Dr Feelgood - Live at Rockpalast (1980)

As 1980 drew to a close, Dr. Feelgood were deep into their second (and last) golden era, churning out records and shows with Wilko Johnson's replacement, Gypie Mayo. With this guitarist in tow, the Feelgoods weren't as menacing as when Wilko stalked the stage with vocalist Lee Brilleaux, but it's also true that the band shifted their material slightly, playing good-time rock & roll that wasn't dissimilar to what Nick Lowe was bashing out with Rockpile. Lowe produced A Case of the Shakes, which was the LP Dr. Feelgood were plugging when they played the German Rockpalast TV program in October of 1980. This 2013 set, which contains the complete concert as both a CD and DVD, finds the Feelgoods in good form, running through an 18-song set that draws heavily on the Mayo-era records -- including the hit "Milk and Alcohol" and "Jumping from Love to Love," which is introduced as a new song from the new album -- but doesn't neglect such early numbers as "Stupidity" and "Roxette." Generally, the touch is lighter and friendlier than it was during the mid-'70s, which makes it more appropriate for the new wave era, and this live set stands as a testament that the Feelgoods remained a fine live band into the early '80s.