Janis Joplin’s time on this planet was much too short. Along with the other icons of her day like Hendrix and Morrison, the music helped to keep her alive, four decades on.
The Woodstock Experience captures the raw energy of Joplin in the studio and on stage. Her first studio album,I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama! Was an essential excursion into the realm of blues rock. Her onstage persona was raunchy and forthright, burning a path for women in music that left an indelible mark that still resonates today. Every inch of Joplin was dripping with gut wrenching soul that was heard in her vocal style and painted on her face with every performance.
Ms. Joplin had recently left her band Big Brother and The Holding Company to join forces with The Kozmic Blues Band. The new band provided her with a more funky soulful sound that was ultimately more sophisticated than her previous output. Even so Joplin’s vocals were still raw, sexy, and provoking as they always were. The studio recording was a solid effort that focused on Joplin the singer more and less on the band that backed her as it did in the previous configuration. Unfortunately she would record only one more studio album titled Pearl, another blues rock masterpiece, and then she was gone.
As with everyone else that was in attendance at Woodstock, the performance provided a springboard to a lot of buzz for artists and Joplin was no exception. On this two disc limited edition set you get the best of both worlds, a rebirth of an artist in the studio and a dynamic live performance to put the spotlight on the new release. Joplin suffered through one of the many delays that troubled the event and after 10 hours of being put off went on stage and delivered the goods like the superstar blues mama she was. Joplin showed everyone why she was a legitimate superstar and the band behind her was all the support she needed to catapult her to a new solo career.
This set is a reminder of so much and more importantly a documentation of the magnetism and talent of a lady we shall never forget.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
September 5, 2009