Cheap Thrills

Joplin’s voice is occasionally great, but the band never is. The band either sounds like a really bad jam band or a mediocre blues band.

Not sure why I didn't know that Janis Joplin was anything but a solo act. I usually hate live albums, but this is undeniably great. Just pure energy.

I had no idea Janis Joplin was in a band prior to her solo work. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but you get pretty much exactly what is advertised; a Janis Joplin fronted psychedelic blues band. Overall, I enjoyed it, but it’s probably not something I’m going to reach for all that often.

4.0/5.0: Great

fantastic listen

Love the bluesy guitar work but cannot stand the vocals.

Verstehe, dass es gut ist, aber es ist nicht mein Fall.

I will not include the bonus tracks and live recordings from the 1999 re-release for this review.

Let me first address my one gripe with this album—I do not like how this record was mixed. More often than not, the vocals are pushed back in favor of the grainy instruments, and that's before the crowd noises John Simon inserted to give it that "live album" feel. The sole exception to this production style is the one actual live recorded cover of Big Mama Thornton's "Ball and Chain" at the Fillmore. It was common practice back in the 1960s to edit the studio recordings to try and replicate the live experience, an element that would have been desired to pursue given Big Brother & the Holding Company's history; their breakthrough was a live performance at the Monterey Pop Festival after all. The problem with faking the live experience is that it leaves this sense of it feeling antiquated, locked to a production practice that has died out, and makes me wonder how much better it would have been if they stayed true to the nature of the studio and polished their sound.

That said, this is still an amazing record, rooted in the psychedelic blues of the at-the-time purveying counterculture. I've already mentioned "Ball and Chain", but other tracks like "I Need a Man to Love" and the cover of Erma Franklin's "Piece of My Heart" were all well-executed by a young and hungry band that could swing for the fences. This was especially the case for their powerhouse vocalist Janis Joplin, who, needless to say, stole the "show" here with her belting voice that took command.

Even if I don't like the mix of this record, Cheap Thrills was still a thrilling album, and as such, it belongs on this list.

Excellent. Very Janice and fun.

Some cool guitar stuff. Won't be playing it again.

Wild ride of an album. Janis Joplin is really belting here and delivers some incredible performances, but the band can't be forgotten either. There's some great jams here especially in the early parts of the album. The covers are great as well on here. I feel this album lacks a bit in inspiration though, it feels very of its time and the best moments tend to come from covers of other songs. Damn great at performing them though.

capas mto fodas. robert crumb era mto bão no que fazia
blues psicodelico bacaninha, bem lo-fi, divertidim

I had no idea that Janis Joplin had a band before going out solo! This is that band...and they are fantastic!!! It's like psychedelic/blues rock...with Janis' raspy howl. Fucking awesome!! I knew the song Piece of My Heart, but always assumed it was just a piece of Janis' solo work, never knew it was a band. Pleasant surprise today!! Phenomenal!!

Favorite songs: Piece of My Heart, I Need a Man to Love, Turtle Blues, Magic of Love, Ball and Chain, Roadblock

Least favorite songs: "Oh, Sweet Mary"

5/5

Joplin's vocals are really powerful here. Instrumentally it has some solid moments that do capture a live intensity, but also some weaker ones that feel a bit tired. Overall a really enjoyable listen though.

This one is a bit different than other records from the same period. Also, Janis Joplin is insanely good.

Where did Janis come from? This planet was certainly not her home.
Then behind her, the musicianship is excellent, although some of the instrumentals went on a bit long for my taste. When you have Janis, focus on Janis!

Was debating between a 2 or a 3, but ultimately I just can't get past Janis Joplin's voice. She sounds like if Marge Simpson tried to sing after chain smoking five packs of cigarettes.

It works on Piece of My Heart purely due the fact I've heard that song so much over the years that I've gotten used to it, but its just not working for the rest of the album.

Music and talent is great, but just her voice is not doing it for me. That, and that 60's blues sound is just starting to feel too dated to me.

Never knew Janis Joplin was in a band. Never heard of this band. But it was amazing!

The vocals made me think of ACDC, but not in an enjoyable way. I respect Janis, but not got me. Enjoyed the instrumentals more than the vocals. 2*.
That's a racist album cover.
Highlights: piece of my heart

Decent. Spirited performances. Better than I expected. I'm not the biggest fan of Janis Joplin. It's the blues.