I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama! [Bonus Tracks] (1999)

About this title: Janis Joplin's solo debut was a letdown at the time of release, suffering in comparison with Big Brother's Cheap Thrills from the previous year, and shifting her style toward soul-rock in a way that disappointed some fans. Removed from that context, it sounds better today, though it's still flawed. Fronting the short-lived Kozmic Blues Band, the arrangements are horn heavy and the material soulful and bluesy. The band sounds a little stiff, though, and although Joplin's singing is good, she would sound more electrifying on various live versions of some of the songs that have come out over the ... read more

Tracks:

1. Try (Just a Little Bit Harder) [Ragovoy/Taylor]
2. Maybe [Barrett]
3. One Good Man [Joplin]
4. As Good as You've Been to This World [Gravenites]
5. To Love Somebody [Gibb/Gibb]
6. Kozmic Blues [Joplin/Mekler]
7. Little Girl Blue [Hart/Rodgers]
8. Work Me, Lord [Gravenites/Traditio]
9. Dear Landlord [Outtake from the "Kozmic Blues" Sessions] [Dylan]
10. Summertime [Live at Woodstock] [Gershwin/Gershwin]
11. Piece of My Heart [Live at Woodstock] [Berns/Ragovoy/Ragav]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.