Be a Brother

Be a Brother was the first record after Janis Joplin left. Recruited in her place were the guitarist David Schallock and the singer-songwriters Nick Gravenites and Kathi McDonald, which made the group a sextet. Gurley moved to bass guitar, Andrew sang more lead vocals, and Gravenites produced. The album has ten original compositions, and Joplin, though no longer in the band, sang backing vocals on the uptempo Mr. Natural.

It was first planned as a concept album about the characters in a prison of the hippie rock subculture, with a themed cover by the designer Bob Seidemann. Columbia rejected the idea and made them change the title, so the concept was lost. Christgau read Gravenites's lyrics as a warning against the people in Heartache People and Funkie Jim, ending with the hippie message of the title track. Louder described a loose, jam-band feel.