Raucous country music and blues, both traditional and original, with a gritty roadhouse sound and feel, recorded in 1962 at Threadgill’s, the famous Austin beer joint and music venue. You’ll hear beer bottles hit the floor, doors slam, chatter by the band, including some choice expletives by Janis as she laughs and banters with Lanny and Powell throughout the recording. However, the music is not overwhelmed by the background, and the raw talent heard in Janis’s clear, so-much-older-than-her-years vocals is unmistakable and undeniable, leaving little doubt about her greatness. Lanny’s consistent and timely guitar playing and Powell’s soulful harmonica work, coupled with the ever-present Janis vocals, offer a time capsule of a sound that would soon circle the globe.
The first authorized vinyl release by this legendary three piece group from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1962, the Waller Creek Boys consisted of Lanny Wiggins on acoustic guitar, Powell St. John, later of The Conqueroo, Mother Earth and songwriter for the 13th Floor Elevators, on harmonica, and a then-unknown 19-year old female singer, recently transplanted from Port Arthur, Texas who would go on to bigger things — that’s right, Janis Joplin.
The album includes five songs that have never been released — and the album’s remaining nine songs haven’t been commercially released in almost fifty years. All the songs were re-mastered from the original 1962 tapes, which have been in Powell St. John’s possession for almost sixty years.
Included is a 14-page booklet with first person anecdotes from individuals who were part of the band’s inner circle during those formative years in Austin.
Listen carefully to the very last words on this record to hear an example of the freewheelin’ performance style of one of the greatest female blues singers that ever graced planet Earth.
Out of stock? Get notified when this item is restocked.
Track List:
Side A:
1. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy (Janis Joplin) 3:13
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out (Jimmie Cox) 2:38
3. Banks of the Ohio (Powell St. John, Arr.) 4:27
4. Stealin’ (Gus Cannon) 2:19
5. Winin’ Boy Blues (Jelly Roll Morton) 2:19
6. Railroad Bill (Powell St. John, Arr.) 4:52
7. I’ll Drown In My Own Tears (Henry Glover) 1:42
Side B:
1. Kansas City Blues (Janis Joplin) 2:04
2. How Long (Powell St. John, Arr.) 3:47
3. No ReasonFor Livin’ (Janis Joplin) 3:04
4. San Francisco Bay Blues (Jesse Fuller) 1:55
5. Silver Threads and Golden Needles (D. Reynolds / J. Rhodes) 2:52
6. Trouble in Mind (R. M. Jones) 3:01
7. St. James Infirmary (Trad.) 3:08
Raucous country music and blues, both traditional and original, with a gritty roadhouse sound and feel, recorded in 1962 at Threadgill’s, the famous Austin beer joint and music venue. You’ll hear beer bottles hit the floor, doors slam, chatter by the band, including some choice expletives by Janis as she laughs and banters with Lanny and Powell throughout the recording. However, the music is not overwhelmed by the background, and the raw talent heard in Janis’s clear, so-much-older-than-her-years vocals is unmistakable and undeniable, leaving little doubt about her greatness. Lanny’s consistent and timely guitar playing and Powell’s soulful harmonica work, coupled with the ever-present Janis vocals, offer a time capsule of a sound that would soon circle the globe.
The first authorized vinyl release by this legendary three piece group from Austin, Texas. Formed in 1962, the Waller Creek Boys consisted of Lanny Wiggins on acoustic guitar, Powell St. John, later of The Conqueroo, Mother Earth and songwriter for the 13th Floor Elevators, on harmonica, and a then-unknown 19-year old female singer, recently transplanted from Port Arthur, Texas who would go on to bigger things — that’s right, Janis Joplin.
The album includes five songs that have never been released — and the album’s remaining nine songs haven’t been commercially released in almost fifty years. All the songs were re-mastered from the original 1962 tapes, which have been in Powell St. John’s possession for almost sixty years.
Included is a 14-page booklet with first person anecdotes from individuals who were part of the band’s inner circle during those formative years in Austin.
Listen carefully to the very last words on this record to hear an example of the freewheelin’ performance style of one of the greatest female blues singers that ever graced planet Earth.
Out of stock? Get notified when this item is restocked.
Track List:
Side A:
1. Daddy, Daddy, Daddy (Janis Joplin) 3:13
2. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out (Jimmie Cox) 2:38
3. Banks of the Ohio (Powell St. John, Arr.) 4:27
4. Stealin’ (Gus Cannon) 2:19
5. Winin’ Boy Blues (Jelly Roll Morton) 2:19
6. Railroad Bill (Powell St. John, Arr.) 4:52
7. I’ll Drown In My Own Tears (Henry Glover) 1:42
Side B:
1. Kansas City Blues (Janis Joplin) 2:04
2. How Long (Powell St. John, Arr.) 3:47
3. No ReasonFor Livin’ (Janis Joplin) 3:04
4. San Francisco Bay Blues (Jesse Fuller) 1:55
5. Silver Threads and Golden Needles (D. Reynolds / J. Rhodes) 2:52
6. Trouble in Mind (R. M. Jones) 3:01
7. St. James Infirmary (Trad.) 3:08
Customer Reviews
Chris Berghoff
January 26, 2022
Very nice addition to the collection. Recording quality isn't always great due to the format, but absolutely acceptable given what it is. Janis generally comes through pretty clean and you can tell everyone is having a good time playing. Vinyl arrived in good shape, though a bit disappointed that we get the classic white paper inner sleeve instead of a nice anti-static one. Overall, definitely worth the purchase.
David MacFarland
January 23, 2022
What an amazing find!
Ron Lewis
November 27, 2021
Sounds really great just love that ole bluegrass style !!!
Kevin Riley
November 24, 2021
This LP of very early recordings of the late great Janis Joplin and the "boys" she first sang with is excellent quality, especially for the age of the tapes it was recorded from. I have been a fan of hers since i was 13 when Bobby Mcgee came out, but of course was too young to have seen her in concert, but have quite a few DVD's so can at least see what i missed live! Any true Janis fan MUST get this LP!!!!
Jeannette Shalginewicz
November 5, 2021
I cannot wait to get this I am beyond excited I was at Woodstock I was 18 years old so now you have figured out that I am 70 years old. Let me tell you this I don’t care who or when if anyone tries to copy our Woodstock in 1969, it’s never going to be like the original