Friday, 16 August 2013

Janis Joplin - Six Sides of Janis Joplin



Nonpareil

When listening to contemporary rock female singers who have the grit and gravel to make a vocal rock-raucous, it is always natural to compare with Joplin as a hallmark referencing point. When listening to Janis herself it is always natural to realise those comparisons are ultimately a waste of time.

The six tracks on this Columbia promo cd from 1993 may well have appeared on subsequent releases, but here they offer a compact encapsulation of Joplin’s vocal supremacy. There is a tone within her powerful gruffness that is unique. There are previously unreleased versions – at this time – of Summertime and Me and Bobby McGee, the latter which is delightful in the studio chat portraying Joplin’s uncertainty in her performance, though this is probably the guitar strumming, and worried about losing her Texas accent. This demo rendition is sublime. As is it all

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