Jett's specialty: honest rock 'n' roll
Posted by Mark Bialczak August 23, 2008

Joan Jett gave the overstuffed crowd at Chevrolet Court exactly what they wanted.

The Sen. Chuck Schumer-introduced true downstater and her band, The Blackhearts rocked out hard and true.

Starting with the crisp "Bad Reputation," singer and guitarist Jett and mates made sure to touch on the songs the throngs wanted: "Light of Day," written by Bruce Springsteen for the movie of the same title, which starred Jett with Michael J. Fox; "I Love Rock 'N Roll," the song that delivered her into the mainstream and went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1982; "Crimson in Clover," her steaming remake of the Tommy James and the Shondells classic; and "I Hate Myself for Loving You," the closing song that certainly rang true with plenty of her singing-along friends.

But there was more to Jett than that, and she wasn't afraid to show it. No, not the skimpy-as-a-beach-volleyball top she wore with her black leather pants. Jett and the band fired out a couple songs from her 2006 CD, "Sinner." "ACDC" explained a truly broad love life; "Naked" endorsed "taking stock of your own self," she told the crowd; and "Riddles," which obviously urged taking a close look at what public officials tell you.

For rock as an agent for change, Jett offered "Change the World," singing "Stop all the hate." Amen.

And for the pure fun factor, she delivered "You're Gonna Make It." Yes, the 49-year-old, Jett-black haired woman seemed absolutely at ease singing the theme song from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" with crunch and emotion.

Through it all, Jett and band made sure the rock was thick and juicy, simple and straightforward, deserving of titles like "Love Is Plain" and "Five." On the former, she sang, "We are not ashamed." The latter ended with an honest count up: "one, two, three, four, five."