Raw Power honey just won’t quit…
I know this story has been kicking around for a few days, but I wanted to locate the above 1973 record store poster to illustrate it…which I’ve obviously now done.
They got it right when they said: “Most rock bands would be better off listening to Iggy and The Stooges mixed by David Bowie”.
There has always been a portion of fans of Iggy and The Stooges’ Raw Power unhappy with the way it sounded and ready to blame Bowie for that.
However, I have to say I’ve always loved the sound of Bowie’s original mix and Raw Power has been my favourite album of its genre since 1973.
I think I played Iggy’s 1997 remix just the once and wondered what the point of it was…it was certainly no improvement and to my ears it actually sounded generally less impressive.
But what do I know? Let’s leave it to some of the other people actually involved with the making of the album…James Williamson and the late Ron Asheton have both stated that they prefer Bowie’s original mix of Raw Power to Pop’s 1997 effort…
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Williamson: ?I personally think [the remixed by Iggy Raw Power] sucked…I have to say that overall, I think Bowie did a pretty good job.?
Asheton: ?Don Fleming goes, “You know what? When Iggy’s Raw Power mix comes out, I’ll bet you’re gonna go, ‘We always used to say how bad the original David Bowie mix of Raw Power was.’ When you hear Iggy’s mix, I guarantee you’re gonna say, ‘Man, remember that great mix that David Bowie did?'”
“So I heard it, I got the advance copy from his manager, and listened to it. Then I called Fleming and I’m going, “Gee, Don, I just listened to Iggy’s mix of Raw Power. Man, I sure loved that old David Bowie mix. Was it ever great.”…Basically, all that Iggy did was take all the smoothness and all the effects off James [Williamson]’s guitar, so his lead sounds really abrupt and stilty and almost clumsy, and he just put back every single grunt, groan, and word he ever said on the whole fuckin’ soundtrack. He just totally restored everything that was cut out of him in the first mix, and I thought, Damn, I really did like the old Bowie mix better.”
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Anyway, whichever version you prefer, (obviously Bowie’s if you have a full set of working ears) the RAW POWER: LEGACY EDITION 2-CD package will be available at both physical and digital retail outlets starting April 13th, 2010, through Columbia/Legacy. While the RAW POWER: DELUXE EDITION 4-disc package (in 7-inch square slipcase) will be available EXCLUSIVELY through
Here’s the full breakdown from the official press release…
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IGGY AND THE STOOGES RAW POWER – 15 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED 1972-1973 BONUS TRACKS INCLUDED ON DELUXE EDITION OF RAW POWER; CLASSIC ALBUM PROVIDED BLUEPRINT FOR MID-?70S PUNK ROCK EXPLOSION – DECADES LATER, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS SHED LIGHT ON CLASSIC ALBUM, PRODUCED BY IGGY POP, MIXED BY DAVID BOWIE
RAW POWER: LEGACY EDITION 2-CD package:
? Original 8-song, 34-minute album Raw Power CD restores the original release as it was produced in the fall of 1972 at CBS Studios in London by Iggy Pop, and mixed in Hollywood by David Bowie. This 2010 version is newly remastered by Grammy®-winning Sony Music engineer Mark Wilder, and should finally put the lie to years of stigma attached to Bowie?s mixes. With Wilder on board, Bowie?s mixes, unjustly skewered, now turn out to be up-to-the-task and beyond.
? Full-length one-hour show at Richards in Atlanta, October 1973 ? plus two previously unreleased bonus tracks from album sessions and rehearsals
? Booklet with essays by U.S. and UK journalists, plus introductions by Iggy, James Williamson, and Scott Asheton
? LEGACY EDITION available at both physical and digital retail outlets starting April 13, 2010, through Columbia/Legacy
RAW POWER: DELUXE EDITION 4-disc package (in 7-inch square slipcase):
? Original album (CD One) and Richards show plus bonus tracks (CD Two)
? CD Three: Rarities, Outtakes, & Alternates from the Raw Power Era
? Disc Four ? DVD : The Making of Raw Power documentary
? 48-page softcover book adds essay by Henry Rollins; photographs by Mick Rock, Robert Matheu & more; testimonials by Lou Reed, Joan Jett, Tom Morello & more
? Five exquisite 5×7-inch prints, suitable for framing
? Japanese pic-sleeve 45 single repro: “Raw Power” b/w “Search And Destroy”
? DELUXE EDITION available EXCLUSIVELY through
ON TOUR 2010: April 14th and 16th in France; May 2-3rd at HMV Hammersmith Apollo in London; August 7th in Stockholm; and 3rd annual “All Tomorrow’s Parties” festival in Monticello, NY, September 3rd.
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Pretty exciting stuff and Raw Power at Hammersmith WITH Suicide as support…see you there both nights!