Pure and Simple is the ninth studio album by American rock singer Joan Jett and the seventh to feature her backing band the Blackhearts. It was released on June 14, 1994 by Blackheart and Warner Bros. Records.
Background The album includes several tracks co-written with Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill, including "Go Home", a response to the murder of Mia Zapata, lead vocalist and lyricist of the punk rock band the Gits.
Pure and Simple was the first album to feature a new line up of the Blackhearts' members since the departure of longtime guitarist Ricky Byrd and bassist Kasim Sulton after the release of Jett's previous studio album, Notorious (1991). This new line up consisted of bassist Kenny Aaronson and lead guitarist Tony Rey. Pure and Simple would be Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' last studio album until 2006's Sinner. In 1995, both Aaronson and Rey went on to other projects. Aaronson would eventually become a member of the reunited New York Dolls – coincidentally taking over for bassist Sami Yaffa, his replacement in the Blackhearts and Rey became the musical director for Enrique Iglesias and Rihanna.
The CD and other versions feature collaborations with performers from riot grrrl and riot grrrl-associated bands. On all editions, songs "Go Home", "Spinster", "Activity Girl", and "You Got a Problem" were written with Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, the Julie Ruin, Le Tigre); on the vinyl release "Here to Stay" was written with Kat Bjelland (Babes in Toyland); on the Japanese edition "Hostility" was written with Donita Sparks (L7).
"World of Denial" was also added to the Japanese pressings. The Japanese cover differs from the regular cover. "Get Off the Cross" was also recorded during these sessions. Concurrently released in the U.S. on LP, CD, and cassette, all versions varying slightly. The record album came with a hype sticker that read "All Rock. No Ballads", and omits both "As I Am" and "Brighter Day". A few seconds of "Here to Stay" are also heard on the cassette at the very end of side one before fading out. Jett independently put out "Spinster" as a 7-inch blue vinyl single in the U.S. with a picture sleeve. The B-sides were "Go Home" and "Hostility". The track "World of Denial" was eventually released in the U.S. on Jett's compilation album Fit to Be Tied (1997).
Track listing
Personnel Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Joan Jett – guitars, lead vocals, producer on "Hostility" Tony Rey – lead guitars Kenny Aaronson – bass Thommy Price – drums
Additional musicians Ricky Byrd – guitar John Marshall – guitar Billy Karren – guitar Blake Brocksmith – harmonica on "Go Home" and "As I Am" Mike Howe – vocals Kathleen Hanna – vocals Chuck Kentis – keyboards Arno Hecht – saxophone
Production Kenny Laguna – producer on all tracks Thom Panunzio – producer on tracks 1, 2, 4, 7, 9, 10 and bonus tracks, engineer, mixing Ed Stasium – producer on tracks 1 and 8 Jim Vallance – producer on tracks 2 and 4 Desmond Child – producer on tracks 6, 11 and 12 John Aiosa – engineer, digital editing Lance Clark – digital editing Carl Glanville – assistant engineer Lee Anthony – assistant engineer Tim Donovan – assistant engineer Mike Thompson – assistant engineer Neil Perry – assistant engineer Danny Kadar – assistant engineer Adam Kasper – assistant engineer Delwyn Brooks – assistant engineer Chuck Johnson – assistant engineer Bob Ludwig – mastering at Gateway Studios, Portland, Maine Spencer Drate – album design Judith Salavetz – album design Meryl Laguna – art direction George Holz – photography
Charts + Chart performance for Pure and Simple Chart (1994) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart. 142
References
External links