"Raw Power Is Sure to Come"

Deluxe Iggy and the Stooges Raw Power Box Set on the Way

There are some records that have truly become musical touchstones in my life. Little black plastic reminders of an era long passed, commemorating a litany of broken hearts and infinite band fascinations. Merely holding them is capable of evoking emotional responses and torrents of memories for me. The Beatles and the Replacements Let it Be albums were two. The Clash’s iconic first, another. But one disc that really stood out was the Iggy and the Stooges 1973 classic Raw Power. A full six years after its release my black circle discovery that wintry afternoon was akin to reading Catcher in the Rye for the first time. Not quite kissing my first girlfriend on the lips but you get the idea. This record spoke to me with authority only a few ever have. The aptly named Raw Power would very much change the way I listen to and even appreciate music- An important one to say the very least.

Word today that the hugely influential recording will be reissued April 27th as a Deluxe Edition box set complete with three discs worth of music featuring 15 previously unreleased bonuses — never-before-heard tracks, demos and remixes. Raw Power was the first Stooges album to feature James Williamson on guitar in place of Ron Asheton, (who instead handled bass duties). The LP spawned the punk rock anthems “Search and Destroy” and “Gimme Danger.”

The first disc of the box set will contain the newly remastered Raw Power, featuring David Bowie’s original mix for the album that was previously out of print, while the second disc boasts the Georgia Peaches bootleg, comprised of an unreleased soundboard recording of a 1973 concert the Stooges performed in Atlanta, Georgia. Two more unreleased songs will grace the second disc: An Iggy Pop/James Williamson-penned outtake called “Doojiman” and a rehearsal performance of “Head On.” The third disc features four more outtakes — “I’m Hungry,” “I Got a Right,” “I’m Sick of You” and “Hey, Peter” — and alternate mixes of four tracks: “Shake Appeal,” “Death Trip” “Gimme Danger” and “Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell.”

The Raw Power: Deluxe Edition box set also includes a new hour-long making-of Raw Power documentary by Morgan Neville featuring new interviews with Iggy Pop, James Williamson, Scott Asheton, Mike Watt, Johnny Marr, and Henry Rollins. Also, a 48-page photo book and a replica of the 1973 Japanese “Raw Power” 7” single is included. Lastly, live performance footage from November 09 Festival Planeta Terra, São Paulo, Brazil will be included! The deluxe box set will only be available through the Iggy and the Stooges Website.

Busy times ahead for Michigan’s favourite sons! As previously reported, the Stooges, will at long last be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March.

Good to be a Stooges fan these days. Guess that explains the broad smile.