Pearl

This album was really fun, it went by so quickly I was surprised when it was over and wished there were a couple more songs. Janis Joplin has a great style.

Interesting and enjoyable but not amazing. I like the guitar, piano, and organ. I wish Joplin's voice didn't have as much of a distortion effect in the recording quality, it's hard to tell what she's singing. Drumming sounds too quiet compared to everything else. Today I'm just not really feeling this style of music for whatever reason. It's not a 5 but I think I'd feel bad giving it a 3 based on only today's reaction.

She was a firework of an artist. The grittiest voice (if that's even a word) from a female artist I've ever heard! Iconic

Although I love and respect Janis Joplin as a performer, her albums, and this one in particular, have always been too much for me. Her powerful voice combined with so much loud jamming is a lot.

Joplin’s singing, 5 stars. The keyboardists that had wayyyy to much input, not so much.

Her voice is truly iconic. I recognized that, even though I didn't recognize any of the songs.

Though bits feel more like filler, the great tracks are really great.

The album feels of its time but still super listenable with only a few tracks that dragged. Her voice is simply amazing. Tragic to have lost someone so talented so young - how might her music have evolved if she'd lived?

What a great talent that will always remain as a what if? Very cool!

cool

The voice is undeniable, and probably came from white trash space. I struggle with country rock of that era, for me it’s not really enough of either usually. Biker drama!

If any classic rock would suit me, Janis Joplin would be it. Album does not disappoint, one of the best examples in the genre. That brings it up to 3 stars.

Absolutely stunning voice. I was surprised by how many songs I already knew!

I was never a big fan of hers, but there’s a lot of catchy songs. Her voice is more than just a scratchy yell

Nr. 5/1001 Move Over 3/5 Cry Baby 4/5 A Woman Left Lonely 4/5 Half Moon 4/5 Buried Alive In the Blues 2/5 My Baby 3/5 Me and Bobby McGee 3/5 Mercedes-Benz 4/5 Trust Me 4/5 Get It While You Can 4/5 Average: 3,5 Enjoyed this quite a bit more than expected

If Otis Redding was female...then it was Janis Joplin

By turns slinky, yearning, fun, and raw. Excellent, and heartbreaking wondering where she might have gone from here.

Not my favorite in general but some of her best work.

Very solid album. The vast majority of the tracks are in between very good and absolute fire. A few duds, but overall, a very listenable album.

bom

Good, sounds very janis joplin-ee

Exciting

Great voice and singing style, not a lot of diversity among songs. 6.5/10 Favorite song : Mercedes Benz

It's cool

Good "discovery", didn't know all the songs. A real banger

Bluesy Janis beats Folksy Janis

Nailing the wailing.

started out as grit

not typically my kind of music but a true classic

Good stuff, never paid much attention to her apart from her singles but really enjoyed it.

Very romantic country blues music. Some of it is not so bad. So-so. Vocals are way too crackly and painful to listen to for my ears at times.

This album is great, what a voice

The kind of album you listen to and think “absolute classic” but you know you’ll never voluntarily listen to it again. “Get it while you can” closing the album got me though.

Nice old school.

Damn soulful, a really great album. Standouts are 'Cry Baby' and 'Mercedes Benz' (Women do be feelin' tho.)

10/10

Good album. This maybe controversial but i hate the Mercedes benz song

Not sure if I'm into the genre enough to love the whole album, but I certainly like many elements of this project. Specifically, the grit in her voice and the piano/organ.

Old style rock singing, like if meatloaf was older and a woman?

The girl could sing - no dispute there. Otherwise and unremarkable album.

What an album. Top to bottom just solid. Listening to this makes me sad as to what else she could have given the world if she had been alive longer. Amazing vocals, lyrically solid. Top to bottom great album.

Such a distinct voice. Great album.

I had never heard this album. Don't know how long I will revisit it, but it was an excellent, and unfortunately the last, display of Joplin's incredible voice. Her voice is great, but it feels like it hurts her throat to sing. "Cry Baby" is a jam and there is a lot of other blues-rock here and feels like a must-listen album.

Wow, Janis! What a voice. I think some are covers. I like the vibes, blues/rock some gospel (mercedes benz). A shame you leave us so young.

Very surprised by this one. I always thought Janis wasn’t a great singer, but this album showed me that her range wasn’t just about vocals. This album evokes a feeling and has a timeless quality.

Heard before: some I catch a fair amount of crap for this in my house, but Janis kind of sucks. She's got one trick - the raspy blues shout. Beyond that, her mumbly stylings sound physically painful and bum me out. I get the appeal and influence I guess, but there are so many other soul singers I'd rather listen to. My one joy on this record: Mercedes Benz is supposed to be satire (I think), but the gusto with which it is sung and re-sung lays bare the secret heart of the hippies that I can't stand. Top tracks: Me and Bobby McGee, Cry Baby, Move Over

Not really my style

Janis’s voice is like no other.

Love her voice. Little bit repetitive song structure but overall a very fun listen.

3-4

Really good musicianship. I don't think I would listen to it again except for "Mercedes-Benz" which is on another level. Good, not essential. There are better late 60's, early 70's blues rock / psych rock albums out there.

It's ok, the band is tight, Joplin's voice is iconic, but overall, just feel like it's alright

Wouldn't have listened to a lot of Janis Joplin, I'd always heard from other peops that she was overrated for her time... but for me... I was pleasantly surprised as i queued the album up and found I really enjoyed this bluesy rock album, first 2 tracks were a good lead into the album. Janis vocals are strong and powerful, albeit with that annoying trait of sounding strangulated at times, but the backing group carried each track through effortlessly with decent vibes. Worst track for me was her trademark Mercedes Benz, meh, not for me, but it was only a short track.

Glad I listened to this album

A couple of reviews ago, someone down there wrote that Joplin was the 70s version of Amy Winehouse. That had me worried as I got Frank a couple of albums ago and didn’t particularly enjoy listening to Winehouse’s voice. Fortunately Joplin has a less divisive singing voice in my view, although she’s clearly less talented from a composition point of view. Having said that, this was no more than OK for me. Nothing really made me want to keep listening time after time, although I managed two back to back listens. Beyond Mercedes Benz though, there’s little I’d want to listen to again. I’ve heard better versions of Me and Bobby McGee and much of the rest lacked imagination really. Perhaps back in the day it was considered cutting edge new wave stuff, but now, despite the decent playing and production, it’s rather got a dated feel for me. I was flip flopping between 3 and 2 stars - having given Frank 2. It’s more listenable to because of the voice, but less creative and I don’t know how much Joplin simply takes credit without doing that much. Harsh. And then I read a number of descriptions of her as a “sexual predator” with manipulative tendencies. We change our view of male artists based on their creepiness, so why not women? Maybe she was never in the same league as Jackson etc, but there’s a view which seems to have some credibility to it that suggests there are issues. So, that’ll be 2 then.

Not my kind of music but I can understand why people like(d) it.

Truly one of the most heartfelt and beautiful female singers who ever lived. The raspiness of her voice might generally be uncharacteristic of a woman, but it works so well. And it also perfectly fits the fuzz and buzz of the blues music she so gracefully performs over. But that isn't to take away from the band. Because I think they do a fantastic job at creating blues music that is designed to get stuck in your head for the rest of the day. It's hard to not love a song like "Me and Bobby McGee". This album is short and sweet, and works great as background music for a party or some family event, because no one can really complain when this is on. There isn't really any bad part of this album. I mean, it's not the greatest album ever made. There is probably better blues music I haven't heard yet. But it's vibe and simplicity is endearing, and this album just feels like a warm hug from your nice hippie aunt. Really, Janis was the antithesis of hippies. And sadly, she is just another beautiful artist and person taken away from us too soon.

A beautiful oldie

Loved listening to it again

A 70's version of Amy Winehouse. A great voice, immense talent that had only just started to be explored and died so young. I knew a lot more of her work than I thought I did and enjoy it, it's a shame she didn't get to make more music

Definition of a 5 star. Solid all the way through. Greats include: Bobby McGee, Get It While You Can, Mercedes Benz, and Half Moon. Need to buy the vinyl.

Hyvää eteläissoundista rockia. Vähän skynyrdimaista

Amazing voice but not rlly my kinda music

Janis has a deeply soulful voice that sends her life and career out with a beautiful spirit, one filled with freedom.

Loved it. My first time listening straight through a Janis Joplin album and definitely won’t be the last. 4.5/5

4.5

Some great soul and blues. What an amazing raw and unique voice too. Some of the slower songs passed me by a bit, unfortunately, but this was still very good. It's very sad that she joined the 27 club, I would have loved to know how her career would have went if she was still around. Heroin sucks. Favourite: Move Over

The music has trouble standing up to the more wonderful accretive parts. Thus, Pearl is more assertive as history than sound, except... That voice is plenty assertive.

Top

Album 159 of 1001 Janis Joplin - Pearl Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Track : Me and Bobby McGee I grew up with this one. It was in my home soon after its release and I'm grateful for that. Just a wonderful album. Usually I would go for her Greatest Hits album, so some of the deep tracks here are sadly overlooked, from time to time. I enjoyed it this morning as much as I ever. Easy to rate this one.

Me likey Except for the one song abt the Mercedes

Despite my beef with JJ leaving BB&HC this unarguably has some quality tunes on ot

Voice is iconic, but small doses are necessary or it grates on my neuro divergent nerves.

I FUCKING LOVE JANIS JOPLIN

idk how I'd never actually ended up listening to a Janis Joplin album but it was pretty much as expected. Nice blues arrangements with some hearty screeching, always sick but wish there was a bit more musical versatility

Excellent album, really showing the range of Janis Joplin.

Een mooi, rauw en puur album. De beste knaller toch wel Mercedes Benz. Een eeuwig gemis. Nou moet ik zeggen dat die stem wellicht wel kwam omdat ze zichzelf zo verneukte, dus ook wel weer terecht dat ze dood is, joejoe

1st. Leuke gitaar. Knappe vrouw 7/10 2nd. Super bekend love it. Mooi rustig begin 9/10 3th. Prima, niet mega overtuigend 7/10 4th. Swingerig, minder uithalen 7/10 5th viel niet zo op 6th lijkt een beetje op de rest 7th prima Mercedes beste ooit: 10/10

An all time iconic voice!

Liked it well enough, no particular song stuck out as a favourite though.

Really liked this - "My Baby" was great!

Love Janis, and this is a great album from top to bottom. My favorite songs on it are probably "Cry Baby," "Trust Me," and "Get It While You Can," but honestly there's not a bad song on here.

This shit rocks.

such amazingly strong vocal performances that anything less than a 4/5 would be criminal. move over, cry baby, and me and bobby mcgee deserve all the praise they get, they're great. also mercedes benz was funny.

great album, like a break up album from the free love music of the 60s

Amazing voice. Great album. Legendary

El álbum más importante y probablemente el que la transformó en una leyenda del rock. Con performances increíbles de The Full Tilt Boogie Band y la asombrosa voz de Joplin, este album es un imprescindible del rock.

I love Joplin’s fuzzy vocal virtuosity. I also loved learning that Mercedes-Benz was the last thing she recorded before she died. This album is part of the sad mystique of rock and roll excess.

I recognize she’s supposed to be a great who died tragically young. I don’t enjoy her voice in general and definitely not a whole album of it.

I didn't really care about this album. I do think she has talent, but this style of music just doesn't do much for me. I do think the album cover is nice though. My favourite song was Buried Alive in the Blues.

Janis Joplin is a woman. Despite this shortcoming, she has made an incredibly electrifying album full of classics. Only complaint was a lack of range. Some songs sounded similar sometimes to some other songs, sincerely. 4/5

Pretty good. Definitely leans much more into straight soul than her earlier work and her backup band is very tight. However, I can’t help but feel like this is just a little bland.

Great!

Great voice, great backing band

good but unremarkable

Don't mind Janis Joplin, but the album as a whole is not the best.

There are surely some witty bits...

Genres: Blues rock, soul blues, blue-eyed soul, funk rock Formed: (Solo) 1969 Run time: 10 songs, 33 min, 59 sec Her second and final solo album. Before going solo Janis Joplin was with the group Big Brother and the Holding Company (releasing two albums). Janis Joplin had an unmistakable voice that was made to sing the Blues. Unfortunately (aged 27) her life was cut short, due to a heroin OD. This album was released posthumously. Spotify: Least popular song: >2.1M Most popular song: almost 236M plays. “Move Over” is about the end of a relationship.He wants to end it, but won’t let her move on. She just wants a stable relationship. “Cry Baby” is about a former lover returning after the end of his relationship with another. She welcomes him back and claims she’ll love him more than anyone else can. She tells him to “Cry Baby” because she will console him. “A Woman Left Lonely” is about feeling lonely in a one sided relationship. “Half Moon” is about how love makes you feel complete even when apart. “Buried Alive in the Blues” - instrumental. “My Baby” is another love song and how love makes you feel safe and secure even on the coldest of nights. “Me And Bobby McGee” is a cover of a song written by Kris Kristofferson (and Fred Foster) and originally performed by Roger Miller. The song is about an adventure / journey taken by the narrator and the titular Bobby McGee. Reminiscing about the trip (which itself could be a metaphor for life), the protagonist wished they could swap tomorrow for yesterday, so they can once again be with Bobby McGee who died. “Mercedes Benz” is a satirical look at consumerism in the US. “Trust Me” is a song about how love grows stronger over time. The trust is the singer asking her lover to be patient to reap the rewards. “Get It While You Can” is about seizing life and not letting love pass you by. You don’t know when it will be over! Overall the album is about love and seizing life while you can. Listen Again?: Yes (and I will try her other music with Big Brother…) My Rating: ***

2/5 en kuuntelisi toiste

Haluaisin tykätä uranuurtajasta, mut en vain pidä.

It was all right, a good start for her. But, alas, it was the golden age of rock & roll and of course there was heroin involved. She od'd and died at 27, as was the custom at those times. I am sad that we don't know what kind of stuff she would've done at her later years.

I knew that losing Janis was a tragedy, but I didn't realize how much of a tragedy that was. She defies a lot of the things that I've noticed I tend not to enjoy during my experiences with the copious amounts of 70s rock here. Piano-focused rock music? Typical on other records, she goes off the handle here. Playing fast and loose with vocals, to the point of losing her voice? Grating for other artists (Hello, Niel Young), but I can hear the sparks fly out of her mouth with each line and it leaves me wanting so, so much more. Why'd she have to go so early, man... An explosive 4/5.

I always knew this was a classic, and I do know a few of the songs. I have heard the album before, probably several times, but until now, i never really thought it was great. But it is. Standouts: Me and Bobby McGee, Mercedes Benz, Cry Baby, Move Over, Half Moon, Buried Alive in the Blues, My Baby. 4/5

OMG I hate it so much. Everything about her. I know people love her, but just no. She had no regard for her own life, so why should anyone care about her music.

Beautiful.

An indomitable voice fronting a great band delivering on some no-nonsense blues and soul based rock music. “Cry Baby” does the most to showcase Joplin’s voice and the power and passion she sang with.

A singular voice.

To contrast the music here with Big Brother and the Holding Company’s Cheap Thrills, the arrangements are tight. And frankly, the musicians are better. I still love Janis’s voice too. Perfectly imperfect is the right characterization. My favorite song on this album by a mile is Mercedes Benz. Being a cappella, it showcases her voice well. The “that’s it” plus the giggle at the end always get me. She sings about wanting a Mercedes because her friends all drive Porsches…yet Janis herself had a Porsche. Unfortunately, this was the last song she ever recorded (in one take no less). At least she saved her best for last. This album leaves me appreciating Janis more than before and also wishing she had the opportunity to make more great music with the Full Tilt Boogie Band backing her.

A high 3. Great song writing and musicians to back up an incredible voice. First time I’ve ever listened to her and just read up on her story too. Another huge slice of education served up for me! Surprised how much of this I knew without knowing I knew it. Will get more listens I’m sure.

She was taken too soon from us. To me, Cry Baby is the stand out on this album.

Lekkere krijsblues uit de oude doos, uit de tijd dat een beetje artiest zich loungend op een vintage stoel van de kringloop liet fotograferen. Is zoiets nou overschat omdat de zangeres in kwestie op jonge leeftijd het leven heeft gelaten? Dit is toch eigenlijk prima muziek en er staan meerdere klassiekers op. Dikke blues met een knipoog, dat waarderen we.

Een dame met een opgeruwde stem die niet zou misstaan in een stevige rockband. De muziek is juist wat meer gepolijst en gaat meer richting soul. Je denkt met die combinatie al snel al de latere Amy Winehouse, maar dan zonder de nasale stem.

Er zijn hele volksstammen (met name van boomerende leeftijd overigens), die fan zijn van Janis Joplins stem. Ik vind haar maar een schreeuwlelijk. De muziek is lekkere bluesy rock n roll, fijn uptempo, goede nummers. Maar het is zonde dat Janis er af en toe doorheen moet bleren. Zij kan maar op 2 manieren zingen: soort van zachtjes, en zo hard mogelijk bleren. Het beste nummer is dan ook Buried Alive in the Blues, want daar schreeuwt Janis tenminste niet doorheen. Dat allemaal gezegd hebbende, is het toch wel een lekker plaatje (zolang je je niet stoort aan die schreeuwlelijk).

3.5

Some great hits Bobby McGee obviously but too many samey sounding blues and soul tracks without any song attached

So cool

God DAMN. Maybe it’s a stretch, but I could argue that Joplin had the single greatest voice in rock n roll history. Everything on this record is packed with undeniable soul and rawness that it’s impossible to look away from. It’s a shame that this album is loaded with such an awful story, and I fucking hate the industry for what they did to her. I dare you to listen to Cry Baby and tell me you’re not impressed.

The final feat from a talent rarer than pearls and more raw than tartare.

Avg

Very blues oriented, can see why she was massive in the late 60s early 70s.

The album is ok, but Janis got pipes pipes. Wouldve been a winehouse or a franklin :( dont do drugs kids

Janis is a great singer and the band are also tight! Worth your time if you are into vocal performance.

What a Rock album! What a Blues album! Although any judgement is inevitably obscured by the knowledge that this was Joplin’s last, released posthumously, the quality is unquestionable. Some of the songs are probably not in their intended final form, but the rawness and the nude emotions just drip out of them, they are soaked in the stuff. 5 unavoidable stars! Fab tracks: Cry Baby, My Baby

Visst, en hel del klassiker men jag har lite svårt för hennes gap. Får en trea bara för att jag är snäll.

A shame she died before this album was finished. Such a great album.

This is a masterpiece.

Ça crie sacrément (allitération)

madeleining car on l'avait dans la voiture

Great voice and some nice bluesy jams on this one. 6/10

Impressive how in control Janis can be while sounding like she's out of control vocally. Me and Bobby McGee, is an all time great song. Kris Kristofferson sings his song well, but Janis owns it.

Великолепный классический американский рок 70ых с налетом кантри

This was excellent! I hadn’t heard any Janis Joplin and wasn’t sure what to expect but really impressed!

Nothing new to add beyond what you've all said haha, Janis's voice is incredible and it's a shame she never got the chance to make her masterwork she was clearly capable of. I can see someone fiddling with AI and old demos like Paul McCartney's done recently but for now we'll have to settle for Pearl as the closest to her potential we're likely to hear. It was so close to clicking!

Solid album. Mercedes Benz is such a dry, clever song. Get it While You Can was my favorite.

I see this frequently referred to as a masterpiece. If so, it is a flawed one. I would argue that Janis never got the chance to record a masterpiece. Clearly cut short in her prime, all we have are four flawed recordings. All that said, she deserves to be on this list and this is the best at capturing special her combination of rock, blues and country.

Powerful vocals backed by great band. There is real blues inside her. Hard to believe she’s been gone for more than 50 years.

Well I asked for “any woman” and the generator went above that request. Janis Joplin is an exceptional presence throughout this album. While it’s the big hit, “Me And Bobby McGee” stuck out for me sonically during my listen as it did not sound like the rest of the tracks given how gently she sang the beginning, and it makes me wonder what could have been later in her career should there have been one. Her voice did become a bit grating throughout the album, and without the hit cover she might have sounded more like a one trick pony, so I was stuck between a 4 and a 5.

A nice album from someone who sounds like they've been smoking a little bit too much. It's a shame she died so early because it would have been cool to see more from her. Score: 80 Art: 70

A posthumous album from such a unique voice in music, she seemed like a cool woman.

Leading off with Move Over. Pretty straight-forward blues rock jam with some nice guitar work throughout. I like the way the guitar mirrors and underlines the vocals. A lot of this has fallen into the background. Not hating anything so far, but not much really standing out. Me and Bobby McGee caught my attention; I've never heard her version, but a I've heard the Dead do the song many times. Her's is more spread out and soulful. I dig the organ accompaniment. Mercedes Benz is an incredibly vulnerable acapella track. While I don't exactly love Joplin's voice, I think the husk of it with the clap accompaniment works well here. This was a fine album, but it in no way captured my attention... Maybe if I were to hear it in '71 I would feel differently, but here in 2024, this is a low-mid 3 for me.

Not for me

Soul+Rock+Blues+Gros piano+Bonne guit+Janis Joplin = wowwww!

first listen timeless voice

A solid blues-rock record with fantastic vocals, but nothing too standout from a songwriting point of view

beautiful voice, songs are bit outdated (don't kill me for saying that), 3 stars

Loved it, nearly 5 stars

This is a perfect album from a great voice.

This is not the most remarkable when I think of a Janis Joplin album, but of course, it's a 5-star.

Musically I like it very much, but I get a little annoyed by Janis Joplins voice and overdramatic way of singing.

I think this is a pretty great album, really enjoyed listening to it

Makes me feel good

Always tought I hated Janis Joplin. Enjoyed it a lot more than i thought. One album is enough though.

Between the voice and the music, they don't do stuff like this anymore. And that's very sad.

очень надрывный соул, очень чувстенная и нежная музыка еще эта хрипотца прям вау алкоальбом: женщина в караоке осталась в одна с бутылкой мартини

В ретроспективе - какая же невероятная была женщина. С непростой судьбой. И с каким же надрывом она поёт... С болью и горечью сразу. Самая крутая песня здесь - Mercedes Benz. Глубоко, акапелла, с юмором и высмеиванием зажравшихся мажорок и легкодоступных женщин.

Nice

absolute bangers especially love my baby and cry baby

I love this one!

Better than some of the other stuff I've listen for this, 3 but leaning towards 4. The organ was 70s-y (positive). I don't remember the exact tracks I liked, but the one with "freedom is having nothing less to lose" and "lord won't you..." stood out.

Litt for raspete, men likte da bedre enn forventa

One of the best to ever do it. Fantastic album.

It's hard to overstate Janis Joplin's importance to music and the rock and roll scene. What a powerhouse of a vocalist and someone who was taken too early from us. The album really captures a lot of her uniqueness and her voice.

I enjoyed this, I feel like I can appreciate her music more now that I've studied her for uni

I was very, very surprised by this album. Showed me that Janis Joplin wasn’t all screaming and shambling.

Before this, I only knew Janis Joplin by name and maybe Me and Bobby McGee and Mercedes Benz. I expected another mediocre 70s blues rock album with a rating of maybe 2/5. But this... After the first listen of the album I immediately had to listen again. This is exceptionally good. I was acquainted with Joplin's voice; but the songs are unbelievably well put together, too. It's such a shame that Joplin died before finishing this album, so that she couldn't even sing the vocals of Buried Alive in the Blues, which remains an instrumental. And a good one at that. This album comepletely hit me out of the blue, as I wasn't expecting this to be 5/5. But it is.

I've heard this album a few times, and thought of it as a 4-star album. On this listen, however, I've had hard time finding fault. Janis has such an incredible, raw, powerful voice, and the songs covered here are almost uniformly fantastic. The Full Tilt Boogie Band are perfect accompaniment, bringing smooth style to the arrangements. And it doesn't outstay its welcome at just over half an hour. I love this.

fine album, not exactly my taste, but nonetheless solid.

oh man, this might've been really fresh in the 70's, but it really doesn't do it for me. The track Mercedes Benz has some real stinky boomer energy going on, a very shallow hippie-centric view of materialism, and very little going on otherwise. Joplin's musicianship with her voice has some interesting things going on, but it's really not for me. Didn't hate it, tho

So, oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? RIP

RIP Janis, gone before her prime and such a shame that this album was released after she was already dead. Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz. I've listened to this album in the bar booth where she had her last drinks (screwdrivers) before she died in LA. Her initials are still carved in the table from that night.

good album

I have never picked up Janis and I regret that after today. This album is incredible. Cry Baby, A Woman Left Lonely, and Buried Alive in the Blues were all incredible. I immediately listened to this album a second time after finishing. It's not often you listen to an album for the first time and it becomes a favorite; Pearl did that.

Holy hell what a powerful voice and amazing sounding guitar to go with it. I was never the biggest fan of the song Me and Bobby McGee, but after listening to it in the middle of the whole album my mind has been completely changed. This album was amazing. Move Over and Cry Baby were such powerful songs to start it off and set the tone for the whole album and Get it While You Can ended it perfectly.

Cry Baby is such a good fucking song. Me & Bobby McGee is the classic and a song I can listen to at almost any point in time. Great tunes with a great backing band. RIP Janis

This album really blew me away. I was not prepared for it. The raw emotion in her voice is something I've never heard. Amazing.

*****

Never listened to her before. It was really good. Get it while you can was great.

Good. I can't remember if I was going to give this a 3 or a 4...

Not quite my style of music, a little too slow and doesn't really resonate with me thematically to keep my attention. But I can feel the energy and talent put in.

Sounds EXACTLY like I'd expect a rock album from 1971 to sound. Not my jam, but its alright I suppose.

It was pretty good, though a bit repatative.

It was decent. All the songs sounded similar. 3.0

Immediately hypnotising, the bluesy crooning of Joplin's voice seizes you in a chokehold and refuses to relent. There's a rampant intimacy about this performance, as though I'm listening to it live in a small, local, hole-in-the-wall bar. The backing band does a good job lending to this, tastefully garnishing the passionate belting of Joplin 's voice - though there are certainly moments where it shines, such as in Buried Alive in the Blues. Absolutely phenomenal piece of work.

This album is so bittersweet because it was Janis finally getting in with a great band and a great producer and who knows what the follow up could of been like. The instrumentation is A tier and her voice is just so uniquely hers that anytime you hear it you have to go for a Joplin binge. Brilliant album.

Wonderful album. I loved Janis voice throughout the record. Mercedes Benz is stunning. I understand that was the last thing she recorded. I had the impression that Janis work was always a little dated, like in the Big Brother and the Holding Company albums, but here the production was flawless, the sequencing pleasing, and the songs outstanding. It changed my perception and make me understand why she is widely considered a critical character in the rock Pantheon.

But I'd trade all of my tomorrows for one single yesterday.

Qué intérprete de la cdsm. Gracias, Janis.

This album is THE BEST. It's the perfect mainstreaming of Janis and her music to the pop world.

She's another name I've always heard, and I've heard some songs on the radio and whatnot, but I've never really sat down and actively listened to. This album's pretty good though. She's got some pipes.

Pretty decent

A fine album... I sometimes feel she pushes her voice too far but hey. Production fine and some enjoyable songs. Really like Bobby McGee.

Litt masete

4/5

First time hearing much from her. I've been missing out. Her voice is so raw and rough, but still beautiful. Like soul come to life. Wish she could've made more.

Janis, Janis, Janis. What a talent! Her voice was just incredible, and her music is timeless. Beyond the amazing songs, what stands out here is the potential. Imagine this being released three months after her passing at 27 years old. What music could we have gotten throughout the decades! Standouts are Move Over, Half Moon, Me and Bobby McGee, and Mercedez Benz.

It was really good! I love Janis Joplin’s voice. me and Bobby McGee is the star of the album. Wish it was a little bit longer. 8.5/10

3.5

KILLER pipes. Never so much as dipped a toe in the Joplin pool but boy I had a good time with this one. So much attitude and power conveyed in that voice, well constructed songs, a tight 35 min listen - what's not to like. Really loved the subtle mixing of styles to keep things feeling fresh while still of a piece. Four and a half. Fave track: Move Over

Such an impassioned performance from Joplin in a concise and engaging selection of tracks. Was a fun listen and had a lot of soul. A light four for this one. Fave track: Cry Baby

Af en toe cool, maar niet helemaal mijn ding.

Great album by a great singer. One of the all time best.

Listens: 3 Enjoyed: yes Very high 4 stars. She has such power in her voice and just doesn't miss

Might listen to again

Songwriting and Joplin’s ability to emote on this album warrant the 5 star rating

I liked it for sure, her voice is really unique and incredible, and the composition of the songs really adds to the whole vibe of it. Feels very musical-y in a sense to my uninformed ear, or a more intense version of the female singer-songwriter pop albums coming out at the time such as Tapestry. There are a few stand out songs to me-Cry baby/me and bobby mcgee specifically, but the songs despite their power did seem to be a bit same-y after a while? Might've just been from a first listen. Definitely will be revisiting, but I did enjoy it. Didn't blow me away or anything, but appreciate the listen and a good way to kick it off.

Not my type of music

I’m probably objectively wrong here but I didn’t care for this. :( This journey has made me realize I hate anything bluesy.

Everything that is said about Joplin's talented career can be summed up in one word. Pearl. This album hits the sweet spot in raw R&B/Soul that you feel in your chest every time you listen to it. Scale: 5 - My absolute favorites. 4 - Albums I like. 3 - It was ok to listen to but I wouldn't seek it out. 2 - Didn't like. 1 - Absolute shit.

3.6 - A singular and soulful voice especially adept at wailing pitiably about unrequited love. She abuses her voice to achieve a uniquely gritty sound but it’s often too shrieky for my taste. Some tuneful hits on here nonetheless and the backing band sounds tight.

Excellent album and one I've listened to probably 20+ times in my life. Janis was a shooting star. Just an incredible talent.

What a voice, gone way too soon.

Riktigt duktig och energisk tjej.

Man, Janis just belts thise songs with zero effort.

So this is the good Janis Joplin album.

Decent but not incredible. I think blues/soul always sounds pretty nice but there’s certainly other artists who I’d take over Janis. 5/10

Haven't listened to Joplin properly for 20-odd years, incredible.

Virkilega flott og heilsteypt plata, vissulega minna þekkt lög inn á milli hitteranna en enginn filler. Og þvílík rödd.

Highlights: It's consistent, so take your pick. There's some interesting piano accents, some earworm guitar riffing on "Move Over" and an engaging band groove on "Half Moon." None of the songs are quite as catchy as her breakout hit "Piece of my Heart." Most importantly though, Joplin never ever lets you forget for one second what her whole scam is. Once a song gets moving, every opportunity the band has to breathe, you know she's going to have to step all over it with craven, bankrupt blackface yammering.

Some good guitar, opener has a nice hook, otherwise difficult to get through (just can't get into her voice) * Move Over

Pretty good, but nothing that really pulled me.

Hit me like a rock opera, but I don't think it's stuck for me.

Exceptional, one of the best voices of all time

I haven’t heard much by Janis Joplin as far as I’m aware. I certainly know Piece Of My Heart (which isn’t on this album), but beyond that, I’m not so sure. I know she is somebody that tragically died very young, and she is seen as a legendary singer, so I’m excited to hear an album in full. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Cry Baby, Me And Bobby McGee, Mercedes Benz Truly, I’m quite blown away by this album. After the final track finished, I immediately pressed play again because I wasn’t ready to stop listening. I knew she was considered an excellent rock singer, but I didn’t expect her to sound so soulful. Heartbreakingly, I read online that the instrumental track Buried Alive In The Blues was intended to have vocals included, but Janis passed away before they could be recorded. If you haven’t heard much be Janis Joplin before, as I hadn’t, I’d really encourage you to give her a listen.

Chiil

Pearl indeed

Önskar de hade vari country hela väg3n igenom

Già conosco questo album, 6 stelle!

I am never going to get Janis Joplin.

She was so good. Just nails every song.

An unforgettable classic. Incredible songs and performance.

Not bad, cool instrumental parts, I thought her voice would grow on me. it did not.

I found this album to be a lot better than "Cheap Thrills". The album seemed more focused, the band was tighter. "Mercedes Benz" & "Bobby McGee" I have heard a billion times before, but I don't remember her voice cracking so much on the first song. I guess she really needed to break out from the band and have her own career. Good stuff.

In comparison to Cheap Thrills, this album is more consistent; I guess a little production value goes a long way. The backing band provides some good boogie too, without going over the top (Move Over is a solid example). But Joplin's vocals are still centre stage and ferocious. Cry Baby is a great, great wailer; it feels like a 10-minute song with all her energy and changes in delivery. Me and Bobby McGee is one of those rare great remakes. It shows you a more restrained Joplin is still a dynamo. Wouldn't have minded an amped up recording of Mercedez Benz (feels like it should be recorded live) but I appreciate the tongue in cheek lyrics. Get it While You Can was a nice closer; a little more variety to the vocals but still great energy from her and the band. Half Moon and My Baby are pretty solid too, just not quite as good as the others. But they remind you of Joplin's female blues inspirations - she does them justice. Too bad Buried Alive in the Blues is just instrumental - feels a bit naked on this album, despite some cool (if not overly The Band-esque) sounds. Very solid album.

After listening to the Big Brother and the Holding Company’s album Cheap Thrills, I didn’t expect to like this album. Well, I was dead wrong. This album really impressed me. I didn’t realize that Janis died during these sessions, and that the instrumental track on here was supposed to have vocals but she hadn’t gotten to recording them yet. I could only imagine that she would only have grown as singer had she been able to overcome her demons.

Incredible voice and great album

Alright

yup

The band name works! What was with that holding company nonsense? When driving up the coast of California on vacation we took a detour to have lunch in Salinas just cause it was where Bobby McGee slipped away. It's interesting that Janis changed Bobby's gender. I expect she would have been comfortable singing it with Bobby being a woman - as the song was written. Janis added the words "I'm gonna call him my lover . . ." and, since she was bi-sexual, she probably would have sung that just fine too but this would have been a little too risky for radio at that time. I read that this is one of the first or second posthumously released songs to hit #1. I always said I prefer Chris' original version but listening to it again I'm not sure. The playing and production on the album is excellent. In addition to Bobby, there are two other monster hits. I think Cry Baby is my favourite Janis song.

Move Over is such a great starter, an early 70s blues-rock classic. It’s my favourite Janis Joplin song – and she actually wrote it! The other song she wrote, Mercedes Benz, is also catchy. The rest of the LP consists of covers that provide lots of opportunity to unleash her raw, bluesy voice. To me, the covers make Janis sound ready-for-Vegas. I miss the varied, though inconsistent song-writing of Big Brother et al. I’ll round up, because she is such an incredible singer.

Gritty, passionate and raw. There's no doubt that Joplin was certainly an original but this just isn't for me so I just couldn't get into it.

This album features a mix of original songs and covers, including Joplin's iconic rendition of Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee," which became her only number one hit. The song does a good job of capturing the essence of Joplin's musical style, blending rock, blues, and country influences to create a sound that is uniquely her own. Throughout the album, Joplin's voice plays the main character, with her raspy, soulful vocals imbuing each song with a sense of urgency. She sings about love, loss, and longing with a rawness and vulnerability that still resonates with listeners today. The production on "Pearl" is simple, allowing Joplin's voice to take center stage. The band, which includes musicians such as keyboardist Ken Pearson and guitarist John Till, provides backing that complements Joplin's vocals without ever risking to overshadow them. I’m not a big fan of the vocal performance and unfortunately that is the main theme of this album. Janis Joplin is renowned a great singer, but I don’t get behind the overly raspy tones.

3.4/5

I love Janis. She was an amazing talent gone too soon.

Some proper Rock'n'roll right here.

I don’t mind it but a whole album of janis joplin can get a bit too much 3/5

Classic Janis, had never heard the album in its entirety but familiar with many of the songs.

Good album, her voice is outstanding. Was just a little turned off by the fact that this album came out after she died. Not sure why, too bad I looked up info on the album

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. It's supposed to be Janis Joplin's most polished album, which helps.

Wonderfully powerful blues voice. Good blues record. Rightly her most celebrated album.

Excelente

She is a God in my book

so close to being a perfect album. I was not expecting to love it this much. the dead do a better Bobby Mcgee and it could use a little dynamic variety but otherwise a fucking masterpiece

Beautiful, brilliant.

Intro to Janice was a beat up Cheap Thrills vinyl I played on a Brother turntable/radio/8-track 20 years past its prime. I'm glad it went down that way, but I'm also glad to listen to the Legacy version of Pearl now with high quality sound. A classic for more than one reason.

The vocal performance is undeniable, but I was expecting the music to be a bit rougher around the edges to match Janis's wild child reputation. Instead it's polished and glitzy; almost cabaret-esque in places, or 'female Rod Stewart' in others. Neither of which really does much for me. 2.5

What a blues album, I enjoyed quite a bit although I’m not sure I’m sold on the vocals (I love you Janis don’t haunt me). 3.75

its good. probably never going to revisit this again but its really not bad at all

Wow what an ultimate last hurrah from Joplin!! I love Me and Bobby McGee and some tracks I haven't heard before on here. Janis Joplin what an idol!! Pure power and character - it takes so much to be able to sing in this style which is extremely impressive to me because I could never haha! Amazing

It was great! What a wonderful voice :)

What a soul powerhouse! Loved listening to this.

Oh just fantastic, What a voice, what a sound, what a Joplin

Yea it was ok

Pure 70s blues funk rock. The whole band was hitting it out of the park on this one. I can def picture Janis and Co. wailing on these songs at a festival back in the day. Loved the funky riffs on Half Moon.

Had never sat down and listened to Janis. This album smokes front to back. So much soul

A singular talent and tortured soul. This was her best band and album. Interesting to hear the stories of how this came together. Very solid collection of songs that she carries with her distinctive voice. I’m sure like others that went too fast that we missed out on some amazing music from her passing. Will come back to this one.

Great listen from front to back. Janis was just a bad ass woman with a powerful blues voice. She really stands front and center on the album. Will definitely listen to this one again and again. 4.5/5 for me.

Quite the album to get for Valentine's Day. Warm and saucy and bluesy with an ever-present undertone of heartache. That's Janis. There are very few artists who have the power to grab you from the first note like Janis Joplin does. If you've ever watched recordings of her performing live, you can see how she physically threw herself into her singing. She put everything out there until there wasn't anything left. It's always a little bittersweet listening to her, because we know how her life was tragically cut short and you can hear her struggles in her music. Haughty, gritty, heart wrenching, vulnerable, songs of longing and passion. That's Janis. Pearl is probably Janis' most polished, perfectly realized album. Three or four of the best songs of her career reside on this album, some of the great songs of that era. The album gets just a little soft in the middle, but the best songs more than carry the weight of the whole work. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Me and Bobby McGee, Move Over, Cry Baby, Get It While You Can, Trust Me, Mercedes Benz, A Woman Left Lonely, My Baby, Half Moon, Buried Alive in the Blues

That was a really good blues album to listen to. Never listened to a Janis album before. Solid 3. T3B 1. Me and Bobby McGee 2. Trust Me 3. Get It While You Can

The raw emotions Joplin brings us here are so ridiculously well put together. The writing sinks to the core of the message and Joplins voice is just AS raw. Beautiful record.

Powergul!

Man I'm thinking a 5

Dead adjacent psychedelic folk rock

Nice album with some good songs

70’er rock, fed vokal, politisk, psykedelisk

Amazing singer was songwriting is just okay

Meh

Schönes Album einer Legende.

No strong feelings for this one. I don’t think this was the best use of Janis’s undeniable talent.

this was quite solid! janis of course has an iconic voice, but i found the instrumentation to be a bit lacking in parts. a lot of legendary songs, though.

Good, but not for me

Love this Gravelly. Beautiful. Just awesome

Janis had a powerful voice. I won't argue that. Maybe I find the songs average outside of Janis' singing or maybe I have heard to many buskers and talent show contestants commit murder that it has broken my ears.

An absolutely amazing voice that is sadly restricted by some pretty generic songs from the era. Certainly not bad music, but it's hard to really get into music that if anything sounds like something from the late fifties. It's a shame, because there are some musical hints of greatness and definitely would've evolved had there been time to do so.

Great singer with a wonderful voice. Great musicians. Greaaaaat album overall

What a start to my new project. Is there a better voice in rock? Love how frequently piano makes an appearance.

Un album de Janis Joplin ordinaire sur fond de clopes, de trajets en poids lourd et de torse poilu.

Ok janis t'es sympa mais ta voix de fumeuse de roulées on a vite fait le tour. Un 3 en guise d'avertissement.

She sounds like she has had a rough life filled with cigarettes but I dig it. Me and Bobby McGee is a banger. 4,5

This was a good album. 7/10

Love Janis. Sf represent.

First impression: it’s within the decade of music I love (the 70s). It’s a woman! Wow. I hope this is good. Second impression: what a nice beat! She’s good! Love her raspy voice. Third impression: Like the guitar. Oh yeah! Wow. Overall impression: I like it! Listened to this in Annika’s room while we were playing her conversation game called “table topics”, during the pre-party. Turns out it had just had some small talk, surface questions. Annika skipped most of questions. I listened and enjoyed this album meanwhile we played Annika's game.

1'st listen Love her voice! some of the runs shes doing are a bit too unpredictable and go on for a bit too long for me to find enjoyable.. turns out they're not runs their lyricas haha but the song i mostly felt overwhelmed by was woman left lonely buried alive in the blues sounds like a mariocart song in the best way. Get while you can made me cry, her vocals are incredible emotionally, reminds me of the more passionate florence and the machine songs but turned up 120% 2'nd listen This is completly diffrent for somereason the second listen. knowing what to expect helps and im really enjoying it

I’ve historically not been a Janis Joplin fan. In the past, I’ve found her voice offputting. Something about this attempt was different though. The raw character of her voice felt much more honest and sincere than it has in the past. Really enjoyed this listen through. Favorite track - Crybaby Least favorite track - Mercedes Benz

Muy bien

Janis probably had some good pussy back in her prime. I'm talking sloppy blowjobs before OnlyFans made them popular. Seems like the type of chick who would get drunk and start swinging though. Either way, she was a nice piece of ass by any measure... God rest her soul. Also the album was chill.

2.5 - okay. Ran to it.

Joplin's delivery here sometimes seems on a ragged edge of falling apart completely, seeming to prefigure her imminent untimely demise. Then again her voice will be strong and clear like the young woman she is, and it feels like she could have had half a century of singing in front of her, with better luck and some intensive rehab. A shame either way.

Got shit to do, so keeping this short: Janis Joplins had an amazing voice and this album is fantastic. Brava.

Janis is one of my favorite vocalist & she nailed the Southern blues-rock genre. This album's got great story telling & all the feels. Cry Baby shakes me to my core every time hear it, Mercedes Benz makes me wish I could sing like her, and Bobby McGee nearly makes me cry every time I hear it. Love love Janis.

Such a voice. Such a shame we lost her so soon. Incredible music. Just all around a solid album from start to finish.