I'm with those who say she was wonderful with Big Brother and so-so in her solo career.
It seemed to me she was trying too hard on her post-Big Brother recordings, and seemed much more organic and real when paired with BB's garage-band ethos.
It should be pointed out that her voice was perhaps at its best during the much-maligned Mainstream album...powerful but clear as a bell. In a way, it's a shame that the blowzy broad image took over as time went on, as she was actually an intelligent and rather shy woman.
It's very hard to say what would have become of her career had she not died so young. But it's a shame she ever left the womb that was Big Brother and the Holding Company. That will always be Janis to me.
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