Teaming with Doors producer Paul Rothchild, Janis Joplin created a poignant, masterful blend of rock ’n’ roll, soul, blues, and gospel. The sonic thrills hit visceral heights here—from the lilting gospel-blues of “My Baby” and the anti-materialist “Mercedes Benz” to the mournful “A Woman Left Lonely” and Kris Kristofferson’s all-time classic “Me and Bobby McGee.” Joplin, who died before Pearl’s 1971 release, infuses each song, each verse, with the profundity and power of her heroes Bessie Smith and Etta James.