Janis Joplin - The Ultimate Collection (CD 1998)

Great mixture of live and studio versions. Janis had such an amazing voice - raucous, bluesy, moments of purity - so distinctive. Double CD is massive value for money. Whack up the volume and enjoy the edginess; play it low and appreciate the mellow tones of an unbelievable talent sorely missed (died in 1970). Oh, if only modern songsters would follow her lead!

Janis Joplin is still the greatest female blues singer in the world. Her short life brought us some of the most moving recordings and they are all here on these two CDs along with some funky folk songs too. I have never tired of listening to her during the passed thirty something odd years and never will. My favourite is Summertime. When I heard my boss, a head chef, singing it I asked him whose version it was and made sure the next time he sang it he knew all about Janis.
They say only the great die young and this is true of Janis Joplin. If you like blues listen to her - full blast!

This is good for a complete over view of her work. I like many of the tracks but I cannot honestly say I like them all. Some are a bit hard core for me, but her passion is undeniable. I'm happy that I bought it.