Label: Floating World / Retroworld

Released 2016

Digitally remastered two-fer containing a pair of albums by the legendary rockers. Big Brother is remembered as the band that gave Janis Joplin her start. They were originally formed in San Francisco in 1965, and Janis joined in 1966. By the end of 1968 Janis had moved on, And Big Brother never really fully recovered. In 1970 they recorded Be A Brother produced by Nick Gravenites and followed it in 1971 with the aptly titled How Hard It Is a much superior album. The instrumental 'Maui' and the song 'Shine On' are as good as anything Moby Grape and Quicksilver Messenger Service could conjure up. This is a striking record by an important band, but sadly after Janis they were completely overlooked.

Track listing:

Be A Brother (1970)

1. Keep On
   
2. Joseph's Coat
   
3. Home On The Strange
   
4. Someday
   
5. Heartache People
   
6. Sunshine Baby
   
7. Mr. Natural
   
8. Funkie Jim
   
9. I'll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle
   
10. Be A Brother

How Hard It Is (1971)

1. How Hard It Is
   
2. You've Been Talkin' 'Bout Me, Baby
   
3. Shine On
   
4. Black Widow Spider
   
5. Last Band On Side One
   
6. Nu Boogaloo Jam
   
7. Maui
   
8. House On Fire
   
9. Buried Alive In The Blues
   
10. Promise Her Anything But Give Her Arpeggio