1967 - August - Big Brother & the Holding Company - Self Titled

Almost everyone is familiar with Janis Joplin as a fixture sound of the late 60's, but some may not know that she got her San Francisco start with Big Brother and the Holding Company on their self-titled debut album in 1967. Joplin was ostracized in high school, and you can get a sense of her as a lonely soul through her singing. She joined Big Brother and the Holding Company in 1966, which was an established band at the time. Joplin would move on to become a superstar soon, but this gives you a taste of her early work.

Cuckoo This minor key track is about a gold digger, and features Joplin's unmistakable voice prominently. Big Brother and the Holding Company - Call on Me "I need you, darling, like the fish needs the sea, don't take your sweet, sweet love from me."

Intruder Janis Joplin wrote this song, and it has a more psychedelic sound. Joplin was inspired by Otis Redding's style.

Down on Me This blues track is the big song off the album, though it wasn't a top 40 hit. It talks about how the world is "down on me."

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

“Foggy Mountain Breakdown” by Flatt & Scruggs This bluegrass song is from the movie "Bonnie and Clyde" which was in the theater at the time.

STAFF PICKS:

“Windy” by The Association Brian's staff pick was a feature of AM radio at the time. This is about a fictional character dreamed up by folk singer-songwriter Ruthann Friedman. The Association was also a staple of television variety shows.

**“I Thank the Lord for the Night Time” by Neil Diamond ** Rob's pick by this well-known artist considered this song "as close as this white Jewish kid from Brooklyn could come to being a Gospel singer!"

“Heroes and Villains” by The Beach Boys This song that Bruce brought was originally intended to be the centerpiece of the epic and unreleased album “Smile.” It appeared as the opening song to the substitute album “Smiley Smile.”

“I Happen to Love You” by The Electric Prunes Wayne's deep cut staff pick reflects the psychedelic nature of the time. It reflects the nervousness associated with a passionate love affair. Carole King was a co-writer on this song.

**“The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins” by Leonard Nimoy ** A cult classic from the original actor playing Star Trek's "Mr. Spock" finishes out this week's podcast. It played on the popularity of both Star Trek and Tolkien's works.

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