Big Brother & the Holding Company — Turtle Blues
Album: Cheap ThrillsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1060
Length: 4:21
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Ah, I'm a mean, mean woman
And I don't mean no one man, no good, no.
I'm a mean, mean woman,
I don't mean no one man, no good.
I just treats 'em like I wants to
I never treats 'em, honey like I should.
Oh, Lord, I once had a daddy,
He said he'd give me everything in sight.
Once had a daddy,
Said he'd give me everything in sight.
Yes, he did
So I said, honey, I want the sunshine,
You take the stars out of the night.
Come on and give 'em to me, babe, cause I want 'em right now.
I ain't the kind of woman
Who'd make your life a bed of ease, ha ha ha ha!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I'm not the kind of woman, no,
To make your life a bed of ease.
Yeah, but if you, if you just wanna go out drinkin, honey,
Won't you invite me along please.
Oh, I'll be so good to ya babe, yeah!
Whoa, go on!
I guess I'm just like a turtle
Thats hidin' underneath it's horny shell.
Whoa, whoa, oh yeah, like a turtle
Hidin' underneath it's horny shell.
But you know I'm very well protected
I know this goddamn life too well.
Oh! now call me mean, you can call me evil, yeah, yeah,
I've been called much of some things around,
Honey, don't ya know I have!
Whoa, call me mean or call me evil
I've been called much of some things, all things around,
Yeah, but I'm gonna take good care of Janis, yeah,
Honey, ain't no one gonna dog me down.
Alright, yeah.
And I don't mean no one man, no good, no.
I'm a mean, mean woman,
I don't mean no one man, no good.
I just treats 'em like I wants to
I never treats 'em, honey like I should.
Oh, Lord, I once had a daddy,
He said he'd give me everything in sight.
Once had a daddy,
Said he'd give me everything in sight.
Yes, he did
So I said, honey, I want the sunshine,
You take the stars out of the night.
Come on and give 'em to me, babe, cause I want 'em right now.
I ain't the kind of woman
Who'd make your life a bed of ease, ha ha ha ha!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
I'm not the kind of woman, no,
To make your life a bed of ease.
Yeah, but if you, if you just wanna go out drinkin, honey,
Won't you invite me along please.
Oh, I'll be so good to ya babe, yeah!
Whoa, go on!
I guess I'm just like a turtle
Thats hidin' underneath it's horny shell.
Whoa, whoa, oh yeah, like a turtle
Hidin' underneath it's horny shell.
But you know I'm very well protected
I know this goddamn life too well.
Oh! now call me mean, you can call me evil, yeah, yeah,
I've been called much of some things around,
Honey, don't ya know I have!
Whoa, call me mean or call me evil
I've been called much of some things, all things around,
Yeah, but I'm gonna take good care of Janis, yeah,
Honey, ain't no one gonna dog me down.
Alright, yeah.
Comments (82)add comment
Proclivities wrote:
I believe other than "Ball & Chain", this album was a studio recording. I'd always heard that they had added crowd sounds into the mix to sort of simulate a live feel.
The ambient background sound was from Barney's Beanery as it says on the cover.
I believe other than "Ball & Chain", this album was a studio recording. I'd always heard that they had added crowd sounds into the mix to sort of simulate a live feel.
The ambient background sound was from Barney's Beanery as it says on the cover.
i have this on open reel, the only commercial open reel tape i have. unfortunately, no workable player.
classic.
Never saw Janis, but caught the Peter Albin band in Sebastopol a number of years ago. Pete's daughter did a respectable job of filling in, with Spencer Dryden helping out. They opened for Tracy Nelson, who I'm surprised to say, I've never heard on RP...Bill?
kurtster wrote:
I'm pretty sure that this was recorded live in a SF bar like the Matrix back in the day. You can hear people talking in the background throughout the song.
I believe other than "Ball & Chain", this album was a studio recording. I'd always heard that they had added crowd sounds into the mix to sort of simulate a live feel.
I'm pretty sure that this was recorded live in a SF bar like the Matrix back in the day. You can hear people talking in the background throughout the song.
I believe other than "Ball & Chain", this album was a studio recording. I'd always heard that they had added crowd sounds into the mix to sort of simulate a live feel.
Bleyfusz wrote:
I'm pretty sure that this was recorded live in a SF bar like the Matrix back in the day. You can hear people talking in the background throughout the song.
4merdj wrote:
Each time I hear it I wonder was it shattered for effects or did it really just happen?
LOL, I just heard the bottle being shattered into pieces ... ol' western cabaret ambiance 
Each time I hear it I wonder was it shattered for effects or did it really just happen?
I'm pretty sure that this was recorded live in a SF bar like the Matrix back in the day. You can hear people talking in the background throughout the song.
can't go wrong with a bit of janis!
I don't understand those really low votes. Like 1 or 2. OK, Janis is non-standard, her voice was specific, but c'mon, rate it as 1?
Great blues singer Janis was
Raucous, raunchy, old school blues. Love it :o)
"Ain't no one gonna dog me down." Word.
EarthMama wrote:
Beautiful voice.
WOO-HOO !!!
Beautiful voice.
Hot mama.
Period.
WOO-HOO !!!
4merdj wrote:
Each time I hear it I wonder was it shattered for effects or did it really just happen?
LOL, I just heard the bottle being shattered into pieces ... ol' western cabaret ambiance
Each time I hear it I wonder was it shattered for effects or did it really just happen?
Andybob wrote:
All you aging flower children out there won't like me for saying this but I always had a hard time understanding what all the hype was about when it came to Janis Joplin. Her voice just seemed to grate on me. This track though made me appreciate her a little bit. It has a nice bluesy edge to it. An artist deserving a second chance. Thanks for playing this.
I didn't care for Janis at all back in the day, and it didn't help that I also didn't much care for the blues, either. She did have a few good rockin' tunes that I liked. Then there was that horrid song about the Mercedes Benz that people didn't seem to get enough of judging by the amount of radio air time. Since then I have come to appreciate Janis and the blues a lot more.
So fine, one of my favs.
Andybob wrote:
Wow. Just wow. (no offense, aging hippie here).
One of the greatest female blues singers of all time. You might get a greater feel for her by checking out live youtubes. Some artists are constrained in the studio - I've always felt she was one of those. Monterey Pop would be a good one - any big show. Have fun!
All you aging flower children out there won't like me for saying this but I always had a hard time understanding what all the hype was about when it came to Janis Joplin. Her voice just seemed to grate on me. This track though made me appreciate her a little bit. It has a nice bluesy edge to it. An artist deserving a second chance. Thanks for playing this.
Wow. Just wow. (no offense, aging hippie here).
One of the greatest female blues singers of all time. You might get a greater feel for her by checking out live youtubes. Some artists are constrained in the studio - I've always felt she was one of those. Monterey Pop would be a good one - any big show. Have fun!
All you aging flower children out there won't like me for saying this but I always had a hard time understanding what all the hype was about when it came to Janis Joplin. Her voice just seemed to grate on me. This track though made me appreciate her a little bit. It has a nice bluesy edge to it. An artist deserving a second chance. Thanks for playing this.
excellent choice Bill
and can you send the waitress over to my table
and can you send the waitress over to my table
jimmpypowder wrote:
Please .Janis has more passion then 99 % of the female vocalists out there.
Plus it's great sitting around the shack music.
You wonder how long her voice would have held up if she hadn't died at 27. Her screaming and yelling has the same kind of ripping/tearing sound that Elmore James and Wilson Pickett had when they were cutting loose.
As a teenager, I used to play "Combination of the Two" (first song on the album) at TOP volume. The neighbors in suburbia were not happy.
Yeah, On_the_Beach, R. Crumb! Quintessential hippiedom. He's done a great, great illustrated version of the the Book of Genesis from the Bible since then...
Please .Janis has more passion then 99 % of the female vocalists out there.
Plus it's great sitting around the shack music.
You wonder how long her voice would have held up if she hadn't died at 27. Her screaming and yelling has the same kind of ripping/tearing sound that Elmore James and Wilson Pickett had when they were cutting loose.
As a teenager, I used to play "Combination of the Two" (first song on the album) at TOP volume. The neighbors in suburbia were not happy.
Yeah, On_the_Beach, R. Crumb! Quintessential hippiedom. He's done a great, great illustrated version of the the Book of Genesis from the Bible since then...
R. Crumb!
LOL, I just heard the bottle being shattered into pieces ... ol' western cabaret ambiance
I could never quite grasp her vocal ability, but she was backed up by some good 'brothers' in her band.
FrankDebbieCote wrote:
Cheers to that FrankDebbieCote! wicked expression of joy
One of the finest things I've ever heard.
Ive listened to it a million times.
Still love it like the first time.
Ive listened to it a million times.
Still love it like the first time.
Cheers to that FrankDebbieCote! wicked expression of joy
Janis 'Unique' Joplin. What a voice, what a heart, what a loss.
"all you gotta do is be a good man,
at one time,
to one woman,
an' that'll be the end o' the road honey"
Damn how i wish she'd been right!
"all you gotta do is be a good man,
at one time,
to one woman,
an' that'll be the end o' the road honey"
Damn how i wish she'd been right!
I rank this with her 'Ego Rock' as being among the finest jobs anyone has ever done singing the Rockin' Blues. It's such a kick to hear!
One of the finest things I've ever heard.
Ive listened to it a million times.
Still love it like the first time.
Ive listened to it a million times.
Still love it like the first time.
Members of the classic 1966-1968 Big Brother and the Holding Company
johnjconn wrote:
Beautiful voice
Ugly face
Ugly face
Beautiful voice.
Hot mama.
Period.
rtrudeau wrote:
Thanks, Bill, for adding this little-known gem. It's nice to hear some of the less-frequently played tracks from this great album.
Agreed.
Thanks, Bill, for adding this little-known gem. It's nice to hear some of the less-frequently played tracks from this great album.
Agreed.
Horrible screeching?
Hmmm. Band name!
Janis was one of a kind.
Hmmm. Band name!
Janis was one of a kind.
Cynaera wrote:
I have to agree 100% with this comment.
This is Janis at her vocal best - before she fried her pipes with Southern Comfort and drugs. She hits the notes without screaming (unless she chooses to scream intentionally for effect) and she has an intimate groove with her band. One of the few songs I've heard by her that I can tolerate.
I have to agree 100% with this comment.
rgabriel wrote:
I agree with you. Voting 1.
Please .Janis has more passion then 99 % of the female vocalists out there.
Plus it's great sitting around the shack music.
I agree with you. Voting 1.
Please .Janis has more passion then 99 % of the female vocalists out there.
Plus it's great sitting around the shack music.
KevinM wrote:
I agree with you. Voting 1.
Stop this horrible screeching please! My ears are bleeding. Wish I could rate it zero.
I agree with you. Voting 1.
Biscobret wrote:
This is sarcasm, right? I mean seriously...
It's not, it's garbage. Should be destroyed
This is sarcasm, right? I mean seriously...
It's not, it's garbage. Should be destroyed
KevinM wrote:
This is sarcasm, right? I mean seriously...
Stop this horrible screeching please! My ears are bleeding. Wish I could rate it zero.
This is sarcasm, right? I mean seriously...
Stop this horrible screeching please! My ears are bleeding. Wish I could rate it zero.
Stingray wrote:
Woo hoo! One of the few Stingray comments agree with completely! Way to go, Stingray!
This statement could be right from my shelve!
When reading it from another person, I realize how ugly and hurtful it is to say such things!
And no, Janis was not ugly at all!
Woo hoo! One of the few Stingray comments agree with completely! Way to go, Stingray!
Somewhat out of the blue, I've had three separate people rave about this play to me:
https://www.arenastage.org/shows-tickets/the-season/productions/one-night-with-janis-joplin/
https://www.arenastage.org/shows-tickets/the-season/productions/one-night-with-janis-joplin/
Voice of an Angel in my book, Godlike level Rocker!
a great album. always good to hear deep cuts from it
johnjconn wrote:
Ugly comment.
Beautiful voice
Ugly face
Ugly face
Ugly comment.
what a great song for a rainy day!!!
johnjconn wrote:
Beautiful voice
Ugly face
Ugly face
This statement could be right from my shelve!
When reading it from another person, I realize how ugly and hurtful it is to say such things!
And no, Janis was not ugly at all!
love it, sorry it ends, an outstanding 9
johnjconn wrote:
Beautiful voice
Ugly face
WTF dood, and that has what to do with the price of tea? I am always surprised by the base instincts of a sexist.
Janis is a real woman with the heart of a little girl. She sang her guts out, just to please her audience and held a whole lot of grief inside. She was a marvel and a freakin' amazing artist.
This song is amazing.
Ugly face
WTF dood, and that has what to do with the price of tea? I am always surprised by the base instincts of a sexist.
Janis is a real woman with the heart of a little girl. She sang her guts out, just to please her audience and held a whole lot of grief inside. She was a marvel and a freakin' amazing artist.
This song is amazing.
Brings a smile every time.......
Roger
Do not read beauty magazines
They will only make you feel ugly
—Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen)
Roger
Do not read beauty magazines
They will only make you feel ugly
—Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen)
johnjconn wrote:
No so at all. I knew her and she was beautiful inside and out and carried a burden of sorrow which weighed down her every step.
Beautiful voice
Ugly face
Ugly face
No so at all. I knew her and she was beautiful inside and out and carried a burden of sorrow which weighed down her every step.
Um....Janis was hot. Especially when she was onstage singing. Haven't heard this one for awhile and I have the album...
fredriley wrote:
That applies to most male singers I can think of, but I doubt that folk here would comment on Mick Jagger, say, being a complete faceache. The casual sexism of contributors on this board is depressing at times.
This is pure, distilled honky-tonk blues. Feckin' love it. 8 from the back to basics Nottingham jury.
Thank you, fredriley, for this reply. I love Joplin.
That applies to most male singers I can think of, but I doubt that folk here would comment on Mick Jagger, say, being a complete faceache. The casual sexism of contributors on this board is depressing at times.
This is pure, distilled honky-tonk blues. Feckin' love it. 8 from the back to basics Nottingham jury.
Thank you, fredriley, for this reply. I love Joplin.
fredriley wrote:
That applies to most male singers I can think of, but I doubt that folk here would comment on Mick Jagger, say, being a complete faceache. The casual sexism of contributors on this board is depressing at times.
This is pure, distilled honky-tonk blues. Feckin' love it. 8 from the back to basics Nottingham jury.
Good one
That applies to most male singers I can think of, but I doubt that folk here would comment on Mick Jagger, say, being a complete faceache. The casual sexism of contributors on this board is depressing at times.
This is pure, distilled honky-tonk blues. Feckin' love it. 8 from the back to basics Nottingham jury.
Good one
johnjconn wrote:
That applies to most male singers I can think of, but I doubt that folk here would comment on Mick Jagger, say, being a complete faceache. The casual sexism of contributors on this board is depressing at times.
This is pure, distilled honky-tonk blues. Feckin' love it. 8 from the back to basics Nottingham jury.
Beautiful voice
Ugly face
Ugly face
That applies to most male singers I can think of, but I doubt that folk here would comment on Mick Jagger, say, being a complete faceache. The casual sexism of contributors on this board is depressing at times.
This is pure, distilled honky-tonk blues. Feckin' love it. 8 from the back to basics Nottingham jury.
I love it (when it's over).
yah man leidenschaftliche gute stimme, aber die seele so jrank.
trotzdem janis hat mich mit ihrer guten musik immer begleitet.
seit Berlin
trotzdem janis hat mich mit ihrer guten musik immer begleitet.
seit Berlin
Yes indeed. Cheap Thrills on a rainy Carolina night. Thanks RP.
Love the breaking glass! 
loves me some screechy white girl blues, yes I do.
A great album for a road trip ... crank it up and sing along with Janis. Love it.
GOD yes.
never heard this one before... totally gorgeous woman JJ
ddehoyos wrote:
When Ms. Joplin was in college at The University of Texas, she was voted 'Ugliest Man on Campus'. Needless to say she didn't have a lot of nice things to say about Texas.
I used to own Kenneth Threadgill's house: Mr. Threadgill owned a restaurant/bar where Janis often played, and apparently she spent quite a lot of time at the Threadgill home (along with all manner of musicians and ne'er do wells).
a former co worker went to school with Janis in Port Arthur Texas. She always knew she was different. Oh, and you should listen to this one with good headphones. Lots of cool chatter and ambient noise in the background.
When Ms. Joplin was in college at The University of Texas, she was voted 'Ugliest Man on Campus'. Needless to say she didn't have a lot of nice things to say about Texas.
I used to own Kenneth Threadgill's house: Mr. Threadgill owned a restaurant/bar where Janis often played, and apparently she spent quite a lot of time at the Threadgill home (along with all manner of musicians and ne'er do wells).
I got to see her at the Pasadena Civic for $1.25 with other bands, she kinda stays with you.
a former co worker went to school with Janis in Port Arthur Texas. She always knew she was different. Oh, and you should listen to this one with good headphones. Lots of cool chatter and ambient noise in the background.
....and a Thank You to R. Crumb for one of the best album covers ever.
OMG
Perhaps my favorite "Janis" album. Classic! 9/10
Ow.
Cynaera wrote:
Precisely. This is one of a relative handful of her songs in which her genuine singing ability comes through. There are some live performances that demonstrate how good she could be, but most of what is played ad infinitum is not the good stuff. Or so I think.
This is Janis at her vocal best - before she fried her pipes with Southern Comfort and drugs. She hits the notes without screaming (unless she chooses to scream intentionally for effect) and she has an intimate groove with her band. One of the few songs I've heard by her that I can tolerate.
Precisely. This is one of a relative handful of her songs in which her genuine singing ability comes through. There are some live performances that demonstrate how good she could be, but most of what is played ad infinitum is not the good stuff. Or so I think.
Spent the summer of '68 in San Francisco..... big year for Janis & BB &THC. Put me in the "Love Her" set
This is Janis at her vocal best - before she fried her pipes with Southern Comfort and drugs. She hits the notes without screaming (unless she chooses to scream intentionally for effect) and she has an intimate groove with her band. One of the few songs I've heard by her that I can tolerate.
Yeah!!!
Summertime Summertime Summertime! Please.
This is one of the all time historic rock albums. Absolutely classic.
This is one of the all time historic rock albums. Absolutely classic.
paraclete wrote:
My sentiments exactly.
Thanks, Bill, for adding this little-known gem. It's nice to hear some of the less-frequently played tracks from this great album.
Interesting distribution of ratings. I guess you love her or hate her. for me, a solid 8, as I love the blues, and this brings a poignant reminder of days gone by.
My sentiments exactly.
Thanks, Bill, for adding this little-known gem. It's nice to hear some of the less-frequently played tracks from this great album.
Love it! 
Interesting distribution of ratings. I guess you love her or hate her. for me, a solid 8, as I love the blues, and this brings a poignant reminder of days gone by.
Besides the great music- the great artwork of R Crumb......great stuff all around!
She had a great set of chords on her! Only 1 Janis!
Lady sings the blues. Fabulous.
OH, geez... Hot summer day, a vodka and tonic, and Janis singing this song - suddenly, life is very sweet. Someone tell me how to preserve this moment so I can sink into it again and again when life becomes too unbearable to fathom... 
Ladies and gentlemen, the great Janis Joplin in one of her, um, er, not-quite-so-great moments.
Love me some Janis! (hey, first, whooot!)
And such great cover art.
And such great cover art.
Never saw Janis, but caught the Peter Albin band in Sebastopol a number of years ago. Pete's daughter did a respectable job of filling in, with Spencer Dryden helping out. They opened for Tracy Nelson, who I'm surprised to say, I've never heard on RP...Bill?
Tracy Nelson is the very best unfamous vocalist ever! Her rendition of "Seven Bridges Road" is just sublime. Play her some, Bill.