Someone who over the years became a friend, Jerry Ragovoy (RIP), wrote a number of tunes Janis covered.
Just to add some historical perspective, the originals.

Lorraine Ellison...



...Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)


Garnet Mimms...



...Cry Baby


Garnet Mimms...



...My Baby


Howard Tate...



...Get It While You Can


Erma Franklin...



...Piece of My Heart



It's interesting how many of these songs she covered were initially done by male vocalists.



Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

^ Interesting indeed. She said one of her biggest idols was Leadbelly so it makes sense since her voice wasn't that of a typical female vocalist. Tina Turner was the same way, as was Etta James.

Timmy84 said:

^ Interesting indeed. She said one of her biggest idols was Leadbelly so it makes sense since her voice wasn't that of a typical female vocalist. Tina Turner was the same way, as was Etta James.

True.

Maybe through those songs, she also found an affinity with her masculine side.

Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

purplethunder3121 said:

Enjoy listening to Janice, Tyler, and don't let the naysayers dampen your enthusiasm. She's not everyone's cup of tea but I certainly identified with her gutwrenching vocals when I was a raw teenager! Take another little piece of my heart now, Baby!

no Tyler... fuck that bullshit. gtfoh with that shit!

i kid... but like some others have said... not really my style. but i'd saythat she is one of the most soulful singers in just the sheer emotion that she put into whatever she sang.

theAudience said:

Timmy84 said:

^ Interesting indeed. She said one of her biggest idols was Leadbelly so it makes sense since her voice wasn't that of a typical female vocalist. Tina Turner was the same way, as was Etta James.

True.

Maybe through those songs, she also found an affinity with her masculine side.

Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

I always thought inside Janis was the soul of a brother. Even the way she moved onstage reminded me more of Otis Redding than any female performer you could've compared her with since she didn't just stand still onstage like Aretha or Grace (Slick, her fellow female compadre in the '60s psychedelic rock scene) or sashayed and shimmied like Diana.

[Edited 8/21/11 11:20am]

Janis was definitely a dude in another life.

purplethunder3121 said:

Janis was definitely a dude in another life.

nice vision about her being a guy in another life. it sure is trippy at times to think of the body jacket change of man or woman - yet, it is all about soul. just flipping from life-2-life doing what the times need most....Janis really was all about womens' rights/equality and breaking in2 the male dominated rocking world. Purely authentic - she has taught me a few things...

I'm a big fan of Janis's, but I can't say she has the best voice. It's raw and very emotional. She has a unique sound that I love. I think she sings from the heart and just lets it out as naturally as she can.

raddahone said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Janis was definitely a dude in another life.

nice vision about her being a guy in another life. it sure is trippy at times to think of the body jacket change of man or woman - yet, it is all about soul. just flipping from life-2-life doing what the times need most....Janis really was all about womens' rights/equality and breaking in2 the male dominated rocking world. Purely authentic - she has taught me a few things...

Janis was all about freedom and breaking taboos. That's why I love her actually.

Timmy84 said:

raddahone said:

nice vision about her being a guy in another life. it sure is trippy at times to think of the body jacket change of man or woman - yet, it is all about soul. just flipping from life-2-life doing what the times need most....Janis really was all about womens' rights/equality and breaking in2 the male dominated rocking world. Purely authentic - she has taught me a few things...

Janis was all about freedom and breaking taboos. That's why I love her actually.

Totally agree - and, she was big on woman's rights...and the first female rocker that got in2 the level of soul. She brought out her masculine side and it turned on both men and women. Most women were scared of her - especially when she started turning on their men. Oh, yeah, and she was the first hippie chick pin-up girl - but the guy who took the pics didn't give her any from the profits. What is that all about - go naked and someone else gets the dough? I love her smile.

I was watching an episode of Entourage when I hear a familiar voice at the end the the credits. Looked up the song that I never heard before it's called "One Night Stand" by Janis. Such a great song. You need to put Aretha and Fiona Apple on your list.

who wants to take bets on who will be the greatest female singer he's ever heard next week?

errant said:

who wants to take bets on who will be the greatest female singer he's ever heard next week?

ahaha I don't think I'll find a female singer better than Janis Joplin.

There are tons in the same catagory as Janis. Check out Etta James and Phoebe Snow too.

But is she better than Patti Lulabell?

sosgemini said:

But is she better than Patti Lulabell?

She's better than Patti to me.

I'm not a Patti fan, but...

OMG: I was just joking. Referencing a different thread. Abort! Abort!

sosgemini said:

OMG: I was just joking. Referencing a different thread. Abort! Abort!

No kidding! Patti and Janis are night and day; they're not really comparable to each other but both are unique and essential on their own merits. No more contests--please!