Reviews (page 7 of 14)
Ooh okay I'm interested. Oh bangers. Shame Cry Baby has been fucked by being in that advert. Happen I could listen to it enough to undo that maybe bc it goes hardddd. Damn this is good huh. Should I be on heroin. Couple of songs that I didn't love but I get it.
3.6 Great vocals, great band, maybe both are a bit over the top at times. Note for me to check out Festival Express
Before: I don’t know as much Janis Joplin as I should! Me and Bobby MeGee is the only one on this record that I’m familiar with. Excited to get going; Janis is iconic and very influential. Standout tracks: Cry Baby Me and Bobby McGee Weakest tracks: Half Moon Standout lyrics: “And when you try to walk around the world, babe, you said you’d try to find the end of the road. You might find out later that the road’ll end in Detroit. Honey, the road will even end in Kathmandu.” - Cry Baby During/after: God, the sentiment of Move Over is such a universal female experience, lol. As much as I love songs about yearning, it’s nice to hear one about a woman who is actually laying down the law. These men ain’t shit really and truly, girl. She has a very unique and gravelly voice, especially for a woman. The mixing on this track sucks and there wasn’t a whole lot that really stuck out aside from the theme, so overall it’s fine. The belting at the beginning of Cry Baby was powerful and was a solid transition from the previous track. I’m appreciating the continuing “girl power” theme. Joplin’s vocal versatility is highlighted there as well through the seamless and impressive switches from loud, chaotic belting to quieter vibrato-filled singing. During the bridge there is a candid spoken-word quality to the vocals as well. The dynamic backing instrumentation with complex piano, guitar, and organ riffs added to the epic wall of sound that is this track. I liked this one a LOT. Also, DETROIT MENTIONED <3. A Woman Left Lonely was a nice reprieve from the in-your-face-ness of Cry Baby while maintaining the consistent theme and highlighting Joplin’s soulful and powerful vocals. There are more twinkly organs and some jazzy percussion that adds a lot to this song as well. The mixing sounds a lot better than it did on the first track as well. OKAY Half Moon is FUNKY. And maybe my mind is in the gutter here but lyrically….. Nvm. This track is fun with very exaggerated instrumentals. It’s not one that I think I’ll return to a ton because it was just *a lot* for my sensitive lil ears, but it stood out because it was so different. The next track, Buried Alive In the Blues, is a driving instrumental track full of loud, interesting organ and powerful rock guitar. The mixing wasn’t great; the percussion seemed very overpowering. My Baby wasn’t my favorite song on this album at all, but I love the guitar solo halfway through. I’m almost picking up on some gospel or Motown in this song too - I’m not sure if it’s the way that the backing vocals sound or if it’s something else, but there was absolutely some gospel influence that made this track stand out a bit in a way that some of the others didn’t. It’s interesting that Me and Bobby McGee is the most streamed song on this album because it’s so different from the rest. Maybe because (so far) it’s the tamest and easiest to listen to, so it appeals to a wider audience? The beginning was gentle without as much belting. This song had themes of longing and nostalgia without being whiny at all too, which is impressive when it’s done well. Unfortunately, this song would be a favorite of mine IF it didn’t have that “la-da-da” part throughout the middle and end, and instead stuck to more storytelling. The first half was great, the second half was just kind of grating and disappointing. Mercedes Benz is super short and starts out with Joplin announcing in spoken word that she’s going to be singing a song of “great social and political import” - I’m always a fan of a candid intro or outro like this one. But Janis girl… I don’t think this song is as deep or as much of a statement as you think it is. We all want a Mercedes, but there’s not a whole lot of analysis or relevant cultural components. On an album filled with loud and pervasive instrumentals, I liked the inclusion of an a capella track. It really highlighted the uniqueness of Joplin’s voice. This one felt a little more country and twangy - I liked it! Trust Me was similar to most of the other songs on this album with strong vocals and instrumentals. This was one that didn’t stick out a ton but still pretty good. The next track, Get It While You Can blends with the last song and much of the rest of this record, but again, it’s still good. I appreciated the guitar solo here - I’m finding that the guitar solos throughout this record have catchy and anthemic sounding melodies which I like. It represented the record pretty well and was a fitting ending to the record, though I wasn’t terribly impressed or wowed by it. I liked this album a lot overall! It was short but sweet, and I am a fan of the messaging and theme throughout as it felt very “girl power.” Joplin has a very unique and adaptable voice and her vocals were the star of the show here in my opinion. However, I would almost argue that the second star was actually the organ. I feel like I don’t often hear organ like this on loud rock songs and it’s done VERY well here. This is quintessential “women in rock” and lots of times I picked up on lots of similarities in sound to Led Zeppelin which is fine because I really like Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin are contemporaries and I wonder how much they inspired each other. My main complaints are that a lot of the songs sounded very similar - good, but similar. The lyricism left quite a bit to be desired as well. Just… not very good lol. Overall though, I was a fan! 4/5.
high energy and emotional blues-influenced soul that was Joplin's second solo album and final studio album really showcases her emotional vocal range over tracks that encapsulate her generational voice. Working with Paul Rothchild (The Doors, etc.) helped create a polished album that was incredibly impactful in highlighting her soaring tones.
Varied and interesting
Good bluesy rock
Solid
I mean it's fucking Janis Joplin. How can you not like?
I loved this album. I wasn't super familiar with many of Joplins songs, and holy moly this album was beautiful and soulful and an excellent vibe. Closer to a 4.5 for me
solid listen, what a voice, great tunes
I've been a huge fan of 60s and 70s music most of my life but have a few albums I've embarrassingly missed out on. This was one of them. Really enjoyed it.
I liked the blues stuff
Lovely voice, listened to the album a couple of times. Move Over, Cry Baby, and My Baby were my favourites. Slightly overplayed - I can hear karaoke versions of Cry Baby resonating in my head from a few nights out round local pubs in Liverpool. Still, a wonderful listen, intriguing and complex album. Died a bit too young.
An amazing album that proves to me that some classic rock albums ARE deserving of their praise. Some songs are clearly a 10/10, but in its entirity I think a strooong 4 is right for my taste
Imagine seeing this woman live. Even recordings are incredible.
Incredible voice really great album. Not sure I would listen to it casually though
Wow. Great album! I'd heard a few songs from this one but wow. Great to hear it all together.
Although this is my first listen to this album (actually that’s the case for 95% of these albums), I am familiar with many of the tracks. Very good album overall, nothing fancy - just classic rock.
Songs: Me and Bobby McGee, Cry Baby
Really enjoyed this album, it has some great tracks on it
Great album!
What a voice! What a band! I hadn't listened to Janis Joplin records before this one, but this record is a lot of fun and has some real soul and groove to it.
I've heard Janis's music sparingly, but have never sat and listened to an album of hers. Obviously, she has some pipes, but the songwriting is great too. Solid listen, would probably pick up a copy if I came across one.
Move Over - 4/5 Cry Baby - 5/5 A Woman Left Lonely - 4/5 Half Moon - 4/5 Buried Alive In the Blues - 3/5 My Baby - 3/5 Me and Bobby McGee - 5/5 Mercedes Benz - 3/5 Trust Me- 4/5 Get It While You Can - 5/5 Average score: 4.1/5 don't think i can say anything about Janis Joplin that hasn't been said by others. this woman had some pipes
I enjoyed this but in a way I can understand how other music came from this. First half is way better than the second half
Great voice and obviously a fuckin canadian legend
Great album
I liked this quite a lot, especially musically. And while it is undeniable that she has an awesome voice, it unfortunately did not always click with me and the raspiness was a bit overwhelming at times. Still, there were more than enough great moments to make this a 4/5. Favourite songs: Me and Bobby McGee, Get It While You Can
I feel like I actually haven't had so much fun listening to a psychadelic rock album. It's just so playful and I love that about it, especially compared to how there's so much psych rock out there that just takes itself so seriously, this is nice amd refreshing.
Ye pretty good. Pretty clear where Robert Plant got a lot of his singing style. Organ sounded something out of a pokemon game
Pretty good vibes, reckon Robert plant would be a fan
Great stuff here! Even the kind of shouty bits are very listenable. Top-notch stuff from Janis.
Didn't expect this, but I genuinely loved this.
любимка оч класно но не все ставлю 4
A pearl indeed. The vocal quality on this is absolutely beyond almost anything else. I actually think it would be nice if the vocals took slightly more centre stage than they do, but it was such a warm bath of an album to bathe in, and had a kind of aching quality to it.
Very good blues album, it seems interesting that it’s a Joplin album when most of the songs were written by others and other than one guitar track all music is handled by a backing band.
Wall to wall bangers.
Really fun album. She has such an expressive voice, and the band was energetic.
The first few songs are great, but then you get tired of Janis' emotional vocals, so it's a stretch to say only 7 out of 10.
Cry Baby. So good.
Classic Janis!
Fun, energetic, passionate blues rock. Just how I like it, but nothing groundbreaking... And Mercedes Benz is also there, I guess...
I never realized how bluesy, rocky, and just plain fun Janis Joplin was. It's a shame she's part of the 27 Club. Favorite Track: "Move Over".
Nice album. Very upbeat most of it. Never really listened to Janice - stand out song - Half moon
Quite enjoyable. I thought I'd get tired of her voice but it wasn't the case. And the instrumentals were great. Good dynamics, solos, etc... I'd listen again
First time I’ve heard a full album and it was terrific.
4.5
Great album, the vibes reminded me of when my parents would take me to gatherings with family friends and they would listen to that kind of music. This was a nice album to have in the background, the only song missing was Piece of My Heart but it's okay, it was still great.
Very familiar with this album - Some great vocal performances on this
This is classic blues singing. Janis puts so much emotion into her words. This is definitely an album we all should hear before we die. 4/5
I've never listened to much Janis other than a few popular ones but I really enjoyed this.
Janis at her very best. Just one of the best to ever do it.
Great voice
Good songs and performance
Great Artist, but her voice gets annoying pretty quickly
Overplayed and overhyped, but goddamm what a singular voice, and the production is killer.
This is a really good album. Her voice is really great as expected. I think overall I preferred Cheap Thrills to this. Favorite songs were Cry Baby, Half Moon, Me And Bobby McGee, and Trust Me
iconic.
Janis killed it here. Her voice was powerful and emotionally raw in every single song. I don’t think this album would’ve been as good without her voice(and I also don’t think many people can sound as good as she does with this type of singing either). Also the instrumental aspects to these songs were amazing and so early 1970’s, loved it.
May as well be a picture of Janis Joplin next to “aura” in the dictionary
Rougher than I imagined. Enjoyed it though.
I've always liked Joplin's voice and the accompanying music. The album started to replay, and I let it.
nice sound, i love her voice
Hell of a singer Hell of a set of songs
It's a decent mixture of blues, soul and rock with Janis Joplin on top form vocally.
Liked this a lot more than I thought I would, definitely an unexpected treat
Really quite enjoyable.
Psychedelic blues with some fun writing and beautiful signing …. Enjoyed this a lot … the instrumental work is really fun it shines though in the buried alive , Mercedes Benz is one of the most unique standout songs ( I wonder how that would be received today ) and me and bobby mcgee brings them together perfectly I seem to have a soft spot for early 70s rock
Such an amazing voice! Very good album
Attractive songs with a very attractive singing style, nice instrumentals, with a playful moment on in. Unsure if I want to put it on repeat, tho. But I think 4/5 is very fair for this one.
4.5
My absolute favorite Janis album.. Her last two albums are bleedin' masterpieces... I have Kozmic Blues at 4½ as well (9.6) ★★★★½
Very good album. Basically up to the level of Cheap Thrills with iconic tracks such as Me And Bobby McGee and Mercedes Benz to fit alongside Piece Of My Heart. A few more albums like this and she would have had a quite impressive pearl necklace.
Good grit. 4.
What a voice goddamn
I like this album a lot, great voice. In too much of an uninspired mood to say more ;)
84/100.
This album is such a bop throughout. Mercedez Benz made me laugh tbh. I feel like not enough albums do that.
favorite songs: move over, cry baby, half moon, buried alive in the blues, me and bobby mcgee, mercedes benz
Haven’t heard of this album or the artist before. This is what makes doing this project worth it. Favorite track: Me and Bobby Mcgee other picks: buried alive in blues, mercedes benz, cry baby
Had this on 8 track in my car in high school. A few years later when I went over to my girlfriend's (now wife's) house she excused herself to go to the bathroom and change clothes. I saw a Peaches crate of albums and thumbed through them while left alone, and this album was near the front. I think you can learn a lot about a woman by figuring out what sort of music she listens to. :-)
Awesome album, Janis's vocals are just on another level and really pull you into every song.
Pretty good
bit of a heartbreaker when u consider it's a posthumous album. amazing groove throughout, and joplin's voice has the perfect cragginess for these tunes about rough love. fav tracks: half moon, buried alive in the blues.
bella, m'è piaciuta
I'd never listened through, and Pearl is absolutely lovely. In particular, the band, arrangements, and performances on the album absolutely entranced me. Obviously, Janis' voice is singular and filled with the all the emotions available in the universe, channeled through vocal chords. It's short and sweet, also. Ten songs. Little over thirty minutes. A few absolute classics, and the other songs are worth the full ride.
A strong 4: what a pity that we lost Janis before this album came out.
Some meh songs, but a few that cause frisson. Interesting combination of singing with abandon and control. Me and Bobby McGee is one of my favorite songs.
Lots of raw talent here, another lost too young. Despite the drug issues, she maintains a clear, strong voice for this album. There were reports of bad concerts, but she doesn't seem to have deteriorated as badly as Winehouse before the end came. She achieves a combination of blues, jazz, and soul mixed in with the rock. I enjoyed this, as well as some of her other work and the Big Brother output with her (apparently, Big Brother and the Holding Company is still around and still issuing albums!) and would liked to have heard how she develop her style had she had more time to do so.
Such a talent...so sad that we lost so many from that era so young.
Mostly new songs to me, very good album. Loved that it ended with singing me happy birthday
Very good music, such a shame she died at such a young age.
It's no surprise this made it to #1 as a posthumous release. Janis was a unique and special singer here for a good time not a long time. Not many artists come to mind even 50 years later that match her energy. Was that the drugs? Maybe. She sounds and looks almost twice her age here and I mean the sound part as a compliment at least. It's hard to imagine her in her actual 50s or older, unlike some other singers gone too soon. I don't know what that means,and I mean no disrespect. I still wonder why there hasn't been really anyone that seems to catch this style or energy since. At least none I'm aware of. I've always kind of linked her and Joe Cocker, but that is around the same time. Such a unique approach to songs like the wild intro to Cry Baby and how it just kind of transitions to almost just talking later on. I need to go look up the story of the Mercedes Benz track too- another unique track. Overall not the greatest album but definitely one of the most special in terms of style and coming out after the singer passed. Favorite track " Me and Bobby McGee" 4/5
3-4 stars
I should listen more to blues! This album is really good. Janis really gets her emotions across with her unique style of singing. I heard a lot of "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Mercedes Benz" growing up so it was nice hearing it in context.
Classical album from '71.
Excellent album I enjoyed the whole thing. She was a fantastic singer and very unique. The lyrics are great, the music is excellent and the vocal delivery is amazing. What's not to like about this album. I'm glad I listened to it and will definitely be listening to it again.
Cry Baby is an obvious classic and this has my favourite JJ track on it, Me and Bobby Mc-Gee!
Janis Joplin was a powerful singer with her signature raspy voice that most will recognize. This is a fantastic blues/rock album that was her most successful work. Cry Baby, Me and Bobby McGee, and Mercedes Benz are all well known from this one. Definitely worth listening to. This was released after her heroin overdose death that made her one of the charter members of the original 27 Club. One can only imagine what she might have done if she hadn't OD'd. Don't do drugs kids.
Legendary raspy voice. Great songs, wonderful songwriting.
The first thing I noticed here was Janis Joplin's energy. It's electric and intense. Her emotions jump right off the disc/vinyl/Spotify. The energy is tied to her voice. She doesn't have a pristine voice, but the wavering style brings out the unabashed emotion. Her voice is so unique, and honestly I'm obsessed with it. Rock, blues, and her voice make this album one-of a kind--a pearl, truly.
Janis Joplin's Pearl is probably the diamond of her discography. Her eccentric and powerful voice is on full display here; each song gets its own vocal treatment that is unique to the soul of the song. She demonstrates what all she is capable of on this album and leaves everything on the table, somehow achieving a balancing act between raw and polished. By the end of this album, one understands why Janis was a one-of-a-kind talent.
Yes very good. 2 or 3 great tracks. Not listening to the legacy edition though.
Favourite songs: Me and Bobby McGee, Move Over, Mercedes Benz, Cry Baby, Get It While You Can Least favourite songs: A Woman Left Lonely 4/5
3.75
One of the better classic rock albums on here.
Def grunge and of the time. Not too bad
Hard not to admire both the power and personality of Joplin's vocals. At first I thought I was enjoying Pearl purely due to the instrumentals however, Mercedes Benz was so playful and I couldn't help but smile. It carried me into the next few songs with a different appreciation. I played the album over and it grew on me. Not an album I think I'll come back to a lot but I did enjoy it.
Good album. Love the 70s aesthetic. A few standout songs, especially when Joplin vocals gets to be the focus of the song.
ace
Like a female Van Morrison for me. My first exposure to Janis Joplin. Sadly her last album.
First track feels very lo-fi. Due to my lack of knowledge of this era I always mix up Janis Joplin and Joan Baez. And sometimes Stevie Nicks even though it doesn't make any sense. I felt myself grooving more to this album than the Mamas and the Papas (my previous album). Felt powerful at times... especially as opposed to the Mamas and Papas. Maybe that the difference between rock and pop? Me and Bobby Mcgee was the most familiar track thanks to Rock Band and LPS. Also Mercedes Benz. Other stand-outs: Cry Baby, A Woman Left Lonely, Buried Alive in the Blues (super groovy instrumental)
On
Absolute classic, a singer who lets you hear all her emotional turmoil with every note, the band are too notch aswell.
Move Over 3.4 Cry Baby 3.8 A Woman Left Lonely 3.6 Half Moon 3.4 Buried Alive in the Blues 3.6 My Baby 4 Me and Bobby McGee 4 Mercedes Benz 3 Trust Me 3.5 Get It While You Can 3.6 Score: 3.59
Honest, raw and polished in equal measure. A good listen. Sadly one of the prominent members of the 27 Club. 4⭐️
This is an album I should listen to more often! It is so damn good. I just have to make sure it’s the right time for it or it would be like welding without a mask on. It’s so full, loud, energetic and soulful. And there are some real iconic tunes on here.
Janis Joplin - Pearl It's a great album coming from someone who passed away really young. Part of the 27 club, Janis Joplin has some of the most relaxing and yet upbeat moments that the album has. It takes time to be accustomed with her vocals, but once you get used to it, you'll appreciate it for it's highlights that have to offer, this is great! 1.- Move Over = 10 2.- Cry Baby = 9 3.- A Woman Left Lonely = 8 4.- Half Moon = 8 5.- Buried Alive In the Blues = 7 6.- My Baby = 9 7.- Me and Bobby McGee = 8 8.- Mercedez Bens = 6 9.- Trust Me = 9 10.- Get It While You Can = 10 FINAL SCORE: 8.4/10
What a tour de force
Janis! The exception that proves the rule—that cover of Cry Baby was straight fire.
Cool!
Is there another voice out there quite like Janis Joplin’s? Obviously I’m familiar with her work, but I think this is the first time I’ve ever listened to this album and it lived up to my expectations. I knew the classic “Me and Bobby McGee” would be here, but had forgotten other standouts like “Cry Baby” and the sleeper hit “Mercedes Benz” were waiting to be rediscovered. Overall, there’s not really a bad song in the bunch (though “Half Moon” was probably my least favorite) it’s just that this album feels slightly incomplete. At only 33 minutes, it leaves you wanting something more or maybe another epic jam as opposed to a few that feel more demo-y? I believe this album was released posthumously which sadly could be why it feels like it’s missing just a little extra something.
She’s good huh sad that she didn’t live longer. What a voice, I really enjoyed trust me
Nossa, que album muito bom. Nem parece ser um álbum dos anos 70. Se lançasse hoje, eu compraria e com certeza iria num show dela. Gostei muito de Buried Alive In the Blues, Move Over, A Woman Left Lonely e Me and Bobby McGee.
This was about as close to a five star album as I can imagine without quite getting there. I enjoyed the musicianship and I can imagine listening to this again in the future. But it just wasn't quite enough for five stars somehow.
4.5
The always amazing Janis Joplin goes down some new roads here with funk, gospel, country, straight up blues. Fantastic album, and a bit sad in retrospect.
This was good stuff! Simpsons: No
Mostly liked it, a few bangers I'd heard before. Varied but in a good way.
hell yeah.
Best song: Cry Baby Honourable mentions: Move over, Get it while you can
3.5 stars, I started appreciating it more in the second half of the album.
7/10 Solid but not a lot of variety Favourite Song= A woman left lonely Least Favourite Song=Happy Birthday John
Her reputation precedes her.
Janis got the juice
Such an iconic voice paired with a very cool groovy, jammy, bluesy style of rock music. The album flows well and is very listenable on repeat.
On EVERYONES soul (except mine, my family, my friends, and my favorite celebrities) Mercedes Benz is the best song of all time 🙏
that voice man
Janis Joplin, a talent that was too big for this world. This is a fantastic album.
gostei e me supreendi
This was the first Joplin project I listened through and I was pretty excited. She definitely leans into blues and folk music and her music has a kind of classic quality to it. Her voice is really the hallmark, it's got such a coarse and damaged quality that it would feel insensitive to try to copy it. These tracks as a whole are all solid, I love some of the more desperate bits like on Cry Baby "A good man, to one woman, one time..." I think it comes off as so authentic and fits with the story of who she was. She desperately wanted to be herself and be happy (without drugs). It's a sad story but listening to this album you can tell she was always trying to be positive. I really liked Mercedes Benz you could tell she just loved to sing and loved to put herself on the song. As a whole I think this album is great. It's unique, balanced, powerful. I liked it.
My mom used to belt out “oh lord won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz” whenever I asked for something expensive so I’m well aware of Janis here. I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did; I have to admit I figured her for much more of a folk singer than a rock singer, and she is very much the latter. I won’t say too much about her singing, which is powerful and unique in a “I smoked so many cigarettes between now and 2 hours ago” way. I mean that as complimentary as possible. The band though, that’s what makes this record. The sound they produce matches her voice perfectly. It’s never all put together but it’s so smooth at the same time. The instrumental blues track was probably my favorite though “move over” is also great. A nice surprise from something I groaned at when I opened the page this morning to what it actually is.
Listening to this makes me want to die of a heroin overdose 13 years ago. This was a fun ride. It was almost simplistic for the reverence I hear her receive. All around good listen, love her voice, and the music is easy to follow.
Very Nice! Powerfull voice with soul groove and blues.
She sings with pretty much every fiber of her being. Such a soulful rock star. Love the hits on this so much. The rest didn’t draw me in QUITE as much as I was hoping for, but it was still great.
Not a huge fan of Cry Baby but for the most part I can really get down with the rest of the album. I really love Janis Joplins soulful voice.
Lekker!
didn’t like Big Brother and the Holding Company at all so I went into this album thinking I just wasn’t a fan of Janis Joplin as a singer. Could not have been more wrong, she’s got an incredible voice. Production kicks ass too
Classic. Such feeling in her singing.
das isch seehr guete soul, move over het seehr geili giti sounds. sie singt insane geil. cry baby au haaammer wie sie schreit. aber halt schöns schreie. a woman left lonely setzt sie au wieder super ih und d instrument mached easy viel aber lönd ihre platz. ihri stimm isch konstant am aschlag. mega schöne song. fuck s het sache glöscht aber half moon isch extrem geil und funky und mega geil jo. burued alive in the blues meeega geil instrumental fuzz gitarre tönt soo geil, de klavierbueb chaaan öppissss. sie chönd alli öppis huii die sind am cooke. afoch instrumental huere hard. my baby wieder janis time yeees. huuii de chor slappt OEFF. lieb wie ide strophe d band ein schlag (nochem 3) afoch leer loht huere geil. ES HET EN IGSCHOBENE SCHLAG im refrain?? afoch 7/6 huuuere geil. bobby mcgee sehr simpel rocknroll aber cool. aaah mercedes benz chli ihren signature song oder? accapella power. hard. trust me au hardomat. aber ihres schreie chan biitz ermürbend wirke. get it while you can noodly cool rock chords jo voll nice.
Cry baby cry babyyyyy Beautiful blues rock, what a voice. Didn't get the Mercedes part
The raspiest blues rock this side of steel guitar and methanol poisoning.
This album feels raw and soulful. The vocals are gritty, yet vulnerable, drawing you in with every note. It’s like listening to someone pour their heart out, similar to the energy you might feel from someone like Otis Redding. The instrumentation is tight but not too polished, leaving room for emotion to shine through. There’s a bittersweet undercurrent that pulls at you throughout.
I'm just ranking disc 1 of this album (and not disc 2 with the live tracks), but wow, what a great album. Bluesy, soulful, and raw in the best way. 8.75/10 (4.375/5)
Where have all the Janets gone?
Sing it, Janis.
I can honestly say that I never really listened to Janice Joplin before this album. and WHOA, she rocks yo. Move Over straight up starts by kicking you in the teeth with a killer beat/baseline and the album keeps on rolling. Joplin covers a ton of ground, from slow melodies to folk and rock. Shame that we didn't get more material from her. Highly recommend listening to the Pearl (Legacy) edition and catching her live tracks. She sounds incredible live. Definitely will be listening again.
Upbeat and groovy. For some reason, I had the impression Joplin was completely “rock” style, but there is quite a lot of variety here, some blues, some country(ish), some rock. I had no idea she wrote Mercedes-Benz.
I've never listened to Janice Joplin before. I've know her name forever, but never experienced her work. This album is kicks ass! I thought people just loved her for her voice and lyrics, but the music itself is just as good. Awesome album that I wish I would have known about sooner. I never knew "Mercedes Benz" was a Joplin song. I thought it came off some comedy album that everyone covered. It's always fun to start piecing together all these songs that I've heard over the years.
-interesting and very innovative for its time! Janis Joplin seemed like a really fascinating person and maybe the first big “female rockstar”. Her voice is kind of an acquired taste to some ig, but she has some amazing range which is shown off as early as the first two tracks -Favorites are Move Over, Cry Baby, and Half Moon
deja sa voix frr
posthumous albums make me feel crazy - second half of the album slays
Don't even try to tell me this isn't Robert Plant. Jokes aside, I didn't expect to like Janis this much. Powerful vocals all the way. 60's blues rock at its finest. Fun record.
Fun
I was excited to see this. I have never listened to it before. It was good. Needs more than one listen.
Incredible voice, and clearly at the top of her game here. I'll always prefer Kris Kristofferson's version of Me and Bobby McGee though. An album to put on in the background while having friends round for drinks.
First time listen - blinding- what a great collection of songs
A favourite when I was in my 20s and listening to hippy era music rather than what everyone else was listening to…
This reminds me too much of REDACTED. Still great
oikein menevä ja groovaava soul-country-rock pläjäys, jota en ollut aiemmin kuunnellut. Mercedes benz jäi ehkä eniten mieleen. En oo musakriitikko ja Janis ON yks makeimpii rokkimimmei (vieläpä 27-club...XD), mut jotenkin sen ääni jäi kaipaan täl levyl soulin syvyyttä, mitä tälläsis biiseis yleensä mustat naiset tarjoaa. Great rasp silti. Ei epäilystä miks niin arvostettu albumi.
Janis Joplin, kaikkein röökiraijojen äiti... Mikä ilo tätä olikaan kuunnella, kiitos 1001albumsgenerator.com että muistutit mua janisin olemassaolosta!
The record has a great start, with ‘move over’ setting such a great bar, with her raspy but melodically resounding voice as well as the impressive guitar solos. Love the blend between rock and blues. I personally really enjoyed the album, though there was a minor repetition in the general ‘sound’ with each of the tracks
A solid classic. Such an awesome, unique voice
I feel naturally obliged to honor this, Janis Joplin and her voice, member of the 27 Club and all that and the band there playing their asses off, but honestly, by track six I'd had enough. Blues Rock. I've had enough Blues Rock. Hello, generator? That said, this album is mighty, and mightily fine, so I'll give it the Rightly Certified Classic That I Just Don't Give The Whole Lot of Shits About treatment: 4
She was just the coolest
Great voice.
I think I listened to this album 3 times before I finally rated. I just kept thinking about how much more Janis could have done if she was still here. There are a couple skips for me here but overall just such a great album!
Janis rules
chill vibes, nice switch-up from the 2000s+ vibes
First record from this list I got to listen to on my new speakers on my system. So actually sat and really critically listened. Enjoyed the band much more than I ever noticed before.
Fun album
Certainly a product of its time and great. -1 because I just don't care for the time.
-I wonder where she would be now if she didn't die of an overdose? Probably dead...but still could have had some more great, honest, music. a shame. Too damn young!
What a voice. What a passion.
Sin los arreglos envolventes que tenía Cheap Thrills, la voz de Janis Joplin sobresale en este su gran segundo disco. La voz ronca de Joplin consigue transmitir la emoción desesperada de los bluseros clásicos, alcanzando grandes dosis de pasión en las baladas más tiernas. En el disco sobresale "Me and Bobby McGee", su éxito póstumo, un tema sobre el amor de dos bohemios errantes. Me gusta mucho la blusera "Cry Baby", con la potente y desgarrada voz de Joplin declarando amor eterno a alguien que la ha dejado. Más allá de su mérito musical, cabe destacar "Buried Alive in the Blues" porque es todo un símbolo sobre el destino de Joplin. Se trata de un tema inacabado en el que no aparece la voz de la cantante, pues tenía prevista su grabación el día siguiente al de su muerte.
Очень хороший альбом, это близко к пятерке. Почти каждый трек можно выделить. Даль, что на один из треков не успела записать слова, была бы бомба. Сначала раздражала хрипотца, но потом я к ней привык, и мне даже стало казаться, что это добавляет ей свою изюминку.
This is a classic! If it also had Take Another it’d probably be a 5. Love her.
For some reason, the second half caused a great sadness in me. Good album, though.
Solid from start to finish. Damn good voice.
Okay, so I am generally sceptical to these larger than life rock stars and especially from this period (late 60s, early 70s). Usually, they were more a case of cult of personality with image being more important than their talent. But this is awesome! Janis Joplin was undeniably an image driven front woman, but she was also a brilliant singer. And the writing and playing on this is on a whole other level. It is virtuosic, energetic and eclectic in all the best possible ways. I just want to get of work, go home, and play the guitar now. That's what a good rock album should do.
Gorgeous, gorgeous voice.
Smooth as silk
Great pipes!
Great singer and artist. Maybe the album is a bit overrated as it was her last one and most polished of her solo and Big Brother work. Things were heading in a direction that would have been even better though
Good soulful album, really enjoyed me and Bobby McGee
The postumus album by the great Janis Joplin is probably her most well known and with highest sales. Its a blues rock and soul and her voice just break through every song, i think her most impressive performance is in Cry Baby. Buried Alive in the Blues is the most rock n roll track on the album, with organ parts like in her days with big brothers and its an instrumental wich is wierd for a Janis Joplin Solo album. The album have some great tracks like Move Over, Me And Bobby McGee, Mercedenz Benz, Half Moon The album is legendary, i dont think all the songs are great but none of them are bad, even with all the qualities of it, i don't find anything particular musically with some of thoses songs. But it is really a wonderfull reccord.
4.5 at least
Another great addition from Janis. Some of her best hits and hidden gems are on this record.
really great
This CD is awesome. Janis has a powerful, powerful voice and uses it on every song. It's also fast, fun and exciting. They're clearly enjoying themselves, as on "Mercedes Benz". But they still bring a ton of raw emotion to songs like "Cry, Cry, Baby". And they've got a nice sound overall, especially with the organ filling everything out.
4/5
Classic. There's so much authenticity and personality in her voice.
Really amazing soul. A little too stretched in places.
Very enjoyable and is almost flawless . Not much I could say to discredit the album but its not a full perfect album to me , though I rate it very highly.
Good. Not much else to say about this record. Favorite song: move over.
Wowee what a voice. I've heard of Janis Joplin but never listened to before. This lady can sing! Very enjoyable, listened twice.
Still not a fan of psych rock, but I’ll give extra points here for the amazing way Janis uses her voice. She was extremely talented.
Great voice, full of emotion at times.. Enjoyed this. didn't like the middle three songs as much as the others. but overall, a good listen
This was nicer than I expected. I think I like her more, the older I get. IMO not as good as Cheap Thrills. But she really made a big impact on American music.
Great voice and some songs are great
Старушка молодец
oooh hoo hoo yeah
I love her voice.
Grymt mycket känsla. Riktigt unik röst och bra instrumentalister. Precis vad jag förväntade mig. Coolt omslag. Grejen är den att jag tycker hon låter lite för likt Marge Simpson ibland, men det funkar. Albumet går definitivt att lyssna på igen.
Hadn’t heard this in probably 50+ years. Better than I thought. Obviously a great voice, and the backing band is quite good. Standard quirky stereo separation typical of the era (that’s not a bad thing, IMO). Weird that there’s an instrumental on the album.
It is a shame that Janis didn't live longer to create more music. She had an iconic voice that was unmistakable. She was broken inside from the start, and her music showed her pain. I think she was lost and didn't know how to find herself so she looked for ways to fill the void, and it ultimately killed her in the end. Even though her career was short, she has a lasting legacy on music. Great album!
Shut up and play the hits
Such an amazing voice
Exceptional album.
Enjoyed
Didn't expect country, but overall was nice. Mercedes Benz was a standout treat.
Although Janis was here for a good time and not a long time, I can still hear the pain in her voice and words. It resonates so much with me right now in life with the mental hardships I’m enduring. This is one of those records I didn’t know I needed until I listened to it - another testament to this 1001 albums project’s goal. Janis covers so many of the genres I grew up with - rock, soul, blues, even Motown (hear “Half Moon”) - yet I never really listened to her until now. RIP.
Great voice. Had never really listened.
Class
This is a nice little listen. A great album I will listen to again!! I really enjoyed my baby and me and Booby McGee, there are some great songs on this album. Mercedes Benz is a classic song and really important. Great and powerful lyrics. Favourite song: get it while you can. Least favourite: There is not a bad song on the album Album artwork: Cool cover and a cool lady.
I'll need to give this one some repeat listens to fully appreciate it. The sound definitely stands out in a way that I like.
Liked it ! Janis art will never let you down
Pretty good
On and off
Mercedes Benz!
Solid
sovereign
Classic album
Such a distinctive voice and performer. At the same time I cannot say I am her biggest fan. Despite that, this is actually a pretty good album where she shows some range while still showcasing hee blues talents. Also of note is the band backing her. I have no idea who they are but they back her brilliantly. Songs of note include "Me and Bobby McGee", which is truly one of the great vocal performances of all time and "Get it While You Can".
Meh quite solid 5/10
I’m not sure if her vocals are my favorite but they are certainly full of feeling and I can’t deny that I feel that. Her last album before she died of an overdose. First three tracks are pretty undeniable as well as the instrumental track which is the way it is because she died a few days prior and wasn’t able to record her vocals on it. Love the kristofferson cover
The goat
Je n'ai pas autant aimer que Cheap Thrills, mais on comprend pourquoi à ce jour Janis Joplin est encore autant considéré une icône. Un excellent album rock qui sonne encore frais et qui démontre une influence énorme sur la scène rock. 8/10
Sjovt. Har hørt hendes navn før, men ikke noget jeg har søgt mere ind i. Det var et ret cool lyt, meget råt og sejt. 👌
Janis was one of the first vocalists I ever loved. And I still love her dearly. She’s so genuinely passionate, vulnerable, and powerful…really, the only “bad” thing about this record is how sad it makes me to think that we lost her so soon. Practically every song is a highlight here, with the instrumental “Buried Alive in the Blues” perhaps being the only “weak” link. Fantastic record. 4.5/5
Good album Standout songs: Move Over A Woman Left Lonely Get it While you Can
you don't know what singing is until you've heard janis joplin
decent
Rock, Blues 1971 -> 4
Janis es Janis. Muy buen disco aunque no está a la altura de Cheap Thrills.
Fine enough
A great album. Awesome hits and just the feeling of a gone too soon artist
Never actually listened to this album outside the singles and it’s great. I love the blues rock and the way she sings it.
Good Janis album
Solid throughout, distinct voice and great guitar. Good sense of humour
Never heard this full labum before (except from the singles that came from it). Really enjoyed the raw voice and "Burried Allive in the Blues"-track"
such a voice
Great listen. She has an amazing and unique sound. Exceptional range and passion. I was surprised that this was only her 2nd release, and post mortem at that. Left such a legacy and inspired so many. Tom Petty mentioned his song “The Waiting” was inspired by a quote from JJ- “I love being onstage and everything else is just waiting”.
I wasn’t expecting to like this as much as I did, but it was a very solid listen. The production while quite slick for the time still maintains a slight rough-around-the edges feel and only emphasizes just how great a singer Joplin was. Hard to imagine that this was just her 2nd studio album ever recorded.
Sadly a member of the 27 club, which sucks. What a talent, and nothing contrived about her style. It just doesn’t get much better than Janis singing about Bobby McGee, and the rest of the album is just as great.
Man she’s great and this whole album is a solid listen. This version of Me and Bobby McGee is so fantastic. I think Roger Miller and Kris Kristofferson heard that and were probably like “Ohhhh, yeah. That’s a lot better than what we did.”
What a voice. What a loss. This albums slaps, obvi. I didn’t know she passed away before it was finished. Cool that they left Buried Alive in the Blues on the album even though she never recorded vocals as a kind of moment of silence. Missing a little extra something to get it to 5* category, but still great. 4.25/5
Cry Baby // Me and Bobby McGee // Trust Me // Get It While You Can 3.5/5
Janis Joplin is so fucking good and Pearl is a brilliant album. She has a voice unlike pretty much anyone else in music history, she can do the lot and it would be enough for her to be the star of the show without even half-decent music behind her, but the music on this record is also stellar, songwriting is masterful, strong arrangements, quality guitar work, you bring in the pianos and organs and backing singers/choirs for emphasis at the back end of some songs to finish strong, it all works really well. But she's one of the greatest ever for a reason and she shows why on Cry Baby, A Woman Left Lonely, My Baby and Me and Bobby McGee in particular, though it feels unfair to leave out the rest of the songs (the a cappella Mercedes Benz obviously), her range, her styling, her full range of emotions from desperate to playful to seductive, it's all there. The only disappointment really was that Half Moon and Buried Alive In The Blues aren't as good as everything else on here, and it might just bring it down from a 5 into the highest of 4s, but damn if she didn't go too soon.
This is fab, she's got a phenomenal voice and the songwriting that goes with it is really really good too. A comfortable four, great pace and energy to it, didn't let up throughout (although a couple of changes of pace), and not a weak track on it. 4/5.
Knew the hits, need a bit more listening to get more of it but happy to do so
I thought the back half of this album was excellent.
Conheço algumas musicas mas nunca ouvi inteiro. Fiquei animado para ouvir. Voz única. Instrumentação que eu gosto muito, com piano e baixo bem altos no mix. Muito swing e ritmado. Sonoridade me agrada demais. A voz é exagerada, intensidade máxima o tempo todo, seria bom se tivesse alguma variação de intensidade
Move Over Cry Baby A Woman Left Lonely Half Moon Me and Bobby McGee Mercedes Benz
A very solid album, not many negatives in my opinion. I wasn't alive back then but I associate this sound more so with the mid to late 60's so this album may be dated by a couple of years, but it is still a good album.
Love some Janis Joplin.
Jag är redo att bli blown away. Janis Joplin liksom. Det är bra. Klart värt att lyssna på flera gånger. Omslaget är ascoolt. Hennes röst är fantastisk. Buried Alive in Blues är bra. Hitarna likaså. Gillar blues och rock tydligen.
Well, yeah. Since I was a kid I have preferred Cheap Thrills, on the grounds that it’s more unhinged than this one. The little bit of studio professionalism hinders Joplin more than it helps, but the end product still absolutely goes, start to finish
This list seems to have lots of flawed masterpieces. If Janis had lived to complete this album her own way she might have produced something truly spectacular, or she might have ruined it. As it is it's a very good album.
It's very good, but I've little else to say about it, or any personal attachment. She's got a great voice, most of the songs are enjoyable and everything is well produced. I just don't love it for some reason, but would definitely recommend it to someone who might. 13/05/24
FANTASTIC
Excellent as always
Didn't think I'd like it but, Janis has such a strong voice and the almost multicolored instrumental was so layered and intricate it made me fall in love with almost every song.
This might be the only Southern rock album to grab my ear since I got into CCR a few years back. Her voice is phenomenal and the performances on here are lively on all fronts. Although the lyrics on some tracks didn't quite connect with me, some of the 1960s-1970s hippie sentiment bleeds through, which I liked. There is a slight decline in quality in the second half, but overall, this was fun, bluesy, and another that I will return to frequently.
Ayer tocó Debbie Harry y hoy, Janis Joplin: inicio de semana con una vuelta a las bases. Janis Joplin era una figura que, sin haber escuchado, leía y adoraba por relatos de mi mamá. Mi segundo acercamiento fue cuando vi el documental de Woodstock y el tercero, cuando pude escuchar concienzudamente su música. Artista de voz poderosa, de actitud proto-punk y feminista, adelantadísima a su época. Cabe la pregunta de si su notoriedad mediática se debió a ser blanca pero, igualmente, la tipa siempre revalorizó desde su actitud a las cantantes negras en las que se basó. Un trabajo tristemente póstumo, de una vida fugaz.
I had heard much of this album before but never as a whole. Janis Joplin’s voice and delivery were incredibly unique. The natural grit applied to blues rock just works well. Unfortunately, we will never know how her career would have matured as this album was released posthumously.
Great album from start to finish. Me and Bobby Mcgee is obviously the well known track here with others like Mercedes Benz following suit. Far better writers have penned far better reviews of Joplin over the years, but I expect this is one I'll eventually come back to.
A voice for all time, gritty and powerful. The band sounds great too, the piano and guitar in particular. Highlights: Move Over, Me and Bobby McGee, Mercedes Benz, Trust Me, Get It While You Can
Fantastic. Love this album.
Te gustará o no, pero es imprescindible para entender los 60.
Highlights: Cry Baby, Half Moon, Buried Alive In The Blues, Me and Bobby McGee, Trust Me. “I have to have the ‘umph.’ I’ve got to feel it, because if it’s not getting through to me, the audience sure as hell aren’t going to feel it either.” Janis Joplin ‘Soul blues’ is the best description for Joplin’s sound on Pearl. I was impressed by this album. Knew the hits, but was not anticipating to be stunned by the whole package. You can feel the longing, the passion, the raw emotions of the band AND Janis. They all go hard. Overall: 7/10
I liked it
Wow, what a solid album. That voice! Every song is good and that backing band is awesome. I would not normally listen to this, but I enjoyed the album.
Beaucoup d’énergie, une belle voix roque de femme libre et du bon rock all in all
Janis Joplin is an artist that I know is very influential from what I've heard other people say and from comments made in media, but before listening to this album, I couldn't have named one Janis Joplin song. I enjoyed learning about her style and life story as I was listening, and the music itself was very fun to listen to and full of emotion.
Awesome voice
man i'm sorry, i just don't really jive with this. growing up being forced to listen to these songs in the car will do wonders for not wanting to listen to this album at all. i'm not the hugest fan of janis' voice and i don't really get the appeal of this one. the music is fine, but nothing mindblowing. the production on this is so sterile, it's hard to get any energy from the recordings at all, even ending of the big track "me and bobby mcgee." I understand that she passed away during the recording of this album, so it may not be "finished" but it still gets heaped tons of praise on it anyways. i dunno. nothing remarkable here for me, very middle of the road. dare i toss around the "overrated" word?
I'll admit up front I've always been a little cool on Janis (opinions formed long ago for forgotten and likely specious reasoning) -- but I tried to listen to this 'fresh', and it was very solid. The songs in particular are top notch -- standouts for me were the soul cover "Cry Baby" and the Womack-penned "Trust Me".
Great stuff. Shame she died so young as it would be great to hear where else she would have gone. A classic in blues rock. 4.5/5
Way better than expected
Sing it janis!!
Fantastic! Great working music. Also Mercedes Benz is timeless.
One of the classics of Blues Rock. Highlight and most known song ist probably "Mercedes Benz".
Good, I enjoyed listening to this. I have not listen to much of Janis Joplin, I'm curious to hear some of her other albums.
Here we go! Classic as fuck here. Janis defines the 60’s with her intense vocals that she belts out with gusto. The realest blues come from the lived experience of pain and heartbreak, and this record defines it. There’s the tracks everyone knows, like the first track and Me and Bobby McGee, but A Woman Left Lonely is incredibly beautiful. The organ and walking bass lines are what gives this one some cool sounds and feel. But this is HER record, not just the singer of Big Brother’s solo album. Her life was kinda tragic and it sucks for sure. This came out after she died of an overdose. 27 Club member, her favorite drink was Southern Comfort. But you know she loved to play music and loves the blues, so her legacy is immense. Rippity pip Janis!
I got excited as soon as I saw this pop up. "Buried Alive in the Blues" is a great instrumental - upbeat and energetic. How has this not been used in a movie or show? The instruments are balanced well, production crisp. Her voice is something authentic and not forced IMO.
This has got to be among the most iconic voices of a generation and certainly one of the most iconic voices in the rock genre. It's almost like her raspy voice was handcrafted to be a rock singer. Loved the album, could listen to her sing all day. I understand that this is a solo album, but the only thing I would knock this for is that the back up band was a little meh for most of the album. I think I would have rated this higher if every song was as fun as Me and Bobby McGee where there is a good balance struck between the vocals and the band.
What a great voice, pure soul.
Her time was short but hell, she made the most of it with her music. Rest easy, Queen.
What a delightful album.