Music Review

Pearl: Legacy Edition

Pearl: Legacy Edition by Janis Joplin, published by Columbia/Legacy

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

June 2005

Thanks to movies like The Rose and, okay, to JANIS JOPLIN herself, the Port Arthur native is remembered as a drug-addled mess. But as one of the great white blues singers of her generation, Joplin left significant work behind. What’s illuminating about PEARL: LEGACY EDITION (Columbia/Legacy) are the demos and live tracks (some previously unreleased) that augment this two-CD reissue of her 1971 classic. They display a singer with her demons largely behind her, controlling her voice with newfound maturity and clarity. Even moments like the wordless sing-along to “Me and Bobby McGee” seem meticulously thought out, while her live performances are physical triumphs. Had she not succumbed, during the last phases of recording, to boredom and, subsequently, bad heroin, Pearl could have marked a career milestone instead of a poignant finale.

E-mail

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

X (close)

Registering gets you access to online content, allows you to comment on stories, add your own reviews of restaurants and events, and join in the discussions in our community areas such as the Recipe Swap and other forums.

In addition, current TEXAS MONTHLY magazine subscribers will get access to the feature stories from the two most recent issues. If you are a current subscriber, please enter your name and address exactly as it appears on your mailing label (except zip, 5 digits only). Not a subscriber? Subscribe online now.

E-mail

Re-enter your E-mail address

Choose a password

Re-enter your password

Name

  
 

Address

Address 2

City

State

Zip (5 digits only)

Country

What year were you born?

Are you...

Male Female

Remember me

X (close)