Record Reviews

BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY ~ BE A BROTHER / HOW HARD IT IS ACADIA 8194 (Barcode: 805772819429) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2008 3rd and 4th albums by the legendary US West Coast band Big Brother And The Holding CompanyFind albums by this artist, which is sadly most famous for giving the world their lead singer – America´s most incredible female artist Janis JoplinFind albums by this artist. After recording a couple of albums with the band for the ColumbiaFind albums on this label label, Janis was persuaded to leave them and start a solo career, a move which musically turned out to be most unfortunate. Although at the early stage Big Brother, led by guitarist and the group´s main songwriter Sam AndrewFind albums by this artist, were perhaps not the most seasoned and high profile band on the spot, they fitted Janis like a glove with their raw energy and enthusiasm, providing her with the best possible vehicle for her vocal extravagancies. Faced with the prospect of their lead singer, who was absolutely irreplaceable, most bands would have called it a day, but Big Brother decided to hang on and went to record a couple of excellent albums, presented here. They expanded the lineup to a sextet, featuring three lead guitarists (Andrew, Peter AlbinFind albums by this artist and David SchallockFind albums by this artist), and armed with a set of great tunes (mostly written by Andrew) they dared to expand into new musical ventures, way beyond the early Blues-centered tunes. With traces of Psychedelic influences, harder Rock riffs and even proto-Prog moments, these two albums are amongst the finest attempts, sadly remaining almost completely ignored and forgotten for years. Having them both back in circulation is a treat and a great opportunity to get acquainted with some lost treasures of American music. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY ~ CHEAPER THRILLS ACADIA 8001 (Barcode: 805772800120) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1966 Released: 2000 An early live recording by the legendary US West Coast band Big Brother And The Holding CompanyFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist Sam AndrewFind albums by this artist and fronted by the divine Janis JoplinFind albums by this artist, recorded shortly after she joined the band. Although not high quality sound-wise, this is incredibly important material, documenting the early stages of the band and is the first known recording by Janis. The raw energy and the incredible atmosphere of the era are all captured here and make this a must for any true fan of the band and of course of Janis. Definitely worth checking out!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY ~ LIVE AT THE CAROUSEL BALLROOM 1968 COLUMBIA 886979640924 (Barcode: 886979640924) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2012 This album brings to life an archival recording by Big Brother And The Holding CompanyFind albums by this artist from June 1968, still fronted by Janis JoplinFind albums by this artist who was to leave the group a few months later. The band performed constantly at San Francisco´s main venues: Winterland, Avalon Ballroom and Carousel Ballroom (soon to be Fillmore West). A live recording from Winterland, recorded in April 1968 has been already released by ColumbiaFind albums on this label in 1998 as "Live At The Winterland `68Find albums with this title". This new release adds to the overall picture and historic perspective, presenting a band at the peak of its powers with Joplin simply blowing any other contemporary US singer out of the water. In spite of the rather poor recording quality (which has been a source of endless bitching by a horde of wannabe critics) the music, the artistry, the genius, the tension, the incredible voice of Janis and some unbelievable guitar work by Sam AndrewFind albums by this artist and James GurleyFind albums by this artist makes this release worth its weight in gold for any Janis fan and a true music lover. With their superb "Cheap ThrillsFind albums with this title" album, which was completed just a month earlier (also partly recorded live), but still unreleased at the time of this recording, this album is a preview of things to come and includes most of the material included on "Cheap Thrills". Three track from this album appeared previously on the 1972 "In ConcertFind albums with this title" album, but with a completely different mix. So here we go, a trip lasting over 70 minutes, taking us back to the glorious days, when music was music, and nothing else mattered. Ye brave ones, come aboard!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY ~ SEX, DOPE & CHEAP THRILLS SONY 190758635224 (Barcode: 190758635224) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2018 This is a sensational archival companion to the iconic Classic Rock album "Cheap ThrillsFind albums with this title" by Big Brother And The Holding CompanyFind albums by this artist, released to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the release of the original album. The group, headed by the greatest ever female Rock vocalist Janis JoplinFind albums by this artist, included also guitarists Sam AndrewFind albums by this artist and James GurleyFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter AlbinFind albums by this artist and drummer David GetzFind albums by this artist. The album presents twenty nine outtakes recorded during the sessions that produced the original album and one live track from the Winterland Ballroom concert recorded in April 1968, which was not included on the live album that presents the rest of the concert, called "Live At The Winterland `68Find albums with this title". From the thirty tracks on the 2CD album twenty five are previously unreleased. The album´s title is what the original album was supposed to be called, but obviously at the time it was considered way to daring for a Major label. For the Classic Rock cognoscenti there is very little one can add to what they already know and hopefully feel about this music. A wonderful amalgam of Blues, Psychedelic Rock, Rock And Roll and Soul, this music embodies what American music was all about in the late 1960s, constantly breaking new ground and being alive and kicking like it will never be again in the years that followed. Concealing twenty five previously unreleased tracks featuring the incredible artistry of Janis Joplin is a Cultural Crime, which Major labels like ColumbiaFind albums on this label have been committing repeatedly. Joplin´s recording legacy, tragically cut short by her early demise, left us with relatively limited evidence of her Godly talent, and this album offers a tremendous wealth of her unadulterated Genius. Although some of the songs are repeated several times, each and every take is completely different of course and especially Joplin´s heartwrenching vocals are completely unique time after time and as such worth their weight in gold. Joplin´s stardom clearly overshadowed the role of the band, which although unfair was pretty understandable. But Big Brother was a great band by any standard, capable of great instrumental work and superb support behind Joplin. Both guitarists produced many exquisite solos on various occasions and the double guitar lineup was one of the first of its kind. This album confirms the band´s excellent work even further. Columbia´s decision to convince Joplin to drop the band and pursue a solo career was completely off the track of course as much as it was brutally unfair towards the band. As a result Joplin, notwithstanding her immense talent, would never sound as tight and expressive as she did on "Cheap Thrills". The tracks on this album clearly show why that happened. Overall this album is a tremendous historical document of one of the greatest moments in American Classic Rock and an important extension of an iconic / pivotal Classic Rock album, which should be of interest to every Classic Rock connoisseur!

Updated: 18/01/2019Posted: 18/01/2019

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JANIS JOPLIN ~ PEARL (LEGACY EDITION) COLUMBIA 90282 ~ USA ~ Classic Rock It is truly tragic that America’s greatest female Blues / Rock singer Janis JoplinFind albums by this artist left this earthly plane with just a couple of albums to her name. Even if we count the two earlier albums she recorded with Big Brother And The Holding CompanyFind albums by this artist that comes up to four albums! That is a terrible waste of talent and a shame. Fortunately some live recordings appeared over the time (both with Big Brother and later groups), which expand her available recorded legacy, but that is just a limited solace. Therefore every time some new material by Janis becomes available, my heart jumps with joy and anticipation – I truly can’t get enough of her amazing talent. “PearlFind albums with this title” was of course Joplin’s second and last solo album, recorded in September 1970 and released posthumously (she died just a month later). Janis was persuaded (by ColumbiaFind albums on this label executives) to dump her original band (Big Brother) in order to play with “better” musicians. Such bullshit was very common at that time, when record companies had the power of “life and death” over their artists. It took a while until her final band crystallized and became the Full Tilt Boogie BandFind albums by this artist, heard on these recording. The Kozmic Blues BandFind albums by this artist, which recorded with her the first solo album (“I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama!Find albums with this title”) had still ties to Big Brother via guitarist Sam AndrewFind albums by this artist. When he was gone, it was a complete new situation, which perhaps reflected better musicianship (technically), but lacked the power, passion and “street wisdom” of Big Brother, not to mention the years of experience of playing together with Janis. Nevertheless, whatever was missing on the part of the musicians, who played with Janis in her last months, was amply compensated by her own talent, virtuosity and heartbreaking musical honesty. “Pearl” presents a more mature, slightly more relaxed and contemplative Janis, who rather than screaming and crying her heart out about her distress (and there is plenty of distress there), addresses her pain with sadness and sarcasm. Her performance is, as usual, beyond reproach. The unaccompanied vocal treatment of “Mercedes Benz” is perhaps the absolute climax of the album, and perhaps of her entire career, or even life. After all everybody dies alone. This new edition does unearth some studio outtakes, previously unheard, which are fabulous. In addition the second album of the set present Janis and her band during the Canadian tour in June / July 1970, when the band finally came together as a well oiled unit and Janis was flying high in the stratosphere, as always, at the top of her artistic power. She was, after all, primarily a performer and a live concert situation was her natural habitat. The title “Legacy Edition” was never more appropriate for an album than this time. Nobody on this earth should die before hearing this album.

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

JANIS JOPLIN / BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY ~ LIVE AT THE WINTERLAND `68 COLUMBIA 485150 ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Although in retrospect Janis JoplinFind albums by this artist is recognized now as the greatest American rock singer of the 1960’s, her tragically short recording career left a legacy so limited, that every scrap of new material is simply indispensable. Therefore it is a great pity that this incredible concert recording from April 1968 had to wait for 30 years to be heard (the album was released in 1998). The recording was made just after Janis and her band Big Brother And The Holding CompanyFind albums by this artist secured their recording deal with ColumbiaFind albums on this label, but before the legendary “Cheap ThrillsFind albums with this title” album was released. They perform with zest and confidence typical of bands on the verge of stardom, with Janis tearing the room with her shrills and groans that only she was capable of. Firmly based on the blues tradition, the band’s material is spiced with a psychedelic flavor of the San Francisco variety, most of it soon be recorded for the “Cheap Thrills” album. Strangely enough just a few months later Janis decided to leave Big Brother and start her solo career, a move as illogical and uncalculated as all the rest of her decisions in her troublesome and tragic life. She would never again have such a sympathetic and “natural“ group of musicians supporting her and bringing out the best of her abilities. This album is not only a rare and wonderful document of Joplin’s immense talent, but also a document of an era – recorded in the peak of the intense, but short lived San Francisco music explosion. As perfect as it is I keep daydreaming to have this one on DVD – that would really be the ultimate thrill.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend