Not only will you hear snippets of songs in new ways like below, or here classic no hold barred singing like below but you’ll also get glimpses of the artist and the person behind the icon. If you’ve never had the pleasure of making your way through the Pearl sessions we strongly suggest you do. Though she’s never afraid to put some forceful wind behind her lyrics, and she’s a proverbial tsunami when she does, but it’s the softer moments that feel more poignant here. But the real show is about to come as Joplin approaches the mic and begins to sing the song that would help define her as a musical powerhouse. singles chart in 1971, making the song the second posthumously released No. A posthumously released version by Janis Joplin topped the U.S. Fred Foster shares the writing credit, as Kristofferson wrote the song based on a suggestion from Foster.
It’s a touching reminder of the person behind the talent. 'Me and Bobby McGee' is a song written by American singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson and originally performed by Roger Miller. “Did I always sound like this? I hear myself on tape and I just think ‘Oh God!'” As she then hears her voice on tape for the seemingly the first time in a while, she says “Do you think I will get my Texas accent back?” Having spent so long on the West Coast, the Lone Star state’s drawl had begun to wane. Me and Bobby McGee (Live Broadcast In Sweden 1969) 126: Piece of My Heart (Live Broadcast In Sweden 1969) 127: Try Just a Little Bit Harder: 128: Summertime (live at Woodstock) 129: Cozmic Blues: 130: Me and Bobby McGee (demo version) 131: Ego Rock - Live: 132: Get It While You Can (Live) 133: Summertime (Big Brother & The Holding Company) 134. “It’s too loud,” she says when they finally connect the guitar track to her headphones. “Not that I play that great, I should still be able to hear it, you know what I mean?” says Joplin as she confers with the mixing desk, readying herself to perform an early version of her cover. To be able to layer a vocal performance with such equal tenderness and tenacity while playing an instrument your less comfortable with is really something.
Not nearly as gifted with a guitar as she was singing, to be playing the guitar while recording her vocal for the song, it’s a stunning reminder of her talent. Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose, Nothing, thats all that Bobby left me, yeah yeah, But feeling good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues, feeling good was good enough for me, ahhhhha. This session, recorded on 28th July 1970 captures Joplin in the middle of the Pearl sessions and clearly in the groove as she opts to strum out the cover.