01 February 2010 (released)
18 January 2010
To compliment the release of 'Oil City Confidential’ - director Julien Temples’ third instalment in his trilogy about British music culture in the 1970’s – EMI have released a rockin’ brilliant movie soundtrack. The film is about Canvey Island, Essex, and local pub-rock band Dr. Feelgood, who advanced to global fame soon after their legendary 1973 gig at London’s Hope & Anchor.
Naturally, the soundtrack features plenty of Dr. Feelgood songs to make you feel good and remind you what excellent music should be all about!
Formed by childhood friends Lee Brilleaux (vocals), Wilko Johnson (guitar), John B. Sparks (bass) and John Martin (drums) during their teens, the band first played outside pubs and clubs they were too young to frequent. In 1971 they went fully electric, naming themselves Dr. Feelgood (after a Willie Perryman song).
Drawing on their first four albums (the raw-sounding 'Down By The Jetty’, followed by 'Malpractice’, the live album 'Stupidity’ and 'Sneakin Suspicion’ respectively), the soundtrack consists of a whopping 23 tracks, out of which 20 are Dr. Feelgood numbers, out of which 10 are live tracks (phew!). Three numbers are by other artists who proved to be a major influence on the band, namely Johnny Kidd & The Pirates with 'Shaking All Over’ and 'A Shot Of Rhythm and Blues’ plus The Paramounts with their version of Lieber & Stollers 'Poison Ivy’.
The prolific Wilko, whose writing talents heavily contribute to the band’s ongoing legacy, penned ten Dr. Feelgood songs on the album. Other tracks include more than impressive cover versions of blues & R&B staples such as 'I’m A Hog For You Baby’ or 'Riot In Cell Block Nine’ – a track covered by many an artist from Johnny Cash to Wanda Jackson.
If 'Oil City Confidential – The Movie’ is essential viewing, then 'Oil City Confidential – The Soundtrack’ is essential listening!
