I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama! [LP]

by Janis Joplin

Overview

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 and although Joplin's singing is good, she would sound more electrifying on various live versions of some of the songs. The shortage of quality original compositions -- indeed, there are only eight tracks total on the album -- didn't help either, and the cover selections were erratic, particularly the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody." On the other hand, "Try" is one of her best soul outings, and the reading of Rodgers & Hart's "Little Girl Blue" is inspired. ~ Richie Unterberger

Product Details

Release Date:	08/21/2012
Label:	Sony Legacy / Sony Music
UPC:	0886979782211
Rank:	28822

Tracks

1. Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)
2. Maybe
3. One Good Man
4. As Good as You've Been to This World
5. To Love Somebody
6. Kozmic Blues
7. Little Girl Blue
8. Work Me, Lord

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Janis Joplin   Primary Artist
Sam Andrew   Guest Artist
Luis Gasca   Guest Artist

Technical Credits

T. B. Harms   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Bert Russell   Composer
Bob Dylan   Composer
Gabriel Mekler   Composer
Janis Joplin   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
DuBose Heyward   Composer
Lorenz Hart   Composer
Richie Barrett   Composer
Nick Gravenites   Composer
Jerry Ragovoy   Composer
Richard Barrett   Composer
George Goldner   Composer
Barry Gibb   Composer
Bert Berns   Composer
Chip Taylor   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Robin Gibb   Composer
Maurice Gibb   Composer
A. Barrett   Composer