Which Dr Feelgood albums should you own?

 The albums of Dr Feelgood can be grouped into three periods:

 

1.    Down by the Jetty (1975) to Sneakin’ Suspicion (1977);

2.    Be Seeing You (1877) to On the Job (1981);

3.    the rest.

 

1.    The Classic Period

 

The first four albums of the most important and the only Feelgoods albums you need to own. This version of the band is the original and classic version with Wilco Johnson, Lee Brilleaux, John B Sparkes and The Big Figure (John Martin.) and this group of records features the first two brilliant studio albums, a live album and a flawed studio album, Wilko Johnson's last contribution. Sneakin’ Suspicion is a controversial record because of circumstances of Johnson’s departure allegedly due to disagreements over songs for the record. 

 

The band had always recorded cover versions, partly because Walker Johnson did not write enough songs to fill 12 tracks and partly because the band probably wanted to record the songs they did. Apparently, by the time of the recording of Sneakin’ Suspicion there was already a rift in the band, specifically between Johnson and Brilleaux, with the other two as neutral as possible, and when any disagreements occurred they were amplified by the animosity between the two principal members, neither of whom wanted to give way regarding songs they wanted to record even if the other person was not as  keen, and neither were adult enough to be able to resolve the issues sensibly.

 

According to the Oil City Confidential documentary, Johnson wanted to include his composition, “Paradise” on the record and Brilleaux, and perhaps the others, did not think it was suitable for the band. In turn, they were pressing for the inclusion of Lew Lewis’ song “Lucky 7,” which Johnson didn't like.  Apparently, the compromise was, if you want your song, we insist on our choice.

 

Johnson played on the album, but it seems that “Lucky 7” was the straw that broke the camel's back, but I suppose that would be the easy hook on which to hang the breakup, and that there were many and more diverse factors involved.

 

Sneakin’ Suspicion is only half of a good record. Johnson's songs are the only worthwhile tracks and are far superior to the cover versions the band recorded, most of which sound like filler the band plays with no enthusiasm or interest at all.  Perhaps, nobody was keen on recording that album that should’ve been pushed back for a bit until Wilko had enough songs for it but commercial pressures from the record company, that the band capitalise on the massive success of the Stupidity live album by releasing new product asap.

 

It’s a classic case of many bad decisions made for stupid reasons whereas everyone should’ve stepped back for a breather, had a rest and reassessed and then moved forward. As it is, Dr Feelgood has left us two and a half good studio albums and an exciting live album.

 

2.    The holding pattern period.

 

Dr Feelgood recruited a new guitarist, John ‘Gypie’ Mayo, and carried on, relying on the momentum and name recognition created in the classic period. The band name had become a brand.

 

Mayo and Brilleaux took up the song writing responsibilities, though the band still relied on cover version too, and Dr Feelgood recorded three decent studio albums, Be Seeing You, Private Practice (1978) and A Case of the Shakes (1980), and had commercial success, and a terrible studio album, Let It Roll (1979), and two superfluous live albums, no doubt hoping to repeat the success of Stupidity.

Be Seeing You was released to establish the new version of the band, introduce the new guy and to give the band material to play live that wasn’t completely from the Johnson years, and is not bad but not a home run either. The original songs are pedestrian and for the first time one notices that Brilleaux is mostly just a shouter and not so much a singer.  

 

Private Practice had a hit single, “Milk & Alcohol,” and the most ambitious music the band had ever recorded, with improved lyrics and a more standard hard rock approach to the R & B roots and Mayo’s inclination to overdub as many guitar parts as possible.  The production values are high and Brilleaux does actually sing properly on some songs.  At the time, I preferred Be Seeing You, and found Private Practice hard to digest but lately I’m more appreciative and. compared to the later records, its ambition is laudable.

 

With A Case of the Shakes the band ventured into New Wave territory for its clothes, album cover design and approach to R & B and for me this is the last worthwhile Feelgoods’ studio album to own and probably the best of the three of the Mayo period.  The guitar style is less convoluted and more direct than on its studio predecessor and the lyrics are splendid and witty.

 

Let It Roll is lame. It’s another record that feels, and sounds, as if the band had no interest in going into the studio and just did the album as a contractual obligation. The band plays competently but Brilleaux’s vocals are terrible, and the choice of songs is dubious.

 

The two live albums are just concert souvenirs.

 

3.    The declining period.

 

Mayo left the band and eventually Sparks and Big Figure did too, and Dr Feelgood became Brilleaux with backing musicians, though some of them signed on for a long time, and the principal guitarist, Steve Walwyn, served for far longer than Johnson and  Mayo combined,  and nowadays there’s a version of the band that has nothing to do with the earlier versions except for the name. 

 

Brilleaux fronted the band until his death in 1992 and recorded a bunch of records with it, all of which one can only describe as workmanlike, pedestrian and non-essential, unless you are a Feelgoods Ultra.  In the classic period, Dr Feelgood had a distinctive sound and a songwriter of brilliance. In this late period, the band was indistinguishable, save for Brilleaux’s voice, from so many others in the same field. The musicians were experienced and competent and the songs were worthy, but there was no positive progression anymore and nothing compelling.

 

CONCLUSION

 

Get the first four records and stop there. If you’re curious about what happened next, add Be Seeing You, Private Practice and A Case of the Shakes and stop there. Don’t waste your money or time on any other Feelgoods records.