Dr. Feelgood Albums Ranked

Dr. Feelgood is an English pub rock band formed in 1971. Hailing from Canvey Island, Essex, the group is best known for early singles such as “She Does It Right”, “Roxette”, “Back in the Night” and “Milk and Alcohol”. The group’s original distinctively British R&B sound was centered on Wilko Johnson’s choppy guitar style. Along with Johnson, the original band line-up included singer Lee Brilleaux and the rhythm section of John B. Sparks, known as “Sparko”, on bass guitar, and John Martin, known as “The Big Figure”, on drums. Although their most commercially productive years were early to mid-1970s, and in spite of Brilleaux’s death in 1994 of lymphoma, a version of the band (featuring none of the original members) continues to tour and record to this day. Here are all of Dr. Feelgood’s albums ranked.

Relive the music of one of the most notable rock and roll bands. Click below and listen to the songs of Dr. Feelgood.

10. As It Happens (1979)

“Excellent live album, just a pity it doesn’t have the tracks on the EP which I had on the original vinyl release. Sounds like you are actually there with a nice raw clear sound. A must if you like Canvey Islands finest!”

9. Singles The U.A. Years (1989)

“This singles compilation is a good summary of highlights spanning the classic Wilko Johnson years through the revolving-door-guitarists era into the eighties. Dr. Feelgood were superstars in the UK and Europe but never got beyond cult status on this side of the Atlantic. Dr. Feelgood is to the UK as George Thorogood is to the US, a roots rocker that made it big in the late 70’s / early 80’s (in spite of being roots rockers) then settled into a long, well-loved touring career while enjoying occasional chart success.”

8. Be Seeing You (1977)

“When the other three members thought that Wilko Johnson was too overbearing in attetude,they fired him. The whole rockworld thought then: forget about Dr Feelgood and focus on what Wilko might do. That was a good position for the band. They got a new guitarist (John Mayo) and invited Nick Lowe as producer. They wanted to show that the whole rockworld was wrong. And they did! With Wilko gone, themself has to write songs. Half of the tracks are orginals (one by Lowe) and half covers. Maybe they didnt know it before but they COULD compose great rock.”

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7. Sneakin’ Suspicion (1977)

“People are gonna try and tell you that the music’s primal … nothing could be further from the truth, especially here on Sneakin’ Suspicion, an album that is beholding to no one, and sounds as fresh today as it did when it was released way back in 1977. There’s a sophisticated demon riding shotgun with the boys, allowing their music to explode in a controlled manner that will have you up and shaking your butt to chords and tempos that conjour Alvin Lee, will turn any flat surface into a piano, and fire up any roll in the hay like it’s the best thing that ever happened in your sweet short life.”

6. On The Job (1981)

“One more live Dr Feelgood album, the third since 1976. It covers mainly tracks of the last two studio albums, Let It Roll and A Case of the Shakes. Best track may be the great slow blues “Shotgun Blues” and the great playing of Gypie Mayo.”

5. A Case Of The Shakes (1980)

“I love this album! I’ll take it over the Wilko days. Simply incredibly great punchy songs with great vocals and playing, very well produced. Jumping From Love to Live and Case of the Shakes are two of the best records ever and Gypie’s lead guitar in Case of the Shakes is a masterpiece. I love almost every Dr. Feelgood album with every line-up except for the Will Birch Stiff crap and this is the best of the best.”

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4. Private Practice (1978)

“Once verified that you like this kind of virile rock pub, without emphasis but without excessive subtlety, you can go headlong, it feels good where it goes. The essence of rock and there, in his guitar riffs of unfailing efficiency and in this bass line one can’t be more enjoyable.”

3. Stupidity (1976)

“This fabulous live album went to no.1 in the UK album charts in 1976, which is quite remarkable if you think back to that era. Glam and Progessive Rock had happened and disco & Punk/new wave were about to be huge. So it makes no sense that a rhythm & blues band album should get to no.1.”

2. Malpractice (1975)

“I have a Dr. Feel-good fetish. Some of their albums, and I’ve had most of them at one time or another.This particular disc ” Malpractice” is the one I keep returning to while the others bore the punk out of me.This recording is above par by far and is well thought out,professionally played, cooks with gas all the way through and is the one that best represents their talents almost to the extreme! Rock on boys, leave the punk music to The Clash!!!!”

1. Down By The Jetty (1975)

“Lovers of Pub Rock, Punk Rock, Blues, should love this record. In glorious MONO, this has a sound that has been largely forgotten in rock history. In addition, for guitar nerds such as myself, Wilco Johnson is one of the most unique players in rock history, both for his original finger-style rhythmic technique, and for his gnarly Telecaster tone. His band, Dr. Feelgood, has been ignored for too long!”