Big Brother & The Holding Company feat. Janis Joplin
Cheap Thrills

THE REVIEW

A whirlwind of insecurity preparing to explode in the stomach of a Texas girl, a visceral lament rising from her heart, a repressed sensuality that aggressively slaps anyone who encounters it, "Cheap Thrills" by Janis Joplin.
At the time, it was a highly anticipated album; she was already known, both because she had enchanted everyone at the Monterey Festival, and because she desperately cared about having a strong image. She had to appear as an insatiable man-eater with a few pangs for women and not as a girl with intimate inner insecurity, to provoke and not to move, because anyone who moves others is nonetheless considered weak, wrongly, certainly.

"Cheap Thrills" should be listened to not because it's the testimony of a singer who mocked every limit, who played with her life with candid innocence; this album should be listened to simply because Janis Joplin sang and interpreted an excellent blues.
It's a 60s album; the instrumental part has its limits, but she is exceptional, superb; it's the album where she appears more spontaneous, much more rough, dirty, gritty than the more famous "Pearl," considered less beautiful but certainly of remarkable impact. It's essential, perhaps superfluous, to mention the heartrending "Summertime," the intense "Piece Of My Heart," and the famous cover "Ball And Chain."

And the regret is, dear Janis, that you didn't need that persona, you didn't need to appear strong, angry; we liked you unconditionally, we are still in love with you, simply for the roar of sadness that vibrates in your voice... and not for those provocations that took you away...

For this reason, I invite everyone to listen to any artist for their songs, for their music, for their expression, and not for what they represent; love Janis Joplin for the boundless fear she sings, stirring the air, for the fear she tried to protect, so beautiful, so human.