Mott’s CD review:

Iggy and The Stooges - Raw Power

by Mott the Dog

**** 4 Star Rating
Iggy Pop, all round mad man, extreme entertainer, and one of the originators of a whole musical cycle, influencing such diverse acts as David Bowie, The Sex Pistols, Marilyn Manson, and Hanoi Rocks.
In 1972 Iggy was a spent force and living in the gutter (that’s not just a saying, he was literally living on the streets). His band The Stooges had just released a couple of non-selling records, 1969’s self titled debut and 1970’s Fun House, which at the time meant nothing, but were in actual fact wonderful garage albums, which many bands far more famous would have been well proud of. Elektra records, having fulfilled their contract with them, dropped them like a hot potato, at which point The Stooges self imploded.
But Rock ‘n’ Roll’s premier fairy godmother David Bowie was in town with his own mentor Tony Defries. David Bowie was a long term Iggy fan, and was determined to help, firstly summoning Iggy to New York, and then to London, England, when no suitable musicians could be found. One by one the original stooges were found and relocated to good old U.K. Left alone in C.B.S. studios in London for 12 days, they came up with this slab of timeless Rock ‘n’ Roll.
The playing of the band is absolute edge of your satin pants stuff, the rhythm section of the Asheton’s brothers is as heavy as any blacksmith’s anvil. These two may not have been the most technical of musicians, but you don’t get that kind of telepathic lock without blood.
James Williamson was the perfect foil for the out of control vocalist, not so much a partner in crime, more of an avenging henchman cum angel. Left to his own devices he may not of been able to put together his aunties garden rockery, but getting the guitar to rock was not a problem. A natural born hip swiveling, guitar slinger, his work is all at the same time sloppy, furious, neurotic, but with plenty of power, filling every possible gap on the album with manic guitar solos.
Iggy himself turns in a vocal performance that many would try and imitate, but very few would attain. If you’re interested in hearing about how a gristly American Rock ‘n’ Roll singer from the early seventies should sound like then have a decko at this boy on Raw Power. (We’re not talking Eagles or Journey here).
The lyrics, although exceedingly politically incorrect, are also very perceptive. On “Your Pretty Face” Iggy bawls out, “You’re pretty now, but just wait, you’re not gonna have that weapon all the time”. On “Death Trip” Iggy is not predicting his own death but admitting he’s spitting into the wind with his music. Against the record companies of the time, but with a little help from his friends, Iggy is still smearing himself with peanut butter today. Raw Power clocks in at just under 34 minutes which is a bit short in this day and age, but then the excellent photography by Mick Rock for the artwork helps to make up for this, and there’s not a filler amongst these gems.
Turn it up loud or you’ll miss the point.
Musicians
Iggy Pop - vocals
James Williamson - guitars
Ron Asheton - bass and vocals
Scott Asheton - drums
Track Listing
1. Search And Destroy
2. Gimme Danger
3. Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell
4. Penetration
5. Raw Power
6. I Need Somebody
7. Shake Appeal
8. Death Trip