Your Date With The Doctor
It’s time to take your medicine, time for a dose of Milk & Alcohol.
Not many things are nailed on certainties, but going to see a band that never fails to deliver an amazing gig is one of them. Of course this is no ordinary band, but one with legendary status and a history that stretches back over five decades. Originally inspired by seeing Howlin’ Wolf, Dr Feelgood have a worldwide reputation as being one of the most exciting live rhythm and blues acts in Europe.
This full-on band continues to play hundreds of gigs a year. Stalwart drummer Kevin Morris was part of those early incarnations of the band and remarks, “The gigs keep coming and the diary is full well into next year. Importantly we all still enjoy the travel, the different regions of the UK, new countries and different venues, but the big prize is always playing live in front of enthusiastic fans.”
“Some places are particularly important and highlights on the tour roster. Newcastle’s Cluny is one of those highlights. We have played the Cluny regularly for well over a decade, fantastic crowd, fantastic beer! The audience are right there in front of you, always up for it and so are we! Importantly it will be a fabulous gig and we can all sample some excellent real ales once again.”
Quality song writing has always been a trademark of the band and they have put their name to some anthemic classics; Back in the Night, Milk & Alcohol, Down at the Doctors, She Does it Right, Going Back Home and the rousing Roxette are all foot tapping, head-bobbing thumpers.
With a history that goes back almost half a century, this bunch of talented musicians play as tight as a fish’s whatsit. The rhythm section has Kevin Morris on drums and the outstanding Phil Mitchell on bass. Gordon Russell has to be one of the best lead guitarists on the planet having first joined the Feelgoods back in the early 1990’s. When it comes to frontmen, Robert Kane (Peter Pan of the outfit) takes some beating – he really is excellent.
Reviewing the recent Big Rhythm Festival featuring the great John Mayall and Dr Feelgood, the Independent Newspaper wrote: “Mayall has an OBE for services to music, but if a band could receive such an honour it would have to be Dr. Feelgood. They are the incarnation of quintessentially British Rhythm and Blues and play a stunning one-and-a-half hour set. The setting of this festival commemorated the defence of this country. The defence of its musical traditions could not be in better hands than the Feelgoods.”
Dr Feelgood play the Cluny on Thursday 23rd November 2023 supported by the excellent Auld Mans Baccie who play infectious jug blues and are top notch purveyors of good time live music.