Aside from the emotional stress that surrounded Janis’ departure from Big Brother & The Holding Company, The Kozmic Blues Band and Full Tilt Boogie Band, both with bassist Brad Campbell, were primed to advance Ms. Joplin’s groundbreaking artistry. Whether they succeeded or not is a matter of personal taste, however Janis’ final two records with them are bona fide classics.

Throughout I Got Dem Ol’ Kozmic Blues Again Mama (1969), Pearl (1971), and tracks on the archival In Concert (1972) the Canadian born bassist fortified Ms. Joplin’s forays into soul and rhythm and blues on such classic tracks as “Try,” “Move Over,” “Half Moon,” and “Me and Bobbie McGee” with harmonic and rhythmic passages evocative of the Motown, Stax, and Atlantic Records session masters – who, at the time, were his peers.

Brad’s primary weapon of choice was the Fender Precision.

Dig Brad on “Move Over” https://youtu.be/otJhUqInF2g

Dig Brad on “Me and Bobbie McGee” https://youtu.be/sfjon-ZTqzU

Dig Brad and Full Tilt Boogie live on “Try” https://youtu.be/7gsqBEPSrd0

Dig Brad and Full Tilt Boogie live on “Half Moon” https://youtu.be/dFCpaDEM3Mc