James Williamson retains the manic energy of his performances of “I Gotta Right” with Iggy Pop, a heart-skipping musical detonation that’s played a lesser role in their Stooges concerts going back to 1970. But what of Pop, who’s busy elsewhere?
That’s where Lisa Kekaula of the Bellrays comes in, giving this newly unveiled remake its edge via a howler-monkey turn at the mic. Don’t let anybody tell you that Pop is the only one who can manage the teeth-splintering authority required for Stooges music. I’m sold.
“I Gotta Right,” demoed for 1971’s Raw Power but never officially released, advances a forthcoming Williamson album called Re-Licked that’s filled with similar collaborative looks back at underrated and widely unheard moments from Stooges catalog. This song, paired with a new take on the 1973 Pop/Williamson track “Heavy Liquid,” will be released on July 29. Re-Licked is then due in the fall.
Featured vocalists working in Pop’s place include Jello Biafra, Alison Mosshart, Ariel Pink and Mark Lanegan. Just as interesting is the tracklisting that Williamson has dug up, featuring “She Creatures of the Hollywood Hills,” “Rubber Legs,” “Wild Love” and “Scene of the Crime,” among others. He already released “Give Me Some Skin” backed with “Open Up and Bleed” for Record Store Day. A trio of members of the touring version of the Stooges rounded out these sessions.
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Lisa Kekaula is the lead singer for the Bellrays, who’s music I only discovered a few months back. She;s a rock vocalist through and through, and really rips on this old Stooges’ gem that James Williamson decided to re-make.