What is a pearl anyway?

A pearl,
like many precious stones, is an accident of nature.
It is for precisely this reason it is held in high esteem;
such accidents are rare.

The oyster seeks only to salve an irritation;
the result, in the the hands of man,
becomes a gem.

It's no secret to most of you P-clubbers that I'm a big - neigh - massive Janis Joplin fan. That said, I'm not an expert on Jople-trivia, so perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that I recently stumbled on an interesting tidbit from the life of the Queen of Rock. I knew that Pearl was posthumously released and that it was her best selling album, however, I was not aware that the instrumental track, buried alive in the blues, was never intended to be instrumental at all. Here it is, have a listen:



Joplin was scheduled to record the vocals for buried alive in the blues on October 5th, 1970; tragically, she was found dead on the 4th. The odd thing is, you almost wouldn't notice. The track is already chocked full of instrumental fabulousness (fabulocity?), which is why it's always been one of my favourite songs on the album. It acts as a foil, providing a break from Janis's vocals - yet at same time emphasizing them by their absence - and it also showcases the talents of the sublime Full Tilt Boogie Band backing her.

And it's a curious thing to contemplate: the song that never was. The unfinished work is a common theme in art and science, to be sure; however, the unfinished work that works despite being incomplete, is a rare thing indeed - perhaps that's an awkward way to put it, but I trust you follow my drift. Moreover, what does it mean for art and the intention of artists? I'm reminded of a few of Blue Cupboard's works that Beigey and I found in his studio. They seemed to be complete, yet by their context - their placement in the studio, for example - it seemed equally clear that he did not consider them 'finished'. If we're all postmodernists now - aren't we all? - then who is to say that a work is 'finished' or 'unfinished' anyway? Before this 'post' becomes a rant I'll leave you, dear ponies, but it is something to ponder, no doubt.

Ruminantly ruminating,

- Mr. Ed