Cougar
Enlightened Member
Yeah, Janis and Big Brother were there in the 60s. They were part of the 60s. They were part of us.
Mr. Groovy and that hippie chick
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Teleguy61
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I think I would separate a live performance from listening to a studio album. Seeing Joplin live would be mind-blowing, but that doesn't mean I want to listen to all her albums. In fact, I've never bought one. The OP video shows her swagger live, it's great.
I saw KISS live (I know, I know) in their prime - loved it! But I don't own any of their albums, and never will.
I do have a few Eagles albums and enjoy them, but I saw them live and was bored.
And so on...
walrus
I saw KISS live (I know, I know) in their prime - loved it! But I don't own any of their albums, and never will.
I do have a few Eagles albums and enjoy them, but I saw them live and was bored.
And so on...
walrus
Bill Ashton
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The Tom Jones/Jeff Beck bits are great...love it when TJ hits a high stab and Beck quivers...at one point throwing his hands up so impressed.
...about 1:42 on the Abbey Roads sessions. Love watching Beck trying to find the keys. Who would think Tom Jones would sing Howlin' Wolf?
...about 1:42 on the Abbey Roads sessions. Love watching Beck trying to find the keys. Who would think Tom Jones would sing Howlin' Wolf?
Teleguy61
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Well said.
I saw Janis with Big Brother in 1968, and she was very intense.
Not perfect or polished, but very dynamic and compelling.
wileypickett
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Another first hand witness! How old were you when you saw her? I was 15.
In Big Brother, Janis was A star, but a star within a collective. In that *Janis" documentary there's a scene where the band is recording *Cheap Thrills* and there's some disagreement over a take or something, and Janis says, "Well, my vote would be. . . ."
It's very telling -- hers was one vote and had the same weight -- no more, no less -- as the votes of the other four members.
In later bands, Janis was THE star, and the musicians were there to support her and provide back up. I imagine there was but one vote that counted then.
Another thing I loved about Big Brother -- they were psychedelic! Like a number of bands of that era, they mixed elements of folk, rock, blues (they covered Gershwin and Moondog!), played trippy guitar solos, laced songs with distortion and feedback.
Most of that went right out the window when Janis and Big Brother split.
Not everyone's cuppa, I know, but I loved that stuff then and still love a lot of it now.
In Big Brother, Janis was A star, but a star within a collective. In that *Janis" documentary there's a scene where the band is recording *Cheap Thrills* and there's some disagreement over a take or something, and Janis says, "Well, my vote would be. . . ."
It's very telling -- hers was one vote and had the same weight -- no more, no less -- as the votes of the other four members.
In later bands, Janis was THE star, and the musicians were there to support her and provide back up. I imagine there was but one vote that counted then.
Another thing I loved about Big Brother -- they were psychedelic! Like a number of bands of that era, they mixed elements of folk, rock, blues (they covered Gershwin and Moondog!), played trippy guitar solos, laced songs with distortion and feedback.
Most of that went right out the window when Janis and Big Brother split.
Not everyone's cuppa, I know, but I loved that stuff then and still love a lot of it now.
Teleguy61
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Rough and very San Francisco of the time, but there are now classic recordings--Piece of My Heart--how can you top the passion in that recording?
She always made my blood boil-in a good way.
wileypickett
Enlightened Member
Big Brother's performance of "Ball and Chain" in the *Monterey Pop* film (with the close up of Mama Cass gasping "wow" at the end) is, for me, irresistable. I don't know how you can be unmoved by that.
Teleguy61
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Interesting to note that their first se was not filmed because they would not sign the necessary release forms, being hippies, as they were.
Their first show was a huge sensation, so their second appearance was arranged--just two songs, which are in the Monterey Pop film.
wileypickett
Enlightened Member
Just researched this: some accounts say the band didn't want to be filmed; some accounts say they were frantic to be filmed; some say their manager at the time (pre-Albert Grossman) didn't sign the necessary forms; some accounts say DA Pennebacker and his crew weren't happy with the footage they got of the first night's performance and so brought the band back the next night (for two songs) to try again.
Mama Cass's "wow" was filmed the first night, so not after the actual peformance we see the band giving in the film!
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wileypickett
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According to historian Alice Echols, festival organizers, “[H]adn’t expected much from Big Brother, whom they scheduled to appear on Saturday afternoon, distinctly non-prime time.” Led by Joplin’s hair-raising vocals, Big Brother gave such a powerful performance that they were asked to perform again Saturday night so that D.A. Pennebaker’s crew could include them in the concert film. In the footage, she looks so small and young. She was 24. Her voice, however, is the voice of a roaring lioness, and the incredible depth and ferocity of her performance bowled everyone over, even the other musicians.
Teleguy61
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I can highly recommend this show.
Very revealing about Janis--
Very revealing about Janis--
