I was driving somewhere in New Mexico one beautiful sunny morning. I marveled at the sunshine bouncing off the huge rocks, turning them various shades of purple and pink. I had never seen anything like that before. As I enjoyed my drive, I turned on the car radio. The dj interrupted the song that was playing to announce that Janis Joplin was found dead in her hotel room this morning. I was in shock. I pulled the old ford I was driving off the road, leaned up against one of those beautiful rocks...and cried. Janis was the greatest white blues singer of my generation. I miss her.

Pearl is the fourth album by Janis Joplin, released posthumously on Columbia Records in January 1971. It was the final album with her direct participation, and the only Joplin album recorded with the Full Tilt Boogie Band, her final touring unit. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 holding that spot for nine weeks. It has been certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA.

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