Down By The Jetty [CD]

There seem to be a lot of so-called "classic" albums getting the deluxe two-disc treatment at the moment and this is one of the few that deserve it. The band's debut album is well-known for being a mono recording at a time (1974) when that was supposed to be a thing of the past. Yet it remains their best studio album, bettered arguably only by the live set, "Stupidity". Including a stereo mix of the album here is therefore arbitrary but inevitable. It stands up well enough and you may even prefer it if you're not familiar with the original, but it is after all the mono version that made the band successful.

Wilko Johnson wrote most of the material and clearly hit a rich vein with stripped-down rhythm beauties such as "She Does It Right". Better still though are the bonus tracks all of which are well up to standard, including a run of live recordings at the end. And then of course, there's "Route 66"...British rhythm and blues at its finest. It's almost worth buying two copies.

Wilko Johnson had always adored Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and especially their guitar player Mick Green - and tucked away on the B-side of their 1964 hit "Always & Forever" (HMV POP 1269) was an obscure cover version of a Piano Red song from 1962 on Okeh Records called "Doctor Feelgood" (Red's group was actually called Dr. Feelgood & The Interns). Wilko chose this apt name for his new rockin' band - and a kick ass British rhythm 'n' blues legend was born.

The line up for their debut was:
LEE BRILLEAUX on Lead Vocals and Harmonica
WILKO JOHNSON on Lead Guitar and Vocals
JOHN B. SPARKS on Bass
THE BIG FIGURE on Drums and Vocals (real name John Martin)

This 2CD June 2006 COLLECTORS EDITION is a celebration of their explosive 1975 debut album "Down By The Jetty" - and is an absolute peach of a reissue - it really is. There's a lot on offer here, so let's get to the details:

Disc 1 (56:33 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 13 are the album "Down By The Jetty" issued in January 1975 on United Artists UAS 29727. It was deliberately recorded and issued in MONO. 11 of the 13 tracks are Wilko Johnson originals complimented by two covers "Boom Boom" by John Lee Hooker and the Larry Williams/Champs duo of "Bonie Moronie/Tequila".
"Bonie Moronie/Tequila" ends the album and was recorded live at Dingwalls in 1974 (some of the rest of that live set now turns up on Disc 2 - see below).

Track 14 is "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66", a Bobby Troup/Nat King Cole/Chuck Berry cover version and the non-album B-side to their debut 7" single in the UK "She Does It Right" issued November 1974 on United Artists UP 35760. The A-side opens Side 1 of the album.

Tracks 15 to 18 are Previously Unreleased MONO Studio Outtakes from the sessions.
"I'm A Hog For You Baby" and "Stupidity" later turned up on their third LP in 'live' form - the Number 1 album "Stupidity" issued in September 1976.

Disc 2 (76:23 minutes):
Tracks 1 to 12 are the "Down By The Jetty" studio album issued for the first time in STEREO (minus the last track - the duo of live covers).

Tracks 13 to 16 are studio outtakes from the sessions in STEREO

Tracks 17 to 23 were recorded live in Dingwalls in Camden Lock, London, 8 July 1974 - the same date as "Boney Moronie/Tequila".
(All 23 tracks on Disc 2 are Previously Unreleased).

Recorded at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth in the Wye Valley of Wales in August 1974, "Jetty" was produced `live in the studio' by Vic Maile of The Who's "Live At Leeds" fame. The 2CDs are housed in a 4-way foldout digipak with an outer plastic wrap and the 12-page booklet has liner notes by WILL BIRCH, a repro of the United Artists press release and colour outtakes from the album cover sessions. There's also a brief interview with Wilko Johnson, Bob Geldof (the Rats were huge fans), track-by-track details, reissue credits etc. They abandoned the colour cover and eventually used photos on the front and back that deliberately aped the black and white pose and look of the MC5 album "Back In The USA" (the Feelgoods were big fans).

Remastered from the 1st generation tapes by PETER MEW at Abbey Road - the sound quality is FANTASTIC - everything you would have hoped for - really clean, muscular and live in your living room. Some of the stereo tracks do have a slightly lop-sided two-channel feel to them, but it's still a thrill to hear them in this form - their menace and almost punk excitement undiminished by decades. Megastore prices for the hard copy can be as high as £22, online it's about £15 and from iTunes at only £10 - the complete 2CD download is fabulous value for money.

To sum up - this is a great reissue of an album that thoroughly deserves the Deluxe treatment - just so enjoyable.

The Feelgoods are beloved - and a version of the original band is still gigging to this day - 34 years after the event. I once saw Lee Brilleaux clacking his way down Berwick Street in 1989 in his steel-capped loafers and sharp suit - he was gone by so fast, I hadn't time to stop him and tell him how much I loved him and every incarnation of the band since. It's a slight memory I know - but one I cherish - that's how I much I love the Feelgoods. They sent shivers down my backbone...and God bless you mate wherever you may be...

PS: Dear EMI - roll on deluxe editions of "Stupidity" and "Doctor's Orders" too...

Listen People. This is a total classic. If you missed out on it on vinyl then buy it now! The CD version just makes all the best beats, all the best riffs and all the best tunes come out better. A must for all Feelgood fans from days gone by. Order it now! No really. NOW!