In the bleak mid-'70s, when glam rock's glitter was fading and prog's pretensions were bloating, a snarling pack of British pub-rockers named Dr. Feelgood injected a much-needed shot of adrenaline into rock 'n' roll's veins. Their 1977 compilation album, "Casebook," is a raw and raucous testament to their no-frills approach, capturing the essence of their sweat-soaked live shows and their unwavering commitment to rhythm and blues.
Emerging from Canvey Island, a desolate patch of land on the Thames Estuary, Dr. Feelgood embodied the working-class grit and rebellious spirit of their surroundings. Led by the charismatic frontman Lee Brilleaux, whose manic stage presence and gravelly vocals were a force of nature, the band tore through a repertoire of blues standards and original compositions with a relentless energy that was both exhilarating and exhausting.
"Casebook" compiles tracks from their first three studio albums, showcasing their evolution from a raw and scrappy outfit to a tighter and more polished band, while never sacrificing their raw intensity. Produced by a motley crew of studio wizards, including Nick Lowe, Richard Gottehrer, and Vic Maile, the album captures the band's sound with a raw immediacy that makes you feel like you're right there in the front row, dodging flying beer bottles and getting knocked around by the mosh pit.
From the opening salvo of "She Does It Right," a Chuck Berry-inspired rocker that explodes with a primal energy, to the slow-burning blues of "Roxette," a Wilko Johnson original that showcases his signature choppy guitar style and Brilleaux's soulful vocals, "Casebook" is a non-stop thrill ride. The band's rhythm section, anchored by the powerhouse drumming of The Big Figure and the solid basslines of John B. Sparks, lays down a rock-solid foundation for the guitar and vocal histrionics, creating a sound that's both tight and loose, disciplined and chaotic.
The album's highlights include the raucous "Back in the Night," a Wilko Johnson composition that features his trademark staccato guitar riffs and Brilleaux's snarling vocals, and the soulful ballad "Milk and Alcohol," a Gypie Mayo-penned tune that showcases a softer side of the band, without sacrificing their intensity.
