Dr Feelgood, All Through The City (with Wilko 1974-1977) (EMI) ***** (From York Press)

Dr Feelgood, All Through The City (with Wilko 1974-1977) (EMI) *****

11:43am Friday 27th April 2012 in CD reviews By Matt Clark

LONG before punk reclaimed the territory occupied by Yes and Genesis on behalf of simple, hard rock and roll, Wilko Johnson took a razor blade to his guitar and hooked up with Lee Brilleaux, all pre-Lydon sneer and an uneasy sense of menace.

Between them, they grabbed the music industry by the balls, playing R&B with a never before seen edge.

In short, Dr Feelgood were as dirty as the Canvey Island barmaids working the joints they performed in.

Here we have a three CD remix of the four albums with Wilko at the manic helm, guiding the band through classic after classic.

While many of us know these songs by heart, the third disc offers new insight with 16 previously unreleased tracks, especially All Through the City, Roxette and Keep It Out Of Sight which wrap things up nicely.

This is a timely reminder of those pre-punk years when one band alone taught rock how to find its feet again.