Lou Reed - "Tribute" 3xDVD box set

Shameless cash-in, some worthy info

Another opportunistic repackaging from Pride DVD, this set includes 3 previously-released (unlicensed) documentaries featuring Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground. With Lou's passing making recent headlines all over the world, this re-release, however worthy, is still rather shamefully mercenary.

The first DVD, "Punk Revolution NYC", focuses on the 1966-1974 New York proto-punk scene -- The Velvet Underground, New York Dolls, and CBGB's feature most prominently. Also discussed are Television, Suicide, Wayne County, Blondie, Patti Smith, Talking Heads, and Andy Warhol's influence on the scene. Many of the original artists are interviewed, alongside the usual critics and journalists. This 87-minute film includes a great many historic videos and photos, and with the insights of the artists' themselves, it all makes for a superb portrait.

The next disc is "The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy & Lou 1971-1973", examining the personal and artistic symbiosis that went on between these rock legends in that era. I've already reviewed this release, on it's own, back in 2010:

http://goatsend.blogspot.com/2010/11/sacred-triangle-bowie-iggy-lou-1971.html

Finally, the remaining DVD in the set is "The Velvet Underground: Under Review". This one covers the band's entire existence and all major releases, and features archival interviews with most VU members and colleagues, as well as Andy Warhol, historians, journalists, and even fans like Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500, Luna). With plenty of live footage and photos, this is probably the closest we'll ever get to a comprehensive documentary on the Velvet Underground and their legacy.

So despite serious fans likely already having these volumes, "Tribute" does include some worthwhile material, and could be a good bargain for those who didn't already purchase  these DVDs individually.

Lou Reed dot com

Iggy Pop - "The Document" DVD+CD

Mixed bag of Iggfo

Ah, it's another re-packaged mess from UK label Chrome Dreams. This time, it's a double-disc set of Iggy Pop documentaries. The 72-minute CD, titled "The Classic Interviews", includes 8 radio and TV interviews, from 1977 and Iggy's "Lust For Life" period (one interview also includes friend and collaborator David Bowie) through to a 2005 "Remembering The Stooges" interview. There's some great info here, including the famous 1977 interview in which Iggy explains his take on "Punk Rock", as utilized by the famous Mogwai song of the same name. This disc is evidence that as Iggy ages, his wisdom and well-spoken nature becomes much more apparent. The man is simply a genius.

The DVD is actually a clever re-packaging of an earlier DVD ("The Sacred Triangle:  Bowie, Iggy, & Lou") that focuses on the collaborations and interactions in the 70s-80s between Iggy, Bowie, and Lou Reed. The fact that even the packaging addresses the DVD as "Iggy Pop: The Documentary DVD" is shameful and deceitful. That is not to say it isn't a well-done documentary, but to not acknowledge the truthful contents is mercenary.

Iggy Pop is supreme, and there's some good stuff on "The Document", to be sure. Just be aware of what you're buying.

Chrome Dreams

Iggy Pop dot com

"Tribute To Ron Asheton Featuring Iggy & The Stooges" DVD

Fittingly powerful tribute to Stooges guitar legend

The Stooges' Ron Asheton helped to change the face of alternative music, from punk to metal, with his game-changing guitar-work. Sadly, he passed away in 2009, but his friends and colleagues remember his life fondly with this special concert that was a benefit for the Ron Asheton Foundation (which assists in both animal/pet needs as well as supports aspiring musicians and children's music programs).

Recorded in 2011 in Ron and the Stooges' hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan, this special show opened with Henry Rollins doing a monologue and introduction in his usual inimitable and self-deprecating style. He then belted out "I Got A Right" with the Stooges before Iggy himself took over for a full 19-song Stooges set. The band was smoking hot, with Iggy himself as energized and manic as ever. The finale featured the band with a backing orchestra -- a weird and unlikely pairing I couldn't imagine.

Deniz Tek of Radio Birdman also joined the band for several encores, and this enhanced version of the Stooges ably captured the spirit of Asheton and the Stooges. Any serious Stooges fans will be delighted by this superb live show.

MVD Visual

Iggy & The Stooges site

Ron Asheton Foundation site

Iggy And The Stooges - "Raw Power Live - In The Hands Of The Fans" DVD

What can I say about James Osterberg (aka Iggy Pop) that hasn't already been said? He could be my father (or your grandfather, possibly), yet he's more fit than me and could likely kick my ass (or yours). The man is a marvel, to put it succinctly.

This DVD sees the remaining members of the "Raw Power" era band reunited on stage for the All Tomorrow's Parties Festival. "In The Hands Of The Fans" refers to the fact that most of this was shot on video by actual Stooges fans. As in non-professionals. That said, the result is decidedly MUCH better than bootleg quality. Indeed, this is an excellent and well-done look at one of rock's greatest bands, on stage and untamed.

The "fans" were chosen via contest, as the hardest-core Stooges fans (not because of any technical prowess), are also given a chance to interview the band after the show, which turns out candid and quite enlightening, too.

As for the content, you get stuff like "Search And Destroy", "Death Trip", "I Wanna Be Your Dog", and plenty more. Iggy and the Stooges are tight, wild, and punker than you, mate. This is a must-see for any self-respecting Iggy/Stooges fan. A keeper, for sure. (MVD VIsual)

Iggy official news site

"The Sacred Triangle: Bowie, Iggy, & Lou 1971-1973" DVD

This full-length UK documentary examines in detail the early 70's collaborations between modern-day rock legends David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Lou Reed. At the time, all 3 icons were on shaky ground. Bowie was considered a one-hit wonder, and both Reed and Iggy Pop were has-beens, surrounding themselves with drugs and other destructive behaviors. But their meeting in 1971 was a catalyst for some of rock's most iconic and important works.

Bowie, being a devoted fan of Lou Reed's days in the Velvet Underground, ended up producing Reed's successful post-VU solo album "Transformer", spawning radio staples like "Walk On The Wild Side". Likewise, Bowie mixed the proto-punk classic "Raw Power" for Iggy & The Stooges, which, though it failed to make an impact at the time, is now recognized as being one of the earliest "punk" records, and one of rock's most vibrant and unhinged recordings before or since. And beyond these ties, the influences of both Reed and Pop on Bowie himself were the impetus for the creation of Bowie's onstage character, Ziggy Stardust, which propelled him to superstar status. This creative symbiosis between the trio of visionary artists set the stage for the rock of the future, unbeknownst to them.

Including interviews with friends, journalists, and colleagues (and including the outspoken former wife of Bowie himself, Angie Bowie), "The Sacred Triangle" concisely (but thoroughly) ties together the threads between the artists. There are plenty of musical samplings, rare interviews and live footage, and photos to illustrate. I learned a few things, and quite enjoyed this informative program. (Sexy Intellectual via MVD Visual)

Iggy Pop - "Lust For Life" DVD

This 1986 German TV documentary runs at a modest 41 minutes, but it does an admirable job in profiling the man's history and personality. It's centered around a fine interview with Mr. Osterberg (that's Iggy to you), and that footage is of a sober and highly articulate Iggy - full of smiles and his usual well-spoken playfulness. There's also plenty of historical info (including an interesting interview with Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton (R.I.P), who provides another informative side to the Stooges saga). Live clips (from the then-current 'Blah Blah Blah' era) round out the program, and though these are far from Iggy at his finest, this DVD more than exceeded my expectations. A worthy bit of history for any Stooge-o-phile. (ABC Entertainment via MVD Visual)

Also, it seems Mr. Pop is currently recording a new solo disc, titled 'Preliminaries'.
See this link for more info.

Ron Asheton 1948-2009

Ron Asheton, founding guitarist of the Stooges and immortal rock presence, passed away at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan recently. His guitar-work inspired nearly every punk, noise, shoegaze, metal, rock and alternative band since the late 60's. Led by the inimitable vocalist Iggy Pop and also featuring Ron's brother Scott Asheton (drums) and Dave Alexander (bass), the Stooges created their own language in the lexicon of rock, and providing a much-needed dose of nihilism to the end of the 'Summer Of Love' sixties. The Stooges had recently reformed and toured with Ron on guitar, and they released their 'comeback' LP, 'The Weirdness', in 2007.

Iggy himself has issued a press release that said: "I am in shock. He was my best friend."

R.I.P. Ron Asheton - a true musical legend.

A video of the Stooges in Cincinnati in 1970...

"The House Of The Rising Punk" DVD (director: Christian Dreher)

This 1998 documentary chronicles the early-mid 70's New York pre-punk music scene, told via a series of firsthand accounts from some of the great artists who helped to spawn it (Patti Smith, Tom Verlaine, Richard Hell, Jim Jarmusch, Alan Vega, Legs McNeil, etc.). Of course, this tale involves Hilly Kristal and his Bowery club, CBGB's, which gave these artists and others (Blondie, Talking Heads, Television, Suicide, Ramones, New York Dolls, Wayne/Jayne County, Stooges, etc.) a place to play and grow. 'Rising Punk' is brief (60 minutes), with no extra features, but it doesn't need more. There are tons of rare photos and film clips to illustrate the importance and relevance of New York's CBGB's scene, and it's relation to the 'punk' explosion in general. An excellent and informative look at a counterculture that was (at the time) untainted by commercial pressures or corporate marketing. Recommended for anyone wondering about the genesis of punk rock and alternative music in general. (ABC Entertainment via MVD Visual)

"Rock & Rule" (dir: Clive A. Smith)

This feature-length, 1983 Canadian animated rock obscurity is tailor-made for fans of stuff like 'Heavy Metal', Ralph Bakshi's innovative films ('Fritz The Cat', 'American Pop', 'Lord Of The Rings', 'Cool World'), or even Peter Chung's much later 'Aeon Flux' TV shorts. It's the tale of a young rock band who find their lovely co-vocalist (Angel) abducted by an evil rock star (a vaguely Bowie-esque chap named Mok) in order to summon a gigantic demon. Yeah, so that sounds a bit iffy, but stay with it - it's fantasy!
Needless to say, Mok's advances towards the imprisoned Angel are met with resistance, especially from aspiring star and co-singer Omar, who has a romantic interest in Angel himself. With music from Blondie's Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, Lou Reed, Cheap Trick, and Iggy Pop (not to mention Earth, Wind, & Fire), this epic sci-fi rock fantasy tale is interesting and fun, and definitely aimed at adults (the club scene in particular is, well, full of gigantic jiggling breasts). Some segments (the musical interludes) are quite psychedelic, and I'd bet there were more than a few teens who got stoned to watch this way back when...Fine work, and I should add that the soundtrack (in remastered 5.1) is incredible - sounds flew all over the room! Nice touch.

Iggy & The Stooges - "Escaped Maniacs" 2xDVD

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