Box of Pearls

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Janis Joplin was one of the most exhilarating performers of an era blessed with riveting stage artists, but all but her most emphatic champions must concede her recorded oeuvre is problematic. With Big Brother & the Holding Company she was surrounded by up-from-the-streets cohorts who were spiritually attuned to Joplin, even if they weren't always musically in tune. After one rushed, premature effort for the Mainstream label, Big Brother hit the top of the charts with one of the touchstones of the San Francisco sound, Cheap Thrills. Barraged by critics who believed Joplin's skills as a blues and soul singer were being squandered in a psychedelic setting, the toast of Haight-Ashbury went solo with the up-and-down I Got Them Ol' Kozmic Blues Again, Mama. Joplin was hitting her stride during the 1970 Pearl sessions when she died of a drug overdose at age 28. The album's posthumous release was a critical and commercial smash. Box of Pearls binds the 1999 remastered and expanded versions of the aforementioned albums and tosses in a five-track rarities EP entitled, appropriately enough, Rare Pearls. Much of Box of Pearls is brilliant while portions are badly dated, but it's all Joplin. --Steven Stolder --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Bye, Bye Baby
Easy Rider
Intruder
Light Is Faster Than Sound
Call On Me
Women Is Losers
Blindman
Down On Me
Caterpillar
All Is Loneliness
Coo Coo (Single)
The Last Time (Single)
Call On Me (Alternate Take)
Bye, Bye Baby (Alternate Take)

Tracks:

Combination Of The Two
I Need A Man To Love
Summertime
Piece Of My Heart
Turtle Blues
Oh, Sweet Mary
Ball And Chain
Roadblock (Studio Outtake)
Flower In The Sun (Studio Outtake)
Catch Me Daddy (Live)
Magic Of Love (Live)

Tracks:

Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)
Maybe
One Good Man
As Good As You've Been To This World
To Love Somebody
Kozmic Blues
Little Girl Blue
Work Me, Lord
Dear Landlord (Session Outtake)
Summertime (Live At Woodstock)
Piece Of My Heart (Live At Woodstock)

Tracks:

Move Over
Cry Baby
A Woman Left Lonely
Half Moon
Buried Alive In The Blues
My Baby
Me And Bobby McGee
Mercedes Benz
Trust Me
Get It While You Can
Tell Mama (Live)
Little Girl Blue (Live)
Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) (Live)
Cry Baby (Live)

Tracks:

It's A Deal (Studio Outtake)
Easy Once You Know How (Studio Outtake)
Maybe (Live)
Raise Your Hand (Live)
Bo Diddley (Live)

Customer Reviews:

Thrilled.......2007-07-12

This was a present for my wife, who is a big Janis Joplin Fan.
It has all her favorite songs. Well worth the money.

Worth its weight in pearls.......2007-02-06

This is the consummate collection of all things Janis, the motherload of pearls. Anyone wondering what was so amazing about Janis, listen to this collection and you will understand. She was, and still is to this day, the integral part of all of her music. The raw emotion, the unique sound of her voice, she wove herself into the intricacy of each and every song. A true artist; a must have for any true Janis fan.

Box of Pearls: The Janis Joplin Collection

Average customer rating:

Box of Pearls: The Janis Joplin Collection
Janis Joplin
Manufacturer: Sony Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Hard Rock & Heavy Metal | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000BNM8K6
Release Date: 2006-01-02

Tracks:

Bye, Bye Baby
Easy Rider
Intruder
Light Is Faster Than Sound
Call On Me
Women Is Losers
Blindman
Down On Me
Caterpillar
All Is Loneliness
Coo Coo (Single) (Bonus Track)
Last Time (Single) (Bonus Track)
Call On Me (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Bye, Bye Baby (Alternate Take) (Bonus Track)
Combination Of The Two
I Need A Man To Love
Summertime
Piece Of My Heart
Turtle Blues
Oh, Sweet Mary
Ball And Chain
Roadblock (Studio Outtake) (Bonus Track)
Flower In The Sun (Studio Outtake) (Bonus Track)
Catch Me Daddy (Live) (Bonus Track)
Magic Of Love (Live) (Bonus Track)
Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)
Maybe
One Good Man
As Good As You've Been To This World
To Love Somebody
Kozmic Blues
Little Girl Blue
Work Me, Lord
Dear Landlord (Session Outtake) (Bonus Track)
Summertime (Live At Woodstock) (Bonus Track)
Piece Of My Heart (Live At Woodstock) (Bonus Track)
Move Over
Cry Baby
A Woman Left Lonely
Half Moon
Buried Alive In The Blues
My Baby
Me And Bobby Mcgee
Mercedes Benz
Trust Me
Get It While You Can
Tell Mama (Live) (Bonus Track)
Little Girl Blue (Live) (Bonus Track)
Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) (Live) (Bonus Track)
Cry Baby (Live) (Bonus Track)
It's A Deal (Studio Outtake) (Bonus Ep)
Easy Onve You Know How (Studio Outtake) (Bonus Ep)
Maybe (Live) (Bonus Ep)
Raise Your Hand (Live) (Bonus Ep)
Bo Diddley (Live) (Bonus Ep)

Album Description

Limited edition Japanese pressing includes 5 CD's in presented in a beautiful boxset containing the original LP sleeve with a booklet and bonus track TBA. CBS. 2005.

Average customer rating:

Glenn Miller Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Evergreen
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0007M7QQC

Product Description

This Compact Disc contains original recordings. The sound quality has been enhanced while remaining as faithful as possible to the original recording.

Average customer rating:

An excellent quality box set of Janis Joplin's music!
All the studio albums plus some rare concert highlights
Beware of books in Janis clothing
the answer to your kosmis blues
Amazing Set

Box of Pearls: The Janis Joplin Collection
Janis Joplin
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Blues Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Hard Rock & Heavy Metal | Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Janis
Live at Winterland '68
Love, Janis
In Concert
The Jimi Hendrix Experience

ASIN: B00000K2A3
Release Date: 1999-08-31

Tracks:

Bye, Bye Baby
Easy Rider
Intruder
Light Is Faster Than Sound
Call On Me
Women Is Losers
Blindman
Down On Me
Caterpillar
All Is Loneliness
Coo Coo (Single)
The Last Time (Single)
Call On Me (Alternate Take)
Bye, Bye Baby (Alternate Take)

Tracks:

Combination Of The Two
I Need A Man To Love
Summertime
Piece Of My Heart
Turtle Blues
Oh, Sweet Mary
Ball And Chain
Roadblock (Studio Outake)
Flower In The Sun (Studio Outake)
Catch Me Daddy (Live)
Magic Of Love (Live)

Tracks:

Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)
Maybe
One Good Man
As Good As You've Been To This World
To Love Somebody
Kozmic Blues
Little Girl Blue
Work Me, Lord
Dear Landlord (Session Outtake)
Summertime (Live At Woodstock)
Piece Of My Heart (Live At Woodstock)

Tracks:

Move Over
Cry Baby
A Woman Left Lonely
Half Moon
Buried Alive In The Blues
My Baby
Me And Bobby McGee
Mercedes Benz
Trust Me
Get It While You Can
Tell Mama (Live)
Little Girl Blue (Live)
Try (Just A Little Bit Harder) (Live)
Cry Baby (Live)

Tracks:

It's A Deal (Studio Outtake)
Easy Once You Know How (Studio Outtake)
Maybe (Live)
Raise Your Hand (Live)
Bo Diddley (Live)

Amazon.com

Janis Joplin was one of the most exhilarating performers of an era blessed with riveting stage artists, but all but her most emphatic champions must concede her recorded oeuvre is problematic. With Big Brother & the Holding Company she was surrounded by up-from-the-streets cohorts who were spiritually attuned to Joplin, even if they weren't always musically in tune. After one rushed, premature effort for the Mainstream label, Big Brother hit the top of the charts with one of the touchstones of the San Francisco sound, Cheap Thrills. Barraged by critics who believed Joplin's skills as a blues and soul singer were being squandered in a psychedelic setting, the toast of Haight-Ashbury went solo with the up-and-down I Got Them Ol' Kozmic Blues Again, Mama. Joplin was hitting her stride during the 1970 Pearl sessions when she died of a drug overdose at age 28. The album's posthumous release was a critical and commercial smash. Box of Pearls binds the 1999 remastered and expanded versions of the aforementioned albums and tosses in a five-track rarities EP entitled, appropriately enough, Rare Pearls. Much of Box of Pearls is brilliant while portions are badly dated, but it's all Joplin. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

An excellent quality box set of Janis Joplin's music!.......2006-03-15

I have this and the box set "Janis". Both box sets are quite excellent. Box of Pearls ofcourse is a 5 disc set including both albums with Big Brother and The Holding Company and also both her solo albums as well. You get all 4 of her original studio efforts plus each disc has bonus live material that's previously unreleased. Each disc is remastered and sound excellent!

Both box sets compliment each other. But this is the set to get first if you're wanting to get into Janis's primary catalog. The box set Janis is more for die-hard fans who already have everything in Box of Pearls. Box of Pearls does a great job of giving you extras. And if you're needing to make that big jump from vinyl to cd, now is the time to do it! This box has plenty of previously unreleased live material on each disc to make it worth your while. And then you get a bonus disc called Rare Pearls with 5 more previously unreleased tracks to boot! You can't go wrong with this set.

This is definitely one of my favorite box sets of all time.

All the studio albums plus some rare concert highlights.......2006-03-10

I had mixed feelings about Janis Joplin for a long time but wanted to give her music a fair chance. After listening to songs from different albums I decided this box set was the best way to go. Great decision. There are a few songs that are not that hot but for the most part the quality of the performances is high throughout the entire set. What you get here is every studio album plus an additional EP with a handfull of songs. The EP is not the highlight of the set but it is interesting. Like I said the performances are all of high quality and the sound mastering is top rate.

Given a lot of the information available it is easy to dismiss Joplin as just another junkie rocker who killed herself with drugs and booze for no good reason. Actually, Janis brought a unique voice and tons of energy to the psychedelic electric blues scene. If her music is any indication of her frame of mind then she was full of life. Listening to her entire career (through these discs) one can get a new perspective on her genius.

I have newfound respect for her and her music and I can't help but appreciate what she gave us during her short time here. This set will make a nice addition to your collection.

Beware of books in Janis clothing.......2005-07-10

I am a major Janis Joplin fan. As a result I already had a copy of pearl when I bought this set in November. Tonight I had to break the copy of Pearl from the box set out. The case said Pearl. The CD had a picture of Janis and it said Pearl. Imagine my surprise when I got a Clive Cussler book on disk instead. The rest of my recordings were fine and anybody can make a mistake but I have to worry about their quality control to let something like this go by. I wonder how many other people out there got Clive cussler instead of Janis Joplin.

the answer to your kosmis blues.......2004-09-25

tired of half ass record stores not getting you your classics?tired of so called mall music stores not being able to find a female icon from the 60s albums but can locate madonnas who is little more than a trash bag ho?then this is for you.there were 4 albums by janis joplin originaly.this is them and a bonus ep to boot.the songs are beatiful.theres ,of course,piece of my heart-the janis version not the pathetic remake.that song was the bands and fans favorite that they always poured everything into.cry baby is very emotional.bye bye baby about breaking up.me and my bobby mcghee-another fan favorite.a riveting version of ball and chain with a crazy stoned little speech at the end.theres live songs like some from woodstock and even a cute little song done with her band member singing called caterpilar.the first album is big brother and holding company with 4 extra songs.the second one was originaly called dope,sex and cheap thrills but had to be shortened to cheap thrills.theres the very emotionaly driven summertime.piece of my heart shows up here.theres also a few you may have forgotten like turtle blues and flowers in the sun.there are 4 bonus tracks on this one as well and also ball and chain.the third and one of,if not the best album in the set is called i got them ol kosmic blues again mama.it features such songs as try just a little bit harder and some woodstock bonus tracks.as good as youve been to this world is a sad one as is kosmic blues.then theres one of her best songs and my personal favorite little girl blue.dont listen to it if your suicidal though its very very sad for a great song.the 2 woodstock songs are summertime and piece of my heart.next up and last of the studio albums is pearl her best seller.it was actualy released after she was dead.move over is the opener.cry baby is very emotionaly charged.theres a extremely sad buried alive in the blues also.me and my bobby mcghee rolls around and a non musical solo called mercedez benz.its all about being lonely and worn down by the hardships of life.get it while you can was popular back in the day.there are 4 bonus tracks here as well.and as if that wasnt enough,they even threw in a bonus ep.that means short album called rare pearls.its got 2 studio outakes and 3 live songs.so you can pay out the (...)for all of her albums individually or get them at a great discount in the box set.this set contains EVERY album unlike most box sets.it even comes in a psycadelic little box and it keeps them as clean as the day you got them from ups.

Amazing Set.......2003-12-22

This is a great set with all of Janis' best stuff.
Do you self a favor and buy it.

A String of Pearls ~ Great Stars of the '40s ~ 4-CD Box Set ~ Reader's Digest Music

Average customer rating:

A String of Pearls ~ Great Stars of the '40s ~ 4-CD Box Set ~ Reader's Digest Music
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Readers Digest Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000P4786U

Product Description

This 4-CD box set includes 78 tracks featuring the great stars and songs of the 1940s.

Average customer rating:

Box of Pearls
Svante Thuresson , and Katrine Madsen
Manufacturer: Stunt
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000EF5W6S
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Tracks:

Let's Fall in Love
We LL Be Together Again
All the Things You Are
How Long Has This Been Going On
Estate
Send in the Clown
Kom Saet Dig Her
I Remember Bill
My Shining Hour
What a Difference a Day Made
I Fall in Love Too Easily
Surrey with the Fringe on Top

Dvorák: Complete Solo Piano Music (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Pure Dvorak!
Charming but Unimportant Piano Music

Dvorák: Complete Solo Piano Music (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000273AOO
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Tracks:

No.1 In A Flat Major
No.2 In F Major
Dumka In D Minor, Op.35
Theme: Tempo Di Minuetto
Variation 1: Without Tempo Indication
Variation 2: Without Tempo Indication
Variation 3: Poco Meno Mosso
Variation 4: Allegretto Scherzando
Variation 5: Tempo I
Variation 6: Poco Andante E Molto Tranquillo
Variation 7: Piu Mosso
Variation 8: Un Poco Piu Mosso
No.1 Allegretto In F Sharp Minor
No.2 A Question - Allegretto In G Minor
No.3 Moderato In E Flat Major
No.1 Moderato In A Major
No.2 Allegro Con Fuoco In A Minor
No.3 Poco Allegro In E Major
No.4 Allegro Vivace In D Flat Major
No.5 Allegro In B Flat Major
No.6 Allegro In F Major
No.7 Allegro In D Minor
No.8 Allegro Vivace In E Flat Major

Tracks:

No.1 Allegro Con Fuoco In D Major
No.2 Allegro Con Fuoco In F Major
No.1 Allegro Non Tanto In F Major
No.2 Quasi Allegretto In D Major
No.3 Moderato In G Major
No.4 Allegretto In E Major
No.1 Allegro Molto In F Major
No.2 Allegretto In G Major
No.3 Moderato In A Major
No.4 Moderato In G Major
No.1 Impromptu: Presto In G Minor
No.2 Intermezzo: Larghetto In E Flat Major
No.3 Gigue: Allegretto Scherzando In B Flat Major
No.4 Eclogue: Poco Allegro In G Minor
No.5 Allegro Molto In G Minor
No.6 Tempo Di Marcia In E Flat Major

Tracks:

No.1 Dumka In C Minor: Allegretto Moderato
No.2 Furiant In G Minor: Vivace
No.1 In A Ring!: Vivace
No.2 Grandpa Dances With Grandma: Allegretto Grazioso
No.1 On The Road At Night: Allegro Moderato
No.2 Toying: Allegretto Leggiero
No.3 At The Old Castle: Lento
No.4 Spring Song: Poco Allegro
No.5 Peasant's Ballad: Allegro Giusto
No.6 Reverie: Andante
No.7 Furiant: Allegro Feroce
No.8 Goblins' Dance: Allegretto
No.9 Serenade: Moderato E Molto Cantabile
No.10 Bacchanal: Vivacissimo
No.11 Tittle-Tattle: Andante Con Moto
No.12 At A Hero's Grave: Tempo Di Marcia
No.13 At Svata Hora: Poco Lento

Tracks:

No.1 Vivace In E Flat Minor
No.2 Poco Andante In B Major
No.3 Poco Andante E Molto Cantabile In A Flat Major
No.4 Poco Andante In F Major
No.5 Vivace In A Minor
No.6 Poco Allegretto In B Major
No.7 Poco Lento E Grazioso In G Flat Major
No.8 Poco Andante - Vivace - Meno Mosso, Quasi Tempo I In B Flat Minor
No.1 Allegro Non Tanto In A Flat Major
No.2 Vivo E Risoluto In C Major
No.3 Allegro In B Flat Major
No.4 Lento, Ma Non Troppo In D Minor
No.5 Allegro Non Troppo In F Major
No.6 Allegro In B Minor
No.1 Allegro Feroce In C Sharp Minor
No.2 Andantino In D Flat Major
No.3 Allegretto In D Flat Major
No.4 Vivace In F Sharp Minor
No.5 Presto In F Sharp Minor
No.6 Poco Sostenuto In B Flat Major
No.7 Allegro In D Major
No.8 Allegretto In B Minor
No.9 Allegro In B Major
No.10 Allegretto Grazioso In G Major - E Minor
No.11 Allegro Moderato In A Major
No.12 Allegro Feroce In C Sharp Minor

Tracks:

Tempo Di Polka
Vivace In D Minor
Vivace In F Sharp Major
Allegro Scherzando In D Minor
1. Moderato
2. Molto Vivace
3. Allegretto
4. Andante
5. Allegro
1. Lullaby: Molto Moderato In G Major
2. Capriccio: Allegretto Scherzando In G Minor

Customer Reviews:

Pure Dvorak!.......2005-10-03

I love Dvorak's symphonies, concertos, and chamber music, so was excited to find there was a box set of his solo piano music available. However, the three star review at Amazon.com gave me pause, so I did what I often do...consulted the professional reviews at www.classicstoday.com. The reviewer there was very enthusiastic not only about the music, but the soloist and sound quality as well.

I am thrilled with this purchase. All the lyrical beauty, heart, soul, passion, pathos and joy of Dvorak's orchestral and chamber works is here, distilled into the solitary voice of the piano. The works vary widely in form (Scottish Dances, Impromptu, Silhouettes, Mazurkas, Album Leaves, Dumka, Furiants, Poetic Tone Pictures, Themes with Variations, Waltzes, and so on). The length of each work varies widely as well, from two minutes to five or ten or twenty, to occasionally almost an hour. In fact, it's partly the variety of the forms that I am finding so fascinating, even refreshing.

Each piece is played with exquisite care by Stefan Veselka. Indeed the sensitivity and power of his playing makes it clear that each note, each pause, first passed through his heart before reaching his fingers.

Simply put, this is beautiful music, beautifully played.

Charming but Unimportant Piano Music.......2004-06-23

Dvorák was not noted for his piano music, although he did play the piano himself. For most people the only piece of his they've ever heard is the once-ubiquitous 'Humoresque,' the seventh in a series of so-named pieces. This 5CD collection of all his published piano music played nicely by Stefan Veselka helps one to understand why the piano pieces are not better known outside the Czech world. They are mostly short character pieces that have little to distinguish them besides the frequent use of Czech rhythms (the catchy 'furiant,' for instance) and the tinge of Bohemian folk music. What is surprising is how often the music sounds both generic and un-pianistic. One shouldn't be THAT surprised at the latter since that's a hallmark of his better-known Piano Concerto. Still, it catches one off-guard at times. I found myself wondering why he did certain things the way he did, particularly since it didn't seem to make the music stronger. Janácek did the same sort of thing but always in the service of an arresting idea; not so here.

Don't get the idea that the music isn't pleasant and even lovely at times. It's just that it doesn't seem particularly unique or, dare I say, Dvorákian. When compared with what Brahms was doing at about the same time, or even that by Dvorák's Czech compatriot Fibich, or by Grieg, whose music this often resembles in intent, the music doesn't stand out. Nonetheless, it passes pleasantly if not terribly memorably.

I'm afraid this one is for Dvorák completists only, or people who want a large repository of background piano music of this sort. The playing is good, the recorded sound is also clear and rich. It appears that this is a reissue of a set that originally came out on Supraphon a few years ago. Pianist Stefan Veselka, by the way, is a Norwegian, native of Stavanger, but is the son of Czech parents. He wrote introductory notes for each of the five CDs' booklets and clearly knows and loves this music well.

TT=ca. 5 hours