Festival Theatre Banquet Room, Adelaide
June 8, 2018

Apart from the magnificent Paul Capsis, all the artists I’ve seen attempt to channel Janis Joplin have failed. The usual problem is that they mistake high volume and shrill screaming as the quintessential Joplin vocal and overlook the deep respect that Joplin had for melody. Joplin was a blues singer with an innate ferocity fuelled by a tough childhood in conservative Port Arthur, Texas. She was earthy and street wise like her idol Bessie Smith, but capable of being electrifying on her best days like at the Monterey Pop Festival where she became an overnight sensation.

Amber Martin in Janis Undead. Photograph © Manish Gosalia Photography

You might think it strange that a woman in her late forties could be the next best to the real thing who died at 27, but there can be no doubt that Amber Martin ticks all the boxes. She has the power, the technique, and the courage, and the audience knew from the get go that they had struck gold as she strode out in psychedelic mini-skirt, suspenders and boots singing Mercedes Benz. The band consisting of Musical Director Paul...