Janis Joplin’s final studio album ‘Pearl’ is getting the special treatment this spring when Legacy Recordings issue the ‘Pearl Sessions’ on April 1. Legacy is known for taking classic records and re-issuing them with additional rare tracks that are often new to even the biggest of fans and the label will continue that momentum with ‘Pearl Sessions,’ which debut newly discovered outtakes, previously unheard studio banter and other rarities from the “Queen Of Rock.”

The original ‘Pearl’ recording was released on Jan. 11, 1971, only three months after Joplin’s passing in October 1970. Now known as a Joplin classic, this posthumous release peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and
remained there for nine weeks, capturing some of her best-loved performances, including ‘Mercedes Benz' and‘ Kris Kristofferson’s 'Me and Bobby McGee.'

Some of you may be wondering “how many times do I have to buy this disc?” -- and it’s a legitimate question, as this isn’t the first time ‘Pearl’ has been enhanced. Truth is, it was re-mastered as a special edition in 2005 that offered a handful of alternate tracks and an entire disc worth of live material. Still, the ‘Pearl Sessions’ is special due to the treasure trove of previously un-catalogued audio tapes produced by Paul Rothchild (The Doors) that researchers discovered while putting together this collection.

‘Pearl Session’ has compiled all of the original mono versions of the ‘Pearl’ singles, in addition to the original LP tracks and the newly discovered alternate versions, outtakes and vocal takes of the songs, many previously un-issued. These sessions also promise to take you inside the studio as you witness candid studio dialogue and Joplin joking around with Rothchild and her Full Tilt Boogie bandmates.

It’s hard to grasp the idea of recordings suddenly surfacing 40 years after being tucked away in a vault somewhere, but the fact remains: here they are (view the track listing below) and aren’t we fortunate? So, if it means buying ‘Pearl’ one more time for the chance to hear some newly unearthed Janis, well that’s good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.

DISC ONE: The Pearl Album
'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'

Bonus Tracks - the Mono Single Masters
'Me and Bobby McGee'
'Half Moon'
'Cry Baby'
'Get It While You Can'
'Move Over'
'A Woman Left Lonely'

DISC TWO: The Pearl Sessions and more
'Overheard in the Studio…'
'Get It While You Can' (take 3) previously unissued
'Overheard in the Studio…'
'Get It While You Can' (take 5) - previously unissued
'Overheard in the Studio...'
'Move Over' (take 6) - previously unissued
'Move Over' (take 13) - previously unissued
'Move Over' (take 17) - previously unissued
'Me and Bobby McGee' (demo version)
'Me and Bobby McGee' (take 5 - alternate) - previously unissued
'Cry Baby' (alternate version)
'A Woman Left Lonely' (alternate vocal)
'Overheard in the Studio...'
'My Baby' (alternate take) - previously unissued
'Overheard in the Studio...'
'Get It While You Can' (take 3) - previously unissued
'My Baby' (alternate take)
'Pearl' (instrumental) - Full Tilt Boogie Band

Bonus Tracks
'Tell Mama' (Live) - June 28, 1970 - Toronto

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