Janis Joplin’s second and final solo classic album “Pearl” became the huge album in the US on February. 27th, 1971. The record was released posthumously released on January. 11th 1971. It was the final album with her direct participation, and the only Joplin album recorded with the Full Tilt Boogie Band, her final touring unit.
“Pearl” stayed in the top spot for 9 weeks. The album has a more polished feel than the albums she recorded with Big Brother and The Holding Company and the Kozmic Blues Band due to the expertise of the producer Paul A Rothchild and her new backing musicians. Rothchild was best known as the recording studio producer of The Doors, and worked well with Joplin, calling her a producer’s dream. Together they were able to craft an album that showcased her extraordinary vocal talents.
No one can go through Janis Joplin’s discography without listening to “Me and Bobby McGee” at least twice. Janis Joplin and her posthumously released hit Me and Bobby McGee. Written by country singer Kris Kristofferson the country-blues single reached the No. 1 spot in the U.S. singles charts as well as Joplin’s album “Pearl” . This song also made it to the history books as being the second single to hit No. 1 in chart history after the artist had passed away. The recording sessions, starting in early September, ended with Joplin’s untimely death on October 4th, 1970. Her final session, which took place on Thursday, October 1st after a break of several days, yielded the acapella “Mercedes Benz.” It was the last song she recorded before her death
Another precious gem from her album “Pearl”, “Cry Baby” is a heart wrenching song especially captivated by the soul Janis’ voice brings. The opening wail to the track is just every emotion poured out into a performance. It also teaches about forgiveness with Janis singing for her man to come back home even though she’s been hurt by him, she’ll forgive him and believe that things will work out in the end. Originally recorded by Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters, Janis again, covered it in 1970 and made it her own by putting her own signature blues-rock spin to the song. The song became a usual song in Joplin’s repertoire and it was released as a single posthumously following her sudden tragic death in 1971.
The Fat Angel Sings 