james williamson

what did he do before the stooges?

johnnylove wrote:

what did he do before the stooges?

In his teens he was in a band called the Coba Seas. There was a CD (or LP?) put out a few years ago though I haven't heard it. After that he joined the Chosen Few with Scott Richardson (of SRC fame). Ron Asheton later joined this band as bass player, but contrary to popular belief, Ron and James were not in the band at the same time, though it was here that James took notice of Ron's bass playing skills, which would factor into the decision to invite Ron back into the Stooges as bass player.

to flip the question what has been doing since the "re-licked" album? I never bought that but was hoping he was going to put together some new material with other musicians as I have a hunch he may have a lot interesting music in him.

He put together this live gig with many of the artists on his Re-Licked solo album. See all the photos of that show here: http://fastfilm1.blogspot.com/2015/02/james-williamson-re-licked-live-show.html

Thank you guys so much. Been meaning to check out the relicked thing...

harmonia wrote:

to flip the question what has been doing since the "re-licked" album?   I never bought that but was hoping he was going to put together some new material with other musicians as I have a hunch he may have a lot interesting music in him.

I kinda consider the re-licked album a form of sacrilege, being a die-hard Stooges fan, but I plan on buying it for the sole reason that the lyrics are supposedly made plain on it. But it has gotten good reviews so maybe I will enjoy it of its own merits.

I'm sure right now James is enjoying a very "sweet" retirement, courtesy of the Sony buyout, and the Iggy & The Stooges reunion festival gigs, which I'm sure garnered him a pretty penny given that the Ashetons weren't involved and that the new rhythm section likely earned a lot less than they (Iggy/James) would have. But who could have guessed in 1973 that an ex-juvenile delinquent, junkie punk rocker, and porno theater projectionist could have ended up in the 1% bracket, through purely legitimate means? But the man had the talent to make it happen. All credit to him.

Most of Re-Licked is very good actually, I didn't care for the Alison Mosshart tracks as much as the rest, she wasn't "Stoogie" enough for me!! lol

sizeable bulge wrote:

I kinda consider the re-licked album a form of sacrilege, being a die-hard Stooges fan, but I plan on buying it for the sole reason that the lyrics are supposedly made plain on it. But it has gotten good reviews so maybe I will enjoy it of its own merits.

I'm sure right now James is enjoying a very "sweet" retirement, courtesy of the Sony buyout, and the Iggy & The Stooges reunion festival gigs, which I'm sure garnered him a pretty penny given that the Ashetons weren't involved and that the new rhythm section likely earned a lot less than they (Iggy/James) would have. But who could have guessed in 1973 that an ex-juvenile delinquent, junkie punk rocker, and porno theater projectionist could have ended up in the 1% bracket, through purely legitimate means? But the man had the talent to make it happen. All credit to him.

I go with everything you say here - being such a JW devotee I didn't expect to be quite so disappointed with the Re-Licked project, but wasn't too surprised given the passing years, and there's no substitute for the crucial chemistry between JW and The Ig. The intensity that Iggy's unfortunately fraught circumstances brought to Kill City is unique - one reason why it's such a great album - and any reinterpretations will inevitably sound - well, let's honest be - bland.
But better to hear JW at work than not, I suppose.

James guitar playing on Re-Licked was nothing short of brilliant. Maybe look past the vocalists and you'll enjoy it more. This was the one show they played live for the Re-Licked album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFSOQy_C6zg

mghifi wrote:

James guitar playing on Re-Licked was nothing short of brilliant. Maybe look past the vocalists and you'll enjoy it more.

Well, a multi-track (some hope) would make it eminently more enjoyable, that's for sure. :-)

I dream of a multi-track of The Weirdness.