Mike Villano | Van Nuys, CA United States | 08/27/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this mainly for the outrageous packaging. As someone lucky enough to have acquired the Funhouse box several years back, this was a must-have companion to that set for me. I groaned when I saw the track listing for Disc 1: 13 takes of "I Got a Right?" Who in their right mind could sift through this stuff?
Here's the deal: If you love the "Raw Power" album, then you need to get this. It's a true sign of Iggy and co.'s genius that those 13 "I Got a Right" takes are not only listenable, but intriguing. Hardcore fans will marvel at the painstaking process the band goes through to get the song down, each increasing try with more fury and intensity than the last.
Once you get through the song duplication of the first disc, the rest of the box showcases show rehearsals and incredible (but lo-fi) live recordings. If anything, these discs present a band as disciplined as any other, and are a real treat for James Williamson fans. For me, he, as much as Iggy, is the real heart of the "Raw Power" album.
Two beautiful booklets, jammed with unseen photos, essays, and vintage article repritnts, plus two stickers make this box a delight for true Stooges freaks. As the previous reviewer said, buy it now before it's gone. You know you need it!"
Buyer beware of quality
A. Woodley | 11/11/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I feel bad doing this becuase I love Iggy and the stooges but the quality on this set is pretty bad. All the live recordings are worth listening to and probably owning but the quality is very rough and can get frustrating. It's like the first Beatles Anthology set: the material is amazing but the quality is bad. On the plus side the studio outtakes are decent quality wise and amazing content wise. The packaging is also very nice. I just though I'd share this information before you drop all the money on the set. If you are a Stooges fan don't hesitate purchase now but if this is your introduction you should probably wait."
Great rare Iggy
A. Reader | Madison, WI | 08/01/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you missed out on Rhino's Fun House sessions box set, get this one, which chronicles the Stooges final years. Some of the live stuff is less than hi fi (but not awful sounding I should note), but that is no matter the performances are incendiary. Sure, it's expensive, but if you really like the Stooges, it's a must have, and you'll only be kicking yourself when it goes out-of-print. It also has tons of photos of Ig in action by Mick Rock that I've never seen anywhere else. Those guys must have put on a heck of a show. Nobody makes music like this any more. -- Hank"
Track Listing
zphage | 03/03/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"DISC 1
The Olympic Studio Tapes London 1972
All Unheard & Unreleased Taken from recently discovered Multi Track Master Tapes!
1. I got a right {no gtr solo} (3:39)
2. I got a right {Take#2 false start no gtr solo} (0:41)
3. I got a right (3:11)
4. Gimme some skin {Instrumental} (2:42)
5. Gimme some skin (2:50)
6. I got a right {Instrumental} (3:46)
7. I got a right {incl. Gtr Solo} (2:50)
8. I got a right {Retake #2 Inst., Leslied gtr, no solo, drums check} (4:14)
9. Louie Louie (2:56)
10. I got a right {..Too Slow} (1:01)
11. I got a right {two false starts} (4:14)
12. I got a right {not leslied, no solo} (3.40)
13. Money (2:38)
14. I got a right {false starts} (1:26)
15. I got a right {diff lyrics outro} (2:52)
16. I got a right {incl. Solo} (3:08)
17. I got a right {diff drums, incl. solo} (2:55)
18. I'm sick of you {Bonus tracks Recorded London '72} (6:54)
19. Tight Pants {Bonus tracks Recorded London '72} (2:12)
20. Scene of the crime {Bonus tracks Recorded London '72} (2:54)
DISC 2
Morgan Sound Studios Ypsilanti Michigan 1973
Unreleased rehearsal taken from recently discovered ¼ inch tape
1. Raw Power (Take 1)
2. Raw Power (Take 2)
3. Head On Curve (Take 1)
4. Head On Curve (Take 2)
5. I Need Somebody-Sweet Child-I like the way you walk 17:00
6. Search & destroy
7. Can't turn you loose 1.20
8. I Need Somebody (Version 2) 6:43
9. Head On Curve (Version 2) 6:50
10. Gimme Danger 7:50
DISC 3
Los Angeles & Detroit Rehearsals Spring 1973
1. Cock in my Pocket
2. Open Up & Bleed
3. How it Hurts (Rubber Legs)
4. Johanna
5. She Creatures of the Hollywood Hills
6. Head On
7. Born in a trailer
8. Till the end of the night / I got a problem
9. My girl hates my heroin/ Wild Love
10. Hey Baby ?
11. Jesus loves the Stooges
DISC 4
The Return To New York July 1973
CBS Studios New York. Rehearsals for the upcoming shows at Max's Kansas City
1. Rubber Legs
2. Johanna
3. Cock in my pocket
4. Head on Curve
5. Cry for me/pinpoint eyes
6. Open up & Bleed
7. Rubber Legs #2
Live at Max's Kansas City 30th July 1973 * with Scott Thurston on piano
8. Raw Power
9. Head On
10. Gimme Danger
11. Cock in my Pocket
12. Search & Destroy
13. I need Somebody
14. Heavy Liquid
DISC 5
Whisky a go go 17th September 1973 (first set)
Totally unreleased tape
1. Raw Power 5.25
2. Head On 7.50
3. Gimme Danger 7.20
4. Search & Destroy 4.20
5. I Need somebody 5.05
6. Heavy Liquid 5.45
7. Cock in my pocket 3.15
8. Open up & bleed 11.40
DISC 6
Bimbos 365, club San Francisco January 11th or 12th 1974
1. Wet my bed 4.50
2. I got nothing 4.30
3. Head On 11.00
4. Open up & bleed 12.55
"
A Valuable Historical Documentary
Charles A. Miller | Baltimore, Maryland U.S.A. | 05/16/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, this box set does start off with an entire disc devoted to the complete recording sessions of "I've Got A Right" and "Gimme Some Skin" along with a couple of one-offs. Boring? Depends on your point of view. Many regard Rhino's complete Fun House recording sessions to be an invaluable document of the development of that album despite the fact that a whopping 24 versions of "TV Eye" are included there. Even though "I've Got A Right" was never officially released on an album, the same interest should apply here. For those who routinely collect The Stooges, this disc is essential. For the rest, it is a valuable historical document of the band at work... a documentary.
The rest of the material in this box features material that has been released before, but generally as (semi) bootlegs. Excepting the second disc, which also features high quality studio rehearsal sessions, the remainder of live recordings are indeed lower than hoped for. However, any true fan of Iggy and The Stooges should have been aware of this fact before spending the big money.
With that in mind, the inclusion of this material in a cohesive boxed set should not be considered a minus. Instead, this set is representative of what The Stooges sounded like shortly before (disc one) and after (the remainder) the release of Raw Power... again, a documentary from the early 1970s. Regarding this package as such, one should be able to overlook the sound quality and consider the historical value instead.
Hey! These live recordings were the best available... none of the live recordings of Iggy and The Stooges from that time period were magnificent, sound quality wise. Still, complete shows are provided here and if one can get used to the less than desirable sound (as should be the case for any true fan of this band who collected the bootlegs), there is plenty of material here to keep those of us who cannot get enough of the original Stooges quite happy (especially considering the fact that the bootlegs are now difficult to find). This slick packaging is also a plus.
Would I recommend this as a starting point to those just coming to Iggy and The Stooges? No! Certainly, beginners need to start with the official releases. But for those who are beyond this point, this set is essential."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1