This classic early version of Dr Feelgood was a gritty no-nonsense R&B outfit that could blow the socks off better known acts. These BBC sessions were recorded in a small theatre a million miles away from the lively club and pub scene that spawned them. Dominated by the razor sharp guitar of Wilko Johnson and the charismatic vocals of Lee Brilleaux the band was a beacon of tough R&B in an age of overblown pretension when rock bands seemed to have lost sight of their roots.
"She Does It Right" drives along without a spare ounce of fat, Brilleaux's harp punctuating Wilko's vocals that have more than a hint of Pete Townshend about them. In fact Johnson dominated this much-loved period of the band with both his material and punchy playing. Old war-horses like "Route 66," "Bony Moronie" and Chuck Berry's "I'm Talking About You" have new life breathed into them. Wilko consistently served up barbed-wire riffs over the driving bass and drums of John B Sparks and the Big Figure. "Rock Me Baby" has a rare guitar solo full of fire and none of the bombast of Wilko's peers; it's a fine testament to this great band.
This classic early version of Dr Feelgood was a gritty no-nonsense R&B outfit that could blow the socks off better known acts. These BBC sessions were recorded in a small theatre a million miles away from the lively club and pub scene that spawned them. Dominated by the razor sharp guitar of Wilko Johnson and the charismatic vocals of Lee Brilleaux the band was a beacon of tough R&B in an age of overblown pretension when rock bands seemed to have lost sight of their roots.
"She Does It Right" drives along without a spare ounce of fat, Brilleaux's harp punctuating Wilko's vocals that have more than a hint of Pete Townshend about them. In fact Johnson dominated this much-loved period of the band with both his material and punchy playing. Old war-horses like "Route 66," "Bony Moronie" and Chuck Berry's "I'm Talking About You" have new life breathed into them. Wilko consistently served up barbed-wire riffs over the driving bass and drums of John B Sparks and the Big Figure. "Rock Me Baby" has a rare guitar solo full of fire and none of the bombast of Wilko's peers; it's a fine testament to this great band.
This classic early version of Dr Feelgood was a gritty no-nonsense R&B outfit that could blow the socks off better known acts. These BBC sessions were recorded in a small theatre a million miles away from the lively club and pub scene that spawned them. Dominated by the razor sharp guitar of Wilko Johnson and the charismatic vocals of Lee Brilleaux the band was a beacon of tough R&B in an age of overblown pretension when rock bands seemed to have lost sight of their roots.
"She Does It Right" drives along without a spare ounce of fat, Brilleaux's harp punctuating Wilko's vocals that have more than a hint of Pete Townshend about them. In fact Johnson dominated this much-loved period of the band with both his material and punchy playing. Old war-horses like "Route 66", "Bony Moronie" and Chuck Berry's "I'm Talking About You" have new life breathed into them. Wilko consistently served up barbed-wire riffs over the driving bass and drums of John B Sparks and the Big Figure. "Rock Me Baby" has a rare guitar solo full of fire and none of the bombast of Wilko's peers; it's a fine testament to this great band.