Released in August of 1968, 'Cheap Thrills' was Big Brother & The Holding Company's second album. The band's self-titled debut album was released after its breakthrough performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, the first large-scale public performance of Janis Joplin. 'Big Brother & The Holding Company' did not capture the groups's dynamic stage presence or sell well but the band would fix all that with 'Cheap Thrills.' The album reached number one and kept the top spot for eight weeks. The single, "Piece of My Heart," also became a huge hit. Success was short-lived as Joplin left the group for a solo career in December 1968.
Originally titled 'Sex, Dope and Cheap Thrills' the album wasn't quite the live album it claimed to be since studio recordings and overdubs make up a bulk of the tracks. Even though they may not have been virtuosos, the members of Big Brother & the Holding Company gave 'Cheap Thrills' a certain ragged glory.
Track Listing
SIDE ONE
"Combination of the Two"
"I Need a Man to Love"
"Summertime"
"Piece of My Heart:
SIDE TWO
"Turtle Blues"
"Oh, Sweet Mary"
"Ball and Chain"

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