csberry

Let's start off by stating the obvious, Big Brother & the Holding Company is more than just Janis Joplin's band. She is the aspect that easily attracts your attention, but this is a well-rounded band that is overshadowed by one of the greatest female rock vocalists to step behind a mic.

About half of the original seven tracks on Cheap Thrills were recorded live, but almost all of them have the energy and raw feel of a live performance. The songs on this album are bluesy, loose, and emotional. Janis's raspy wail is just as effective at expressing joy as it is sorrow. The band goes from full wall of sound with "Combination of the Two" and can simmer slowly and sparely on the following track, "I Need a Man to Love." The cover of the standard "Summertime" didn't do much for me, but I loved the sound of Janis's "Turtle Blues." I kinda wish there was some studio magic done to it to replicate the low-fi sound of a 30's era shellac album (stay up late one weekend night and find an NPR station that plays oooooooold blues records to hear what I'm talking about).

Songs I knew I liked: "Piece of My Heart"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Combination of the Two," "I Need a Man To Love," and "Turtle Blues"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "Summertime"