Reviews (page 5 of 13)
very r and b
so nice, i loved her voice and the jazz vibe
Pleasant to listen to but not necessarily setting me on fire on first listen. Feels like I'm missing something.
Actually liked this album better!
Janis has always been a bit of an acquired taste for me. Long before I was really into that expressive explosive blues stuff outside of Led Zeppelin's really masculine version of it, I always thought her voice sounded like a pack of cigs mixed with a gravel road and I couldn't stand it, especially not the freakout on "Me and Bobby McGee". Her music always felt loose and raw in the worst way. But I was an impatient and pretentious young man, and now I can see the merit in her work. I think part of that has come with getting into the Grateful Dead, becoming aware of her connections to them (especially Pigpen) and realizing that Pig may or may not have been one side of the same coin that Janis took up the other side of.
I really like Janis Joplin. Her voice is, of course, unique, and the music has this raw energy. One point down because, bar one or two, she didn't write her own songs.
I feel like I need to listen to this one again to have a really good feel for it. For now, I'm giving it a 4
Wow! Now that’s a unique voice. Obviously I have heard of Janis Joplin but I have never really given her the gift of a listen to an album by her and by heck she can belt it out. There was just one song that her voice grated on me a bit and that was a woman left lonely. All the rest were either good or great with a few “oh I didn’t know she did that” moments. Recommend!
Blues, soul, R&B.
An amazing voice, and I love the mix of soul, bless and rock.
Hendrix died during the recording of this album, and she knew what she must do
🥩🦁📣💥🥹
what a voice.
When you think of Janis Joplin, you think of someone who was completely wild. In their lifestyle and their musical output. I've listened to this album before, but I'd usually sway more towards the Big Brother and the Holding Company records over Joplin’s solo stuff. I'm a fan of the wild stuff. “Pearl” isn't as untamed and raucous as those records. Instead of competing with the noise of the band, here Joplin is given a lot more space to let her voice shine. It seems a bit more mature and calm than the Joplin of the Big Brother days. Which is nuts because she was only 27. Speaking of, I can't NOT mention the whole “27 Club” mythology. It's so crazy that all of these great artists died at the same age, and many so close to each other. Robert Johnson started the club way back in 1938, and it took until July of 69 for the next most notable member to join, Brian Jones. Just over a year later, Alan Wilson of Canned Heat died on 3 September 1970. 15 days later, Jimi Hendrix passed away. And just 16 days after that, Janis Joplin became the next member of the club, right in the middle of recording this album. That's what hangs over these songs. Knowing that she never made it to the end of this recording is tragic, and impossible to ignore as you listen. But as much as the name Janis Joplin brings to mind images of excess, like bottles of Southern Comfort or heroin addiction, her legacy remains as one of the great voices of all time. The last song she ever recorded was “Mercedes Benz”. The lyrics were (tellingly) scrawled on bar napkins, and act as a sarcastic anti-consumerist prayer, showing off Joplin's wry sense of humour. It's fitting that this was her last recording, because it's just Joplin's voice acapella, and nothing else. It doesn't need anything else. She had such a unique, powerful and incredible voice that it feels like the perfect song to leave us with.
This album is so filled with love. While listening I felt warmth, soul, and real emotional depth from start to finish. It’s groovy, soulful, and deeply bluesy all at once, with that raw, powerful atmosphere only Janis could create. Her voice is absolutely perfect here — gritty, passionate, and full of feeling. The storytelling throughout the album is excellent, and the band backs her up beautifully with great piano work and tight, swinging grooves. Even the cover of Kris Kristofferson’s song fits right in with the rest of the record. Pearl feels alive and heartfelt. It’s energetic when it needs to be, tender in other moments, but always honest. I liked this album very much — it’s easily one of her strongest and most complete works. A true classic that still sounds incredible today.
This is an absolute staple for anyone obsessed with the warm, bleeding edge analog textures of the early 1970s. Joplin’s performance here is legendary because it is pure, unadulterated grit. What makes this land so well from a progressive rock standpoint is the Full Tilt Boogie Band. They provide a remarkably tight, locked in, and organic foundation that gives her chaotic vocal energy the perfect amount of structure without ever smothering it.
a good reminder of how good joplin could be. the big brother album i got earlier is just god awful. this is, for the most part, stunningly good. it's not original, with joplin covering a lot, but it's fantastic blues rock. "half moon" is some funky blues rock that highlights this album for me
Who am I to criticize such an incendiary voice? I started the album thinking that Joplin’s legacy was less her recorded output and more her technical prowess and showmanship demonstrated through her live performances. Furthermore, any groundbreaking qualities of her work would surely be diminished by more accomplishes songwriters of her generation (Joni Mitchell) or successors who carried her legacy and with whose catalogue I am more familiar with (Amy Winehouse). I was wrong. Over the course of my listening experience, I could not help but be charmed by this record. Not just her voice too, her backing band REEKS of late 60s, early 70s blues rock that is just goddamn electric. Janis Joplin is (obviously) undeniable, and so is Pearl.
Some great songs. What a voice! Icon.
Del dolor a la ternura incluso dentro de una sola canción; este álbum me acompañó por un buen tiempo cuando era joven
Undoubfully one of the great singers of the hippie era. Nice album.
Oh Janis. Such raw vocal power and prowess on the same record. So much sadness behind it. She was a rock and roll star, but she knew how to sing the blues.
8.5 / 10
I enjoyed this Janis Joplin album more than her other one.
this album has the most character out all of joplin's work. just great stuff. makes you think about what could've been ya know.
loving cry baby such a raw and powerful voice, so much emotion half moon is a new sound for this album but i love it -- guitar/bass riffs are really fun (and piano! wow) voice works really well with this backing buried alive in the blues.. yeah i am that guitar is so good!! pretty great! enjoyable, nothing that i found mind blowing but you can obviously hear the talent and you can never understate the power of a good band to back up that voice. 4/5
The opening track hits you HARD. Her vocals powerful and intricate guitar playing captivates you. But then afterward, Cry Baby TEARS INTO YOUR SOUL with raspy and intense vocals (same with A Woman Left Lonely). The instrumentals on Half Moon with the bongos and piano go very well together. But we can’t forget about the ENTIRELY INSTRUMENTAL song “Buried Alive in the Blues” which is jammed packed with bluesy riffs and is just an orgasm of sound. Me and Bobby McGee is amazing due to its songwriting and performances. Mercedes Benz is a track that isn’t a surprising addition to the album, it’s one of those songs that isn’t just a country tune that isn’t a skip, but is just a fun little add on. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the crap out of this, I have found no skips on this and each and every song has about the same quality to it. I came in with low expectations and came out super impressed. Overall Score-Decent 8
That’s the part that sticks with me is the feeling of a real person trying to get something out of their chest and onto tape. That kind of rawness always works for me. Janis is telling her truth at full volume. Life is messy.
Liked this more than I thought I would
Man, Janis could wail. A unique and generational voice - I don't know that it's the objectively BEST voice, but she just had a certainly quality. This improves on her debut in almost every way - better and more polished songwriting, and her band sounds great. Tight playing all around, great grooves, and the piano and organ playing really stuck out to me. Two all time classic songs but some other gems in here. Half Moon is great and followed up by basically a song for the band to go off, which they do. Really enjoyed this one actually.
One that I have already listened to, but am admittedly less familiar with that I would prefer. I’ve always been a bigger fan of her debut, which has simply one of the best rock/soul songs I’ve ever heard, that being “Kozmic Blues,” in which she hits one of the most impressive A5s I’ve ever heard. But this album is what she’s arguably known more for, for better or for worse. And it has some insane songs. “Me and Bobby McGee” is a complete classic, and songs like “Move Over,” “Cry Baby,” and “Get It While You Can” are also beautiful. In general the best parts about this are Joplin’s passionate, soulful vocals, the great production on the guitars and drums and pianos, and the general flow of the album. Very playful and lighthearted, very good, and very enjoyable. 8.6/10
Great stuff! A classic.
Janis writes good and salient songs. they can get a bit long or same-y but the quality is great.
This album is great! My husband told me this was released after her death. What a sad waste of a life and an incredible talent.
Pleasantly surprised, didn't know what to expect, but it went pretty hard A bit indulgent on the piano at times, but I'll let it off
She’s very passionate and emotional with her delivery. Her lyrics make you want to give her a hug. The instrumentation has high energy and is vibrant compared to the sometimes saddening lyrics. I could imagine listening to this on a sunny day with the windows down.
It was fun!
Loved it, Joplin's craggy force of a voice always is a treat
escutava mto esse quando tinha uns 12-13 anos incrivelmente, eu gosto muito desse solo da janis, acho a levada e a “”vibe”” incríveis de fato, os hippies acertaram nesse (doi escrever isso)
PASME nunca tinha escutado nada dela ((fora aquele album meia boca da banda dela que passou por aqui)) fortíssimo, hein. surpreendentemente mais blues/r&b do que eu esperava. vozerão, instrumental bacana, parece que todo mundo tava se divertindo fazendo esse disco. dói dizer, mas os hippies acertavam às vezes.
I probably prefer her Big Brother and the Holding Company work but this album is still very good.
I love this kind of 70s music, the soulful + bluesy rock. Loved when Janis Joplin sang less raspy cause it sounds really pleasant, but I know the raspiness is her signature. Raspiness is still good though Standout songs: Move Over, Cry Baby, Half Moon, Buried Alive In The Blues
There's so much to say about this album. Legendary album, but was most familiar with her earlier work, specially her previous album. I'm kinda shocked by how modern this album sounds compared to the rest. Strange that it's mostly covers, but her soulfull voice carries the weight of the legend. Tragically short, which was the norm at that time, but it' sounds almost as a greatest hits. There's not throwaways, most of them are pretty memorable but within the album experience, not by themselves. Starts great, ends great, great middle tracks, if it was longer it would be perfect.
Belle voix, le backing band sonne la brique. Pas sûr je pourrais réécouter en boucle.
It only took two days for me to land on not only an album that I've heard before, but an album I have physically. Neat! Singing like this must have hurt, surely. You'll hear Janis howl, squeal, and outperform basically anyone you could throw at her. She's so powerful, she makes the luscious and vibrant songs that make up this album swell up and practically burst at the seams. She's so powerful, she takes stripped back acoustic songs and makes them captivating, emotional, and lived in. Every song sounds like 100 bad days and nights, every note sounds worn down but kicking. The backing band plays second banana, but playing second banana to Janis fucking Joplin is still no easy feat. It runs out of steam by the end, but if I did what Joplin did on Crybaby I'd probably be on the floor having an asthma attack. Almost overwhelmingly powerful.
There is definitely a style because I could not tell the songs apart on the first listening. But incredible music incredible singer. The bangers stay bangers
I knew of her but never listened to her music. The opening of cry baby really impressed me, what a cool voice. Her talent is obvious, but I can only listen to so much of her, hence 4*
Oh Janis. ❤️
Impressed by her expressive and raspy vocals, great album
I just started it it sounds cool!
I really liked the album! Janis has such a unique and powerful voice, but it's not like a comparable "great" singer. It's more that her vocal style is perfectly suited for the genre and instrumentation, more so than most. She fits like a glove into the songs, such that any other singer would be intensely out of place. I really liked this album as a throwback, and would happily listen again. I may not add it to my regular rotation, but I will go back someday.
Shout out to my mom I knew this one already
Really enjoyed this one. Unsurprisingly strong voice, but some great tracks showcasing it too.
She really is iconic. Love the fashion, love the power of her vocals, love her passion for the art, and love how she never appeared afraid of showing her tru self. This album wasn't an exception.
I wasn't sure at first but it grew on me. Definitely preferred the second half. Cry baby spoiled by being over played on a perfume advert
Notable Eröffnungstextzeile: You say that it's over baby, Lord You say that it's over now But still you hang around me, come on Won't you move over Über die Person ist schon an vielen Stellen viel gesagt worden. Mir ist eine Sache aufgefallen, die als Detail mit erklärt warum ich das sehr sehr toll finde: Das Panning bei diesen Aufnahmen (besonders bei me and BobbyMcGee) ist echt was besonderes, wenn rechts die Gitarre und die Hammond Orgel und links das Piano erklingen und die Stimme und das Schlagzeug, vor allem die Becken in der Mitte so klar und leicht (also Soundmäßig, man hört jedes quetschen und jeden Kratzer in der Stimme) erklingt.
Just a classic rock n' roll good time. Good songwriting, good melodies and instrumentation, and good length/structure. Vocals do get a little grating on some songs, but it's hard not to find it charming when the lyrics are so heartfelt.
A whirlwind of an album, sometimes too much so it felt like it was racing through but ultimately v enjoyable. Particularly enjoyed the shift at Bobby Mcgee and mercedez benz.
This was a thrill to find out what Janis is about as another embarrassing music knowledge gap for me
Highlights: Move Over, A Woman Left Lonely, Half Moon, Buried Alive in the Blues, My Baby, Me and Bobby McGee, Get It While You Can
Quite liked this.
Buena voz
Janis Joplin is one of those names that I heard spoken a lot. I hadn’t heard any of her music until this, so to me it really was just “one of those names” that people say a lot. Pearl made me understand why she is “one of those names”. A unique and powerful voice. Liked this whole album except Mercedes Benz
I throughly enjoyed this second and final album by Janis Joplin! I thought this album was lots of fun to listen to and even though it was short it packed quite the punch! Joplin has such a unique and iconic sound and voice. Does she have the best voice in the world? No, but damn her music was catchy and electrifying! This was a soulful and great blues rock album that I would jam to again soon!
I know, you know, your mother knows and pretty much everyone else knows that this is a great album.
Good stuff!! I love high, raspy voices in this genre. There’s a lot of great energy and songwriting moments here, especially parts where her voice builds to crescendos. Even “Mercedes Benz” which sounds like an outtake has so much personality to it. I never gave Janis Joplin a chance before and I’m glad I started with this one. It’s sad that she didn’t get to do much in her career, but this is the first time in this album challenge that makes me wanna actively look through more of her discography and collabs with the Holding Company. That definitely means something! Favorite track: Trust Me
Potentially 5
I'm familiar-enough with the hits on this album, but I don't believe I've ever listened to this album start-to-finish. I imagine I'll enjoy this quite a bit. Yeah, this is quite good.
Mycket bra band och dom flesta låtarna är bra. Hennes röst är såklart otrolig. Inga konstigheter, bra skiva rakt igenom. Stark 4:a
I didn’t expect something about 70’s but it surprised me. It was really good
Pearl by Janis Joplin is a strong showcase of just how perfectly her voice fits the rock and blues world. There’s a rawness to her delivery, but also a surprising warmth and control that really shines throughout the album. Tracks like “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Cry Baby” highlight that balance between power and emotion, making her performances feel both intense and deeply human. Even with its posthumous release, the album feels cohesive and focused, backed by the Full Tilt Boogie Band, who give her the space to shine without overshadowing her presence. It’s not flawless, but it captures her at a peak moment artistically.
Phenomenal. Made better that the album cover, when shrunken down, kind of looks like Ozzy Osbourne in drag
Lots of classics on this one.
There are some absolutely killer tracks here, but also a fair amount of filler. It’s the record where the execs decided Janis needed the rough edges sanded over and a more professional band. The results are pretty mixed but it just doesn't hit the way Cheap Thrills does. Still a very good record but I wish this wasn't her swan song
It's good, solid, classic country-tinged pop-rock from the 70's. She's got a two-pack-a-day rasp to her voice. Everyone likes it. I wouldn't turn the channel if it came on the radio, but I'm not going out of my way to play it. My Rating: 4/5
Love her voice. “Move Over” is a great opening song. Short and sweet album.
A collection of masterpieces. Beautiful and particular voice. I liked "Cry Baby". Queen of rock and blues.
Love the soulful, passionate perfomances here the songwriitng is also great. My only problem is that the second side doesnt feel as unique and doesnt sound as good as a result. Still such a shame that Janis died so young. 7/10 Favourite: Cry Baby Least Favourite: Mercedes Benz
Ye.
4.0 - Very Good
That voice though
Entretenido, me dio voz, me dio actitud y variedad
Prozessione die jinge für'et Janis, all die Helde, die würden belohnt!
Yes
Posthumous albums are super interesting to me because they come in all sorts of forms that vary wildly in how much they should exist. Sometimes you have albums that were always meant to released in some form being finished and put out to honor the artist's legacy. Albums like Mac Miller's Circles and Elliott Smith's From a Basement on the Hill come to mind as examples of this. Then you have lazy cash grabs full of clearly unfinished material that barely even feature the original artists and are clearly put out to make a quick buck. Why Biggie got an album in fucking 2017 is beyond me. But the best kind of posthumous albums to me are the ones that are barely even posthumous because they released within like 4 months of the artist in question dying and were going to be released around that time anyway. Albums like this include Joy Division's Closer, Life After Death from the aforementioned Notorious B.I.G., and the focus of today's review, Janis Joplin's Pearl, which released just 3 months after Joplin's death at the age of 27 in 1970. I could go on a 27 Club tangent right now if I wanted to, but the posthumous album tangent at the start of this review was long enough, so I won't do that. Pearl is pretty great! This is just a cool album, okay? Janis's vocals are, of course, excellent. She kind of feels like a female Robert Plant in a way, which is funny seeing as I just got a Led Zeppelin album yesterday. And I've got to give props to the Full Tilt Boogie Band for the music on this thing. It's bluesy and cool and I like it. Despite the album just barely being posthumous, there are some points in the album that do make more sense with the context of the album's release. Like, I first thought that having "Buried Alive in the Blues" as an instrumental was an odd choice seeing as this is Janis's album and she wasn't anywhere on that recording, but reading that she had died before she got to record the vocals on the song adds some much needed context for the song's inclusion on the album. I assume the opposite is sorta what happened with the vocal-only "Mercedes Benz," which was apparently the final song she recorded before her death. Damn. Other than those two, you have plenty of songs that stand out for reasons that aren't tragic. "Cry Baby" and "Me and Bobby McGee" in particular stand out for being really really good. The album is very consistent, which I appreciate. I think I've said enough. Though the album's release was fairly tragic, the album itself stands out on its own is being a good time, albeit one with time for moments of reflection. It's great. High 4/5.
My overall summary of this album is that I should be listening to Janis Joplin more! She died about a year before I was born, so although I'm familiar with her more popular songs, I've never really listened to her much or gotten into her music that much. On top of her voice being amazing, I'm super impressed with her band on this album too. She's typically the focus of each song, but one of the songs on the album is just the instrumental since Joplin died before she could record the vocal tracks, so the band really shines on that one. So funky and bluesy. Loved this one!
Soulful rock, country twang.
Move Over - This seems like my sorta thing. Upbeat, groovy, soulful rock-y stuff. Heck yeah. 7/10 Cry Baby - A bit slower. Very much a “last song of the night at a wedding or a bar or something” kind of song. 6.5/10 A Woman Left Lonely - Another slower jam. Less drive to this one. 6/10 Half Moon - Aaaaand now we’re back to the groovy stuff. 7/10 Buried Alive in the Blues - And we’re stayin’ groovy. Most groovy song so far. Sounds like something that could have been on the Baby Driver soundtrack. 8/10 My Baby - And we’re back to the slow jams. This is the most “stadium anthem”-like one. Like the one you would play at the end of a concert, with everyone’s hands swaying back and forth. 6.5/10 Me and Bobby McGee - “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.” When people talk about how good music used to be, this is the kind of stuff I assume they’re talking about. Helluva track. 9/10 Mercedes Benz - If Buried Alive in the Blues showed how good the bad was, this showed how cool of a voice Janis had. Will have this stuck in my head for a while. “That’s it.” 7/10 Trust Me - This sounds like they sorta ran out of ideas and just jammed out while Janis just made up some stuff on the spot. 6.5/10 Get It While You Can - The fact that this was released posthumously makes this one hit a little harder. 7/10 Overall, 7/10. What a voice. Honestly though she was way older than she was. Shame she was taken so young. Never heard of her before this, but this proved to me why she was so well regarded.
Loved it. Also these tight 30min albums are wonderful.
Enjoyed
good folky songs from the 70's one of a kind voice
Good stuff.
It's hard to argue with someone with a built-in overdrive box in her vocal chords. She really used that torn-speaker sound to great effect. And her vibrato! Her voice is so emotive and powerful, while being absolutely broken and vulnerable. And the songs are great too, though I'm partial to "Get It While You Can." Anyways. I can't wait to see the biopic of Jackie Jorp-Jomp, coming to theaters soon. FOUR STARS
Strong record, some classic songs.
Gnarly
Heerlijke stem! Leuk om eens te luisteren.
This girl could sing! Love the energy, emotion and raspiness of her voice.
Janis' voice pulls the score up for me. I don't like the synth parts, but holy shit, when the piano drop hits and she screams her lungs out, hell yeah.
A few more listens and I feel this would be even better - enjoyed what I heard here
la intensidad de la interpretación de mi comadre, sumado a la fuerza con la que toca la banda hacen de este disco mi favorito hasta el momento. álbum muy variado y con una identidad identificable a leguas. aparte, por alguna razón que no logro identificar aún, me entretuve mucho escuchándolo.
What a voice.
I’d love to hear her sing over some RIFFS.
A good listen, with a blues-influenced style that carries some emotional punch. It has a real energy to it though despite being on the surface quite a downcast album- the opening tracks headlined by Cry Baby are probably the highlights. Though Joplin clearly has a great voice, you do get the sense that she’d been through it by the time of recording this. The result is a gravelly voice that has some impact, but I personally found a bit strangled and irritating as the album went on.
This is a fantastic, soulful, bluesy album, though of course a desperately sad one too, with a haunting sense of incompleteness. Janis Joplin had an utterly remarkable and incredibly powerful voice, though I do wonder how long she’d have been able to sustain it given her ragged vocal style. She’s undoubtedly (and deservedly) the star, but I’d also like to shout-out the Full Tilt Boogie Band, whose playing is fantastic throughout. Highlights are ‘Move Over’, ‘Cry Baby’, ‘A Woman Left Lonely’, and ‘Me and Bobby McGee’. I like this more and more with each listen. A possible future 5 stars.
Not what I would usually go for but pleasantly surprising
Janis Joplin is certainly one of the great voices of the 20th Century, but unlike someone like Ella Fitzgerald or Aretha Franklin, who seem to have every note and nuance absolutely under control, you feel that Joplin is skating on the edge and any moment could skid off the road into a pile up. Of course there are great performances here. Bobby McGee, Mercedes Benz, Move Over are all highlights. But the passion and emotion in her voice, which, at times, seems about to overwhelm even her, make every note she sings great. Perhaps the most affecting track is Buried Alive in the Blues. It's the backing track presented as an instrumental. She was going to record the vocal "in the morning", but died in the night, leaving it as a strak reminder of what was lost with her death.
Het meest van allemaal associeer ik de muziek van Joplin met de hippie-tijd. Er heeft in een paar jaar tijd zoveel heroïne door haar aderen gestroomd en er zat vaker sigaretten-lucht in haar longen dan gewone. En dat hoor je op Pearl. Daar klinkt ze rauw. Ik wilde niet dat dit pas postuum is uitgebracht maar maakt het extra intens. Haar strijd met de druk van presteren maakte haar gek en alleen nog meer opiaten konden dat enigszins stillen. Je zou kunnen zeggen dat je dat kon horen op deze plaat, maar ik vraag me af of dat zo is. Vind het al met al wel een erg solide album, met een indrukwekkende stem en ook gewoon sterke songs. Ik kan deze plaat altijd wel erg waarderen en het heeft daarnaast ook een speciaal plekje in de muziek historie. 8/10 Highlights Cry Baby Me and Bobby McGee
𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭 captures Janis Joplin at her most focused and compelling. Her voice is unmistakable — raw, powerful, and deeply expressive — even if it sometimes sounds unpolished, as though shaped more by instinct than formal technique. That rough edge, however, is exactly what gives the album its emotional weight. The songs are strong and direct, allowing her performance to take center stage. At the same time, there’s an unavoidable sense of incompleteness. As her final album, 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭 leaves you wondering how her sound and career might have evolved from here.
Dit album had ik een hele tijd niet geluisterd, maar wel weer van genoten. Ik dacht dat ik met een heel album haar stem op een gegeven moment wel zat zou zijn, maar dat was niet het geval. Het is goede blues en het blijft lekker luisteren
Well, I listened to the album (lots of songs I knew) and then I read some more about Janis Joplin (because I was curious to turn my vague impressions into some sort of knowledge - possibly a kind of mistake from perspective of "listening pleasure"). So now I see this record as a curious artifact (I'm particularly curious about sexual politics of the era) and a sad one. I'm most interested in Joplin's singing - mildly interested in the arrangements generally - I guess Full Tilt Boogie Band is decent on this record (I'm interested in the organ playing). Move Over - I knew the song well from the album Slayed? (released 20 months after Pearl came out), I didn't know till now that Janis wrote it. Singing is very intense. Cry Baby - I knew well. Not written by Joplin. Encouraging the guy to cry, over loss of the other woman, is interesting to me. Half Moon - seems v familiar (and funky!) and I can't work out where I know it from. Me and Bobby McGee - not my favourite, but I get why it's popular :-) RIP Ms Joplin ... The album? It’s Good, 7/10.
Álbum muy disfrutable, grandes solos de guitarra, la voz de Janis hermosa no desentona. Mis favoritas "Mover Over, "Half Moon"' ,"Get It While You Can "
I had a blast listening to this. The passion behind Joplin’s voice is the highlight of the album.
3.75 - Janis is absolutely an icon, no notes just singing your whole soul out Fav songs: Move Over // Cry Baby // Me&Bobby McGee // Mercedes Benz // Get it while you can
Good stuff 4 stare
It is a beautiful and emotional album about life, love and emotions. I absolutely adore it. It really makes you feel so many things all at once. A true masterpiece
Really enjoyed this one, she can really sing. Record captures a unique essence, a band that is a real tight unit. A nice range of music and yeeha what a belter of a voice she had. Losing a singer like this was a real tragedy.
I love her spunk. Beautiful raspy voice. Tragic that she had a short lived career, she was great.
Apparently I'm a Janis Joplin fan
This is pretty fire I do like the vocals and music good album would listen again
Love this album! Janis is a crazy person, but we love her for it
Amazing soulful lyrics and thoughtful lyrics
Strong 4
Good
Vocally superb and it has some really great tracks on here especially cry baby and her rendition of me and Bobby McGee. Crazy that Mercedes Benz was recorded in one take 3 days before her death
Janis Joplin is one of the most unique vocalists of all time. Taken far too soon, but she gave us ‘Move Over’ before she left, which is a very underrated song
from what i'd heard of Janis Joplin before i wasn't a huge fan of her rough vocals. but her raw blues voice is so so good. once i just allowed myself to listen and get used to it. she's really powerful here, and i found myself liking a few songs. she's like...the female counterpart of Robert Plant to me lol favorite track: Cry Baby :) nearly gave me chills
I’m learning that hoarse, grating vocals are not my fave (Springsteen, James brown, Janis…) but expressiveness makes up for it in this case
Unique and powerful voice, not my favorite voice but enjoyable and musically fitting. This is a true 4.5 to me
Actually really enjoyed it. Cool voice. I had to check that I was still listening to the same album when I got to Bobby McGee.
Ok. This was the first album in this project that was close to a revelation. Why did I never listen to this all the way through? So much better than what she did with Big Brother etc. I really enjoyed this record and will listen to it again. Definitely deepens the sorrow that she did not live long enough to have the career she should have had.
Love me some Pearl
Having heard Janis Joplin’s name mentioned around, I had never gotten the time to sit down and listen to this album until today. It was truly a wonderful experience, knowing what enclosed the vinyl that had been seen in every other store. When listening to this album, I was presentlt surprised. The sheer talent she exhibited was limitless— her rough, gritty, yet pronounced voice guides you on a journey that is limitless. This album is up for interpretation. It holds your hand and shows you realities that seem different for each person. While some tracks may not seem particularly timeless, each holds a pearl inside. Her versatile musical accompaniment joins her incredible voice. It was a very good album, while not eye-opening, certainly a worthy listen and addition to this list. Best tracks: Crybaby, A Woman Left Lonely, Mercedes Benz.
Janis!
Ah Janis. The lady that could drain a bottle of Southern Comfort and a pack of cigarettes during the show. While not stopping the show once. Her voice was impressive in the fact that she had one. She sang the blues well, listening reminds me of some of the shiftier bars I've been in. One roadhouse I went to she would have fit right in. The kind of place that is half bikers and half townies that are drunk going in. The music is impressive and I don't know if the Full Tilt Boogie Band gets enough praise for it. Yeah her vocals are good but they wouldn't work as well without the band. Good album. It has it's place historically and it's just good music.
It's a good album. The band is really good. I'm not too fond of the singing though. The songs are catchy.
Really quite good hey. Fav tracks: Cry Baby, Mercedes Benz, Trust Me. RYM: N Saved a song: Y
Had to give this a second try as I found the first listen a little raucous and intense for the circumstances in which I was trying to listen. I feel the great tragedy of this record is that, as a posthumous release, there would have been very little opportunity for anyone to have heard these songs performed live which is where I think the music will have really shined. The energy from the band and Joplin’s vocal style would doubtless have made for an extraordinary performance. The second half of the album really settled into a slightly calmer and more relaxing listen. Nice album…
Enjoyed this. Liked the instruments and different sounds. Move Over and Bobby M were my faves.
7 - GOOD
Jopleando
A quintessential rock album and a part of the fabric of rock and its stars as we know it.
4.8
Reminds me of college and battles of various bands. Bobby McGee, Oh Lord Won’t You Buy Me. Great album!
I really enjoyed this album more that I thought I would. Like every other blues-rock album, the lyrics were not that deep and felt quite cliche, but her raspy voice and the funky yet upbeat vibe really make this album enjoyable - it’s got so much variation, and not just with Joplins vocal tonation. I loved Move Over, Cry Baby and Half Moon. Me and Bobby McGee was a suprisingly amazing song as well. Though I wouldn’t listen to the entire album again, there are some memorable and catchy lyrics to come back to.
3.5
J'ai beaucoup aimé l'album. Franchement, je l'ai trouvé vraiment très intéressant, surtout dans la voix, toujours très spécifique mais extrêmement bien travaillée chez Joplin qui m'as vraiment fait rentrer dans le projet. De plus, je trouve qu'avec un peu de recul, la variété de sons dans un projet si court, avec des sons très osés comme "Mercedes Benz" et la voix toute seule, ou à l'inverse, "Burning alive with the blues" qui est un très bon morceau instrumental. Honnêtement, c'est très impressionnant le fait que l'album soit paru à titre postum tout en étant le plus connu de l'artiste, il comprends de vraiment bonnes idées et ce fut pour moi une belle découverte.
Phenomenal
Does anyone drive porsches anymore? A little more polish than the big brother stuff, that's both good and bad. Some real winners here, and it's just fun to listen to her sing, restraint be damned.
Never spent a lot of time with Janis Joplin, but this was pretty great. Her voice is obviously epic. And I dig these late 60s early 70s blues rock jams more than I typically do. If I saw this for $8 in a vinyl bin, I'd get it.
I've never been a fan of Janis Joplin, can't stand the caterwauling vocals but I only ever listened to the better known songs. Imagine my surprise to find that most of this album is full of soulful songs, Me and Bobby McGee and the god awful Mercedes Benz may be the best known songs on this album but they are far and away the worst and drag it from 5 to a 4
Songs about love, loss, and moving on. Janis Joplin was such an incredible talent for her time. Her music still resonates and doesn’t feel overly dated. Certainly from its era, but it still feels fairly present and somewhat timeless.
As if answering my prayers after being served up my 2nd Adele album, I get Janis Joplin. Obviously not the polished vocalist that many people prefer, but damn it if she wasn't afraid to take risks and have a little soul, even a pinch of funk. Drawbacks are that it's obviously a product of its age so you get your share of early 70s psychedelic guitar wanking, but this album keeps it mostly tasteful unlike many of its contemporaries. Great album, 4/5
fav: mercedes benz
esta piola
Ragged, homeless-like and super expressive. This is one of Janis' finest albums. It's so intense and filled with angst. Love the rendition of 'Me and Bobby McGee'. KK would be proud.
Amazing voice! Killing it on this album. Soulful and bluesy! Janis is a trip man! ✌️
I've always loved Joplin's voice. And Bobby McGee is an all time great song.
28/02/26
Gran álbum, que lujo fue escucharlo Entiendo que fue la primera gran Rockstar mujer, merecido título Se puede repetir fácilmente, este fue su último álbum antes de su partida
A great album with a powerhouse vocal throughout. Such a lost talent at a young age
Boost of energy
I've not heard much of her music, but she had a fantastic voice. A really good strong album
my girl janis
Favorite tracks: Cry Baby, My Baby, Me and Bobby McGee, Get It While You Can So empowering and lovely, her voice could probably carry any project it was on.
not the best work from Janis Joplin, but sure a BANGER Today´s bird: Cuckoo
I listened to this a lot, was fun
I just willingly listened to chain smoker screaming over some fire guitar riffs for 34 minutes straingt and, surprisingly, I loved it.
An album I owned. It's a shame she died so young.
Some juke joint rave ups and some stone cold classics. Her voice and a killer band.
Qué maravillosa
cry baby me pareció perfecta para una escena de una película, la re contra veo
Solid, bluesy album with a tight band and an iconic track.
Such a great voice and attitude. Love this album
Unforgettable voice and charisma
She had such an outsized cultural influence for someone who was only known for a couple years. She sang at Monterey in June of '67, her debut album with her band came out in August of '68, and then she died in October of 1970. Very sad. She did leave behind a small catalogue of songs and this was a nice send off. Rest in peace.
Gear: ZMF Bokeh Closed Artwork: 😁🦩🛋️ Production (Legacy Edition): ⚡😲👌 Music: 🕊️🎩💔 Rating:🦪🦪🦪🦪(🦪)/5
Just wow! I've never listened to JJ beyond the songs you hear on the radio, up until I got **Big Brother & The Holding Company**'s, _Cheap Thrills_ on this very challenge. I really enjoyed that album, her vocals there over a more simple jam-based blues rock soundtrack, whereas here _The Doors_ producer Paul Rothchild creates a richer backdrop, still rooted in blues but much more lush. The result highlights her incredible voice and feels more soulful. Very much in my wheelhouse and one I'll return to. This is so borderline 5-star and I suspect over time it will get there.
This was surprisingly good!
Jackie Jormp Jomp takes you back to Woodstox with this banger album
a daytime 4, nighttime 5
More energetic than I was expecting. Solid.
Really enjoyed this album I think i’ll be adding a lot of the songs to my playlist. I can’t quite figure out how I would listen to it like grwm or drives idk yet. 3.8/5
Janis крутая и музыканты плотно сыграли.
Once you get past her annoying voice, this is a pretty good album.
7.6
Fantastic album
Loved this.
Low 4
Muito bom, um álbum bem good vibes felizinho hippie. Curti muito
Truly this is gospel for the godless, and I’m here for it. A lot of people have aped her sound (with mixed results) over the years. Her songs have been karaoke fodder for maudlin drunks for decades. I can hear the shine of talent breaking through the rasp of self harm, and it makes me equally happy and sad.
It ok
soulful and beautiful
Great listen, full of emotion and feeling - 2-3 classics on here as well
Not one I would have listened to without this list. And tests my scoring system of 4 stars for enjoyed it and will be listening to it again. Because I’m still not sure it’s my thing. But it feels like objectively a great record.
I know so little about Janis Joplin aside from her name, this was a really nice listen. Punchy, powerful tunes with some great lyrics. A slight country twang too, mixed in. Favourites: Move Over Cry Baby My Baby Me and Bobby McGee
Great album.
This album made me sad for the rest of her career that we never got to hear. It reveals the different textures of her astonishing voice. Plus the great songs here are really era-defining and transcendent.
4.5 would be the best rating I’d give if I could
“Cry Baby” and “Me and Bobby McGee” are essential, of course. What a voice! Raw.
It sounds like your cool aunt/mom with a great taste in music would recommend you to. Very punky and rocky, and her rough voice is really satisfying. This is my first time really exploring albums and this one is a fcking great starttt. (an album karen wheeler probably will listen to with his cigar and wine) Move Over - 3/5 Cry Baby - 3/5 A Woman Left Lonely 4/5 Half Moon - 5/5 (electric guitar feelsss) Burried Alive in the Blues - 4/5 (thaa introo) My Baby - 4/5 Me and Bobby McGee - 4/5 Mercedes Benz - 3/5 (love her rough voice) Trust Me - 3/5 Get it While You Can - 3.5/5
Oh my god this is a fun album. I knew nothing about Janis going into this and now I'm hooked. Her scratchy vocals piercing the high heavens with that incredibly lively gospel ensemble backing her up with Move Over was exactly the push I need after a long day, and I'm so happy the energy kept up throughout the track run, even with the variety in tracks like A Woman Left Alone and Me and Bobby McGee going through such insane changes of pace and yet not feeling out of place. I understand how her voice can be off-putting, Mercedes Benz isn't a great a capella track, but her performance throughout the album is incredible. The pacing is good and the performances from Janis and the ensemble musicians are wonderful, with triumphant highs and energetic builds that blast through this album. I've never dived into gospel and soul music before, but after this album my interest is piqued.
Classic rock? Very enjoyable
Janis Joplin! Haven’t listened to a full Janis album in a long time. Such a distinct voice and that fun blues rock band behind her. Love the organ sound that accompanies a lot of it. This is legitimately such a fun listen. It’s just a great vibe. With a hint of sadness behind it all somehow, maybe knowing now how her life was cut short after recording these songs. Move Over and Cry Baby is just a great one two punch to start the album. Two songs that perfectly highlight Janis vocals. Half Moon is as fun as a song gets. Me And Bobby McGee is the standout song here and kinda comes out of nowhere on the second half of the album with a slower acoustic sound to begin it. It’s an all time classic song. It’s a great album overall. Last half of the album seems kinda sadder somehow. And a more focused blues sound. Overall this is a great album. Was thinking it was a 4 while listening, but seems like may be a 5 now that it’s done. Janis Joplin’s voice is so distinct and the backing band here is just great.
In my head I imagined she was a more country-esque artist. It wasn’t mind blowing, but I liked this album.
I haven’t listened to much of Janis before although I am familiar with her story. Her voice really grew on me over a few listens. At first I found it overdone but I began to hear the nuance. She really sounds like she means it too. And the band is great. The instrumental track is so sad. RIP Janis, you deserved better
Vilken feeling!
Cool tjej!
(77/100)
Isn't Janis the figurehead of the hippie era? Timeless music, in any case.
A beautiful but unfinished album, just like her life. It probably got picked for the list because of its posthumous nature, even though it's not as good as Kozmic Blues. Her voice is still amazing, but was starting to suffer from the constant abuse. The instrumental part is also a bit duller than in some of her previous records ; the Full Tilt Boogie Band might not have been the best formation for her, and the album suffers from a few weaker tracks (like Half Moon or My Baby). Still, there are superb songs in this record, with great blues and soul moments, classics like Cry Baby, and even a fun prosperity gospel parody with Mercedes Benz. I enjoyed it very much, but it's not my favorite JJ album (which means very little - she's still head and shoulders above most of her contemporaries). 7/10
With all the admiration I have for Janis, I couldn't help but feeling bored at times by her singing effects that are her very signature. Yet, this album is a gem and the last we herd of her.
I discovered this album, which is a real "Pearl", and I also discovered Janis Joplin and her tragic life. What a voice! If you have only 3 min available, just listen to "Cry baby". In this album, I was surprised to recognize many musical excerpts I've heard countless times, and I had no idea Janis Joplin was the source. Sadly, she's one of the 27 Club.
Dusty’s soul attempts suddenly shatters, god fearing Dolly must have hated Mercedes Benz, and Amy is reduced to just another page in the book. Vocally, it’s so intense and fun it actually becomes exhausting. Sure, but come on. When Move On isn’t even considered a single, you know you’re dealing with something special.
This album is filled with vocal power and feeling. Very, very enjoyable.
Beat posthumous album - maybe ever. Stacked album that was only beginning to show where she was taking the industry.
I’ll get around to listening to it. I should know most of it.
better than expected
She's pretty goated, I will agree Will I listen to again: 98%
Thoroughly enjoyable album.
Hadn't ever really listened. Died of alcohol/heroine OD. I get it she was pretty badass.
I think this is the first album by a woman in weeks? Months? Thank god it’s not another indie alt rock album. Guitar is so good on move over, especially how it works with the organ. Not the most catchy but good song. Really good musically and Janis has pipes. Cry baby is a lot slower. Not my fave but I will say it’s ahead of its time. Sounds like a paranore song kind of. Good piano and well written. A woman left lonely is really good. Absolute ballad. Great vocals and great background track. Half moon is more of the same in a great way. That piano towards the end is so good. And janis Joplin ca flat out sing. Hard to have a bad song with vocals that good. Throw anything simple behind it. Buried alove is super interesting. The music is good not great but the story behind the song is really cool. Wont affect my rankings but cool either way. RIP Janis. Back on track with my baby. Another good song. The way the work the piano organ and guitar is like I’ve never heard before. Me and Bobby McGee is so well written. Love the switch up to primarily acoustic. Best song on the album. Very catchy. End to end banger too, solo at the end is great. Mercedes Benz is on the same plain as “blues”. It’s not a song I’m going to add to the playlist but the significance and where it is in the album is perfect. It’s very well written too. Trust me is good as well. I really like this album. There’s a lot of song that sound kind of similar, but then some so different which is how an album should be comprised. I don’t want to hear the same sound over and over again, you will not on this album. And it closes with get it while you can which is just more of the same. Great album 4/5
Very cool. This list has so much generic mainstream blues rock from the 60s and 70s. When I saw this I had some fear. It's so beautifully expressive though. The voice is incredible. The choices of the band are excellent and serve the songs very well. The guitar is bluesy in an awesome slightly jazzy way and syncs with the other elements seamlessly. All great fun.
Classic. Raw, powerful, soulful. Janis was a force of nature and this album is a testament to her ability to rip your heart out with her voice, but also keep a playful edge. 4.5/5 for me.
lotta songs about men !! as a lesbian i cant relate but she’s such an icon i don’t really care
Great voice
fuck yes! I have never really listened to a full Janis album - what a legend!
Truly enjoyed the use of piano and guitar throughout the album. Janice has a very unique voice, and it really comes through on the album as well making it a joy to listen to.
Some of her music just isn’t my personal taste but I really loved a few songs on this album. It was just very up and down for me with songs I’d either be fine not hearing again and ones I’d love to revisit. That is just my personal taste in music speaking though so I still wanna rate this 4 stars because her vocals are INSANE and it just feels like a very cohesive and great album especially being released posthumously
I dig her bluesy groves man.
sonido cohesivo me encanta su voz la textura me parece muy atractiva rockerona letras muy meh o muy poco metafóricas poco uso de figuras literarias todas en tema y muy gracioso ese tema sobre kerer un mustang
I have no background with Janis, but I gotta admit, she was extremely charismatic. The album overflows with it. Couldn't help but smile while listening.
amazing voice, really lied some tracks on this
I loved Janis as a teenager. Her voice is one all time greats and this album great although o prefer earlier Janis. Get it while you can is still one of my favourite songs though.
Mercedes kannte ich natürlich, aber der Rest war mir neu. Genauso wie beim Amy Winehouse Album: Tolle Stimme, schade das sie nicht mehr Alben aufgenommen hat
Knew more than half of the album but never heard it as a whole. Still one of my favourites.
solid 4
Toimi itselleni kyllä paljon paremmin kuin se livelevy jossa Joplin karjahteli. Ihan hyviä biisejä kautta linjan, huippuna kyllä ehdottomasti Kris Kristofferssonin orkkiksella lattiaa pyyhkivä Me & Bobby McGee.
I mean… classic, jammy, soulful. Her voice was rough and that’s why it was so good. I love the emotion she conveys in her lyrics.
Powerfull voice and a bit irreverent. Also, likes to have fun.
I very much enjoyed that. I'm sure I've heard the album before. JJ had an incredible voice and the band are too shoddy either.
I love Janis, and the album is very good. I just feel like I need to consume a bag of lozenges for some reason!
voz sensacional linda, mas as músicas são um pouco parecidas entre si. É um daqueles álbuns que me faz detestar ter que obrigatoriamente pôr uma nota numérica. It's a really nice listen though e a história por trás é fascinante + me and bobby mcgee é banger as everyone knows
Hyvää blues-pohjaista meininkiä, bändi vetää mahtavasti (Half Moon etenkin)
Absolutely amazing, rip Janis Joplin you would've hated how the world is now
-Love the groovy guitar in Move Over. -Really like the power ballad "A Woman Left Lonely" and the bassline. -Fun album. A lot of the songs kind of sounded similar to each other, but it's still good, groovy, 70's fun. Favorite Song: Me And Bobby McGee
I was aware of some of Joplins work, but have never fully listened to her properly..amazing album. I’m a huge Prince fan & can hear similarities..brilliant
As the son of Deadheads, Janis along with all the big 60s psychedelic artists play a big role in my music upbringing. It's very upsetting she did not have long for this planet like many of those artists, but what she left still has a big impact on popular music today. Pearl is the last of her recorded work and contains some of her strongest stuff, although I still prefer the Big Brother and the Holding Company records. Would've been really cool for her to not die and be a cool guest for some future Grateful Dead shows.
Vocals on top with cool guitar riffs, LOVE HER VOICE A LOTTTTT HOLYY
A great album I didn’t pay much attention to the words but it was great to work to. Janis had killer vocals mmm. It made me think of American pie.
Grew up on her music. Great lyrics and Mercedes Benz is my family’s fav. That being said, I don’t listen to her often but very nostalgic
Banger vibe, not the biggest blue fan but I could listen to this for a while
this was lowkey really good but not something i often would listen to
Not usually my kind of thing, but Janis' voice is unique and full of expression, which makes it worth a listen. Honestly, prefer this over the 'Big Brother' stuff. Faves: Move Over, Me and Bobby McGee, Mercedes Benz
What an icon she was, may lord give her that Mercedes Benz ;) She was such a talented vocalist and i aspire to be as excentric as this diva <3
Pleasantly surprised by this! Heard the name Janis Joplin plenty of times but never listened to anything from her and had no idea what to expect (always had the idea she was similar to Joan Jett or Debbie Harry for some reason?) but this was great - "My Baby" had me pointing at imaginary players like a conductor. 4.5
Such a unique and powerful voice. Songs are a mix of bluesy gospel that fit her vocals really well.
Holy shit I had never listened to this album the way god intended and I’m so glad I finally did. Such nuanced and complex representations of pain through music I love you Janis Joplin
8/10! Actually very interesting and sounds awesome; songs are a little similar to each other but not so much that it feels uber-repetitive. LOVE the passion in each song, really scratches an itch in my brain; pleasantly surprised!
Probably 3.5 rounded up to 4
Some stand out songs but not something I see myself listening to often
- фімейл рейдж албум - лав жіночий рок 70х - ноу вондер чому це класика, вері гуд - улюблена пісня райт нау - cry baby - гуд албум фор 70ті - трошки одноманітно, але різонабл - класний голос - мені подобається як завершується альбом 8/10
Funky! Knew one track (Mercedez Benz).
pretty good
Very good
Iconic Joplin - includes "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Mercedes Benz" (which I've always found to be extremely odd). This I think is also her work that is easiest to listen to and understand. Love it!
Very raw and strong voice. Such an icon
I have listened to this album so many times in so many different contexts (but mostly while drinking/partying). I think any context is a good one for this album. Classic album and great for drinking to oblivion. Waking up in a bathtub. Covered in your tequila-tinted puke. And just hoping that maybe next time you won't be drinking that shite...pipe dreaming. 4 stars for all the good times.
Janis joplin has a very unique voice it gives the whole album a very unique sound to go on. Its also a fun look into the past
Mae mía… en mi opinión, musicalmente muy sobrevalorada
Such a great blues record, Janis was such a brilliant singer with so much personality and makes all these songs her own.
****
A classic. Not really the type of music I listen to but good nonetheless.
Strong album!
- parece uma tentativa de voltar à fórmula do primeiro álbum, que é mais energético e hard rock que o segundo. gostaria de saber como seria o álbum finalizado por completo - também tem elementos de psicodelia e blues rock que são marcas registradas dela. o que mais impressiona é a emoção e potência da voz e como ela é influenciada pelo blue raiz, como Bessie Smith é Otis Redding.
Pleasant listen. Never listened to a janis album before.
This was a good album. The first songs really captivated me and Janis' voice is so unique and meaningful tha it is really hard not just stop everything and pay attention. Some of the lyrics are justbout of their time. 4/5
There is no question as to the brilliance of Janis Joplin’s voice, it is undeniably great, a masterful blend of blues, soul, and pure power. While "Pearl" sits comfortably within genres I typically enjoy; blues-rock and female vocalists, there's something that doesn't quite click with me that would make me want to add this album to my collection or indeed listen to it again. There is a strong soul influence, that flows through the album, perhaps it is that? "Pearl's" true highlights for me were the stylistic shifts found in "Me and Bobby McGee" and the raw, a cappella charm of "Mercedes Benz". However, the inclusion of 'Buried Alive in the Blues' felt jarring and out of place with the other tracks. Ultimately, Pearl is a fine album featuring a five-star voice; but while the talent is undeniable, the album as a whole earns a solid four stars for my personal taste. Side one 1 "Move Over" (5/5) 2 "Cry Baby" (5/5) 3 "A Woman Left Lonely" (4/5) 4 "Half Moon" (3/5) 5 "Buried Alive in the Blues" (3/5) Side two 1 "My Baby" (4/5) 2 "Me and Bobby McGee"(5/5) 3 "Mercedes Benz" (5/5) 4 "Trust Me" (4/5) 5 "Get It While You Can" (4/5) Total - 42 Average - 4.2 189/1001 104/189 albums reviewed were new to me.
A great showcase of Janis Joplin’s abilities as a singer and her backing band’s ability to morph around her and uplift her sound. It’s a phenomenal and bittersweet final album from her cause it’s obvious how ready she was to keep going. Her singing on this album is half gospel and blues with a bit of country and what makes her stand apart from just having that sound is how she brings her feelings into it.
Great album, strong vocals, killer instrumentals, and Top track: Move Over
330/1089 - The description for "Buried Alive in the Blues" makes it seem like the song is gonna be a dirge but it seems more like a celebration of life. There's a lot of energy on the tracks but I'm not a huge fan of this era of rock music. A lot of the songs seem like "let's play blues lick number 7 for four bars then switch to blues lick number 23 for eight!" and so on. This is definitely the case with this album, but it was still an alright listen.
Powerful vocals and pretty good instrumentals too. Very fun listen
Good listen and an iconic voice. Shame her life was so short.
A name I've heard before, but I wasn't actually familiar with Janis' music at all before this. It's your pretty standard hard and blues rock from this time in a lot of ways, not unlike groups like LZ or the Stones, but Janis is clearly also very inspired by the Soul (and a bit of funk) music of the time. She's certainly got more vocal chops than a lot of her contemporaries, 'Cry Baby' being an early and very soulful display of that. 'Me and Bobby McGee' is the sort of country blues song you'd expect out of your usual Stones album, for example, but I can't express enough how much Janis' vocals add to this otherwise pretty run-of-the-mill blues jam, especially in that final minute or so as the song reaches its climax. 'Trust Me' was maybe my favorite song here, just a super well-rounded track that really draws from the very best of '60s soul. I especially hear a lot of Aretha Franklin in this one. I also felt similarly about the closer 'Get It While You Can' which had an absolutely killer guitar solo. So yeah - this was pretty good, again Janis Joplin's music sits in a very interesting fusion area between some of the most iconic '60s and early '70s genres, Soul and Blues Rock. And she does a pretty solid job balancing them here I'd say.
Fav song-cry baby
Great bluesy psychadelic sound with JJ’s vocals…lots of organ and heavy drums… finger snapping and toe tapping
An iconic voice and personality with 4-5 iconic tunes. The rest being good enough to listen to again!
This album is great, and Janis has the weight behind her voice I always feel is missing from Robert Plant's. First two tracks are definitely my favs but Buried Alive in the Blues and Me and Bobby McGee are highlights. I also love Mercedes Benz if only for how sardonic it is and how it proves she can dominate a composition with just her voice. That one "Everybody!" with absolutely no one joining in is so good. Actually, that's my favorite.
Songs that I didn't realise I knew so well
Janis Joplins wonderful voice is accompanied on Pearl by the rambling soulful, bluesy funk sounds of the skilful band. The first two tracks hit hard and Bobby McGee is an all time classic. I do think the album loses focus at times but maybe they wanted to keep it loose. Majority of the record is fantastic 4 stars
Great. It's Janis. You know what to expect.
Can’t go wrong with Janis
I must make amends
La mejor voz del rock de la historia..sin palabras. En el resto el album suena bien pero no lo sentí tan innovador para la época. Pero con Janis alcanza. 8/10
Lots of intensity here. I really don't care for "Bobby McGee," probably because I've just heard it so many times. But this album has a lot of energy. You can feel how intense she must have been live. Of all the tracks, "Mercedes Benz" really caught my attention. Despite it's kind of silly lyrics, it does an amazing job of showcasing her voice, which is awesome. Realistically, I won't revisit this, otherwise it would probably get five stars.
I only know Janis Joplin by her hits and her place among rock icons who died young. I also knew enough to know she isn't really my thing, but this was still enjoyable—even if the first half of the album's focus on "man done me wrong" songs gets tiresome thematically. The instrumental "Buried Alive in the Blues" is pretty great (though the story behind it awful), and of course "Me and Bobby McGee" is a classic. Glad to hear it, probably won't come back.
Rauchige Stimme, tonalität und Rythmus. Musik die Stimmig ist.
Love that voice
Classic Janis Joplin. Mixing rock and blues, this album delivered some high highs, some jokes, and even threw in a 50's "Grease"-like tune in the last song. Could have used clearer vocals, but the raspy Joplin sound has become a classic. Better than expected overall!
Really enjoyed most of this.
Very good. Love Janis. Keeping it at 4 because it is a little grating after a while and doesn't have the song writing to put it over the top. A very good blues album would by my comp. Completely unrelated: I have been listening to a song from several albums ago "It's Gonna be a Beautiful Night" by Prince from Sign of the Times. The song rules, but it's obviously not entirely "live", audience etc but edited, so went looking for the live version and came across an A++++ concert film. I would strongly encourage watching a lot of this but labeling minutes 12 and 58.5 as MUST WATCH. I have been converted to a full blown Prince guy. He is incredible and so is the band etc. I don't understand how I am just now seeing this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDPX_GZ-0R0&list=RDnDPX_GZ-0R0&start_radio=1&t=3638s