The other night I had a wonderful time playing an open mic at an establishment called the Green Martini.  There is a really nice group of musicians there, and some excellent quality musicianship.  After playing I was sitting at the bar talking with the guy who ran the open mic and a woman who was buying us all shots.  

   We got talking and the young lass confessed that her parents were hippies, and she loves old rock and roll.  Among her favorites Janis Joplin.   I love talking with kids about music.  Growing up in the 60's people like me, did what people growing up in the 21st century do, they go listen to music.  It is amusing to hear Wow you saw (in this case) Janis Joplin in person?  Well yeah, the current batch of diva's wasn't born yet, I had to go hear someone.  

     I saw Janis Joplin at Shea Stadium a benefit concert for Eugene McCarthy in 1967.    McCarthy was the first candidtate to really come out against the war in Viet Nam.  He ran strong primary campaign until Robert Kennedy entered the race and took many of McCarthy's supporters.  Kennedy was shot after winning the CA primary and VP Hubert Humphry went on to beat McCarthy and win the nomination only to lose to Tricky Dick in 68.  The rest as they say is history.  


   So anyway, this posting is my way of saying thanks for the shots, and as good an excuse as any for posting a Janis Joplin recording you've probably never heard.  This is a recording of Janis Joplin before she became famous.  The year is 1963 and she sings with the Dick Oxtot Jazz Band from Port Arthur Texas.  I've also included at the end, some recordings of Janis as we knew her.  I don't know the date or source of these later recordings, I think you'll enjoy.
                                              


                                            

Janis Joplin W/ Dick Oxtot Jazz Band 1963

1. River Jordan                                12.  Silver Threads and Golden Needles

2. Mary Jane                                    13. Mississippi River

3. Kansas City                                 14. Stealin’

4. Daddy Daddy                               15 No Reason For Living
5. CC Rider                                      16 Black Mountain Blues
6. San Francisco Bay Blues              17.  Right In

7 Whinin Boy                                   18. Down On Me * 

8. Careless Love                             19 Summertime *
9 Drown in My Own Tears               20 Fillmore*
10. Trouble In Mind                          21. Ball and Chain*
11.What Good Can Drinking Do       22. Women Is Losers*
                                                        23. Trying*

   

* Tracks 18 –23 Taken from other performances