Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)

Subject: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 03:47 AM

Seems like Janis is making a comeback in a big way. I recieved a phone call about this, this morning, that a new reality tv search is going to happen and they're looking for the new Janis to audition and tour with her old bands.
The press release
I spent some time at this site today in the message board and listened to quite a few women who are going for it. Some very good voices in there. Kristin Blondin does a tribute show, she was a close. Another women who sounded close was Deb Seitz.

This led me to check out the Joplin project- This is going on between two movie production folks and it seems the race is on to see who gets their flick out first.
'Piece of my Heart' would star Renna Zelwieger (spelling?). It sounds like Melissa Etheridge was up for this part but she backed out because of the long delay in making the flick.
The second production, and I can't remember the name, they are talking of using Pink. Pink would do most of the vocals.
I can't see where either of these women could do Janis, but even the contest is going to be interesting. Janis is a tough one to try to imitate if that's what they are looking for.

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: sixtieschick
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 08:58 AM

That's one of the silliest, most crass ideas I ever heard: the "next" Janis? The idea that somebody could somehow do a re-make of a human being--and a person who existed in a time and a context--is ludicrous and insulting. May as well do a search for the next Billie Holliday, the next Phil Ochs, and, what the hell, if it could make a buck for somebody, the next James Joyce or William Shakespeare.

There--your thread got refreshed. A good poem deserves a break in life.

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Amos
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 10:14 AM

There was an off-Broadway musical based on Janis' life here recently (a year ago); the main role was so demanding it required two alternating actress/singers. I do not remember her name but the day I went the singer blew my socks off just like the original Janis did. It was called, for some arcane reason, "Janis!!". It was a wonderful recap of her stormy shortened life and her amazing sound.

A

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 11:58 AM

You the woman Sixtieschick!

I agree with you. I know that Big Brother and Holding company, when they played up here a couple years ago, had a woman with them that was close to Janis's sound. I don't know what happened to her.
I would hope that this contest isen't looking for a mimic, but rather a woman with the like essence and heart instead of a pop diva. In that perspective, I think that it will give some good blues women a chance to be heard and recognized for their tatents also. I can't say there's anything wrong with that.

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Amos
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 01:30 PM

Nope!! That is a Good Thing!!

A

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: khandu
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 02:41 PM

"It sounds like Melissa Etheridge was up for this part but she backed out because of the long delay in making the flick."

I had heard of a proposed movie about Janis starring Melissa Etheridge at least 6 years ago, perhaps even seven. Talk about a long delay!

Janis was one of a kind. Fantastic voice used in fantastic ways. I have heard none that move me like Janis.

Her least popular album, "I Got Dem Ole Kosmic Blues Again, Mama" was my favorite. Ther was something about all that brass playing behind that voice that got to me.

ken

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: sixtieschick
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 03:04 PM

I agree that it's a fine thang to give new singers an opoportunity. However, there is a vast difference between casting the role of Janis in a play or movie and a TV Star Search reality show based on finding the "next" Janis Joplin. People might feel that Jamie Foxx did a good job of playing Ray, but nobody would call him "the next Ray Charles"--even if he had sung the material.

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Justa Picker
Date: 22 Mar 05 - 03:25 PM

I know Krista Blondin.
She does a fantastic (Canadian) Joplin tribute show.
Close your eyes and you'd think were listening to the real thing.

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 12:42 PM

That's what they are saying about Krista. Here is her page...Click
I watched her do ball and chain and she is good, you wouldn't have to even turn your back!
Is this disconcerting that Janis will become another fad like all the Elvis impersonators? To answer my own question, it happens all the time, even in the movies!
But is it disconcerting? Absolutely, to me there is only one woman like her, but the impersonators keep people happy with the songs and spirit so to each their own. I don't like it when I hear remakes of songs either so that's my world to deal with!

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 01:41 PM

I have no doubt whatever they do will result in a renewed interest in Joplin. Quick story.............

We had 17 teen-age foster kids over the years about half and half, male and female. They all would go through and listen to our tapes and CDs and EVERY ONE OF THEM eventually found and glommed onto "Pearl." I mean all of them! No matter what the personality or intelligence or even their liking for a particular style of music, they all acted as if they had just unearthed the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Don Firth
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 02:18 PM

Hmm. Interesting.

A few years back, one of Seattle's many theaters (Seattle is a great town for actors. Lots of live theater, both large and small) was in the process of assembling a play about Janis Joplin. Sounds like it might possibly be related to the play that Amos mentioned. The trick, of course, was to find an actor-singer who could play Janis. They did. A locally-based singer named Duffy Bishop, who looks a bit like Janis, and although she has her own style, she can do such a spot-on imitation of Janis that it's downright spooky!

The musical play, as I understand it, was aborted by Janis's "estate." There was a lot of flak flying around about the play, and the story never did get told clearly, but what I heard was that Janis's family (who was so-o-o-o supportive of her singing career when she was alive that they considered her an embarrassment to both the family and the conservative little community of Port Arthur, Texas—then they found out that, even dead, she's a "hot property") didn't have absolute control over the production, nor were they getting as big a cut of the proceeds as they wanted. They filed a law suit and had the Seattle production closed.

Duffy's doing fine, though. She has one helluva singing career going.

Web site. Click on the CD graphic for sound-clips.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 02:29 PM

My favorite local "channeler" of Janis here in New Orleans is Irene Sage. She does a good job covering Etta James, too.

The sound clips on her website are all originals, and I'm not sure which (if any) best showcase her Janis-like qualities.

I don't know if she'd pass an audition to play "Pearl" in a play or movie, though ~ too blond and too glamorous!

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 12:45 AM

I enjoyed both of those last two women.
Duffy Bishop reminded me of Marsha Ball, the Uppity BW and Donna Mae (my aunt). I really enjoyed her music. I listened to Blue Monday.
Nice sites on both of those women because you can listen without a long download.

Irene Sage has a nice sound. I listened to Imagine That, and it's a laid back version of her voice, and then Blue Temple. I liked Blue Temple. It's a jazzy with a whistler.

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: The Shambles
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 01:41 AM

There is a young English singer called Joss Stone who could certainly do the singing. We tend to forget now just how young Janis was.

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Don Firth
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 11:47 AM

If you have a taste for the slightly raunchy, give a listen to Duffy's Keep on Churnin'. Just about blew me off my chair.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: Rustic Rebel
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 02:36 PM

Don, I like that woman, Duffy.
Keep on churnin', till that butter comes...She reminds me again after listening of Maria Muldaur and my friend from MN, Rena Haus.
I tryed to find a little of Rena for a listen, it's about a 500k download-click part time love
Rena plays all over in MN. She's got a nice sound and another great blues woman.

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: GUEST,Christinelong265
Date: 07 Sep 05 - 11:30 PM

Don't think there would ever be a replacement for janis joplin I've practiced her myself for at least ten years they tell me that I am close but well like we all think there will never be another janis

Subject: RE: Search for the Pearl (Janis Joplin)
From: GUEST,equalrice
Date: 08 Sep 05 - 02:08 AM

There have been many attempted Janis bios over the years. One directed by Nancy Savoca starring Lili Taylor never got out of development hell. In the meantime, check out the real deal in the music documentary Festival Express. The real Janis steals every scene she's in.