Pearl

gets a bit samey. Not that into her voice or that organ sound either.

Trøkk. Er seg sjæl. 3,5/5 for mej

Powerful voice that can also be subtle. The music itself is not something I love though.

I don't think I've listened to a whole Joplin album before. It was an enjoyable album. Nothing bad to say about it.

Harsh voice, super rock and roll for early 70s. Move over is a classic, I like to album but not so much I’d race back to it.

It's no easy task making a voice like JJs sound pedestrian but this album does just that. I'm not saying that I'm yearning for the full caterwaul but maybe a touch of coloring outside the lines. The arrangements are tight, lightly funky but ultimately workmanlike. Would have loved to see what was beyond this outing.

There’s no denying that this album wouldn’t be nearly as popular and well-regarded had Joplin not died mere months before its release. But there’s also no doubt that it would’ve faded into obscurity had Joplin’s supreme voice not lined its grooves. Pearl is a half-hour of powerful blues, recognisable most in the thundering opener of Move Over, the perpetual build of Half Moon, and the everlasting ballad of Me and Bobby McGee. With inspirations from some of the most influential musicians in popular blues music, namely Kris Kristofferson and Bobby Womack, Pearl was never going to fail, even if Joplin’s untimely death hadn’t occurred. I don’t think I’d ever bother to listen to this if it wasn’t for the 1001 list. But I sure am glad I did, even if I probably won’t listen to it religiously, it’s left a lasting impression on me as I’m sure it has millions of others.

it's good overall but gets boring soon, and so not my vibe

I think I owned this album at one point, probably because of that to me it’s probably the most well known Janis album. I enjoy it quite a bit, but some of the songs are great, some are a little less great. 3 plus stars, but it’s not quite a round to 4 album for me.

Mixed feeling for this one. It's just an ok blues/R&B album, but Janis's voice sounds great. Seems to be mixed well, but I was kind of bored through most of it. Wasn't one I'd go back to, I don't think.

I like Janis Joplin, her voice is pretty special, I don’t normally seek out JJ but I enjoy it whenever it appears.

Good vibes

great voice, slightly raspy full of life. 60s vibe from the music, not normally my thing but still listenable

Small doses for me and Janis I think

Seems like I've been saying this a lot this week - a well produced, well performed album that just didn't catch me. No doubt Janis Joplin is a legend, and some of the songs caught my attention and were fantastic. Many of them though, I can understand why people are so infatuated with her and her voice, but as great as they are I just didn't get in to them like I had hoped. Not trying to damn with faint praise. I would have no problem listening to more of her music (even the songs on this album) again, but I'll likely not listen to this album as a whole again.

There is one thing for sure, reading about Janis' exploits is way more interesting than her music. Janis Joplin definitely partied like a rock star!

The musicianship is pretty great. Very much of-its-milieu and hard to distance the record from the sad tale that accompanies it. Not quite my bag but certainly a worthwhile listen.

🍻

Didn't like the Big Brother and the holding company one, but I think I get it much more on here, and also given the context it makes these songs a lot sadder, because most of them are quite upbeat. I think her voice is actually quite nice when she doesn't so that blues wail screech thing, but that's always what ruins it for me, same with Led Zeppelin. The instrumentals are nice as well. Favourite songs: move over, a woman left lonely, half moon, Me and Bobby McGee, trust me. Overall around 6/10

Songs for a summer road trip, I can see the appeal of these tunes from the 70's.

Joplinin raspiäänestä ja musatyylistä tulee mieleeni kuinka paljon Jack White White Stripesista on velkaa Joplinille. Jack White yksi suosikeistani.

• 3/5 • That voice . . . Hard to believe she was only 27

Obviously, it's a classic album by a well-respected singer. It's just never been quite for me. Her soulful crooning is great and the harder rocking parts are good, but half the time the scratchy warbling throws me off. Bobby McGee is quite good. I've always thought Mercedes Benz was is a fun song, but honestly her voice grates on me and I never get more than halfway through it. The production is better than on her previous albums, but those rock a little harder, too. I do understand why people love her, but I never just think, "Hey! Let's play Janis Joplin."

I enjoyed this album. I have never really listened to Janis Joplin before and did not know this would be so good.

Good and I see why people like it. Similar to the Sex Pistols or something, it is rather monotonously excited and screamy. However, I don't care much for it. I'd be interested to listen to more of her work, though, since I don't know if I invested enough time in this and I know she is a real icon.

6/10

Alcohol. Dirt. Drugs. Wailing. Peace. Love. Janis. All connected. Not all good.

what a gal! an album that just makes you want to get up and dance and lose your mind. so funky. she had a crazy voice. i did not listen to all of the bonus tracks. i’m sure i’ll revisit the album when it’s time to Rock Out!!!

It's ok, voice is a bit too gravely for me. Preferred the album with the band I got last week.

6/10…acid - 70s rock

Favorites: Cry Baby, Mercedes Benz (Though I kept waiting for instruments to come in on it) It was alright, not the biggest fan of her voice tbh. I liked the message of some of the songs though.

Pretty mid

Not listened to this before and it was an OK listen.

Overraskende rocka når en kun har hørt Mercedes Benz før. Litt mye vokalonani, men skjønner nå hvor legendestatusen kommer fra. Solid. Klarer ikke plukke ut beste låt.

Overraskende kult, bra stemme og god instrumental. Men ikke noe jeg kommer til å plukke opp på egenhånd.

Litt kråke, litt fett, litt fint og kult nok.

Only 33 minutes! A breeze to get through. I learned through Andrew Hickey’s excellent podcast “A History of Rock in 500 songs” that Janis Joplin performed each song the exact same way for every take. Carefully rehearsed blues. I don’t think it takes away from her performances-though I don’t quite know what to make of that fact. There are some classics on this album. There are some live versions I prefer more, and “A Woman Left Lonely” isn’t the strongest track. Overall, this is a strong album though. “Buried Alive in the Blues” really doesn't doesn’t do much for me at all, nor does it feature what we came for (Ms. Joplin). Still, the classics are quite classic. Really 3.5 I’d say.

Much like the Big Brother album we got a week ago, this project is carried by Janis’ vocal presence & amazing singing voice. While “Me & Bobby McGee” gets all the attention, I really liked “Cry Baby” myself. Not much more to say, I’m feeling a light 3/5

7/10

I wish I was more invested in this sound.

Decent album, nothing special

Llo escucharé más

While not my style, this was genuinely fun to sit through. There's certainly a reason why she is THE Janis Joplin. Lovely album. Probably not something I'll come back to but what a talent. Worst Song: Trust Me Best Song: Cry Baby, Me and Bobby McGee, Half Moon Songs added to Liked Songs: Cry Baby, Me and Bobby McGee, Half Moon

Classic, legendary voice, and a sad story about her dying during production—but ultimately this is not really for me. PS: Some great guitar leads tucked in there!

It was alright.

Pretty good album, one or two songs stood out as kind of weird, namely Mercedes Benz, but otherwise quite a nice album.

Generational voice, the slow bluesy soul beat and progressions were a little samey after a while. But enjoyable.

a little whatever to me 6/10

this deserves another listen at some point bc i was too distracted. her voice is compelling but none of the actual tracks grabbed me

psychedelic blues rock interesting voice and decent song writing just sounds dated

May need to circle back to this one!

This album relies almost exclusively on Janis' voice, as I felt the instruments are only there to accompany the singing. So, if you aren't crazy about the vocals, as I am, this album is a bit bland. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying she's a bad singer or anything like that. She was undoubtedly talented, and highly influential, as she reminded me to Axl Roses and Jack White. But when it comes to the impact that this album left me, I have to say that this didn't do a lot for me.

Why had Janis Joplin's music evolved into cinematic sad lady music? Like when you're feeling angry or alone or betrayed and you have a red wine and listen to Janis and sing and cry the pain away? IRL it's pleasantly gritty blues rock. Maybe it will underscore or heal a bad moment, but it doesn't have to

A fine album. Janis, as always, has extremely powerful vocals. Sometimes they can be a bit much, sometimes they’re exactly what’s needed. Some of the roughness is likely due to it being a posthumous release and not having a chance to go back in and re-record things. Still more polished than some of the Big Brother stuff though. As always, the fun part of Me & Bobby McGee is realizing a stoned Kris Kristofferson couldn’t quite remember the actual name of the person he was supposed to be writing about but managed to turn it into gold no less.

A much better representation of Janis’ talents than Big Brother, though it suffers from a real sameness through the tracks. A better mix of songs to show Janis’ range would be better. Still, it’s a refreshing album where you c an fully hear her.

I enjoyed this album decently. Repetitive in style, but catchy and harmonic. I’d give it a higher score but nothing pulls me in for a second listen.

Nice surprise, I did not expect Janis Joplin to sound like thst.

She has some good songs on here and some not so good.

Meh

Her voice is fine for a couple songs but an entire album kinda grates on me. I do love the emotion she can pack into a track though that is nice.

mola

The vocals are obviously great, but the music isn't quite enough to get to a 4 for me. It's not bad by any means, just not my jam. 3.4

7/10 Amazing voice. Pleasant listen. Missing stand out songs. Highlights: Mercedes Benz Cry Baby Move On Me and Bobby McGee

Okay. Not great. But okay.

Idk it just is

Janis relys too heavily on theatrics on this one-I wish she used her power more sparingly. Some really good songs, but all in all- just okay.

Pretty good

Very good

Organ guitar parts were best but a little to country or something for me. Didn't like her voice much

I know for sure that one of the first albums I bought when getting into music was Cheap Thrills, which makes it a bit weird that I don't think i've really thought about Janis Joplin in several years. Even "Me and Bobby Mcgee" here feels unfamiliar, despite having heard it a billion times. In all, I guess this album just made me want to listen to Kris Kristofferson, honestly. It's not all that psychedelic either, not sure what that genre is doing here.

Pearl, with her distinctive, gravelly, screechy Texan twang that is recognizable by anyone from the Boomer Generation, got herself a great album here. All songs (other than the one of great social and political import) are good; high energy with a touch of blues. Best cut is the cover of Christofferson’s Me And Bobby McGee. Enjoyed the throwback of this listen. L = (3.4*s) J = (3.3*s) We may not be here tomorrow…

I've been somewhat looking forward to a Janis Joplin album so I can get some exposure beyond the couple hits that I know. Pearl was a perfect entry point for me as I felt like I got a pretty polished version of what she has to offer. It's got Bobby McGee and Cry Baby which are some of the prime examples of her smooth raspy voice that brings so much emotion into her vocals. I was also pleased to hear her last ever recorded vocal in Mercedes Benz which a good a cappella isolation of Janis. Overall Pearl is a very worthy entry that I can appreciate a lot more now than I could as a kid. 3.14

Fine album. Kind of punk in folks and blues clothing or the other way around. Hard to tell.

Her voice is an acquired taste, but the music is solid. 7/10

Good good

Is this just trauma porn? Was her tragic death, (aged 27!!!) a large part of the regard this album has? It’s a better backing band than her original band. Bobby McGee is one of the great American songs. 'And I’d trade all my tomorrows for a single yesterday’ is perhaps the greatest couplet in American lyricism. Rivalled only by ‘and I want you more than need you/and I need you more than life’ in Wichita linesman. It’s complex. She didn’t write Bobby McGee. That was Kris Kristofferson. And I’ll be brutally honest. When she goes off at the end it’s always jarred for me. It’s a song of loss, of regret, of sadness. So to gurgle like that is … I don’t know. Millions love it, so … But to the rest of the album. Had she survived this would have been fondly remembered but I think maybe overshadowed by later stuff. Female performers started to come into their own in the seventies and I think Janis would have been prominent in the movement that gave us Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, Emmy Lou Harris, etc. so while this is a good album I don’t think it’s a great album. 3 stars.

She sings like she has eaten an ashtray. In a good way. Beautiful soul/rock songs. Not massively dissimilar to Tapestry (Carole King) - maybe less singles. Sunday music. This drops down from a comfortable 4 to a strong 3 in the end. The second half of the record is not as strong with tracks 7, 8 & 11 spoiling the flow a bit

Janis rocks. She has a extremely unique voice and was undoubtably a talent its such a shame her career was tragically cut short. Personally I'm just not that into her music but I respect the hell out of her and acknowledge her as legend.

She has a great voice that accompanies the instruments well. Lots of emotion but got repetitive. Mercedes Benz was awful but my top song was trust me. 5/10

Her voice is stupidly good. It sounds so old. So worn. And she was so young!

Janis Joplin has a phenomenal voice. Totally unique and highly emotional. The band is tight and working in perfect unison. I like how personable and personality led the record is. It has a real sense of self.

I don't think Blues Rock is my favorite genre. It's not bad but I also don't see myself returning to this. Janis's voice is good and I see why other people like it, even if it's not for me. 5/10

She needs to calm down

This is all ok but Summertime is the one

J - 3/5 Best Track - "Crybaby" F - DNL

janis is awesome, i dont listen to her stuff that much but she is a queen and i did really like this album.

A legend, but this album didn't really do it for me

Legend but not really my thing

effortlessly great vocals. rip

Decent album.

Released Posthumously, top of her game

Good. I find her a bit annoying to be honest. I can appreciate the significance of her music.

Great voice, enjoy the slow blues the best.

I haven't listened to a lot of Janis Joplin. The piano and vocals on "Move Over" are awesome. The song has a ton of energy. "Cry Baby" and "A Woman left Lonely" were a little less interesting. The vocals felt a little over the top for the rest of the song. "Half Moon" is a lot groovier. I'm digging the piano and guitar again. The album got a little same-y for me, but I do like the sound. Her singing is a little tough to listen to passively for long periods of time, because she is absolutely going for it. I'd probably only ever listen to one or two songs at a time from this. 6/10

I thought i’d like this more than I did, and I totally get why people adore it, but it’s not quite my thing!

Soulful

The repeated "c'mon" in Cry Baby made me think of the film 'C'mon C'mon' which was a nice association. Love the solo in Buried Alive in the Blues (title describes my nightmare though haha) Loved hearing Mercedes Benz here - had only heard it covered. Great song, and love the talking intro. Obsessed with her 'everybody join in!' invitation and no voices coming in. Enjoyable listen? Clearly very good stuff; not my style of music so wouldn't be revisiting though.

I was underwhelmed to be honest, I expected to really enjoy this album and looked forward to it, but overall it was good.

Truly have never really listened to much of Janis. I do know how much of a legend she is in her own right. Some good music right here.

Janis really does have an incredible voice. However, the songwriting is lacking somewhat in my opinion on this album (with the notable exception of me and Bobby McGee).

Good Album, iconic voice

Not my favorite, but I understand why other people like it. I enjoyed a couple of the songs.

Beaucoup de "hits" que je connais depuis ma "phase Janis Joplin" au secondaire. Quelques uns de nouveaux pour moi: My Baby, Buried Alive in the Blues

She can sing for sure. Not something I would seek out though

Shouty

Also nostalgic in that I heard most of these tracks during my childhood. Janis rocks. Can be a little grating at times when I’m not in the mood.

She has a great voice and some really good songs. Some of them were boring tho so can’t give it 4 stars. Me and Bobby McGee slaps

wyld

Fands echt lame aber Merceds Benz ist funny und Me and Bobby McGee ist auch echt gut Liebling: Me and Bobby McGee Schlechtester: My Baby Ne hab meine Meinung beim nochmal hören geändert ist echt in Ordnung

A couple of standouts, but most of this was just okay.

Finally some songs I recognise bits and pieces of! Some nice belting, enjoyable enough but not enough that I'd seek it out again.

Not sure why I have never heard this album. Something about the image, the “legend” that has always steered me away, the cover shouts stay away to me. And clips on tv were always her at full scream. that she is a blues howler, be it a very good one. And listening today, I understand why people love it and her voice I really do, a couple of songs in and was thinking this is easy 4 or even 5 star, But it just got old real quick, it’s not for me, and I know I’m in the minority but always preferred Kris K. non singing own version of Me and Bobby... where im on the road with him rather than Janis, she is like an actor that chewing the scenery on a stage version of it, which is funny cause he was the better actor and she is probably singing from her soul, oh well ears hey ..3 Star

Janis Joplin has an incredible voice and that was clear here. I didnt like this as much as the big brother album which was much more raw and rocky. I think I was put off a bit by how much of this album I'd heard before on adverts. Great voice, okay but overplayed songs. 2.5.

She has a great voice and is very believable. It's not quite my thing but I still did enjoy it. Think I enjoyed the big brother and the holding company album more though. Still 3

it's just not for me

move over- 6 cry baby- 7. goddamn a woman left lonely- 6 half moon- 6 buried alive in the blues- 5 my baby- 5 me and bobby mcgee- 5 mercedes benz- 5 trust me- 5 get it while you can- 5

Raspig bluessang. Man kan høre at hon var en legende men også rusmisbruker.

Hail Janis. One of the most unique vocalists of all time, her voice paired with fun, bluesey, and emotional songwriting makes for immersive and fulfilling listening. Not particularly obsessed with this album, but was my first time actually listening thru one of her albums and really enjoyed. Fav track: Me and Bobby McGee

fine 3/5

I had never seen a picture of Janis Joplin before. She looks very different than she sounds! This is not necessarily my style of music, but it's the least boring album we've had in a while, and I like her distinctive voice. I may or may not mix her up with Janis Ian (less tragic) or Janice the Muppet (felt).

her vocals are the thing saving this album but it’s definitely a bit front loaded and gets a bit boring at the end but it’s not bad at all

Everyone sure did love some rollicking piano/organ during this time.

Damn..hoped to give Janis more stars...

Energetic record from an iconic voice.

Listened to almost the full album before discovering radiooooo app

I can see why boomers love her, but not my cup of tea.

I have zero feelings on this album

Wish we had gotten more from Joplin, but grateful for this all the same

Noen gode tracks. Særlig Bobby McGee (country - selvfølgelig). Generelt litt mye skriking og skrål for min smak.

Your mom loves this record.

Not really a big blues rock person, but I have to say, did Janis Joplin ever have some chops. I liked this more than I thought I would. The backing band is energetic, and they get some real grooves going on at some parts. And Joplin's free-spirited personality shines through. There's a tinge of sadness, knowing this was posthumous. Fav tracks: Cry Baby, Half Moon, Mercedes Benz

The voice that made a million white women buy a pair of leather pants and join a bar band to scream Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin songs (and Alana Myles' "Black Velvet") at patrons who are either enraptured or bored to tears by it. I am almost always in the latter group. That said, Janis was herself unique and original. "Pearl" is an easy choice for this list.

Powerful performance!

Very soulful. I wasn’t really paying attention but not my favorite.

I liked Pearl

3.5

Standouts: • Cry Baby • Buried Alive In The Blues • Me and Bobby McGee • Mercedes Benz • Get It While You Can

Some good rock and roll. Nothing in particular really stood out to me.

A high 3, I did like it

she goes

This was my first venture into Janis Joplin's work and I thoroughly enjoyed it! She has such a powerful voice and she is clearly very in-sync with her band on this one. The recording sessions (leading up to her tragic and untimely death) must have been an absolute joy.

neato, some cool songs, heard of janis joplin but didnt know she was kinda soul-y

There's a little comment chain on the RYM comments for this album saying "it's weird that the further you get into music the less you hear about her" which is weirdly true despite how much of an "icon" she is otherwise for mainstream audiences as another 27 Club victim, she's viewed almost as a logo instead of an artist or a person really which is sad because, while I'm not the biggest fan of this album (I care more for the A side than the B side), she is still an incredibly strong voice that managed to merge all these psychedelic and blues and somewhat gospel sounds into one pretty nice 33 mins, there's even funk in two of these songs which really took me by surprise! But even those songs having a little new sound thrown in just makes you wonder if she would have done more of that or what would have been another album, and another, and another and maybe she wouldn't be so forgotten in the annals of music history among nerds discussing who is the 70s GOAT or the mainstream not just remembering her as this cute 70s icon. I think if nothing else it's just a sweet short listen that can do if I feel like having something more blues rock-y (and I'll take it over others I've heard)

Highs and Lows. Some songs needed skipping, others fantastic.

Honestly not that keen on her singing on some tracks. Didn't really like Mercedes Benz at all. Better on others like My Baby Instrumentation is usually cool. Psychedelic and tight, sometimes crunchy. The piano refrain on Half Moon weirdly reminds me of something yous hear in an 80s city pop tune. Little things like that are what grabbed my attention A decent album but not really my thing, mostly due to the vocals Highlights: Buried Alive in the Blues, Half Moon

Not my style but appreciate the artist.

Her singing can be a bit much. Maybe you need a certain mood.

I actually like the Big Brother one with the Crumb cover more, but maybe that's cause I grew up with it. This is still a really good album, the songs just don't move me the same. But she's brilliant.

Not a fan of the genre or the voice.

I thought this album was a lot of fun. Great guitars. Janis is a great singer. Nothing is particular stood out to me, but I had a good time listening to it. Maybe if anything, I liked My Baby. I also thought Mercedes Benz was a fun track to throw in. 3.5/5

The vocals weren't entirely my thing but overall an okay album.

Hate her wailing voice. Okay in other respects. Low 3 stars

I've never been super high on Janis. I think she's got a cool voice, but in terms of the music she put out in her lifetime, it's never really blown me away. I do think there's some good stuff here -- "Cry Baby", "Me & Bobby McGee", "Get it While You Can", but there's some lesser stuff in the middle of the album. 3.5 stars.

Marge Simpson sings. Good album, Cry Baby is nostalgic. Didnt know Janice Joplin did the Merc advert, banger. Get it while you can has a great intro

Classic, her voice sends chills and is unmistakable

👍🏼

Better than the previous one

3.05

i kind of liked the grooviness at first but i did think i tired of it a bit in the second half (e.g. songs like mercedes benz). in general the vocalism is pretty fab and the band isn't half bad either - e.g. in half moon. i guess i would say 3.5

Alright

Did not finish it completely but liekd it

2 sore throats back to back with Tom waits in the previous album.

Groovy, I suppose could work as driving music, e.g. Half Moon, but some of the tracks don't impress. Me and Bobby McGee is a classic blues song. I quite like Trust Me, I suppose it has more of the qualities that I seek for in a song - more melodic ballad-y?

Underrated vocal range. She was good

Great voice. 3nd half much better than first half.

She’s good at the guitar. Sounds kind of like CCR but not really my cup of tea. I respect it though!

It perhaps goes without saying, but quite a lot will rest on how well you get on with Janis Joplin’s voice. Icon of the counterculture, preternaturally gifted performer and still part of the conversation a lifetime after her tragic death – her voice is as distinctive as her enduring place in culture. While I won’t be hurrying back to this record, trying to argue against the brilliance of some of these songs and renditions is like trying to argue with the wind – or a big crashing wave, perhaps; she had both in the locker – so it’s a 3 from me.

Yep, enjoyable enough

The strength of her voice carried the album but the songs themselves blended together.

It’s fine. Solid, bluesy rock, and she had a remarkable, instantly recognisable voice, but it doesn’t set me on fire. It’s right on the cusp of 4, but it doesn’t quite get there.

Iconic but a little tiring at times. Her folksy side has always not really interested me

норм, но голос не очень приятный..

Energetic singer. Bobbie McGee is an all time classic. Solid listen

Meh. This was fine.

boyo can she shout and scream and you can hear those vocal cords pop. i appreciate janis joplin, but i dont really care about groove blues jammy stuff. its a good album, if thats your thing. she makes it shine either way.

O Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz!

Never really dug into Janis willingly. I enjoyed every song on the album aside from one - Mercedes Benz. I think the instrumentals are great and her voice had a uniquely rough but still agile quality.

would probably enjoy

cool 😎 favorite track: me and bobby Mcgee

Great album only lacking in variety of sounds. But the one sound that’s on the album is clearly heavily refined and clean. This was a good introduction to Janis Joplin.

What a voice. I knew who she was but never deliberately listened to her. Good album.

This is a good album. Joplin's grainy voice is powerful o er a tight backing band. This album showcases the talent that was there before she met her untimely demise.

Lyrics: 4/5 Music: 3/5 Production: 3/5 Cohesiveness: 3/5 Overall: 3/5 Stand out songs: Me and Bobby McGee Trust me

meh

Janis has a very unique voice, and brings a sense of rawness to her music.

dnf

She's pretty good

Pleasant album, nice and short, probably wouldn't listen again.

I Liked this all the songs were easy to listen to, the album was short which is always a bonus. Probably would have scored higher if I had been around when she released it

I was initially sour on Joplin, as years of hearing her strained voice sing Me and Bobby McGee on the radio made me assume the worst. While I still do not enjoy that Kristopherson song (rest in peace king), Pearl has plenty of other songs compliments Joplin's voice extremely well. I think her approach to soul and blues has aged quite well, even the style shows its age in different ways.

I think this may be one of those that you needed to be around at the time to appreciate, because I just don't see the big deal.

sumn pretty decent

I like Janis, so I liked this 3.5

- Ein weiteres Mitglied des 27er Clubs (daher auch nur 2 Alben in ihrer Karriere) - Tolle Stimme, gute Mucke, tolle Frau und Wegbereiterin für sehr viele Frauen in der Rockmusik - "Cry Baby" hatte ich irgendwann schonmal gehört und "Me and Bobby Gee" und "Mercedes Benz" kannte ich, aber sonst war mir das Album gänzlich neu - „Trust Me“ mochte ich gern - hat mich zwar nicht alles komplett vom Hocker gehauen aber insgesamt sehr bluesig, warm, stimmungs- und/oder gefühlvoll und kurzweilig Rating: 3/5

Lo que hace la musica de janis joplin tan interesante son sus vocales. Es un 50/50 entre si los odias o los amas, y personalmente a mi me gusta mucho

Super mid low 3

Move over - 4/5 Cry baby - 3/5 A woman left lonely - 2/3 Half moon - 5/5 The blues - 4/5 My baby - 2/5 Me and bobby McGee - 3/5 Mercedes Benz - 3/5 Trust me - 3/5 Get it while you can - 3/5 3.3/5

Joanie jorp jorp. Your cool mother-in-law's favourite lady. Wish I liked this more than I do. Me & Bobbie McGee is a tune. Trailblazing in her time etc etc.

3.3

Fav song: Get It While You Can Janis Joplin's voice and performance is amazing. Taken far too young </3

Passionate and unique vocals over some decent songwriting. Love the opening track. Gets a bit stale after a while.

I totally get why people are into her and her voice. I’m not though which is a bummer. I find her voice a little taxing

An amazing vocalist for sure. Her voice sounds so much more mature than she really was, prolly the cigs I guess. But wow so much soul I had to double check she was white.

She could sing

Great voice, but needs better songs and better arrangements

Olin todella skeptinen, mutta parit hyvät stygethän tällä albumilla oli. Ei huono!

Janis Joplin is undeniably cool and she’s got such a unique voice. That being said, I thought this album was good, but not great 😬 Does that make me a complete square?? Maybe if I listened a few more times I’d like it more. I did very much appreciate her raspy vocals and she sang with a depth and passion of someone much older. It’s crazy how young she was to record an album like this. I’d say my faves were “Me and Bobby McGee” obvi and “My Baby.” And Mercedes Benz was adorable 🙂

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Insane voice, just kind of middling songs

Ok

Bookended by very good songs, and shows some range in the middle, but the constant fried out yells took me out of it

In one of those ironic twists that this list throws up, after yesterday’s album about how lovely drugs are, today’s is from someone who died after a heroin overdose. Janis Joplin had an amazing voice, but on this posthumously released album you can already hear it cracking in places and she sounds much older than her 27 years. The highlight is Mercedes Benz where her prayers gradually get scaled back from a new car to the next round of drinks. RIP Janis.

ohh freumi hert oke wo das album ussecho isch, isch sie scho gstorbe ich lieb ihri stimm halt scho sehr fest, move over isch als lied cool aber nöd meh ja öppe so hets sich wiiterzoge aber buried alive in the blues BOUM my baby findi megaaa mercedes benz na funny jaa es lauft chli vor sich hii uezs (um ehrlich zu sein) jaa allgemein find ichs sehr cooli musig aber smd endi vom tag hrts mich doch au echli glangwiilt leider

I hear the voice and the emotion, but I prefer albums that have more of a coherent idea tying them together. This one is a pile of singles stuck together.

Really solid album for Janis Joplin’s last album before her tragic passing. Love the slight country feel that some of the late 60s hippie music had.

Janis Joplin is freaking cool! Heroin is a hell of a drug. Mercedes Benz and Me and Bobby McGee are so good! I like the album okay as a whole.

Amazing powerful vocals, band reminded me a bit of the Black Crowes, way more hits than I expected.

I’m glad I listened to this cuz I’ve heard so much about Janis Joplin but unfortunately it didn’t really blow me away or anything. When she gets in her upper register “scream” voice, she truly is lights out. Very unique and intriguing voice. Just none of the songs got me too hype.

Really enjoyed the album. Janis Joplin has a great voice and insane energy. One of those names that everyone knows but I couldn’t have placed her before this. Wouldn’t mind seeing more of her on the list!

I hadn’t ever listened to a Janis Joplin album all the way through, and damn she’s got some pipes. I can also see why she was able to captivate audiences before her death, even on this recording she came across as genuine. The album itself is good but not great, and I wouldn’t seek it out specifically but also wouldn’t be mad if it made it back around in a shuffle.

Anna - incredible and unique voice Dan - I'll probably never listen to it again in my lifetime

A nice blusey album.

Good

Lotta soul. Lotta rasp.

Some really good songs here. Lotta fun. Good psychedelic moments as well. Janis is still kinda annoying.

This is like a Woodstock festival album, she probably sang it there! 70s hippy was an album, it would be this. I wasn’t sure if I’d know any songs and then the Natalie Portman perfume advert song came on! She has a unique voice does Janis.

Gotta love Jackie Jomp Jomp

Joplin’s “Pearl” was a spunky, coarse, and stirring endeavour. Joplin’s raspy voice paired with rolling grooves provided amiable listening. However, the album did not stick with me due to a lack of depth in writing and theme.

A woman with one hell of a voice, sadly her voice can only carry an album so far.

Screechy vocals are hard to take on most of her songs. 2.5 rounded up to 3*.

Bobby McGee is an excellent song, obviously, but the other ones all kinda blend together.

Don't know anything about Janis Joplin at all. Starts off alright. Not a huge fan of pianos/organs in blues music. Not seeing much psychedelia in the music as I would want (from what I'd normally listen to that would be considered psychedelic). A lot of songs feel repetitive and nothing special or musically interesting. Half Moon has some nice solo parts and I like the music changes and riffs in the first half but I think the second half ruined it a bit. I don't like the janky feeling of a lot of the songs and makes me cringe a little bit (which I find in a lot of pop blues). There are quite a few little riffs on the guitar that sound good to me but the rest of the song spoils that (and blues is good for nice little riffs so not missing out on amazing riffs stuck in shit songs...[just not enjoying it much]). Me and Bobby McGee is significantly different to the rest of the album and has a big country feel. It's not bad but again not really my thing. Doesn't give me much hope for Janis Joplin because its her most popular song on spotify. Mercedes Benz is also very country but just crap to me. Not a fan of her singing style. Most of the songs felt too samey to stand out and be memorable. I think Half Moon is the best song on the album.

Ok

Janis Joplin, the old rock star. I like listening to her every now and then. I liked the tracks 'Cry Baby' and 'Me and Bobby McGee' on the album. I was surprised by 'Mercedes Benz'. I didn't know that song. I had a lot of fun listening to it. All in all, I won't be listening to the album again any time soon. 3/5

I think I liked the Big Brother album more. This has a more polished sound, and I personally believe this kind of music is way better when it sounds like it's being transmitted from the surface of Iapetus through a walkie-talkie. Love her voice though.

First Janis Joplin record I've listened to in full. I thought the album was pretty fun, but I can only take so much of her voice before needing to listen to something else. Nothing against her, but this is not my style.

Good, amazing voice. Not really my style.

5/10 adds, solid

Blues rock with high highs and low lows. I am still on the hill that this is the best version of Me and Bobby McGee, but I'm docking a point for the mercedes song. Stand-out: Move Over

another great voice of music history. I feel like blues is not my genre yet, but I enjoyed this album.

First listen Saved 5/10 Top track: Me and Bobby McGee

This one grew on me

expected to hate this but actually kinda enjoyed it. really liked the blues instrumental in the middle of it

It sounds like a Simpsons skit with Marge Simpson singing the most cookie cutter 70s rock music. It’s not awful.

some instrumentals and lyrics i really liked, but i wasn’t a fan of her voice

Have heard of her but didn't know her too well Not bad you know!

I enjoyed this, I didn't love it. The vocal talent is obviously there and the context behind the album's recording and release is still poignant to this day. Besides all of that, it is just an above average blues rock record. Key tracks: Move Over Cry Baby Me and Bobby McGee Mercedes Benz

bluesy but not my thing

This is not what I thought Janis Joplin sounded like. The voice of a heavy smoking angel. The a cape lo song was awful. Why do these 70s albums go country halfway through, so strange. Not really my kind of music but I can appreciate the talent that is there. The biggest song has been ruined for me by an extremely cringey perfume commercial featuring Natalie Portman, bleh. 6/10

This album somehow went under my radar until now, although I am already familiar with and greatly enjoy the stuff she did with Big Brother And The Holding Company. This album is no exception to her daring attitude to singing, some of the runs on here are exquisite. All context aside, Janis Joplin is truly an icon and her vocals inspire singers everywhere to push boundaries and make great music.

Some of it slaps hard and her voice is great. Can see and hear so many inspirations pulled from this album. That being said, it wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea. This the blue print of all women who have psychdellic tapestry hung up on their wall and want to “move out west”

布鲁斯摇滚，甚至嵩哥有点它的影子

Think I need this to grow on me…. But I liked it.

Enjoyed this but wasn’t fully engaged. I’ve liked some of the other blues-y albums we’ve heard on here a lot more

When I used to date Rowan, I was always so confused why her mom and all her friends loved the blues… it seemed so bizarre and random to me that southern ontario white hippies would be so obsessed with a genre that in my (clearly) limited prevue seemed so Black… this 1001 list has made it extremely apparent to me that I just haven’t heard a lot of the music that was popular in these white hippies’ youth… which seems to overwhelmingly be blues rock, which for the record, i think sucks. It sorta makes the white co-opting of Black music so much more apparent than i ever knew… like what does this white lady from texas know about ‘goin down to detroit’ … anyways this is my fav era of music generally but I mostly stick to the jazz, folk and modern classical music of the late 60s… which all feels a lot more authentic to me than whatever the hell this shit is. Anyways crazy joplin is still so revered when she died a year after woodstock with only one solo album to her name. I was surprised to learn this was a posthumous album! Its not even half bad i just dont believe anything shes saying and i don’t find her affect cool or charming

Pearl is quite a good album that i feel i won't have too much to say about. The songs had that bluesy sound i like in a lot of these albums and Joplin's raspy voice was something i really liked in this album. The lyrics were also cool throughout all the songs. I don't really like the fact that there is a song without any actual music in this album since I'm not a fan of those types of songs because they just feel so uninteresting, at least the lyrics were interesting. This album is fairly solid even if it isn't too much to write home about Best Song: Trust Me Worst Song: Mercedes Benz

Sometimes the voice grates but it is undeniably iconic

This was better than I expected it would be, I just don't have any frame of reference for Janis Joplin. I was really digging the Hammond Organ all over this record.

I kind of like Buried Alive in the Blues; I almost like Half Moon, Me and Bobby McGee

I don’t think I’ll ever fully grasp the appeal of Janis Joplin. Despite being hailed as one of the greatest singers of all time and being a woman that many men were crazy about, those aspects just don’t resonate with me. However, I have immense respect for the significant mark she left on music history. She showcased her vocal prowess on this album, seamlessly blending psychedelic rock with blues and soul. Even though her raspy voice and rugged, gravelly tone don’t do it for me, I can’t deny her talent. The musicianship on this album is top-notch, and the music is truly exceptional.

Old rocker dudes with nicotine-yellow beards and biker chicks with hotline bling voices. Half of them alcoholics, the other half glued to their one armed bandits in the back of the bar. Janis with her amazing vocal presence playing on the jukebox. In a different time line I am those people, but it isn't this one.

This was fine

Vacillated between “she has a good voice” and “she’s a good screamer” the whole time

Very much carried by her voice but the soul / 60's rock instrumentals are really good. The opening track is really kinectice. "My Baby" and "Cry Baby" are great baby tracks. Me and Bobby McGee is an obvious standout. She really has one of the best voices which takes this record from good to great.

Is this a three star or a four? I’m not sure. Musically, I really liked it - cool guitar riffs and piano lines. I’ve always felt Janis Joplin belted it out too much for me. And it didn’t help I had a headache. But I enjoyed this still.

Janis Joplin has steadily grown on me over the years. At first I found her blend of blues and hard rock a little harsh, not to even mention her voice. But the amount of passion she throws behind that voice is incredible, and it really shines on the songs she wrote or co-wrote, like “Mercedes Benz”. The production on this album is far superior to that on the garage rock-sound of her albums with Big Brother and the Holding Company, or even her earlier solo album. Pearl was produced by Paul Rothchild, who produced almost all of The Doors music, and I’d argue that The Doors’ 60s output was some of the tightest production of the era. If Joplin had not died after recording this album, I’m sure she would have gone to create more fantastic music. But it’s hard to believe anything could top this. The original songs are wonderful, and the covers are so iconic that it’s hard to believe they’re covers.

This album has a number of iconic tracks such as Cry Baby, Me and Bobby McGee, and Mercedes Benz. Janis Joplin's vocals are immediately recognizable, they portray a lot of emotion and I hear her influence on much more modern artists such as Kurt Cobain and Alanis Morissette just to name a couple.

I can’t help but picture a medication commercial playing on the tv whenever she really starts belting it out. “Side effects may include…”

Bobby McGee and me approve this album.

Didn't care for the vocals

Janis Joplin's unique voice but not for me. 3/5

Pretty good, not a huge Janis head though

The Full Tilt Boogie Band matched Janis’s energy and that made this record really good. She’s got a couple of really great songs on this album. What a star! She’s definitely missed.

I don’t count myself as a fan but this was alright. 3*

Wasn't overly fussed but gave it another listen later and it grew on me. Although I do think that the Mercedes Benz songs is one of the worst things ever (ironic as it may be).

Jeg kommer ikke til at vold-lytte til Janis Joplin, men det var absolut ikke ubehageligt for øregangene.

Never a fan. She is a great vocal talent, but her style of singing is nothing more than trying to eat the microphone like some side show freak. Considering some of this album was posthumously done - a 7 at best.

Move Over Me and Bobby Mcgee Mercedes Benz I just love her voice. What a great short album

Janis Joplin has some real vocal talent, range, and pure passion. Her ability to sing gently and fiercely so close together is remarkable. The rest of the album has strengths but it's impossible not to focus on her vocals. The talent more than the sound alone gets my ear.

Good production, solid vocals. A bit too manic at times for my taste. A sad story of self medication. Suburban, middle class, blues. Nice that she helped pay for a headstone for Bessie Smith. Inspired me to go listen to some Odetta, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Big Mama Thortnton, Etta James and Aretha Franklin.

No complaints

Me and Bobby McGee - that terrific sandpaper voice.

I can't help but compare Janis Joplin to Robert Plant, a singularly-gifted vocalist fronting a band that clearly owes a lot to the blues genre. Unfortunately, Janis and her co-writers don't transcend and augment their roots in quite the way Zeppelin did time and again, leaving Pearl feeling like a very competent band playing era-specific blues rock.

A somewhat sad album considering this was released posthumously. I also detected a Karen vibe to this as well. The major positive wast the Full Tilt Boogie Band who were absolutely solid. The singles are OK. The rest is meh. Passing grade for legacy's sake.

Jimi Hendrix: deceased, drugs. Janis Joplin: deceased, alcohol. Mama Cass: deceased, ham sandwich.

This album was ok. A bit underwhelming when it comes to sticking power but the folk vibes were strong. 2.5/5 -> 3/5.

Good :) I enjoyed it few songs outstayed their welcome but overall a welcome listen :)

An album/artist I haven’t listened to in 20+ years. She had an amazing voice but the overall album is a mixed bag.

Descent stuff here

Hade gärna gillat det mer. Hade varit skoj. Hon har ball röst och känns cool överlag. Men diggar inte musiken svinmycket. Som vanligt är det helt ok. Men sticker inte ut. Bäst är Me and Bobby McGee. Varför inte mer än 3a? Det är rock som puttrar på utan något extra. Det är "klassiska" rock sånger, följer receptet till punkt å pricka (lite som Bruce Springsteen :)

#224. I said in my review of the Big Brother and the Holding Company album that the hype is unwarranted and that her voice is bad. And well, her voice hasn't changed from that album to this one, so I suppose my opinion hasn't either. The songs themselves are... fine, I guess. 3/5: death hype

3 pretty good

Joplin shows a more developed side of her funk and blues talent. I can't say it really hit me though. Arguably her other albums were stronger but the impact given her passing was immense

Pretty cool album! Mercedes Benz was a change up on the album, but I liked it

Not bad. I've never given Janis much of a chance, but this album didn't change my mind. Great rock voice, album has a nice sound, but the songs are just too generic rock/blues to interest me personally. Doubt I'll re-listen.

I don’t think I’m ever going to be a Jopler (a fan of Janis Joplin), but at least I’m fine with her music now rather than with a burning hatred.

Nice organ. Excellent mix. Quite good musicianship. Fav track: 7 on first listen. Least fav track: 8. 5.5 or 6/10

Janis is very talented and one can feel the raw soul and emotion coming through. However, I do find that I can only tolerate it for a few minutes before I start wanting a different sound.

I like the music, just not a fan of the vocals.

Loved it initially, but after a few songs got a little tired of the exaggerated vocals.