Dr. Feelgood is one of those names I'd never have even considered for this feature, had I not heard Undertones drummer Mickey Bradley play a track by a certain Dr. Feelgood ("not that one") a couple of weeks back on his excellent BBC Radio Ulster show (available not on the Sounds app). And once Mickey had pushed me down that particular rabbit hole...
DR. FEELGOOD #1
American pianist Willie Lee Perryman was the first blues musician to make an impact on the US pop charts. He recorded under the name Piano Red in the 30s and 40s (while maintaining a day job in upholstery), but it wasn't until 1950 that he had his first chart hits, "Rockin' with Red" and "Red's Boogie". In 1961, he recorded the song "Dr. Feel-Good" and changed the name of his act to Dr. Feelgood and the Interns. The b-side, Mr. Moonlight, was later covered by The Beatles.
DR. FEELGOOD #2
The quintessential* Essex pub rock band who made the big time. They formed in 1971, comprising Wilko Johnson, Lee Brilleaux, John B. Sparks and John Martin. "Still active today with none of the original members." Imagine if that was true of the Beatles.
(*I've never used the word "quintessential" on this blog before. It might not be 100% appropriate in the sentence above, but I'm past caring.)
DOCTOR FEELGOOD #3
Also in 1971, these US jazz-rockers exploded onto the scene with Dick Winters on saxophone and a track about bogies and the fluff you find between your toes. The full album is available on the tube of you, if you're so inclined.
DR. FEELGOOD #4
Robert "Dr. Feelgood" Potts released a clutch of tasty soul singles in the early 80s and appears to have had a bluesy revival 20 years later.
DR. FEELGOOD #5
"Original Down South hip hop music that reintroduces its audience to the kind of rap that put the dirty south on the map -- its like taking a trip in time with your favorite mind altering narcotic." This one from 2015.
Only five for you today, but that's still four more than I'd have expected until recently. Special mention should go to this song from Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars and Vince Neil: the title track of their 1989 album... if only because it's the first Dr. Feelgood that pops up when you enter those words into google..
But which of this week's acts make you Feel Good... and which leave you feeling baaaaaad?
Number two obviously although number one is not too shabby
ReplyDeleteit's #4, what agreat great song. Mr CC, put your listening ears on!
ReplyDeleteand #1 and #3 are not too shabby either
ReplyDelete