Floating World (label)
16 October 2016 (released)
16 October 2016
Big Brother and the Holding Company existed as a San Francisco band before Janis Joplin joined them – in fact, along with Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service and The Charlatans, they were one of the most respected bands in the early hippy scene.
They also survived the loss of Joplin when she went solo but had to change and move on which took them a couple of years. These two albums are the result of the post-Janis changes.
They are also two very good albums, brilliant examples of the SF scene and the melange of music that was happening around the 1967 – 1971 period.
There are driving rhythms and soaring harmonies as well as some sterling guitar work and songs that show the variety of styles that the band were capable of. Latin touches and country elements abound as well as definite influences from the Grateful Dead – Peter Albin had played with Garcia and Pigpen before Big Brother were formed – but there are many other layers to the music as well, especially in the addition of mandolin and violin on some tracks.
However, they are predominantly a guitar band and the playing is generally excellent.
The first of the two albums was ‘Be A Brother’ which feature Nick Gravenites and was produced by him as well. There is a strong and strident sound with Kathi McDonald supplying backing vocals and through numbers like ‘Keep On’ and ‘Home On The Strange’ you can sense a band determined to continue and whose ethos was almost communally positive. The wonderful ‘Funkie Jim’ has a stunning Creedence Clearwater Revival groove to it and features the Tower of Power horn section to give it some real oomph. ‘I’ll Change Your Flat Tyre Merle’ refers to Merle Haggard whose ‘Okie From Muskogee’ denigrated hippies and their druggy lifestyle – Big Brother basically turning the other cheek.
‘How Hard It Is’ has a different feel to it with a greater sense of funk and soul notes creeping in. Gravenites had moved on and the result is not worse but different. There are two or three standout numbers, not least of which is the title track which combines power and vaulting vocals. ‘You’ve Been Talking About Me Baby’ has a terrific groove while ‘Nu Boogaloo Jam’ shows off the West Coast guitar sound at its best.
Two very good albums, loaded with little delights and showing that bands can survive the loss of a crucial member.
