Showing posts with label Dr Feelgood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dr Feelgood. Show all posts

Sunday, May 13, 2012

All Through The City (with Wilko 1974-1977) ~ Dr Feelgood

A seminal band of the 70's this is an album for the fan - getting 5* reviews from them.

BBC review
... This is unique music, even when it’s cover versions of other people’s songs – and when Dr. Feelgood rose to the challenge of writing their own material (Back in the Night, Going Back Home, She Does It Right), they were brilliant. They were even better live, too, which is why the live stuff here is essential, as is the superb DVD, which captures them scaring the hell out of the 1970s on various regional TV shows, as well as at their headquarters of evil on Canvey Island. A great collection from a band which shows no sign of getting less great as time goes on.
Guardian
.... There's no doubt the hint of violence in Brilleaux and Jonson's live performances elevated what can sound like beery machismo on record to something more complex. Equally, there were moments in the studio when Dr Feelgood succeeded in capturing what made them special, particularly on their 1974 debut Down By the Jetty, home to their three unimpeachable classics: Roxette, All Through the City and the leering She Does It Right. Brilleaux was a genuinely convincing R&B singer, his nicotine growl tapping into something fundamental about what he described as "music about bad luck". All Through the City remains their masterpiece, transforming Canvey Island into a place of mystery and wonder, and incredibly, pulling it off with its opening line: "Standing, watching towers burning, at the break of day," snarls Brilleaux, in what's surely the most romantic and enticing description of an oil refinery in pop history. ....




Monday, April 20, 2009

OGWT

The Old Grey Whistle Test was shown on the BBC from 1971 to the late 1980's. I remember Whispering Bob Harris and luscious Anne Nightingale. This had cult status - an attempt at serious critique.



Dr Feelgood is slang for heroin or doctors who over prescribe drugs (originally the moniker of Piano Red). They are still going strong and rock - definitely R&B with a very bluesy feel. They were famous for their high octane live performances. Unfortunately I never got to see them so I have to enjoy my pleasures vicariously like this.



I spent too many air-guitar moments imitating this guy.



"an electrifying guitarist and singer whose music blurred the boundaries between folk, jazz, rock and blues"