james williamson up on youtube now live sat night sept 5

dereksee wrote:

There's always gonna be naysayers. Very easy to post vitriol on the web in a faceless way.

How does simply stating that he made a couple of mistakes qualify as vitriol? I'll ask again - do you think he is ready to go on stage with The Stooges right now?

I saw James Williamson on stage more than a dozen times in the 1970's. He is a phenomenal guitarist and I've seen what he is capable of doing. He isn't back to that point yet and no one (least of all, me) would expect him to be. The fact that he is playing with your band in a small club in San Jose would seem to prove the point that he knows he needs rehearsal time.

Surely. however, you can't believe that (as great as the videos are) he is in tip top form already after not having played guitar for so many years. You are a musician and must realize that he is going to get better and better with more practice time under his belt. That's all I (and I think others) are saying. We'll have to agree to disagree on whether or not this is a rude thing to say. Once again - I'll bet Mr. Williamson thinks he needs more rehearsal time.

dereksee wrote:

I say once again, he did a fabulous job and it was incredible hearing that guitar again. we are very lucky that he is still HERE to play guitar and that he is willing to do it on stage again.

Absolutely correct. When Ron Asheton (who was a dear friend of mine) passed away I held out hope that someone would find a way to bring James out of retirement. It's happened and I couldn't be happier unless both Ron and James were in the band.

Huge thanks to you for making your band available to him. I hope you do it again.

Aku wrote:

sway wrote:

modbird99 wrote:

.

i agree with ya for the most part...

i do want to add, though, that actual musicians do tend to view things a little bit differently. i appreciated the stooges more once i learned to play a bit of it on guitar. i realized the full extent of ron's creativity once i started trying to play his songs....

...same thing for james williamson. i just didnt appreciate him as much in the early stages of my stooges fandom.

musicans do have a habit of wanting to compare...its really the same thing as that endless "page or hendrix" debate.

- I agree...but I have to say this:
Hendrix is so much better than Page, god that Dread Shitppelin..HAHHAHA...

Let's not go THERE.....

Back on topic for a bit...shouldn't we just consider ourselves lucky and just ENJOY THE DAMN MUSIC? I'm going to.

I'm just enjoying the music.

James seemed to put in a damn fine performance last weekend - and considering it was his first since 1974 it's exceptional. So what if a few bum notes were hit? Who really cares? It struck me that for a man of 60, who has rarely played guitar for many many years, he's regaining his chops with astonishing speed, and he's having some fun with a cool band playing some excellent songs while he's still improving. Good on ya James!

And well done to the Careless Hearts for getting JW back on stage again.

Frankly, whether JW is as good as he was all those years ago or not seems irrelevant to me. He's not the same angry young man that he was - after 35 years who the hell is? He's simply older and wiser and he's clearly happy playing those songs again, songs that we all want to hear, and songs that he still has the energy to play. So everyone's a winner! What could be wrong with that?

Cheers,

Richard

Yeah, me too. Is he ready to play with the stooges, hell yeah. Not pushing the strings down hard enough, one of the funniest thing ive ever read! As far as festivals full of hard core fans shouting down James. Oh man. The people at festivals are for the most part young and waitin gfor the latest flavor of the month to play. Then they see the stooges and realize what music is all about. Its rock and roll!

larry fine wrote:

I'll ask again - do you think he is ready to go on stage with The Stooges right now?

It's up to him. If he wants to, he will.

thanks ... I finally heard gimme danger, cock in my pocket

Richard, you nailed it HEAD ON.

Yes, myself and the rest of the band are completely humbled and honored about this gig. I have to say it was one of the most exciting (probably THE most exciting) night of playing live music I've ever been involved in since I started gigging when I was 15.

Just like the audience in the Blank Club reacted, when Iggy & The Stooges hit the festival stages the surge of energy and those SONGS is what is gonna floor people, just like the Ron era Stooges reunion floored people. When I saw THAT band there were plenty of clams but it didn't stop me, my girlfriend and the rest of the crowd from going NUTS hearing those songs.

You're right Sam. Anyone who plays guitar well knows that if the strings are pressed down too hard, the intonation goes sharp.

Welcome modbird99. Great first post. Love your description of that "batshit crazy" crowd. And "drunk on the music" haha. Every single person in the room screams and bursts into applause in unison after every song. Good on JAMES. He really gave 'em their money's worth although there was never a doubt in my mind. And the fact that James welcomed ALL cameras so in his words "everybody could have a good time" is just like something he would do. Just seeing the Youtube clips is ELECTRIFYING. "Mr I'm so cool that I haven't made it in the music business, but my opinion matters" is GOLD. And truth.

Dereksee you should be proud of yourself. I'm so glad this all went off to perfection. I'm sure you've been consumed with this since the start and it was obviously an overwhelming success. And there's going to be MORE film of this? I can't fucking wait. The Careless Hearts were over the top good. And Derek don't let these asshats on here chase you away. Come back soon, hear!

I Got Nothing and Louie Louie REALLY kicked ass!! I didn't think I would ever hear the Metallic KO version lyrics to that song again!!''

There's also a sort of bad quality video of Johanna on Facebook that I can't link to that's worth finding. I'm really loving the Kill City songs.

I can't wait for the pro-shot versions

I hope Careless Hearts open for the stooges on tour. If not ill go see them if they ever get anywhere near florida!

dereksee wrote:

"Radish" you are making observations about low quality clips on youtube and you have no idea what you are talking about. Wait til the pro video is available to see. You will be eating crow.

I think I'd rather have a spanking.... and yes, I can't wait for the pro video!

He's going to be playing on a "whole other level" when he's with Watt, Scotty and Iggy.....Iggy also plays guitar (acoustic).....Watt's played NONSTOP since the 70's........Iggy's sang with countless other pro musicians...and Scotty has been on countless reunited tours.......








Even Ron was concerned about Watt's playing.....so concerned he took an extra bass to recordings just in case he felt Watt couldn't cut it...Watt had to learn and make stylized adjustments....and this is Mad Man Watt....

Many here already stated that James did an awesome job and is going to cut it! Take it personal if you must......

Anyway....when you've been on a board as long as some.... after one has talked about everything under the sun....what other conversation can one have.....constant pleasantries? Such are a bore...and not real life...does nothing for growth.....other points of view.....or inspiration....

There are 2 other videos of the show, one shot by James' camera -- mounted stationary in a good position -- that I am rendering now -- 8 hrs to go, preview video was slow mo but the audio was good. The other was shot by Robert Wellington, an NBC photojournalist with a mobile professional camera, he's working on the final product. James also has a separate audio recording he says is very good.

Kudos to Derek for easing him back into playing, and don't forget he is the author of the Fretboard jounal article from last winter:)

Iggy about the Raw Power shows today: http://www.spinner.com/2009/09/08/iggy-pop-confirms-details-of-stooges-gigs-in-2010/

cb
http://iggypop.org
http://straightjameswilliamson.com

Great Cathy ! Those vids should be sweeeeet !

Derek, any chance of a 2nd show?

Well, oldhall, chances are slim to none that Derek will come back here to say anything to these killjoys. Why would he? Too bad really, we had a working musician who plays with James.

What's with all moaning on such a happy occasion? I've seen nothing but good wishes and endless goodwill on this board. Pointing out the obvious ('bit rusty') is hardly being a killjoy.

The Stooges stood in front of crowds hurling bottles at their heads and did ZERO whining. If the original band were this thin-skinned they would've split-up in 1968. Maybe the need for nothing but feel-good vibes is some kind of Californian thing, I dunno.

Again, excellent work to all concerned. Seriously.

Now where's the Penetration video? Best riff of all time.

dereksee wrote:

to all of you "critics". Why don't you post a video of yourself playing onstage at a gig. I'm very curious to hear you play, hear the songs you've written and see your reaction on a crowd.

There always has to be someone chiming in saying that there were mistakes, etc. It would be very easy to point out mistakes at any gigs (including any of the other Stooges reunion shows.) Really, WHO CARES other than musicians that are trying to make someone look bad.

James got up there, and literally SLAYED the audience. The room was full of ear to ear grins and pandemonium. yet it's very easy for a paper tiger on a computer who very well may never have even PLAYED a gig to try to cut him down.

This is JAMES WILLIAMSON, the man who wrote the songs on Raw Power. And you are WHO????

He hasn't played in years and did a kick ass job...

So what if he made mistakes and there's conversation about it! If I'm wrong....so what......the difference is, there's not bad intention behind our observations.....we want James to succeed.....and that he will.....he's no dip....

And as far as paper tigers.....been a local band reviewer/interviewer in LA for ...not one but two local music rags...... been a front person on all my projects (except for one where I played bass with a music icon) working only on "original" material and closely with many guitarists.... I'm a ball buster when it comes to my own personal projects and expect who I'm working with to be abe to take critique or suggestions.....most of my friends are musicians.........many here have also been true die hard Stooge fans for many many years......

Speaking of which...."two" guitarists (rhythm and lead) make a band sound fuller..gives it more power.......I'm sure you know the difference.......when there's only one guitarist playing.....well.......they better be a power house player.....Raw Power material and pace is.....in your face....

Oh baby girl...don't be sad....I'm sure Derek will return....that would be really silly/petty if he didn't....

[quote="Radish"]

dereksee wrote:

He hasn't played in years and did a kick ass job...

So what if he made mistakes and there's conversation about it! If I'm wrong....so what......the difference is, there's not bad intention behind our observations.....we want James to succeed.....and that he will.....he's no dip....

You have to remember we're all Stooges fans in here and we didn't become fans because we're PC, know when to shut up, sniff flowers or hug bunnies and neither were or probably still are the Stooges.

Where is Scott Thurston?


nitebob

studioguy wrote:

[
You have to remember we're all Stooges fans in here and we didn't become fans because we're PC, know when to shut up, sniff flowers or hug bunnies and neither were or probably still are the Stooges.

hey, I don't mind hugging rabbits. But then I'm a girl. And a gushing fangirl at that.
ok sorry for that, back to the topic.

Nadja wrote:

studioguy wrote:

[
You have to remember we're all Stooges fans in here and we didn't become fans because we're PC, know when to shut up, sniff flowers or hug bunnies and neither were or probably still are the Stooges.

hey, I don't mind hugging rabbits. But then I'm a girl. And a gushing fangirl at that.
ok sorry for that, back to the topic.

Ok, you can hug all the bunnies you want

Quote :

musicans do have a habit of wanting to compare...its really the same thing as that endless "page or hendrix" debate.

Such an underrated guitar genius Rory Gallagher was that he's always been left out of such comparisons.

Nitebob wrote:

Where is Scott Thurston?


nitebob

Good question. Who's gonna play piano?