Search - Janis Joplin :: Kozmic Blues

Janis, Phase II

Gregor von Kallahann | 07/05/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Myra Friedman (who also was Janis' first biographer) writes above that "Big Brother loyalists were determined to hate" Janis' second band. Even critics who found Big Brother sloppy and amateurish were dismissive of the Kozmic Blues Band. That may have had as much to do with the way it all happened (rather suddenly and right on the heels of the major success of CHEAP THRILLS) than with the fact that it did happen. Janis tried to explain that she "loved those guys" but that they were stagnating artistically. That may well have been true, but it was hard to sell the public or the emerging rock-crit establishment on that point so soon after a major hit album.And, of course, it seemed like a violation of the hippie ethos. Forget the fact, that virtually all bands of that era had internal strife and endured nasty break-ups that would probably have made Janis' departure from the group that brought her into the public eye seem like small and underdone potatoes. It was viewed by many as an unforgiveable offense--worse than Dylan going electric.All that seems very far away now (as indeed, it is) and Janis' recorded legacy is so slight that many who resisted this release at first have come to accept it as a valid stage in Janis' musical evolution. More importantly, it happens to be pretty darn good on its own terms. Friedman's comments above that the band never quite jelled is probably a fair criticism, but they certainly had their moments. And the idea of Janis' working with a horn section always had real appeal, even if the ideal was never quite realized. When people complain about the horns proving to be musical "sludge," I think they're primarily talking about the intro to the track "As Good as You've Been to this World," which is just a bit too long and gets a little draggy. You can sense Janis straining just a bit at the beginning of her vocal, as though she were trying to inject a little energy into a track that's been kind of sputtering along up 'til that point.But that's just one song (and it's really not a total disaster even so)! Elsewhere the horns seem to give Janis a kind of push that leads to some triumphant moments. Two of those moments, I've always maintained, come on the album's opening track "Try," with those two scalding wails at the song's end. Those are hair-stand-on-end notes and serve as proof positive that Janis' had lost none of her power in the transition from hippie band to soul revue. That song segues into Janis' version of "Maybe," the old Chantels classic, that is as good in its way as the original, with Joplin improvising on the lyrics and slipping easily into her upper register to provide a soaring end. The sassy self-penned "One Good Man," follows with excellent guitar work by guest instrumentalist Mike Bloomfield.The album's only real weaknesses are the two attempts at "Ball and Chain" style epics, the aforementioned "Good as You've Been" and Nick Gravenites' "Work Me, Lord." I had heard advance word on "Work Me, Lord," that suggested that it would be the album's highlight. Janis gives it quite a work-out, but it is one of those moments that really doesn't quite crystalize. Over the years, I've come to develop an affection for these tracks, despite their minor failings. As I say, there's not enough in the Joplin oeuvre that fans can afford to be picky. And more importantly, there's something about Janis' efforts to overcome the musical stumbling blocks that is--dare we say it?--almost heroic.KOZMIC BLUES is indeed Janis Joplin's most underrated effort. I wish she had lived long enough to reach her potential. I can see her working with horns on some projects and with a tight boogie style band (a la Full Tilt) on others. (Big Brother styled psychelic wildness was wonderful in its way too, but that was music that was definitely "of its era" and not to be repeated). I've never bought the myth that Janis' death was inevitable, nor that her musical light would necessarily have burned out even if she hadn't died. She was a talented artist and would likely have continued growing and evolving. I'm grateful for what we have.(PS--for fans of this album in particular, you might want to consider looking into the latest release by Joplin's contemporary, the equally powerful but shamefully ignored Tracy Nelson. TRACY NELSON LVE FROM CELL BLOCK D is a great album, complete with an excellent horn section. Nelson, who was often compared to Joplin back in the day, is a distinctive blues stylist in her own right--less raspy and with a tinge more gospel--but fans of the legendary Joplin would do well to check out this record and others form Tracy's extensive catalog.)"

All Her Own.

Edward Anthony G. | Sherman Oaks, Calif. USA.. | 02/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a kickin album this is, when we heard Janis had gotten a horn section for her new band back in the day we did not imagine just how powerful they would be. Her friend Lydia Pense had done this for sometime with ColdBlood and Janis always wanted to use horns Lydia says. Of course there was the always present Sam Andew on guitar who had been with her for sometime now, but the new players were an awesome choice. Richard Kermode on keys and trumpet player Luis Gasca from "Malo", also from Buddy Miles fame was Baritone Sax player Cornelius'Snooky' Flowers and tenor sax Terry Clements. This band was so tight she took them with her to Woodstock which you can see on the new version movie, this is a great Cd and Janis really gets off on all tunes here. Three bonus tracks and two of them being from Woodstock so you really get all you need in this cd and besides if your just a straight out janis fan you'll get it just for that reason!"

Janis At Her Best

Jean-Paul Montfort | Chanhassen, MN | 01/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel that this is Janis' best album that wasn't released posthumously. The Kozmic Blues Band (a.k.a. The Band From Beyond, Main Squeeze) is an exceptional match with her incredible voice. Unfortunetly, the band, Janis, concerts, and the album was criticized by the press, especially ROLLING STONE, which is a reason why the band was disbanded so quickly. Yet this album is proof that they had an incredible sound. All tracks are VERY well done, especially "Kozmic Blues", "Little Girl Blue", and "Work Me, Lord" and all show a combination of Janis styles--blues, soul, and rock. The extra tracks are above-average also, but "Dear Landlord" is really quite shallow and doesn't have much meaning (therefore it wasn't origninally released), and there are certainly better versions of "Summertime" (like from Amsterdam, April '69), and "Piece of My Heart" is fantastic, with it's bright, brassy sound (although there is a better version performed at Frankfurt, April '69). Overall, this is one of the best albums of Janis Joplin's ever released."