Maps of Music

American Caesar (1993)

Where the lyrics of American Caesar take you, and where it was really made.

The album's cover of the 1960s standard "Louie Louie" carries new, politically charged lyrics that Iggy Pop wrote himself.

Key places

Recorded at Kingsway Studios, New Orleans (1993)

Recording site Mobile studio, 1305 Soniat Street — The album was recorded at Kingsway Studios in New Orleans between October 1992 and February 1993. The point is shown at city level, so the exact building is not confirmed. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Bearsville Studios (1993)

Recording site Bearsville Studios — Bearsville Studios is listed as one of the two studios where the album was recorded. The French Wikipedia article places the Bearsville sessions in New York. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Tenth studio album by Iggy Pop
• Released 7 September 1993 on Virgin Records
• Produced by Malcolm Burn, according to the French Wikipedia article
• Followed the success of Brick by Brick

Background

• After Brick by Brick, Pop kept that album's lyrical themes and toughened the musical foundation
• Often considered one of his stronger albums of the 1990s
• Videos were made for "Wild America" and "Beside You"
• Includes a cover of "Louie Louie", the 1960s standard made famous by the Kingsmen, with new politically charged lyrics written by Pop

Recording

• Recorded between October 1992 and February 1993
• Sessions took place at Kingsway Studios in New Orleans and Bearsville Studios in New York
• Mixed at Pinebrook Recording Studio and mastered at Sterling Sound
• Malcolm Burn mixed most of the tracks, and Mark Howard recorded the album
• Core lineup: Iggy Pop, Eric Schermerhorn, Malcolm Burn, Hal Cragin and Larry Mullins

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• James Newell Osterberg Jr., born April 21, 1947 in Muskegon, Michigan, known as Iggy Pop.
• Began as drummer in Ann Arbor high school bands, including the Iguanas and the Prime Movers, where he got the nickname "Iggy".
• Formed the Psychedelic Stooges with Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton and Dave Alexander; he became the lead vocalist, nicknamed "Pop".
• Signed with Elektra Records in 1968, following the Doors.

Members

• Original Stooges lineup: Iggy Pop (vocals), Ron Asheton (guitar), Scott Asheton (drums), Dave Alexander (bass).
• Later lineup included James Williamson (guitar) and Scott Thurston; the band reunited with Mike Watt and Steve Mackay in 2003-2005.

Career

• The Stooges' albums sold poorly, but they became known for confrontational live performances, including self-mutilation and stage-diving.
• Raw Power (1973) became influential on the Sex Pistols, the Smiths and Nirvana.
• Solo debut with David Bowie: The Idiot and Lust for Life (1977), with Bowie producing; "China Girl" was later a hit for Bowie in 1983.
• Only Top 40 US hit "Candy" (1990), a duet with Kate Pierson of the B-52's.
• "Lust for Life" was featured in the film Trainspotting (1996).
• The Stooges were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010; Pop received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
• Also an actor and voice performer in films and television, and hosts the radio show Iggy Confidential on BBC Radio 6 Music.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Melody Maker published a favorable review, praising the raw power of Pop's return to the edge of innovation

Reappraisal

• Mark Demming of AllMusic called the album "an overlooked masterpiece" in a retrospective review
• Stephen Thomas Erlewine described its sound as a "grungy detour"

Records

• "Wild America" reached number 25 on Modern Rock Tracks on 16 October 1993 and stayed in the charts for three weeks
• Charted in Sweden (2nd) and France (14th), according to the French Wikipedia article
• Did not chart on the Billboard 200 in the United States
• Reported good sales in the UK and US, according to the Portuguese Wikipedia article

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The cover of "Louie Louie" uses lyrics Pop wrote himself, with a sharp political edge.
• The French Wikipedia article says Iggy wrote new lyrics for the Richard Berry song "Louie Louie".
• "Beside You" was a duet, with Lisa Germano singing backing vocals on the track.
• The B-side "Les Amants" is a collaboration between Les Rita Mitsouko and Iggy Pop.
• The album's "Beside You" single came with several B-sides, including a live "Louie Louie" and an acoustic "Beside You".

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

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