This DVD captures reformed original garage rockers The Stooges in action in Europe in 2005, tearing through material from the first two Stooges album from the late ā€?60s/early ā€?70s, plus Skull Ring and Dead Rock Star from frontman Iggy Popā€™s most recent solo album. The 14-song setlist includes an explosive T.V. Eye, the slower bluesy swagger of Dirt, the jazzier Funhouse (featuring saxophone, as does a third of the set) and two versions (!) of I Wanna Be Your Dog. A mix of crisp B&W and grainy colour footage captures portly guitarist Ron Asheton riffing with deadly precision, his baseball cap-wearing brother Ron providing the primal backbeat on the drums, wildly grinning Mike Watt (filling in for the late Dave Alexander) clearly having the time of his life on bass and Iggy prowling the stage, showing off his always shirtless rippled torso, grizzled face and plumberā€™s crack, and even inviting members of the audience on stage during Real Cool Time. ***1/2

DVD: An occasional delay effect on the video has the annoying result of distancing you from the concert rather than immersing you in it, but the audio sounds crisp and great. The bonus feature is a 24 page booklet that includes a Ron Asheton interview and an extensive, Australia-centric essay on the impact of The Stooges. ***

Owen Heitmann