Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin, Janis, Columbia PG33345

Buying a soundtrack album is always a risky business, especially so in this case because Columbia couldn't get clearance to release some of the film's best moments on-record. Therefore, rounding out this two-record set required a lot of filler . It shapes up this way . . .

Record One of this set is essentially the soundtrack to Janis, recently at the State Theater. The "new" songs here are new live recordings of "Ball and Chain," "Summertime," and "Maybe" recorded in Frankfurt, Germany (1969), "Try" from the Toronto concert (1970), and "Move Over" recorded from a 1 970 Dick Cavett Show appearance. This is familiar Joplin material done in fresh live versions, quite worthwhile. However. the rest of Disc 1 is two interviews and re-releases of "Piece of My Heart" and three songs off the "Pearl” LP.

CBS Records probably figured a record of nine cuts, only five previously unreleased, wouldn't sell, so they decided to add on Record Two, Janis Joplin, Early Performances. Ironically. this "filler" record is by far the more satisfying. It contains 17 early recordings (1963-1965), done before Janis was famous. also before she developed her own style. Consequently, this is pure, raunchy acoustic blues in the best Bessie Smith tradition. The material, electric as hell, is done to perfection and includes songs by Ma Rainey, Jesse Fuller, Jelly Roll Morton, Huddie Ledbetter and more, also four by Janis herself.

This record's sound quality is just plain bad. Recorded in monaural on a portable tape recorder, much of the music was done live at a party with people talking and doors slamming. But, after all, blues is peoples's music, and, judging by the applause, Janis is giving the people what they want.

This album is probably not worth the price ($7.98 list), but I can't resist playing it, probably because it's so full of contrasts: Janis in studio and live, talking and singing, electric and acoustic, old songs and new, polisJied and raw. First half, Janis Joplin in full bloom; Second half, the roots that nourished her.

Bruce Weinberg