Iggy Pop is a super-human. He is a rock god. If you have any doubts to that kind of lofty praise, a quick browse at the first disc of this set will confirm it. Recorded live in Belgium in 2005 during the Stooges historic reformation tour, this DVD set captures the ferocity and fearlessness of Iggy the entertainer. At 61-years young, the former Jim Osterberg is primal, relentlessly energetic, provocative, and a stage-driven wild animal who puts to shame rock stars half his age. The man oozes attitude and snarl. Here, joined by Stooges Ron and Scott Asheton and former Minutemen/firehose bassist Mike Watt, he takes control of the stage and never gives it up. The show, naturally, highlights plenty of the Stooges classic pre-punk rock, and great songs like 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' and '1969' are amped-up and still great after 30 years. He even ushers a bunch of fans onstage to dance (and even sing along with) a few songs - much to the chagrin of security! Hah!
The second disc is full of bonus materials, including a documentary '30 Years In 60 Minutes', which is very unsatisfying and scattered. Somewhere out there is a thorough and exhaustive history of Iggy Pop on video - but it's not here. Hell, a feature-length film would be barely touching the surface and stories that surround Iggy and his years in the 'business'.
Anyway, in-depth interviews with the surviving Stooges (and one of Pop's longtime girlfriends, even) are entertaining and informative, with Iggy himself, of course, being the highlight. The man is full of a wealth of knowledge and experience, and his animated and well-spoken demeanor makes for a fun and honest interview.
Overall? Great live DVD, superb interviews, lackluster documentary. And at around 5 hours in total, 'Escaped Maniacs' is easily a must-have for fans. (Charly Films/MVD Visual)
Iggy Pop website
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