0019. Big Brother And The Holding Company
Cheap Thrills

As with many of the older albums I only got hold of a re-release with bonus tracks (this one under the name "Janis Joplin - Cheap Thrills"). I hope that it's not a remastering and that it contains the original recordings 'cause I like the blend of live and studio versions (factcheck: only Ball And Chain is a live track, the others are studio recordings with audience sound superimposed on them).

Cheap Thrills is a good example of almost everything that we all associate with the 60's - it's an even blend of psychedelia and blues with some folk-elements popping up. And with Joplins' voice gracing every track (if not always as the lead) it has the allure of impending tragedy, you can't listen to it without the knowledge of her death just two years later buzzing in the back of your head.

But Janis isn't the only person on the album and the others in Big Brother And The Holding Company also show off their skills. Like on the very psychedelic Oh, Sweet Mary where the lead is sung (in a very progressive rock way) by Sam Andrew. It's a song that very well could be the next best on the album, second of course to Piece Of My Heart - the Erma Franklin cover which became one of Janis' signature songs.

Big Brother And The Holding Company might have thought it was Cheap Thrills to record the album, but today - 42 years later - it's still a little treasure trove of good music.