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Posted by Jim Rothenberger:
I saw Big Brother and the Holding company last night at ST94 in Sellersville, PA., a converted horse stable, movie house that they've made a great venue for live music. I found this site before the concert and was pretty excited by what I had read. I wasn't disappointed.
Three of the original members of the band, Sam Andrew, Dave Getz and Peter Albin were joined by a guitarist whose name I missed and Andra Mitrovich. She did the singing part of Janis in earlier versions of the stage production of Love, Janis. She wone the 1997 B. Iden Payne Award for Best Actress.
To say she was Janis or even close to Janis would be a stretch. I heard Janis live in the late 60's with Big Brother. They were about 2 hours late arriving and Janis had difficulty walking on stage. The official reason for the delay was a delayed flight, but it might have just been hard for Janis to land, I'm not quite sure. I don't think anyone could sing Janis without living Janis and we all know that living Janis had serious repercussions.
That being said, there were at least 3 songs that I felt were better song by Andra than Janis herself. Her version of Ball and Chain and the band's performance on that number were earth shattering.
All and all and considering that about 35 years passed between my first Big Bro concert and this one, I'd say they haven't missed a beat.
Again, I'd like to mention the unknown guitarist. His youth and enthusiasm as well as his stage play with Andra made you love this reincarnation of the band. His guitar licks made you fall in love with him. My complements to the band for bringing this talent to a small town in PA. I hope they return because ticket sales were slow and seats were unsold. I have no doubt that this wouldn't be a problem on a return visit. I know I'd be there.
Posted by Ant:
Seen them twice they are great
Posted by Donald Krug:
WoW! Big Bro Rocks!!!
Posted by Jake Tarlson:
I saw Big Brother at the Keswick Theatre in GlenSide June of 2001. It was an awsome night with The Iron Butterfly, the Jefferson Starship,and Big Brother, I have to tell you Big Brother was the highlight of the night. The band took the stage like the old pro's that they are. The singer was not a Janis clone but sang wuth all the fire and magnifigance of Janis Joplin. I'm only sorry I don't remember her name. All the players are original except the other guitar player and I remember his name because I downloaded some of his tunes from his own CD, it is Big Bill from Big Bill and the cool tones. He tried to play like James Gurley and it worked for the most part, however the surprise was it sounded like Gurley only as if you had taken Gurley and taught him how to play some serious blues licks, the guy was incredible and made the band sound better than I have ever heard them sound. Sam Andrew looked like he was having fun up there and burned a great solo at one point in the show. Dave Getz played as solid as a rock and Peter Albin made the music swell with a bottom that fit tighter than a bew pair of shoes. I am once again a huge Big Brother Ffan and will try to spread the word that the Greatful Dead ain't dead. The Sanfrancisco sound lives on in Big Brother and the new guitarist adds the deapth and dimention to what they are doing. Right on Big Brother! Love, Jake
Dr Bob
This last Sunday I skeptically went to the Ashkenaz in Berkeley, CA to hear Big Brother and the Holding Company. Since Janis has been long departed I thought they would be average to good. To my pleasant surprise they had a new female lead vocalist who was absolutely awesome. She is as close to a Janis clone as one could imagine, plus she did some excellent blues songs. The band was excellent as well. Three of the original members were joined by a new lead guitar player who was as musically talented as the 'Brothers'. I left feeling like I had been in a time warp. Haven't felt that good after leaving a concert in many many years. Come on guys-- make a new CD with the people that played the Ashkenaz!!
Dave Murphy
After being a big fan since the '60's I finally got to see the band live at a club in Toronto called "The Comfort Zone". The show was wonderful. The band was having fun and the audience was totally into the music. Big Brother came through with a tasteful blend of old and new material.
All in all it was a great night and the musical highlight of my summer.
