The Pearl of Rock–Janis Joplin–Saturday Nite Nostalgia

Earlier this week, Antonia Z  blogged about girl groups of days’ past. It got me to thinking that I should do a Saturday Nite Nostalgia edition about Janis Joplin, the Pearl herself. My favourite female singer of all time.  In spite of the fact that she performed under the influence of either the Southern Comfort or  her dope of choice, which was heroine for the most part, she spoke the harsh truths about life. She did it with emotion and passion that one has been able to emulate.

Although, I had heard of a few women who try and can somewhat imitate Joplin’s sound, like Montreal’s very own Angel Forrest (formerly Angel and the Bad Boys), there is always something missing and would always be missing and that is walking in Janis’ booze and dope induced turmoil; life experience.

Below is a song that had less commercial air play and one she performed at Woodstock.  The video is dark and of poor quality. I assume she must have gone on very late at night, or technology for taking videos was just that rudimentary.

I think one of the reasons I like her so much and can even identify with her on some level, is that we were both high school outcasts, which may seem like a small detail now having hit middle-age, but I can tell you an experience like that can shape one’s adulthood. I am not alone; it is that way with many high school outcasts as it must of been for the popular beautiful kids, I guess.

It must have been even more difficult being raised in the bible belt of the United States: Texas, raised by what seem to be bible thumping parents.

If you want to read a brief bio of  Janis Joplin,..

Below, is another less commercial song done earlier in her life. An Odetta cover that was later done by Bessie Smith.

Here are just some of her quotes; particular faves of mine:

Audiences like their blues singers to be miserable.
Janis Joplin

Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.
Janis Joplin

I got treated very badly in Texas. They don’t treat beatniks too good in Texas. Port Arthur people thought I was a beatnik, though they’d never seen one and neither had I.
Janis Joplin

Texas is OK if you want to settle down and do your own thing quietly, but it’s not for outrageous people, and I was always outrageous.
Janis Joplin

As for that lasat quote, had she lived long enough to see today, perhaps she would realize that she was the only ‘normal’ person in Texas in a sea of misfits such as bible thumpers, tea-baggers, and other extremists.

The last one was originally a Kris Kristofferson/Rita Coolidge composition, but I prefer Janis’ version: “Me and Bobby McGee”  The chorus of  Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose just seems oh so a propos for these days. The sad irony is that the Tea-Baggers and Rethuglicans and the con movement here in Canada as well all are soooo afraid of losing their ‘freedom’ to such things as fear for the commie Muslim Boogie man hiding in the closet or under the bed or evul soshalism, that they’re really not free at all. In fact, I would venture to say that if their voices continue to drown out those of reason, there will be far less freedoms for all…both here and in the U.S….but I digress…

The video below is the rare first studio recording of Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee”. According to XtinaxFan, the poster of this video  on Youtube, she nailed it the first time. Quite a feat, as when you hear her speak initially, she is obviously under the influence of something.

Thanks XtinaxFan for the rare Janis videos!

Happy Saturday Nite, all!