Pearl

Janis Joplin wouldn't be denied on Pearl. The powerhouse vocalist had kicked her addictions, teamed with a crack band and partnered with a producer who knew how to best showcase her voice on record. She came to the sessions with an armload of astonishing songs and a burst of creative energy that mirrored her rejuvenated emotional state and undeniable spirit.

While Joplin's electrifying vocal prowess is universally lauded, her mix of compassion, confidence and charm play as large a role. And on Pearl, she burrows into deeper stylistic veins, teasing out sides of her persona and craft she'd never previously displayed. Her signature desperation, sadness and vulnerability remain, yet Joplin also reveals a sense of humour and beatnik innocence.