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Mastertapes: Episode 5: Wilko Johnson (the A-side)

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Episode 5

Episode 5: Wilko Johnson (the A-side)

Wilko Johnson (the A-side)

BBC Radio 6 Music - Mastertapes, Wilko Johnson (the A-side)

Wilko Johnson talks to John Wilson about Down By The Jetty, the debut album by Dr Feelgood

Wilko Johnson talks to John Wilson about Down By The Jetty, the debut album by Dr Feelgood.

John Wilson returns with a new series of Mastertapes, in which he talks to leading performers and songwriters about the album that made them or changed them. Recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC's iconic Maida Vale Studios. Each edition includes two episodes, with John initially quizzing the artist about the album in question, and then, in the B-side, the audience puts the questions. Both editions feature exclusive live performances.

Programme 1, A-side. "Down By The Jetty" with Wilko Johnson.

At the beginning of 2013 Wilko Johnson announced a series of farewell UK concerts in March. The guitarist and founding member of Dr. Feelgood has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and he has chosen not to undergo chemotherapy. But before these final live appearances and before going into the studio to complete a new album, he came to the BBC Maida Vale studios to discuss the making of his very first one: Dr. Feelgood's debut album, "Down By The Jetty".

Released in January 1975 and including 'Roxette', 'She Does It Right' and 'All Through the City', the album has been cited as a major influence by the likes of Paul Weller, the Clash, Blondie and the Ramones. 

The B-side of the programme, where it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions, can be heard tomorrow at 3.30pm

Future Programmes will include Mike Scott talking about the Waterboys' album "Fisherman's Blues" and Richard Thompson revisiting his best selling solo album, "Rumor & Sigh".

Complete versions of the songs performed in the programme (and others) can be heard on the 'Mastertapes' pages on the Radio 4 website, where the programmes can also be downloaded and other musical goodies accessed.

Producer: Paul Kobrak.

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John Wilson talks to musicians about their career-defining albums.

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Episode 5: Wilko Johnson (the A-side)

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