Iggy and The Stooges – “Raw Power” (Legacy Edition)

The title says it all. “Raw Power” is exactly what you get when you pop this disc in your player. These original 1973 tracks may have been remastered, but the rawness and the primitiveness that were captured on tape decades ago remains. This is a genuine classic punk album. One that I feel, upon its release, turned the punk movement upside down; to this day there are not many people as enigmatic and flashy as Iggy Pop. He remains one of the truly great musical innovators and visionaries of our time, a legend.

It had been so long since I listened to this album, but when I put it on it was as if I were reunited with an old friend. Songs such as “Penetration,” with the crazy Iggy Pop moans, groans and sound effects is still phenomenal. Of course the title track must be mentioned as well, “Raw Power” has always been one of my favorite Iggy Pop songs and upon hearing it after such a ling time I was immediately transported back decades. It is quite amazing how certain tunes become embedded in our memory and become forever associated with particular events or situations. For me this is one of those songs.

The second disc in this Legacy Edition package contains a live recording from Atlanta, Georgia in 1973. This is the closest I have ever come to a live Iggy and The Stooges show, something I found myself regretting after listening through this disc, but it seems that the energy and the rawness in the live setting are multiplied by a hundred and it is more than palpable.

If you are a fan of Iggy and The Stooges this is an absolute must have album. I think it’s also an important release because it hearkens back to the roots of the burgeoning punk genre. For that alone it is worth the price of admission. In all honesty though, this is really a great disc and one I feel is definitely worth checking out.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

Disc 1 – ‘Raw Power’:

01. Search And Destroy
02. Gimme Danger
03. Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell (previously titled Hard To Beat)
04. Penetration
05. Raw Power
06. I Need Somebody
07. Shake Appeal
08. Death Trip

Disc 2 – ‘Georgia Peaches’ (Live At Richards, Atlanta, GA 1973):

01. Introduction
02. Raw Power
03. Head On
04. Gimme Danger
05. Search And Destroy
06. I Need Somebody
07. Heavy Liquid
08. Cock In My Pocket
09. Open Up And Bleed
10. Doojiman
11. Head On

Run Time: 33:54
Release Date: 04.13.2010