Janis Joplin – Rare Pearls EP

allmusic guide

This is the bonus EP of the "Box of Pearls" box set, containing previously unreleased songs.

There are a couple of Cheap Thrills outtakes, "It’s a Deal" and "Crazy Once You Know How", with a garagey feel and some typically scorching, uninhibited Big Brother lead guitar; it can be seen why they may not have been deemed strong enough for the album, but they’re pretty cool to have. The live versions of "Maybe" (April 1969) and "Raise Your Hand" (October 1969) are good, but not essential; of greater curiosity is the raw live charge through "Bo Diddley" (also October 1969).