Something In The Water

Four brash, uncompromising albums from the Thames Delta that provided more than just a shot of R&B when British pop needed change.

- By Daryl Easlea

Looking across from the modest cliffs of Southend suburb Leigh On Sea towards Canvey Island at night, it could, just could, be Memphis twinkling away on the Mississippi. These were the lights that Dr. Feelgood grew up under; and the mythology that John Wilkinson & Lee Collinson brought in in the mid-70s under their respective noms de band, Wilko Johnson and Lee Brilleaux, enabled a modern storytelling as theatrical as prog yet wrapped in a wholly different cape. Dressed in their suits and ties – initially as they’d just come from work to a gig – they were supported by the most vigorous of rhythm sections, bassist Sparko (John B Sparkes) and drummer The Big Figure (John Martin), the two frontmen offered the only show in town throughout ’75 and ’76 – the bands they influenced went on to define the next era in a way the Feelgoods never did: The Jam, Ramones, Blondie, Boomtown Rats, Talking Heads, Gang Of Four. That said, they were important enough to be listed by Bob Marley in Punky Reggae Party, possibly the highest accolade any group could have (“Wailers be there The Damned, The Jam, The Clash, Maytals will be there, Dr Feelgood, too, no boring old farts”). These first four albums – released in a period little over 29 months – are on which their micro-iconic lega