Stooges' 1971 repertoire

An attempt to describe the 1971 repertoire, but note that the titles of three songs are VERY tentative. Quite possibly, one of the three latter tunes is "Big Time Bum" - audio quality is too poor to be able to tell. Per

The 1971 edition of the band took a new musical direction, performing mostly newly penned material: “You Don’t Want My Name,” “Fresh Rag,” “Who Do You Love?”, “Do You Want My Love?” (tentative title because the only known version is a poor-quality live recording), and “I Feel Alright” (also a tentative title). In addition, “I Got A Right” was a holdover from their late 1970 repertoire. “The Stooges always seemed to play what we were working on at the current time, not the recorded stuff so much,” James observes. “That was actually a problem in that the audience was never familiar with the new stuff. It was difficult for them to relate to what we were doing.”

Used as an opening number in their 1971 set, “I Got A Right” is an explosive rocker with a tremendous attack, faster than anything on The Stooges or Fun House. The song is spearheaded by whiplash guitar chords and features Iggy passionately defending his right to sing and move, “No matter what they say.” It was written by Iggy on his own (prior to James joining the band) and he has performed it on many of his post-Stooges solo tours (it was released on 1978’s TV Eye Live 1977). “Fresh Rag,” meanwhile, is based around an insistent, furiously fast guitar phrase. It features an effective chorus, with Iggy pleading “I need you.” “You Don’t Want My Name” is a close cousin to “Fresh Rag,” combining a potent “Louie Louie”-style three-chord progression with a memorable melody. The lyrics, with Iggy stating that “you don’t want my name, you want my number,” may have been inspired by re-runs of The Prisoner TV series depicting an anonymous numbered-only British secret agent (played by Patrick McGoohan) who was trying to affirm his identity. Another line of the song is “you don’t want my love, you want my action.”

“Who Do You Love?” is a mid-tempo number that takes shape around a jagged guitar riff repeated throughout, creating a taut, rhythmic groove. Ron and James take turns soloing on the song. “Do You Want My Love?” is built around a monotonous bass-and-guitar riff, with a descending three-chord guitar sequence inserted as a chorus. “I Feel Alright” is somewhat similar, boasting a relentlessly repetitious bass figure that recycles the main riff of “1970.”

With the trio of “I Got A Right,” “Fresh Rag,” and “You Don’t Want My Name,” the Stooges clearly had the beginnings of a phenomenal album. “Who Do You Love?” also showed promise, although the circulating version contains few lyrics, possibly being a work-in-progress. “I Got A Right” and “Fresh Rag” were deemed strong enough by the band to commit to tape the next year in London during preparations for Raw Power, although they were rejected for inclusion on the album. The 1972 London version of “I Got A Right” is the only number from the Stooges’ 1971 repertoire that has seen official release as a studio recording. Interestingly, two of the tracks, “You Don’t Want My Name” and “Fresh Rag,” were covered in 1979 by Detroit artist Matt Gimmick on an independently released EP. His versions showcase many differences, although “You Don’t Want My Name” is fairly close the Stooges’ original.

The musicianship of the new line-up surpassed earlier editions of the band. The dual guitars of Ron and James created a dense buzz-saw sound. They focused primarily on the rhythm guitar playing, keeping the solos succinct and to the point. Jimmy Recca underpinned the guitar attack with his versatile bass playing, providing fast, fluid bass lines as well as the type of grinding riffs in which Dave Alexander specialised. The Stooges’ fairly experimental musical approach of the preceding years, with many songs stretching into lengthy solos and jams, gave way to a more conventional performance of derivative but excellent rock songs.

I dont believe that the line "you dont want my name you only want my number" is a Prisoner refference. More simply just someone wanting his phone number.

G, F#, E wrote:

I dont believe that the line "you dont want my name you only want my number" is a Prisoner refference. More simply just someone wanting his phone number.

thats wat i always thought

thanks for the information Per, extremely interesting! one of my faovuriet periods of stooges the songs (i have live 1971 & early rarities) sounded very promising

Jimmy's bass was really good!

I was listening to Kill City, and the song Consolation Prizes has the same riff as Fresh Rag. I think it was a recycled song.

I agree about the phone number thing. prisoner thing seems ridiculous link.

I noticed when I play EA box set on my stereo the digital display has the alternative song titles coming up. "Big time bum" AKA "Dancing/N Man"

Found more info here under 'unreleased songs' if anyones interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stooges_discography

Does anyone else find it strange that these songs are credited solely to Iggy?

and another thing.

I'm slightly perturbed that in that '71 photoshoot that Jimmy Recca has no top (tho he does have waistcoat on sum) and Iggy is wearing a jumper. thats just plain wrong.

there's only room for one topless gent in the stooges!

Photoshoots frequently are a chance to present something different other than normal stage attire (to this day, the Ig is beshirted in all.). If James W ever performed wearing just his underwear and boots as in other shots in the Hujar session, it's news to me. Natalie?

No, James never performed wearing his underwear and boots. He did, however , wear short shorts off stage, LMAO. I have the pictures!

It would be great to see that hahaha

You probably will see it in the book, "Caught in the Act".

Natalie wrote:

You probably will see it in the book, "Caught in the Act".

Great title! Despite the DeFries swindle, I know you've got the goods.
Cannot wait for the book.

Yes, I love the title too, I can't take credit for it.

Per came up with it!

Found more info here under 'unreleased songs' if anyones interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stooges_discography


Adolescent Nightmare - love it!

pernil wrote:

“I Got A Right” and “Fresh Rag” were deemed strong enough by the band to commit to tape the next year in London during preparations for Raw Power, although they were rejected for inclusion on the album. The 1972 London version of “I Got A Right” is the only number from the Stooges’ 1971 repertoire that has seen official release as a studio recording.

I've long heard that 'Fresh Rag' and another song (Nigger Man?) were recorded in London, but has anyone actually ever heard these studio versions? I know that there are individuals on here who have access that some of us plebeians don't, anyone have any info? It seems likely - that if they existed at all - that they'd be appearing on the upcoming 'Raw Power" Deluxe freakout that we're all waiting for - especially since they're including 'I Got A Right' - like the previous 13 versions that have been released weren't enough.

"Fresh Rag" and "N*ggerman " were both "songs" in 1971. I heard them both. However, I never heard anyone talk about them being recorded in London.

i never knew fresh rag was recorded in a studio

morepower wrote:

i never knew fresh rag was recorded in a studio

James have denied(or maybe forgot) it... It's still a rumour I guess...