"Be a Brother" is a studio album by the American rock band Big Brother and the Holding Company, which was released in 1970. This is the group’s third studio album, and the first one they produced after the departure of their original lead vocalist, Janis Joplin, in 1968. Instead, the vocals are equally shared on this album among the remaining members, with Nick Gravenites and Kathi McDonald providing most of the lead vocals.
The album contains a fusion of rock, blues, and psychedelic elements, representative of the sounds popular in the late 60s and early 70s rock scene. "Be a Brother" couldn't achieve the commercial success that their earlier album "Cheap Thrills"' with Joplin had, but it still holds historical importance as it showcases Big Brother and the Holding Company's musical progression and their ability to create interesting work in the absence of their iconic lead singer.
The best-known songs on the album include the title track "Be a Brother" and "I'll Change Your Flat Tire, Merle," both of which display the band's characteristic blend of raw rock energy and soulful blues influence. The album, while not as well-known or commercially successful as their early work, remains an interesting and notable part of Big Brother and the Holding Company's discography.
