I Love Rock N Roll [Enhanced, Original recording remastered]

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 13, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording remastered
• Label: Blackheart Records
• ASIN: B000FKP41U
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,518 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Digitally remastered and expanded version of Joan's breakthrough album, originally released in 1981. Features five bonus tracks including both 'Woe Is Me' and 'Little Drummer Boy', which were both the album's final track depending on which pressing you bought (the first pressing had the yuletide favorite). 15 tracks total.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Covers Girl December 6, 2006

By Jim Whittaker

Format:Audio CD

Joan Jett's second solo album, I Love Rock 'N Roll, provided her musical identity. The song "I Love Rock 'N Roll" had been recorded in 1976 by an English group called the Arrows as a b-side to one of their singles. Joan saw them play the song on a TV show while on tour with the Runaways, and wanted them to record it. Joan recorded an earlier version on the b-side of one of her solo singles, then re-recorded it in its best-known version, which hit number one on the charts. The black-and-white video was played endlessly on MTV, and the poster for the album was hung on the wall behind the MTV veejays. The album is a classic slice of hard rock bubblegum; Ritchie Cordell and Kenny Laguna mixed Gibson guitars with compressed Gary Glitter-style drums to produce Joan's catchy, hard-edged sound. The late addition of guitarist Ricky Byrd to the sessions gives most of the songs a playful urgency. Crunchy originals ("Love is Pain," "Victim of Circumstance") are blended with rowdy covers ("Nag"- The Halos, "Crimson and Clover"- Tommy James and the Shondells, "Bits and Pieces"- Dave Clark Five, "You're Too Possessive"- Runaways) in a nonstop romp of 80s hard rock that melts in your ears like sugar, sugar.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive Joan Jett studio album-and I love R&R too! February 24, 2004

By Daniel J. Hamlow HALL OF FAME

Format:Audio CD

Given Joan Jett's influences and admirees, such as Chuck Berry, the Coasters, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Tommy James, when that woman belts out "I Love Rock And Roll" I've never heard a truer word sung. Well, maybe I have, but I wonder how many people in 1982 knew that right off from those beginning guitar riffs and claps, that throaty growl of a voice, and the backup vocalists on the chorus, that they would be listening to one of the biggest hits of the 1980's and putting who knows how many dimes in the jukebox. Chances are, this song was such a hit, many people were left thinking "I Love Joan Jett" as well. This second version of the Arrows hit done with the Blackhearts instead of what Joan did with Steve Jones and Paul Cook has a lot more punch, grinding guitars, percussive energy.

The album is consistent in applying Joan's influences, particularly 60's rock with a thick layer of dynamite hard-rock attack of guitar, drums, and kick-a** vocals from the woman herself, as seen in the lovers' drama of "(I'm Gonna) Run Away."

"Love Is Pain" is a throwback to 60's girl-groups like the Shangri-Las or the Angels, but is as blistering as the title track.

The cover of the Halos' "Nag" duplicates the sounds of the original, down to the pause and one of the Blackhearts speaking a line on cue, almost like "Summertime Blues." Also here as a bonus track is the same song but with assistance from the Coasters, whose sound this is a takeoff on.

The other big hit from this album was her Top Ten cover of Tommy James' #1 hit "Crimson And Clover," and the Blackhearts' harmonies in the refrain bring an 80's hard rock update while giving a nod to the original....

Her cover of the Dave Clark Five's boot-stomping "Bits And Pieces" is another standout due to the beginning stand-alone drums and alternating vocals between Joan and the Blackhearts.

For an earful of Bo Diddley-type rockabilly done with the Jett sound, check out "Be Straight." And I'll be straight and say it rocks out like the others. And for something more punk mixed with a "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" energy, there's "You're Too Possessive."

The Christmas song "Little Drummer Boy" was on version 1 of I Love Rock And Roll as the album was released around Christmas-time. After the holidays, it was later replaced by the B-side of "Crimson And Clover," the engaging "Oh Woe Is Me," featuring a loud alley cat screech from Jett, also present here.

As for the extra tracks, the cover versions of "Louie Louie" and "Summertime Blues" also ended up on Flashback, but the latter is particularly dynamite. A live version of "You Don't Know What You've Got" from Bad Reputation is included.

What's also intriguing are songs recorded during the sessions that never made it. "Rebel Rebel" is on Flashback, "Wait For Me" had to wait a decade or so before turning up on Notorious, and "I Love Playing With Fire" ended up on the controversy-laden Album (hints: hidden track, "Star Star", yank from shelves).

Probably the definitive Joan Jett studio album, as it eventually went diamond, thanks to its #1 title track that spent nearly two months on the charts. Well, gotta run. Gotta put another dime in the jukebox, baby, or I'll be in pieces, bits and pieces. Read more ›

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Rock and Roll March 8, 2005

By Kelley L. Ross

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I first heard "I Love Rock and Roll" on the radio while driving around Austin, Texas in, I think, 1982. I immediately thought, "This is a classic." It is. One of the greatest rock songs ever. Joan Jett is still around, but I don't think she gets nearly enough credit for how great her work was in the early 80's. This album is a must have for any Rock library.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Solid album ruined by "remastering" July 2, 2010

By Jeff

Format:Audio CD

I hope I don't give anyone the wrong idea. Joan Jett's 1981 breakthrough album "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" is a solid classic that showcases Joan Jett's attitude and skill, and it really benefits from the Blackhearts (Ricky Byrd in particular), though I prefer her earlier album, "Bad Reputation." Regardless, this is one of numerous albums ruined by "remastering" to the point of being virtually unlistenable. I do hope this wasn't an anomaly, because I'm posting the review for the exact CD I own, and there don't seem to be any other complaints.

If any of your are confused as to how an album could be ruined by remastering, go watch any number of videos on "The Loudness War" that have been uploaded to YouTube. Since the mid-90s, noticeable increases in the volume of CDs have been prevalent to the point of clipping and distortion on songs. It actually hurts your ears to listen to some of these songs, no matter how good they may be.

I first encountered this problem when I purchased the CD. I was quite excited to finally get my hands on a Joan Jett album, though once I saw the "remastered" tag at the bottom, I got worried. I hoped it wouldn't be too bad, but when I got home and listened to the title track, my ears were in terrible pain. I knew Joan Jett liked distorted guitars, but they sounded a lot more disorted than usual; the whole thing did.

The audio quality is terrible, but the package comes with some nice bonuses (live footage, bonus tracks, a small poster). The songs are great, especially the first half of the album, with the title track, "Love is Pain," the energetic and silly "Nag," the sultry "Crimson and Clover," and on the second half, the criminally underrated "Victim of Circumstance," and "You're Too Possessive...."

I reccommend purchasing this album, but please--purchase a CD from before 1995 (I saw some copies from 1993 on the site), or do yourself one better and pick up the copy on Vinyl. Do your ears, and Joan Jett, a favor. Read more ›