly band name, but legendary performance by both the singer and guitarist. Psychedelic Rock is pretty hard to mess up, and when done right, it’s pretty damn hard to beat. This is a clear exemplification of the second option. It sounds amazing, and you can bet your ass I’m going to be returning to it!! Another mark of a great album. This concludes what very well might have been the most consistently good week of music I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying for this project so far. Keep it up bot, more of this please.

Essential, eh? “Piece of My Heart” is a song everyone knows, as it should be. And “I Need a Man to Love” ought to be in that category, too.

amazing and influential; i wished i liked it een more but i could never convince myself

The fuzzy, hazy guitar and Janis' voice? Chef's kiss.

Feels very 1968 and I love the album cover. I enjoyed the pace change, particularly the slower beginning of 'Summertime'. 'Piece of my heart' was particularly fun - can tell why its their most popular. 'Oh, sweet mary' also fun, particular with pace changes.

Nice and raw sounding, and pretty good songs.

I didn't know that Janis Joplin had a named band she was a part of. I always just figured it was her solo with backing artists. Piece of My Heart is one of the greatest love songs ever written and totally captures the free love vibe of the era.

Wait... this isn't a live album??? I became familiar with Big Brother before i listened to Pearl, and i can't believe how far back does Janis' influence stretch to contemporary artists. The covers are amazing, I was obsessed with this version of Summertime when I first heard it decades ago. What each band members lives could have been like to get this quality of blues music is a mystery to me for now, but i'll look into it.

Really enjoyable album. Nostalgic for me. Love the guitar and I enjoy the vocals!

Joplin has incredible vocals.

Really cool to hear this style

need to listen to the rest because i didny finish it but the bits i listened to were good.

AMAZING, ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE

Moody, vibey, and pulls you in. Loved listening to this album. 4/5

Cool album! Never heard before

Блюз и психоделия, отвязный звук.

Loved this-Janis Joplin incredible

A 1001 gem

Not too sure what to make of this. Musically there's a lot to like. But there's also a fair amount of run of the mill blues rock. But then there's the Janis Joplin factor. She lifts even the most average song here to something that is interesting and enjoyable. And Summertime and Piece of my Heart are the stellar examples of that here for me. I'll definitely come back to this, if only just to wonder at that voice again. So it has to be a 4*

Joplin’s vocals on this are absolutely killer. It really makes the record. The rest is just a great time.

Lovely thrills from your Big Brother and Little Sister Joplin in that 1960s charm.

7.5/10

I had to grow up to appreciate the power of Janis Joplin. Sorry, Dad. You were right.

Combination of the Two - 4/5 I Need a Man to Love - 4/5 Summertime - 3.5/5 Piece of My Heart - 4.5/5 Turtle Blues - 3.5/5 Oh, Sweet Mary - 3.5/5 Ball and Chain - 3.5/5 Man Janis Joplin has such a distinct voice. The faux-live production of the album helps bring the low fidelity and rawer aesthetic to life and really makes it stand out. Like with all blues rock to me it starts to sound the same after awhile but this doesn't overstay its welcome too long. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Piece of My Heart

Really solid album, didn’t think I’d like it as much as I do. Janis voice isn’t the best ok this but th rest of the parts of the album I really enjoy. 4 stars

An incredible talent gone too soon. Such a shame to lose Janis so early in her career but what she left was absolutely classic. The band are pretty tight behind and provide some heavy power blues. Excellent album. 4

I loveeeee live recorded albums that include people's actual reactions or random background sounds. they're always so fun to listen to, and this album was no exception.

I liked it. Not much else to say, haha.

класс, хоча думала не сподобається спочатку

Very powerful bluesy rock. Wasn't really familiar with Janis Joplin, but she did have a great voice for rock music (complementary).

Janis Joplin might have the most recognizable voice in all of music history. It’s both a gift and a curse, I think. It’s cool but can also be a little too much. Luckily this album is so short I don’t get tired of it after one listen. I am not a fan of the applause and cheering they have put in between the songs, to make it sound like a live album. The songs are pretty good, though I feel like I have heard «Peace Of My Heart» enough before this listen.

Janis Joplin, you icon with your voice that can rule out generations!

I didn’t like the album cover, no need for a racist cartoon Janis! Ended up googling her and it made me feel a bit sad :( solid women rock gotta love it

Yaknowwhat I really enjoyed revisiting this, more than I thought I would actually, I think because it's got a rawness that feels way more real than a lot of the other 60s stuff that's been on this list. There's a genuine murky intensity to the guitars that the greats like Hendrix and the MC5 had but many many others couldn't muster, and Janis Joplin just had the charisma and vibes that so many of her contemporaries were just cosplaying. RIP Janis you would have loved the simpsons.

A lot of fun with Joplin's iconic voice.

This album felt like coming home to your wife after a blue collar 9-5

Godkjent

Some classic music from Janis Joplin

Combination Of The Two

Low 4 Enjoyed this a lot. Most "Woodstock core" albums tend to get very pointless and "jammy". This resists that for the most part. Sucums in the tracks "ball and chain" and "roadblock" in the second half But most of the songs sound different!

Some excellent tunes on here, I’d never heard “Turtle Blues “ before - loved it, Janis Joplin’s voice - 🤩

Blues rock sensation, very impressive. A legend.

Nice jams, the hits and Janis' voice are great to be reminded of. Turtle Blues is one I'll add to the playlist, whole album worth another listen soon. Repetitious vocals at times annoyed my wife during dinner (stir fry).

I fear Janis Joplin's voice has been permanently ruined for me by Jenna Maroney's impression of her in 30 Rock, but there's some really good material on this album. Most of the musical breaks show a lot of impressive musicianship and there's a lot of obvious blues influence that comes out in a pleasing way. I think Turtle Blues and Oh, Sweet Mary ended up being my favorite tracks. Last note is I don't really understand why they apparently artificially added in the crowd noises in most of the tracks to make it sound like a live album despite most of it being done in a studio. I feel like I'd rather just have a normal studio album.

I didn’t know Janis Joplin was in a band?!

If you want to know what the 60's were like, start with this album. ;-)

Decent record, love the cover so much

Music is good, but oh my god. Janis's Joplin hoarse voice is terrible

Was there ever a luckier bunch of guys than Big Brother and The Holding Company? A fair to middling blues rock band - just another band in on the West Coast playing Psychedelia and they pick an unknown woman who turns out to be one of the great rock vocalists of all time. They play Monterey, cause a sensation, record an album that's a benchmark for blues rock even today and then they're gone, leaving behind this. Of course, it's the Janis Joplin show. Her voice is a raw miracle. The closest thing to it is probably Robert Plant, but Joplin makes Plant sound as smooth as Engelbert Humperdink, so smokey and emotional is her voice. Whenever the album goes without her, in Combination of the Two or Oh, Sweet Mary you realise that they're not much without her. The end of Ball and Chain - where she sings unaccompanied- makes you realise just how little they mattered. She's everything, with or without. Of the five songs on the album where she sings lead, I Need a Man to Love, Piece of My Heart and Ball and Chain are amazing. Her vocals are transcendent. Summertime is transformed from Gershwin's beautiful number to a slow, tortured blues. It's good, but not the greatest performance on the album. Turtle Blue is an acoustic blues in the style of Bessie Smith or Mephis Minnie. It's pretty good, even if it stands out completely from the rest of the album. The bands backing to Janis's singing is, perhaps, more enthusiastic than tight. At times it's downright sloppy as only 60s Psychedelia can be. After this album Joplin left the band and burned brightly through a brief solo career. But what a performance she left.

Start with the cover, pretty awesome art! The music is straight late 60's biker boogey. Love Janis' voice, the band is tight. Mixed in crowd noise to appear live, not a fan of that. The music does sound raw and what I would imagine they sound like live though, so that is good production. Her singing really does carry this, the music is good but there is so much feeling in her voice.

Listened while driving. This was a surprise for me. Don't love Janus's voice but found myself enjoying this one a lot. It started strong and got weaker as it went.

good production

Favorite Song: Piece of My Heart

Album 19/1001. Listened 2/16/2026. I could listened to Janis for most of the day, not all day long. That lady's voice is just mind blowing. No complaints about the music, either. A classic.

Pretty, pretty, good.

I'd always associated these songs with just "Janis Joplin", not this band name. Great bluesy rock.

Like her voice and guitar. Good listen even though obviously some cover versions

I enjoyed this even if it is over heavy. TBH, I had no idea of its existence before being served this listen. She has such a distinct gravelly voice which glues everything together nicely.

Cool album! The hits are great, the rest are too.

It’s Janis. Classic record

Great stuff here. Live jam-band feel, makes for a fun listen. Joplin's voice blows me away every time. Andrew's guitar playing is phenomenal. "Turtle Blues" is the favorite here.

I loves it when Janis is Jopling.

her voice is pretty powerful

INPUT = {"artist": "Big Brother & The Holding Company", "album": "Cheap Thrills"} LINEUP = {"men": 3, "women": 1} FEATURED_ARTISTS = {"men": 0, "women": 0} TOTAL_MEN = 3 TOTAL_WOMEN = 1 WOMEN_PERCENTAGE = 25 OUTPUT = "Score adjusted accordingly. 4/5"

Good album. I can see why Janis is held in such high esteem.

Okayyyy !!!

Piece of my Heart is such a phenomenal song. Joplin has an incredible voice, and the instrumentals still hold up despite being quite dated! The album cover is... interesting.

HEERLIJK !!! lekker ouderwetse rock, janis joplin op volle toeren (rippie), topplaat. jammer van het racisme in de albumhoes, want het is ook een banger kunstwerkje verder

Really enjoyed this album, confirmed to me that Janis Joplin is just awesome. Her voice is just fantastic, big fan. Bonus points for the amazing album artwork. Favourites: Piece Of My Heart Oh, Sweet Mary Catch Me Daddy

Best songs are really good and others are okay. 4 stars or B.

Super duper interesting sound and Janis Joplin’s vocals are quite literally out of this world. She has no right having such a cool voice along with equally as cool sounding music. A bit experimental for my taste but some songs were extremely vibey. Overall really cool stuff and didn’t know anything about Janis Joplin.

I can almost hear Janis' bangles jingling in the background. Great tunes