Now that Joan Jett is getting her due as a seminal rock and roll influence, it's about time a decent hits set appeared. Sadly, this isn't it. While the music on "Fit To Be Tied" certainly merits the four star rating, I am going to have to assume contractual issues with CBS forced Jett to either omit or substitute alternative versions of well-known songs.

For instance, her huge hit "I Hate Myself For Loving You" is an alternate take from the "

" version, and "Little Liar" is a live version. I am not sure how many versions of "Roadrunner" Joan has recorded so far, but the take here is previously unreleased and kicks butt. So does the new recording of the signature Runaways song, "Cherry Bomb." MIA are such well known Jett tunes as "Good Music" and her version of "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap." The albums she recorded for Warner Brothers are bypassed entirely.

Nonetheless, you still get some of the great proto-grrll rock from "Bad Reputation" to the terrific new "World of Denial." Joan Jett also was queen of the perfect cover choice, as her hit versions of "Everyday People," "Crimson and Clover" and - of course - "I Love Rock and Roll" prove. She also had that glam bam done like few before or since. The BOOM/whack/BOOM/whack that explodes from her cover of Gary Glitter's "Do You Wanna Touch" and her own "I Hate Myself For Loving You" made both songs burst from whatever radio played them some eight years apart. You'd be hard pressed to know that much time had passed between these songs...which proves that Joan Jett is a timeless artist.

But she deserves better. There is a good Japanese compilation that covers all the albums up to "

" (which eventually formed the base of "

"), called "

." It boasts a pretty hefty price tag, so if you're just a casual fan looking for "I Love Rock and Roll," this will do. If not, hit that link.

Fit to be Tied is a greatest hit collection from Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. Most of the familar radio tunes are there, as well as a few deeper cuts for more serious fans. The CD captures the essence of what rock and roll ought to be, as opposed to the bubblegum pop that is often passed off as rock these days. Joan's voice and riffs hold up over time, as powerful today as they ever were. The personal highlight of the CD for me was a remake of Tommy James' Crimson and Clover, a fine reinterpretation of the period piece made all the more powerful by refusing to change gender based on singer. Victim of Circumstance was also an excellent choice for this collection, as was Fake Friends. A cut many may not have heard is the final one on the CD, Love is All Around, the theme from the Mary Tyler Moore show. Given what the MTM show meant in its day, this was an excellent choice as the final note.

Most of Joan Jetts best stuff is on this disc and it's great music. What would the early 80's have been without "Bad Reputation", "Fake Friends" and "I Love Rock and Roll"? JJ and the Blackhearts were rock at its core with some bad chick image. I held back one star because there is plenty of blank space left on this disc and with so many excellent tunes to choose from, why couldn't we have more? If you need examples, I would have considered the following: "Nag", "You Don't Know What You've Got", "Bits and Pieces" and maybe "Jezebel". There are some covers included on this compilation but many fun covers were left off, like "Star Star", "Tossin' and Turnin", "Hanky Panky" and "Summertime Blues". I could go on - this disc is too thin and too much meaty stuff was left off. But make no mistake - the tunes that were put on here are great rock and roll!

Loved her since I had the 45 of "Crimson And Clover". That's a vinyl single for you youngsters. While this isn't as good as the "Great Hits" import collection, it is very good. Every big hit is here anyway. Included are the essential cuts "I Love Rock & Roll", "Bad Reputation", "Do You Wanna Touch Me? (oh yeah)", and the rockin' "I Hate Myself For Loving You". There's also a good chunk of minor hits and other covers. "Cherry Bomb" was the big song from her old band Runaways, and we also get the soundtrack song "Light Of Day", a live "Little Liar", "Crimson And Clover", and the TV theme "Love Is All Around". "Fit To Be Tied" could have easily had another 3 or 5 songs, but it's still a fine collection for those who love Joan Jett and rock & roll.

what can I say? totally f**king awesome.

Joan JeTT was and is the greatest rock chic to rock the planet.

She had guts, power and attitude.

While so many other so-called rock chics where worried about how they looked and sounded - Joan JeTT and the Blackhearts plugged it in and rocked the world with the most gutsy songs.

This cd showcases some of her most amazing songs and to this day STILL ROCK.

U can still feel the awesome power of this great lady in her songs - that attitude, that passion and the power she wielded.

Each song stands alone as a trademark of what rock and roll was and still is.

1 small critism, this collection should've been a double album to fit so many other great songs.

Power to the JeTT - KEEP ROCKIN'