Joan's New Old Music (and Career)

[cheeribum]

While Joan still kicks ass live, her recorded output of the last decade has really bummed me out. She hasn't released a record since Pure And Simple that didn't contain reissues of very old songs mixed with new stuff. Sinner was even more confounding because the songs didn't even sound like they'd been mastered at the same place - sound quality, volume, etc. were all over the place. I'm really surprised that Fetish and Sinner were even released as they were. At best it seems unprofessional and like Joan didn't have enough material for a new album (and thus should have waited until she did!); at worst, it looks like someone desperate for cash influx. I can't think of any other artist that has done that and survived. What kind of management lets that happen? After Pure And Simple (arguably her best album ever), you'd think they'd have wanted to take steps forward instead of backward.
When Joan is at her best she can't be touched, pure white heat. It's sad to see her squander it on half-albums and free shows at biker rallies... add to that the fan backlash over her part in the Edgeplay mess and now a new Runaways movie with a fictitious bassist, and I'm afraid she's almost over.
Does anyone know what happened with the Warner Brothers deal after Pure And Simple? Would have loved to see that developed more as it brought some of her best music ever to the world.

[isitdayornight]

I agree with your post Cheeribum. The last 'real' album that Joan released, in my opinion, was Pure and Simple and I think it was probably her best album of all. I have been hoping she would go into the studio as she did in the past and record a 'complete' album from beginning to end. I don't understand where the decision has come from to keep reissuing complilations with a few new songs here and there. She's obviously not bored or lazy as she still is continuously on tour -- it's not like she's ever taken any significant time off. And you're right, when Joan as at her best, she can't be touched!

[jettigre]

OMG !!!

You guys are way off basis .

Joan is almost over? Are you crazy?

What happen with Warner Brothers is they screwed Joan over just like MCA did back in the 1980's. Warner Bros keep wanting to bring in different producers after different producers. Warner also were controlling and keep changing things over and over.

It wasn't Joan's or Kenny's fault. They couldn't release A FULL NEW album like Sinner/Naked until their 10 year contract with Warner was up and thats why Blackheart would put out a song here or there like on the Fetish cd.

Warner released ''AS I AM'' as a single which Joan & Kenny were agaist. Kenny/Joan took their own money out of their pocket to try and promote Go Home & Eye to Eye. Joan/Kenny even paid for the video's to those 2 songs themselves.

Warner also wanted Joan to drop the guitar and do a more acoustic album after ''Pure & Simple'' which Joan was totally agaist. you know Joan don't like ''NO MAN'' telling her what to do.

Also, Joan said the few Jettheads from the boards that are selfish and want a new album can just ''F*CK OFF'' !!! ( I am with you Joan )

as far as the re-release of Joan's older album's the only thing I can say is that after a few years they are ''OUT OF PRINT'' and then they are hard to find if you get your hands on one so for this I can understand for the New fans.

I remember for many years I couldn't find any Joan Jett albums on Cd , Cassette or Vinyl so I understand where the newbies are coming from and don't have and want to buy Joan Jett & The Blackheart albums.

I do agree that ''Sinner'' the sound is all over the place and for this reason thats why I love ''Naked'' album alot better then ''Sinner''. ''Naked'' has a better sound and was better mixed to me.

I have seen Joan Jett & The Blackhearts 138 times in concert over the past 28 years and still going strong today. I do wish there were ''Club Dates'' instead of Festivals , Casinos etc ...But, I will take another date anywhere , anyplace then to have ''NO DATES'' at all !!!!

Also, Joan was on TV 3 times this weekend or Joan related that I know of that I saw ....

1. Extra ''Raw'' - Mario Lopez interview Joan
2. NFL -Wild Card game - Hate Myself ( video )
3. Home Makeover - Joan Jett Melody Maker (David Cook - American Idol auction it off) showed Joan Jett's autograph

[dagtoking1]

Also, Joan said the few Jettheads from the boards that are selfish and want a new album can just ''F*CK OFF'' !!! ( I am with you Joan )

Why would she say that? I mean, what fan wouldn't want a new album...I wonder what she meant by selfish? When Sinner finally came out many fans had the best songs on it for years already...not to mention the songs that were not so good being available through David's site as an Advance CD. It's no wonder fans were not too satisfied with Sinner and were left chomping at the bit for more. Personally, I always felt Blackheart should release a live cd. Fans have always wanted that and have had to settle for boots but at least they put out the itunes Warped show now. Sinner is my least favorite JJBH album. I tend to listen to GROAMY, Album, and Notorious the most and although I love them all what I really listen to is my own compilations of those albums and live material off of boots that I listen to in the car.

[jettigre]

Joan said that like 10 -11 years ago on the old Joan Jett board around 1998/99 when crazy selfish Jettheads were bitching for not having a NEW ALBUM. Thats also when Joan said she wanted to disengage from those people and they can f*ck off. There were alot of bitchy Jettheads back then and still are today so now you know why Joan doesn't read the boards today.....

I still remember when Joan would do a LIVE CHAT with us on the old Joan Jett board in 1997/1998 and people would curse her out and say it's not her and say really mean things to Joan.

It was Joan and yes she use to do LIVE CHATS only a few times but after all the mean selfish Jettheads would talk sh*t to her Joan just wanted to disengage .....

I don't blame her.......

[fallspeed]

I honestly still prefer the early part of her career (1975 to about 1986). Somewhere in the late 80s I just lost interest in her newer music. As a fan of punk/garage/grunge, her music started sounding too polished and over-produced for my ears. Same problem with Lita Ford's solo stuff (Big Hair 80s Metal!)

In the 90s, Joan should have gone back to the garage, pulled Sandy in on drums, maybe Pat Smear on lead guitar and recorded a raw live-in-the-studio album.

[crave]

I don't think she is "over" but she and management have made alot of missteps IMO, as alot of artists/management do. One of the biggest to me was only 2 singles off UP YOUR ALLEY, should've capitalized on her comeback and the fact that they followed that up with an all-covers cd THE HIT LIST which was so oerproduced. I still can't get over the horns of DIRTY DEEDS & PRETTY VACANT. WTF?

[rambone]

Joan has nothing but old rehashed music.
There is nothing new about it.