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Essential 5

From page 28 of Classic Rock Magazine November 2009

Cover of November 2009 issue.

Pub rock albums for the cor 4 pis.seur. By Terry Staunton

EGGS OVER EASY

Good 'N' Cheap (A&M,1972) Widely regarded as the band that gave birth to the pub-rock scene at Kentish Town's Tally Ho pub in 1971, although expired visas saw them back in their native US for this Link Wray-produced debut. Runnin' Down To Memphis and Pistol On A Shelf pound a countrified trail close to early Eagles, for whom they frequently opened.

BRINSLEY SCHWARZ

The New Favourites Of... (United Artists,1974) A last throw of the dice for arguably the scene's most enduring band, signing off with a set that includes faux Merseybeat (The Ugly Things), blue-eyed soul (Ever Since You're Gone) and the first outing for Nick Lowe's classic-inwaiting (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love And Understanding.

GRAHAM PARKER

Nowlin' Wind (Vertigo,1976) This is Van Morrison's Celtic soul and The Band's Americana imagery transplanted to smoky London pubs. Throw in some rockabilly (Back To Schooldays), a bit of folky introspection (Between You And Me) and some biting social commentary (Don't Ask Me Questions) and you've got the full angry-young-man package.

DR. FEELGOOD

Stupidity (United Artists,1976) Purists might prefer 1975's Down By The Jetty, but the Canvey Island band's live album was the big surprise, topping the UK charts. It's a perfect encapsulation of their roughneck R&B sound, with Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley covers vying for space alongside frenetic Wilko Johnson originals Back In The Night and Roxette.

MICKEY JUPP

Juppanese (Stiff,1978) Mickey Jupp was a pubscene fixture throughout the 1970s as frontman with the band Legend. Jupp's solo debut is an album of two halves. Side one finds him backed by Rockpile and cutting a barrelhouse rug on Makin' Friends and If OnlyMot her, while the second side is slicker and more soulful.