Frank Zappa said there were only two bands worth buying tickets for to see live, the Mothers of Invention and the Sensational Alex Harvey band. He knew what he was talking about.
Influencer, ahead of their time, often replicated never duplicated ... you guys are deep down the rabbit hole this time, listen to the live version and don’t stop there! By the way it is the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, enjoy then enjoy some more!
They were scary, Alex Harvey dragged me up onto the stage from the audience. It was a new band he had in 1980. He started waltzing round the stage with me as the band played a bluesy version of yummy yummy yummy, I’ve got love in my tummy. Alex changed the waltz into a tango half way through. Iwould have been terrified, but he was so assuring. He whispered in my ear when first up on the stage “ it’s alright, I won’t make you look silly, I won’t leave your side, just stay with me and copy everything I do and it will look great”
I think that Alex Harvey is a genius, but his genius is in his deep understanding of human psychology and being able to bring alive a character on stage. Therefore the genius is more in the visuals as well as the music. It’s not possible to fully appreciate them without seeing the live version too. Plus there are many visual jokes in the live versions, such as Framed 1974. Although I’m not sure if the younger generation or even an American audience would understand the symbolism of the striped t shirt, the stocking over the head, the Marlon Brando joke with the stocking in the mouth, , and the flying off the stage joke, the prison footsteps down the prison corridor banged out on the microphone etc…..
Yes 'Faith Healer' was well ahead of its time. It was originally released November 1973. Let that sink in. I've played The Sensational Alex Harvey Band on my Radio Bandcouver show here in Vancouver BC Canada and someone commented 'Holy AC/DC. They ripped him off'. Alex Harvey released albums as The Sensational Alex Harvey Band 3 years ahead of AC/DC's debut. Both Young Brothers and Bon Scott were originally from Scotland as Alex Harvey was. Alex Harvey had been a performer since the late 50's ,but, he really honed his craft with SAHB. Check out his brilliant, eccentric performances on YT. So many fantastic tracks to choose from. There use to be a insightful documentary on him on YT ,but, it has been either chopped up or taken down. Alex Harvey sadly passed away from a heart attack just one day short of his 47th birthday on Feb 4 1982 after performing shows in Belgium. I was born the same day Alex Harvey was. Mind you, years later.
I think your cousin, Alex, was a genius. Totally irreplaceable. I think the band will be greatly appreciated as time goes on, and as younger generations discover them. It’s the type of band that music lovers can appreciate, but there is also a lot that intellectuals can get their teeth into, in terms of the music and the live performances. I would say that as other bands are forgotten, SAHB will become more famous, the band was ahead of it’s time and a lot of people in the seventies didn’t get it.
Hello Murray, I used to watch Alex with TEARGAS when they played the Burns Howff on a Saturday afternoon then they changed their name to SAHB.....and they were SENSATIONAL!!
OMG!! Cannot Believe someone is FINALLY Reacting to this Great Great Tune!! You're the First and I watch Many reaction videos!! This Tune A Cult Classic in Cleveland Ohio!! Didn't get much airplay which was Very much deserved!! RIP ALEX HARVEY!! Late 70s is the Era and Yes Way ahead of their time!! Thanks SOOOO MUCH for your reaction!!
Yes they were a Cult Classic in Cleveland!!!!!! Even more powerful when seen live! Search The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - In Concert (1974) [Live At Rainbow Theatre] Vambo is classic!!
Correction - mid 70’s was their hey day. They were the highest grossing band in 1975. Hailed from Glasgow Scotland. Before Alex joined them they were Scotland’s top band known as Tear Gas. Hard rockers sometimes referred to as Prog Rock. What this lady said about Alex and Soul is correct of course as he had a soul band prior to joining forces with Tear Gas. Yes - that was a REAL drummer - the best - Ted McKenna.
Faith healer never ceases to amaze. You can listen to it a thousand times and still notice sounds that you hadn't noticed before. Along with NEXT it is Alex Harvey at his absolute best. The feeling of madness in the vocals is awesome.
Love this band. 1973. Great rock band with lots of humour too. Alex harvey was a great frontman/showman and guitarist Zal Cleminson was a big early influence for a certain Mr Guthrie Govan!
Love the way the drums just used as accents while the synth and bass keep the tempo. Amazing track that just stays with you. "Framed" is another good track.
Saw them live at Reading Rock Festival in 1973 this was the opening track , outstanding has stuck with me ever since still outstanding, the volume live was something else.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. One of THE great live bands. Saw Tear Gas , before they joined up with Alex, in 1970. You must really must check out videos of their live performances. Scotland's finest 👌🏼
...got home from Vietnam in late '71 and was treated to "Next" soon after that...didn't get it. A couple of months later, after 2 or three more listenings I was hooked. Alex is my hero to this day and that f*cking band, Zal in particular, is astonishingly good. Zappa said something like, I paraphrase, that there were *only* two tickets worth buying in the rock and roll world; The Mothers and SAHB. Vambo Rools...and try this same track from the "Live" album, they put nails in their Wheaties.
The track "The Faith Healer" is from the album "Next" by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band,released in 1973.There are no samples on this album,as far as i know.It was 1973 and all music on this album was played by real musicians.Maybe there are some tape-loops and some synthesizer-lines.This track was often played in alternative-discos in Germany.Such a great band,and live they were even better.
I could be wrong, but I think they were suggesting that parts of this song's long intro must surely, over the years, have been sampled by *other artists*. Not that this intro was itself created from samples. Like you, I saw them live - on one occasion standing no more than about 3 metres from the stage - and they could play this song exactly as it sounds on the album. They had no need for samples.
Great track! They have a handful of great albums! Highly recommend the live version of Give My Compliments to the Chef from the Old Grey Whistle Test. Immaculate performance!
Saw this band (THE Sensational Alex Harvey Band) in '73 when this came out. They were opening for Slade (massive at that time) on a UK tour. Watched them at Sheffield City Hall and was imediately hooked. Go find some video of them playing live (like on the Old Grey Whistle Test) and watch Zal Cleminson (SAHB guitar player). He was insane and his stage presence was phenomenal
He was the winner of a competition to be Scotland's answer to Elvis in the 50s, he spent much of the 60s fronting a soul band, then got the gig playing guitar for the stage show Hair. When he left he put his experience together, went back to his native Glasgow and asked the wildest band on the local circuit (Teargas) if they would be his band. The said yes and their live show became a legend in Britain. Contractual issues meant the band were not paid a penny for their work so they had to call an end to it. Alex sorted his legal crap out, pulled together a new shit hot band, did some try outs and died of a heart attack on the plane home from a gig in Germany. He was a unique and briliant talent who scared the crap out the rock establishment.
OMFG I love SAHB. The ultimate Scot who did not (genuinely did not) give a fu*k. Check him live. Did you do "Next" and I missed it? If not then definitely do that, well, next!
so good to see SAHB being reacted to. I saw them regularly perform live from the mid seventies- unforgettable live shows. They were a cult band rather than mainstream and toured constantly. It was an astonishing mix of cutting edge material and musician ship with Alex's astonishing voice. They were punky before punk rock and the live performances included humour mime and even ballet!! check out gambling bar room blues , their version of Delilah. Framed is unmissable. They did a track called Anthem which has a pipe and drum element with angelic vocals over Harveys rasp. It gave goosebumps at the live shows so wistful. sadly Alex died at the age of 47 - hartbreaking. There is a version of Anthem online over images of Harvey's life- so moving.
Went to see this band several times. Alex was a great frontman. He was an actor/singer, not literally an actor, he was brilliant at turning songs into drama. Check out, "Hammer Song", "Isobel Goudie", "Framed", "Next" (a shocking and heartbreaking rendition of Jacques Brel's "Au Suivant), "Give My Compliments To The Chef". These will illustrate the point you were making about the timing and drama in his vocals. The band recorded mostly rock songs but tracks like "Hammer Song" and "Isobel Goudie" were folk influenced, "Next" is a kind of a twisted torch song ballad. "Framed" is blues, but blues straight from Cell Block 9. You really have to listen to appreciate Harvey's dramatic interpretation. I can't do them justice.
Yes, I think Alex had more stage presence than anyone else I've seen. And across more than 50 year of going to gigs I've seen some pretty magnetic characters with varying flavours of charisma - David Byrne, Mick Jagger, George Melly, Peter Gabriel, Leonard Cohen, Slade and Brian Eno to name but a few. Even among those kind of memories, Alex stands out as simply special. You are right to mention Next - it was perhaps his tour de force. But if there's decent stage footage out there of his cover of Delilah (yes, the one Tom Jones made famous) that too would be an eye-opener for Sight After Dark. Some audiences would sing along to that one raucously. He could also do an unexpectedly fine version of The Impossible Dream (from the musical Man Of La Mancha).
This BBC recording captures Next very nicely. The song is not exactly a toe-tapper, but the drama is palpable. th-cam.com/video/zqx5j-FuqeI/w-d-xo.html
I went to see Jethro Tull on their 1975 War Child tour. This band I never heard of was the opening act. Thank God I got to see them. They came on and totally blew me away. The Faith Healer is what they started with. I was blown away !! Check out their LIVE album( The live version of the Faith Healer is the one you should be playing) it came out right after I saw them. Pretty much the same show. The Tomahawk Kid !! Check out the Dead Daisy's on TH-cam. They do a kick ass version of The SHAB'S . The Midnight Moses. I've collected everything I can find on the SHAB...
Great band from Scotland, absolutely superb live. Some great albums, you'll enjoy discovering them PS. It's "The Sensational Alex Harvey Band" to give them their proper name
First time I saw them it as at a pop festival 1973. When I saw their name The Sensational Alex Harvey Band in the line up I said to my future husband, "that's arrogant of them isn;t it" From their first song of the set they proved they were truly sensational. Was lucky to see them 10 times after that initial festival, they never disappointed. RIP Alex gone way too soon.
I remember the first time they ever played using the new name - it’s a bit of a jump from Tear Gas to “The Sensational…..” and at the end of that night, us loyal Tear Gas fans knew they’d finally be going places - and so it was. Everything they did was just so unique to them and they always rocked our socks off. They used to finish with “ Dance to the Music” of all things- makes me smile remembering that and “ Dancing Cheek to Cheek”. I’ve literally seen them hundreds of times and they always gave 1,000% to the audience. Nobody to touch them.
Alex was the most underrated singer and the SAHB the most overlooked. Opened for Zappa a few times with bagpipe players in tow. FZ wanted them to play with Zappa’s band but Alex refused. Check out the lp Next. Also on their first release they have the greatest Christmas song ever - There’s No Lights On the Christmas Tree Mother, They’re Burning Big Louie Tonight.
They were pretty famous for a few years but Alex moved on. They were more often than not the headline act. It was really difficult to get tickets for their Glasgow gigs so neither underrated nor overlooked. Their albums are still on the shelves and SAD are doing a reaction to them!
It was also the first record they ever did. I remember some members of the band Nicholson ( the other “ hot ticket in Glasgow at that time) came round to my flat to hear it and they just stared at the record player in sheer disbelief. Some of them laughed ( at the humour of the song) and some went away knowing they had just listened to something completely unique and different enough to take SAHB away out of Glasgow. A cheery singalong with typically Glaswegian humour about the gangster Louis Benatto. Who else could’ve thought that one up? LOL!
wow you two are soooooooooo amazing, I am harping on about this song for years, on face book on what ever.....and here you are, the two most fav poeple I know doing a reaction 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
I believe his genius was in seeing beyond the ordinary, and being able to express that which is beyond the ordinary, so others can see too, whether it be psychology or rhythm.
Seen them live years ago , they where great , loved there costumes , ALLMAN BROS, DOOBIES BROS , we're also on the bill,and I really liked them , but the sensational alex Harvey band where FANTASTIC LIVE , and really cool, always enjoy your reactions and insights . 😊
I saw them in 1974, they opened for Jethro Tull. At first I was like, WTF! They sounded like an old lounge act for the first few songs and then "Faith Healer" drew me in. I've been a fan ever since.
Circa 1973, decades ahead of their time and their music still sounding great today. Alex was a brilliant lead, but credit also to the band, all really good musicians but that’s how things were in those days.
I saw The Sensational Alex Harvey Band in Detroit 22 November 1975. What a show! They were a very theatrical band, with props and all. Their guitarist, Zal Cleminson, was a sight. Peace.
One of the best tracks he did was "Anthem", but also check out his Bob Marley cover "Small Axe", "Delilah" (The OGWT version) or even "The Boston Tea Party".
Zak Cleminson amazing guitarist, Alex was so much fun & enjoyed being on stage. His shows were different as the guys performed a theatrical element which was a good watch.
Stumbled across this great video. I loved the reaction and the appreciation. Hard to believe the music is 50 years old. Glad to see it still being discovered. Back in the day I was fortunate to see the band several times. Alex and Zal were spellbinding and always loved the perpetual menacing movements of Chris the bass player. Great to see that Zal and Chris are still going strong.
Saw these many times and once met them at a "Wimpy bar" at a service station. I got all their autographs on a cigarette packet which has since been lost. They do serious rock but also fun things too."Boston tea party" fun covers of Tom Jones "Delilah" Coopers "Schools out" This was off their 2nd album "Next".
Alex Harvey was the singer and visionary. The guitarist Zal Cleminson is a virtuoso in mime makeup and the rhythm section ended up being Michael Schenkers rhythm section. Alex's brother was guitarist Leslie Harvey who was the leader and lead guitarist in Stone the Crows which is another band you guys need to hear. Leslie was electrocuted onstage and died. Wild stuff. Lots of real good live stuff from the SAHB that you must see as well as live Stone the Crows. Unfortunately neither band really did much business in the US. What a shame.
I got hooked on Stone the Crows about 30 years ago. She could really sing and some the songs were progressive leaving. Jim Dewer was on bass and vocals and went onto sing the Robin Trower band.
I'm not kidding: this was one of the greatest band in the world. Their name was The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (commonly called SAHB). Alex Harvey was scottish and was already 38 yrs old when this record was issued in 1973 (from Next, their second and one of their best, each song is a gem). He was surely one of the best stage entertainer in rock history. Sometimes provocative but cherished as a national treasure in GB between 1973 and 76. The band was actually very novative and not intellectual at all. Their 6 studio albums of original material are all worth listening (my faves are Next in 1973, The Impossible Dream in 1974 and Rock Drill in 1977). Sadly, Alex died in 1982 at the age of 47 (heart failure). This song (Faith Healer) deserves credits to the producer (Phil Wainman) who is the one who asked the band to make this long long introduction. They were not enthusiastic but the result show they were wrong. This song has been covered by several bands in the next decades. Would be great you react to other SAHB songs.
Alex started in the music industry in the late 50’s. They formed the SAHB it was the early 70’s. Alex died in the late 70’s on the eve of his 48th birthday. Find some of their live videos. Great cover of Delilah live.
A stunning set at Knebworth Festival, England, summer 1974. I was there. A unique band indeed. Hailed from Scotland, UK. Alex's brother was Les Harvey, lead guitarist with Stone The Crows. R.I.P. both. Faith Healer is such a dramatic song. Eager anticipation builds and builds and builds. Super band. SAHB Sensational Alex Harvey Band ......... th-cam.com/video/uiGsfv9ju8M/w-d-xo.html VAMBO ROOL!
I was so lucky to see The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, amongst other legends at a very muddy Reading Festival in the 70s! Who remembers - Wheres Wally? + John Peel's a **nt? Lol! Brilliant band to watch live. Their whole performance was out of this world and I still listen to their greatest hits album regularly. R.I.P Alex!
Great Scottish band. Love this track one of my favourites of Alex Harvey a great frontman from the 70s. Together with Uriah Heep and David Byron, another legendary British band way ahead of their time in the 1970s.
I saw the Sensational Alex Harvey Band at the Sheffield Limit Club in about 1981. Blew me away. He died about a week later. Many many many thanks for reintroducing me to this
The band was from Glasgow, Scotland. Alex Harvey did records with his own soul band and was guitarist for the London production of 'Hair'. He teamed up with Tear Gas, whose album 'Piggy Go Get Her' is a collector's classic. I saw the band at Leeds University (same venue as the Who's 'Live at Leeds' was recorded) and they were fantastic, probably the best band I have ever seen in terms of being a 'band' and being a unified onstage force. Yes, it was a fun and outrageous band, but they were popular with musicians and had a massive following in the UK, where their big hit was a take on Tom Jones's 'Delilah'. All the players were great, with the drummer, the late Ted McKenna going on to play with the likes of Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Greg Lake (ELP) and Glenn Hughes (Trapeze, Deep Purple...). And no, the drums weren't samples. The version you played is the album track, so substantially longer. Check out the video version and also 'Next'. There is also this lost gem, 'Who Murdered Sex'. Tommy Eyre is on keyboards here. He played organ on Joe Cocker's 'A Little Help From My Friends'. Jethro Tull, KISS, Aerosmith...so many bands loved the Sensational Alex Harvey Band because they were...Sensational. th-cam.com/video/ojFY3zUUwz0/w-d-xo.html
I saw the SAHB Twice in the 70s....first time we paid and second time we snuck in the side door..like you do! 😂 the support act was Hawkwind..Alex was a real hard man..he scared the tish out of me..but no doubt it was a great band.☮️💓🇬🇧
The opening was that long in order to ensure each side of the vinyl album were equal length. Alex was 'the oldest teenager in the world'. He had been around the UK music scene since the mid 50's, always trying to 'make it'. His Soul Band was B list favourites. Alex spent five yeas playing guitar in the pit band of the musical Hair, had a couple of decent solo albums, but needed a good backing band. Teargas were a B list Scottish rock band. They came together as the Sernsational Alex Harvey Band in the early 70's and and for six glorious years were by far the best and most entertaing live band of the era. Simply original and extremely talented. R.I.P. Alex, he left us much too young.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a Scottish Band, from late 60's & 70's. Alex sadly passed in the 70's I think. He had a very distinct voice. The Bands music is all very different & I would struggle to classify it, but there is a mix of music types ranging from a kind of theatrical to Rock. The Band carried on & were still touring up until a handful of years ago,....I know this bcos they were playing a gig in a place locally to me, usually frequented by students from the Universities here & apparently blew their minds with their music. Which I found incredible bcos I didn't think any younger generations would have taken to SAHB's music. But they were supposedly that good that they were had to go back sometime later to play/perform again, such was the demand.
AC/DC were big fans, and you can hear echoes of Alex in Bon Scott and Zal's guitar inspired the Young brothers. Zal is still around, currently making more music with Orphans of the Ash.
The "bass" was produced by a machine made by a guy Ashton Tootle who played with Alex on earlier discs and in the Pit band for the London version of the musical "Hair". Ashton Tootle invented the Tootlebug Drone which SAHB only used once, on this version of Faith Healer.
Read all the replies and no one mentioned Gang Bang or River of Love two of my favs. I am 70 yrs old and lived at the Cleveland Agora in the early 70's and managed to miss Alex and his band when they played there one night. I am always bummed out when I think about it.
Please Scuse the long tale, but you really have brought some wonderful memory´s to my Heart and Soul, firstly, you premiered this on my birthday March 19th, and in the 70s I was chasing my future wife, and within that chase, I was introducing her to Franks music, and she being a good Scott´s lass, was introducing me to Alex´s, we toddled of to the London Palladium for my first intro to Alex live, a Ifriend could´nt make it, so we had a spare ticket, many buyers at the entrance offering good money for said ticket, a young guy from Scotland made his way down to London just for this, he only had the correct money, our hearts just melted, guess who got the ticket, it was a pleasure to sit with him, I hope he is well................peace.
First album I ever bought was N.E.X.T from S.A.H.B. Got me into proper rock.... The guitarist Zal Cleminson is still out and about with his music. Saw him with his band (at the time) 'Sin Dogs', and now he has started up a band called Orphan from the Ashes. Saw Sin Dogs at the LSU in London a few years back....proper wall of sound band. Great reaction....nice to see appreciation for this type of music....still very relevant today.....
Great choice! (a) the sound at the beginning was actually generated on a primitive computer...an early version of sampling, (b) the reason the intro is so long is that they had to fill time on that back side of the LP, so they chose to extend that and the build up rather than throw in another 3 minute song.
Alex and the other guys in the SAHB taught me how to drink Guinness the right way (not cold) in 1973 or ‘74 when I was 16 or 17 and photographing concerts for different bands that came through Houston. I think they were opening for Jethro Tull. The venue was the now long demolished Sam Houston Coliseum. We were backstage after their set. Alex also told me I needed to listen to Jacques Brel. They were a great live act: tight and theatrical in a proto-punk kind of way, one of the best five or six live bands I’ve ever seen out of the hundreds of concerts and performances I’ve ever attended or worked. I still enjoy listening to “Next”.
Awesome, I love Alex Harvey! The Faith Healer came out in 1973, and has been covered many times by many bands. Midnight Moses, Boston Tea Party, Snake Bite and Jungle Rub Out are all great tunes to try, as well as plenty of others. 🙃
Faith healer , only comparitively well known song to feature a Tootlebug drone giving the pulse, long intro apparently (Chris Glenn) to equalise the times on both sides of a cassette tape, saw them 3 times and words like entranced and mesmerised spring to mind - never a dull moment with the SAHB
i saw the band live in 1976- his voice was as good live as on record-band had great image- alex was dressed in black and white big striped sweat shirt,braces, skinny jeans and dm boots-his guitarist was half clow/half droog from clockwork orange-
Never had the fortune to see The SAHB live but Alex Harvey freaked me out (aged 13) when I saw them on the TV..and Zal Cleminson was a bit different..I've since delved into them a bit more....superb!!...nice one guys (thumbs up emoji)
The band does exactly what it says on the tin. sENSATIONAL. , kicked the who off the stage , kicked Jethro Tull off the stage, kicked slade. , off the stage , never. , never ,be another , Eddy. Berry torryburn. By Dunfermline , Scotland , , if you like. This , your bonus track is just a gigolo, And ace in the hole.
RIP Mr. Alexander James Harvey. A truly original performer and a true son of Scotland!
Frank Zappa said there were only two bands worth buying tickets for to see live, the Mothers of Invention and the Sensational Alex Harvey band. He knew what he was talking about.
SAHB, one of the most underrated bands of all time. Harvey was a genius
Influencer, ahead of their time, often replicated never duplicated ... you guys are deep down the rabbit hole this time, listen to the live version and don’t stop there! By the way it is the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, enjoy then enjoy some more!
Thanks for the correction and suggestion Flipper!
Absolutely
The live version is the business 💪🏻
i was lucky enough to see them live a few times, I'll never forget alex theatrics on stage ,and zal;s guitar, with the costume.......powerful
Saw them perform many times, always extremely entertaining and slightly scary at the same time. They also had a great sense of fun.
They were scary, Alex Harvey dragged me up onto the stage from the audience. It was a new band he had in 1980. He started waltzing round the stage with me as the band played a bluesy version of yummy yummy yummy, I’ve got love in my tummy. Alex changed the waltz into a tango half way through. Iwould have been terrified, but he was so assuring. He whispered in my ear when first up on the stage “ it’s alright, I won’t make you look silly, I won’t leave your side, just stay with me and copy everything I do and it will look great”
The greatest live band ever. You must watch them live
I think that Alex Harvey is a genius, but his genius is in his deep understanding of human psychology and being able to bring alive a character on stage. Therefore the genius is more in the visuals as well as the music. It’s not possible to fully appreciate them without seeing the live version too. Plus there are many visual jokes in the live versions, such as Framed 1974. Although I’m not sure if the younger generation or even an American audience would understand the symbolism of the striped t shirt, the stocking over the head, the Marlon Brando joke with the stocking in the mouth, , and the flying off the stage joke, the prison footsteps down the prison corridor banged out on the microphone etc…..
Yes 'Faith Healer' was well ahead of its time. It was originally released November 1973. Let that sink in. I've played The Sensational Alex Harvey Band on my Radio Bandcouver show here in Vancouver BC Canada and someone commented 'Holy AC/DC. They ripped him off'. Alex Harvey released albums as The Sensational Alex Harvey Band 3 years ahead of AC/DC's debut. Both Young Brothers and Bon Scott were originally from Scotland as Alex Harvey was. Alex Harvey had been a performer since the late 50's ,but, he really honed his craft with SAHB. Check out his brilliant, eccentric performances on YT. So many fantastic tracks to choose from. There use to be a insightful documentary on him on YT ,but, it has been either chopped up or taken down. Alex Harvey sadly passed away from a heart attack just one day short of his 47th birthday on Feb 4 1982 after performing shows in Belgium. I was born the same day Alex Harvey was. Mind you, years later.
I AM ALEX COUSIN ,,, ALEX IS FROM GLASGOW ,SCOTLAND S,A,H,B FORMED IN 1972,, BRILLIANT LIVE BAND
Thanks for being here Murray!
Respect to you and your family!
I think your cousin, Alex, was a genius. Totally irreplaceable. I think the band will be greatly appreciated as time goes on, and as younger generations discover them. It’s the type of band that music lovers can appreciate, but there is also a lot that intellectuals can get their teeth into, in terms of the music and the live performances. I would say that as other bands are forgotten, SAHB will become more famous, the band was ahead of it’s time and a lot of people in the seventies didn’t get it.
Thanks Murray, I wasn’t fortunate enough to see SAHB live but the songs and the music have always been with me.
Hello Murray, I used to watch Alex with TEARGAS when they played the Burns Howff on a Saturday afternoon then they changed their name to SAHB.....and they were SENSATIONAL!!
OMG!! Cannot Believe someone is FINALLY Reacting to this Great Great Tune!! You're the First and I watch Many reaction videos!! This Tune A Cult Classic in Cleveland Ohio!! Didn't get much airplay which was Very much deserved!! RIP ALEX HARVEY!! Late 70s is the Era and Yes Way ahead of their time!! Thanks SOOOO MUCH for your reaction!!
Thanks for being here Michael!
Yes they were a Cult Classic in Cleveland!!!!!! Even more powerful when seen live! Search The Sensational Alex Harvey Band - In Concert (1974) [Live At Rainbow Theatre] Vambo is classic!!
Correction - mid 70’s was their hey day. They were the highest grossing band in 1975. Hailed from Glasgow Scotland. Before Alex joined them they were Scotland’s top band known as Tear Gas. Hard rockers sometimes referred to as Prog Rock. What this lady said about Alex and Soul is correct of course as he had a soul band prior to joining forces with Tear Gas. Yes - that was a REAL drummer - the best - Ted McKenna.
Faith healer never ceases to amaze. You can listen to it a thousand times and still notice sounds that you hadn't noticed before. Along with NEXT it is Alex Harvey at his absolute best. The feeling of madness in the vocals is awesome.
Agreed Shaughan amazing every play or version
Love this band. 1973. Great rock band with lots of humour too. Alex harvey was a great frontman/showman and guitarist Zal Cleminson was a big early influence for a certain Mr Guthrie Govan!
Awesome!
Absolutely
nothing captures the tension and anticipation of one of their LIVE GIGS................brilliant!
Love the way the drums just used as accents while the synth and bass keep the tempo. Amazing track that just stays with you. "Framed" is another good track.
Saw them live at Reading Rock Festival in 1973 this was the opening track , outstanding has stuck with me ever since still outstanding, the volume live was something else.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. One of THE great live bands. Saw Tear Gas , before they joined up with Alex, in 1970. You must really must check out videos of their live performances. Scotland's finest 👌🏼
Totally agree with you Patrick.😘☮️🇬🇧
Alex God of the Live Gig 1970s
SAHB The best band I ever saw
...got home from Vietnam in late '71 and was treated to "Next" soon after that...didn't get it. A couple of months later, after 2 or three more listenings I was hooked. Alex is my hero to this day and that f*cking band, Zal in particular, is astonishingly good. Zappa said something like, I paraphrase, that there were *only* two tickets worth buying in the rock and roll world; The Mothers and SAHB. Vambo Rools...and try this same track from the "Live" album, they put nails in their Wheaties.
The track "The Faith Healer" is from the album "Next" by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band,released in 1973.There are no samples on this album,as far as i know.It was 1973 and all music on this album was played by real musicians.Maybe there are some tape-loops and some synthesizer-lines.This track was often played in alternative-discos in Germany.Such a great band,and live they were even better.
I could be wrong, but I think they were suggesting that parts of this song's long intro must surely, over the years, have been sampled by *other artists*. Not that this intro was itself created from samples. Like you, I saw them live - on one occasion standing no more than about 3 metres from the stage - and they could play this song exactly as it sounds on the album. They had no need for samples.
Real musicians right enough. VAMBO ROOL! th-cam.com/video/r35Iemb7VYw/w-d-xo.html
Great track! They have a handful of great albums! Highly recommend the live version of Give My Compliments to the Chef from the Old Grey Whistle Test. Immaculate performance!
And technically, they're The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.
Next from the O.G.W.T. is pretty awesome too
And Delilah from TOGWT!
Saw this band (THE Sensational Alex Harvey Band) in '73 when this came out. They were opening for Slade (massive at that time) on a UK tour. Watched them at Sheffield City Hall and was imediately hooked. Go find some video of them playing live (like on the Old Grey Whistle Test) and watch Zal Cleminson (SAHB guitar player). He was insane and his stage presence was phenomenal
Thanks so much for watching!
Saw them in 73 at Bristols Colston Hall opening for Slade wondered what the hell i had been watching, what an experience.
He was the winner of a competition to be Scotland's answer to Elvis in the 50s, he spent much of the 60s fronting a soul band, then got the gig playing guitar for the stage show Hair. When he left he put his experience together, went back to his native Glasgow and asked the wildest band on the local circuit (Teargas) if they would be his band. The said yes and their live show became a legend in Britain. Contractual issues meant the band were not paid a penny for their work so they had to call an end to it. Alex sorted his legal crap out, pulled together a new shit hot band, did some try outs and died of a heart attack on the plane home from a gig in Germany. He was a unique and briliant talent who scared the crap out the rock establishment.
Thanks for the details Richard!
Wasn't it Scotland's answer to Tommy Steele? Or maybe both.
RIP Alex...a true performer, check out "Next". His brother Les Harvey played in a blues band called 'stone the crows" worth checking
OMFG I love SAHB. The ultimate Scot who did not (genuinely did not) give a fu*k. Check him live. Did you do "Next" and I missed it? If not then definitely do that, well, next!
so good to see SAHB being reacted to. I saw them regularly perform live from the mid seventies- unforgettable live shows. They were a cult band rather than mainstream and toured constantly. It was an astonishing mix of cutting edge material and musician ship with Alex's astonishing voice. They were punky before punk rock and the live performances included humour mime and even ballet!! check out gambling bar room blues , their version of Delilah. Framed is unmissable. They did a track called Anthem which has a pipe and drum element with angelic vocals over Harveys rasp. It gave goosebumps at the live shows so wistful. sadly Alex died at the age of 47 - hartbreaking. There is a version of Anthem online over images of Harvey's life- so moving.
Went to see this band several times. Alex was a great frontman. He was an actor/singer, not literally an actor, he was brilliant at turning songs into drama. Check out, "Hammer Song", "Isobel Goudie", "Framed", "Next" (a shocking and heartbreaking rendition of Jacques Brel's "Au Suivant), "Give My Compliments To The Chef". These will illustrate the point you were making about the timing and drama in his vocals. The band recorded mostly rock songs but tracks like "Hammer Song" and "Isobel Goudie" were folk influenced, "Next" is a kind of a twisted torch song ballad. "Framed" is blues, but blues straight from Cell Block 9. You really have to listen to appreciate Harvey's dramatic interpretation. I can't do them justice.
Thanks for sharing happily eggs!
Yes, I think Alex had more stage presence than anyone else I've seen. And across more than 50 year of going to gigs I've seen some pretty magnetic characters with varying flavours of charisma - David Byrne, Mick Jagger, George Melly, Peter Gabriel, Leonard Cohen, Slade and Brian Eno to name but a few. Even among those kind of memories, Alex stands out as simply special.
You are right to mention Next - it was perhaps his tour de force. But if there's decent stage footage out there of his cover of Delilah (yes, the one Tom Jones made famous) that too would be an eye-opener for Sight After Dark. Some audiences would sing along to that one raucously. He could also do an unexpectedly fine version of The Impossible Dream (from the musical Man Of La Mancha).
This BBC recording captures Next very nicely. The song is not exactly a toe-tapper, but the drama is palpable. th-cam.com/video/zqx5j-FuqeI/w-d-xo.html
I went to see Jethro Tull on their 1975 War Child tour. This band I never heard of was the opening act. Thank God I got to see them. They came on and totally blew me away. The Faith Healer is what they started with. I was blown away !! Check out their LIVE album( The live version of the Faith Healer is the one you should be playing) it came out right after I saw them. Pretty much the same show. The Tomahawk Kid !! Check out the Dead Daisy's on TH-cam. They do a kick ass version of The SHAB'S . The Midnight Moses. I've collected everything I can find on the SHAB...
Great band from Scotland, absolutely superb live. Some great albums, you'll enjoy discovering them
PS. It's "The Sensational Alex Harvey Band" to give them their proper name
Thanks Andrew!
First time I saw them it as at a pop festival 1973. When I saw their name The Sensational Alex Harvey Band in the line up I said to my future husband, "that's arrogant of them isn;t it" From their first song of the set they proved they were truly sensational. Was lucky to see them 10 times after that initial festival, they never disappointed. RIP Alex gone way too soon.
I remember the first time they ever played using the new name - it’s a bit of a jump from Tear Gas to “The Sensational…..” and at the end of that night, us loyal Tear Gas fans knew they’d finally be going places - and so it was. Everything they did was just so unique to them and they always rocked our socks off. They used to finish with “ Dance to the Music” of all things- makes me smile remembering that and “ Dancing Cheek to Cheek”. I’ve literally seen them hundreds of times and they always gave 1,000% to the audience. Nobody to touch them.
SAHB, one of the great live acts, Alex, the greatest of the 'frontmen'. I miss them so much
I agree, I saw S.A.H.B. play at Bradford St Georges Hall in 1975, the best gig I've ever seen.
there´s a wonderfull live video of the band in their peack 1974 ¨framed¨....that you should react for this band
Alex was the most underrated singer and the SAHB the most overlooked. Opened for Zappa a few times with bagpipe players in tow. FZ wanted them to play with Zappa’s band but Alex refused. Check out the lp Next. Also on their first release they have the greatest Christmas song ever - There’s No Lights On the Christmas Tree Mother, They’re Burning Big Louie Tonight.
Thanks for the info Rowlf!
They were pretty famous for a few years but Alex moved on. They were more often than not the headline act. It was really difficult to get tickets for their Glasgow gigs so neither underrated nor overlooked. Their albums are still on the shelves and SAD are doing a reaction to them!
It was also the first record they ever did. I remember some members of the band Nicholson ( the other “ hot ticket in Glasgow at that time) came round to my flat to hear it and they just stared at the record player in sheer disbelief. Some of them laughed ( at the humour of the song) and some went away knowing they had just listened to something completely unique and different enough to take SAHB away out of Glasgow. A cheery singalong with typically Glaswegian humour about the gangster Louis Benatto. Who else could’ve thought that one up? LOL!
wow you two are soooooooooo amazing, I am harping on about this song for years, on face book on what ever.....and here you are, the two most fav poeple I know doing a reaction 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Yay! Thanks Grant, glad you enjoyed!
The live version has much more energy and pumps like all bands should. :)
I just knew you guys would love this band! I'd recommend Give My Compliments To The Chef :)
I was just 20yo when I saw them in Edinburgh's Usher Hall in 1974. Great show.
One of the best live acts ever.. I was lucky to see them twice in my homeland of Scotland.. absolutely brilliant.
This guy understands the rhythm of the planet. What a comment. Spot on....❤
I believe his genius was in seeing beyond the ordinary, and being able to express that which is beyond the ordinary, so others can see too, whether it be psychology or rhythm.
Seen them live years ago , they where great , loved there costumes , ALLMAN BROS, DOOBIES BROS , we're also on the bill,and I really liked them , but the sensational alex Harvey band where FANTASTIC LIVE , and really cool, always enjoy your reactions and insights . 😊
That show sounds epic!
I saw them in 1974, they opened for Jethro Tull. At first I was like, WTF! They sounded like an old lounge act for the first few songs and then "Faith Healer" drew me in. I've been a fan ever since.
Circa 1973, decades ahead of their time and their music still sounding great today. Alex was a brilliant lead, but credit also to the band, all really good musicians but that’s how things were in those days.
This track was a one off, honestly.glad you found it.respect.
A fantastic live band
Very underrated band! 🙂👍
I saw The Sensational Alex Harvey Band in Detroit 22 November 1975. What a show! They were a very theatrical band, with props and all. Their guitarist, Zal Cleminson, was a sight. Peace.
Peace Don, thanks for sharing!
@@SightAfterDark Zal Cleminson also played for Nazareth
One of the best tracks he did was "Anthem", but also check out his Bob Marley cover "Small Axe", "Delilah" (The OGWT version) or even "The Boston Tea Party".
Zak Cleminson amazing guitarist, Alex was so much fun & enjoyed being on stage. His shows were different as the guys performed a theatrical element which was a good watch.
YOUNG PEOPLE DISCOVERING SAHB!!! Yay!
I’m a sucker for that 70s heavy rock chords music. Nice suggestion.
Stumbled across this great video. I loved the reaction and the appreciation. Hard to believe the music is 50 years old. Glad to see it still being discovered.
Back in the day I was fortunate to see the band several times. Alex and Zal were spellbinding and always loved the perpetual menacing movements of Chris the bass player. Great to see that Zal and Chris are still going strong.
Saw these many times and once met them at a "Wimpy bar" at a service station. I got all their autographs on a cigarette packet which has since been lost. They do serious rock but also fun things too."Boston tea party" fun covers of Tom Jones "Delilah" Coopers "Schools out"
This was off their 2nd album "Next".
Thanks Paul!
I appreciate how both of you truly LISTEN!
Alex Harvey was the singer and visionary. The guitarist Zal Cleminson is a virtuoso in mime makeup and the rhythm section ended up being Michael Schenkers rhythm section. Alex's brother was guitarist Leslie Harvey who was the leader and lead guitarist in Stone the Crows which is another band you guys need to hear. Leslie was electrocuted onstage and died. Wild stuff. Lots of real good live stuff from the SAHB that you must see as well as live Stone the Crows. Unfortunately neither band really did much business in the US. What a shame.
Thanks so much for the history and suggestion Uncle Chazblitz!
I got hooked on Stone the Crows about 30 years ago. She could really sing and some the songs were progressive leaving.
Jim Dewer was on bass and vocals and went onto sing the Robin Trower band.
Started off in Scotland as a blues band early 70s..amazing performer and showman. A true legend. Cheech and Chong even covered Framed in Up in Smoke.
Love your reactions. Especially when that second guitar came in. Watch their performance on the 'Old Grey Whistle Test' from 1973. Amazing.
The best intro to any song.
I'm not kidding: this was one of the greatest band in the world. Their name was The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (commonly called SAHB). Alex Harvey was scottish and was already 38 yrs old when this record was issued in 1973 (from Next, their second and one of their best, each song is a gem). He was surely one of the best stage entertainer in rock history. Sometimes provocative but cherished as a national treasure in GB between 1973 and 76. The band was actually very novative and not intellectual at all. Their 6 studio albums of original material are all worth listening (my faves are Next in 1973, The Impossible Dream in 1974 and Rock Drill in 1977). Sadly, Alex died in 1982 at the age of 47 (heart failure). This song (Faith Healer) deserves credits to the producer (Phil Wainman) who is the one who asked the band to make this long long introduction. They were not enthusiastic but the result show they were wrong. This song has been covered by several bands in the next decades. Would be great you react to other SAHB songs.
Thanks for the history Didier!
The most entertaining band I’ve ever seen absolutely blew me away sent shivers through my spine
Btw it's the Sensational Alex Harvey Band!
Alex started in the music industry in the late 50’s. They formed the SAHB it was the early 70’s. Alex died in the late 70’s on the eve of his 48th birthday.
Find some of their live videos. Great cover of Delilah live.
Wow.
he died in the early 80´s
He died in 1982
You have to see a live performance vid to get the craziness and charm. Alex looks like a werewolf transforming and the guitarist is a leering mime.
A stunning set at Knebworth Festival, England, summer 1974. I was there. A unique band indeed. Hailed from Scotland, UK. Alex's brother was Les Harvey, lead guitarist with Stone The Crows. R.I.P. both. Faith Healer is such a dramatic song. Eager anticipation builds and builds and builds. Super band. SAHB Sensational Alex Harvey Band ......... th-cam.com/video/uiGsfv9ju8M/w-d-xo.html VAMBO ROOL!
I was so lucky to see The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, amongst other legends at a very muddy Reading Festival in the 70s!
Who remembers - Wheres Wally? + John Peel's a **nt? Lol!
Brilliant band to watch live. Their whole performance was out of this world and I still listen to their greatest hits album regularly.
R.I.P Alex!
The great thing is that these two reviewers will want to listen to more SAHB now and they won’t be disappointed.
That’s for sure! Thanks for watching Mark!
Great Scottish band.
Love this track one of my favourites of Alex Harvey a great frontman from the 70s.
Together with Uriah Heep and David Byron, another legendary British band way ahead of their time in the 1970s.
You must check out the LIVE version of Faith Healer.
My hero in the 60's & 70's most scots my age huge SAHB fans still am to this do thanks for posting
I saw the Sensational Alex Harvey Band at the Sheffield Limit Club in about 1981. Blew me away. He died about a week later. Many many many thanks for reintroducing me to this
The band was from Glasgow, Scotland. Alex Harvey did records with his own soul band and was guitarist for the London production of 'Hair'. He teamed up with Tear Gas, whose album 'Piggy Go Get Her' is a collector's classic. I saw the band at Leeds University (same venue as the Who's 'Live at Leeds' was recorded) and they were fantastic, probably the best band I have ever seen in terms of being a 'band' and being a unified onstage force. Yes, it was a fun and outrageous band, but they were popular with musicians and had a massive following in the UK, where their big hit was a take on Tom Jones's 'Delilah'. All the players were great, with the drummer, the late Ted McKenna going on to play with the likes of Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Greg Lake (ELP) and Glenn Hughes (Trapeze, Deep Purple...). And no, the drums weren't samples.
The version you played is the album track, so substantially longer. Check out the video version and also 'Next'.
There is also this lost gem, 'Who Murdered Sex'. Tommy Eyre is on keyboards here. He played organ on Joe Cocker's 'A Little Help From My Friends'.
Jethro Tull, KISS, Aerosmith...so many bands loved the Sensational Alex Harvey Band because they were...Sensational.
th-cam.com/video/ojFY3zUUwz0/w-d-xo.html
I saw the SAHB Twice in the 70s....first time we paid and second time we snuck in the side door..like you do! 😂 the support act was Hawkwind..Alex was a real hard man..he scared the tish out of me..but no doubt it was a great band.☮️💓🇬🇧
I remember them I actually seen them 3 times,I couldn't say they really done it for me
I first heard this at the Hermit Club in Brentwood during Big Will's Roadshow.
The opening was that long in order to ensure each side of the vinyl album were equal length. Alex was 'the oldest teenager in the world'. He had been around the UK music scene since the mid 50's, always trying to 'make it'. His Soul Band was B list favourites. Alex spent five yeas playing guitar in the pit band of the musical Hair, had a couple of decent solo albums, but needed a good backing band. Teargas were a B list Scottish rock band. They came together as the Sernsational Alex Harvey Band in the early 70's and and for six glorious years were by far the best and most entertaing live band of the era. Simply original and extremely talented. R.I.P. Alex, he left us much too young.
What a choice to react to. Simply astonishing.
Yea, experienced them at a festival concert with this track in 74. They put up a great theatrical show along with the song..
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a Scottish Band, from late 60's & 70's. Alex sadly passed in the 70's I think. He had a very distinct voice. The Bands music is all very different & I would struggle to classify it, but there is a mix of music types ranging from a kind of theatrical to Rock. The Band carried on & were still touring up until a handful of years ago,....I know this bcos they were playing a gig in a place locally to me, usually frequented by students from the Universities here & apparently blew their minds with their music. Which I found incredible bcos I didn't think any younger generations would have taken to SAHB's music. But they were supposedly that good that they were had to go back sometime later to play/perform again, such was the demand.
Saw them live in 1976 at Parkhead stadium in the east end of Glasgow , part of The Who Put The Boot In tour. Little Feat were on as well !
Wow, very cool line up!
As Alex would say (and did, many times) “Don’t Piss In The Waters of Life”. RIP
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
Great reaction… Alex would approve..!
AC/DC were big fans, and you can hear echoes of Alex in Bon Scott and Zal's guitar inspired the Young brothers. Zal is still around, currently making more music with Orphans of the Ash.
The "bass" was produced by a machine made by a guy Ashton Tootle who played with Alex on earlier discs and in the Pit band for the London version of the musical "Hair". Ashton Tootle invented the Tootlebug Drone which SAHB only used once, on this version of Faith Healer.
Read all the replies and no one mentioned Gang Bang or River of Love two of my favs. I am 70 yrs old and lived at the Cleveland Agora in the early 70's and managed to miss Alex and his band when they played there one night. I am always bummed out when I think about it.
Please Scuse the long tale, but you really have brought some wonderful memory´s to my Heart and Soul, firstly, you premiered this on my birthday March 19th, and in the 70s I was chasing my future wife, and within that chase, I was introducing her to Franks music, and she being a good Scott´s lass, was introducing me to Alex´s, we toddled of to the London Palladium for my first intro to Alex live, a Ifriend could´nt make it, so we had a spare ticket, many buyers at the entrance offering good money for said ticket, a young guy from Scotland made his way down to London just for this, he only had the correct money, our hearts just melted, guess who got the ticket, it was a pleasure to sit with him, I hope he is well................peace.
First album I ever bought was N.E.X.T from S.A.H.B. Got me into proper rock.... The guitarist Zal Cleminson is still out and about with his music. Saw him with his band (at the time) 'Sin Dogs', and now he has started up a band called Orphan from the Ashes. Saw Sin Dogs at the LSU in London a few years back....proper wall of sound band. Great reaction....nice to see appreciation for this type of music....still very relevant today.....
great one here saw SAHB back in 75
Alex lived hard and died relatively young. Saw them live back in 73 and Alex and Zal Cleminson were both larger than life.
The great Band...the great song....🎸
Great choice! (a) the sound at the beginning was actually generated on a primitive computer...an early version of sampling, (b) the reason the intro is so long is that they had to fill time on that back side of the LP, so they chose to extend that and the build up rather than throw in another 3 minute song.
Alex and the other guys in the SAHB taught me how to drink Guinness the right way (not cold) in 1973 or ‘74 when I was 16 or 17 and photographing concerts for different bands that came through Houston. I think they were opening for Jethro Tull. The venue was the now long demolished Sam Houston Coliseum. We were backstage after their set. Alex also told me I needed to listen to Jacques Brel. They were a great live act: tight and theatrical in a proto-punk kind of way, one of the best five or six live bands I’ve ever seen out of the hundreds of concerts and performances I’ve ever attended or worked. I still enjoy listening to “Next”.
That’s an awesome story Ellis, thanks for sharing!
Wonderfully understated Arp Odyssey intro
Awesome, I love Alex Harvey! The Faith Healer came out in 1973, and has been covered many times by many bands. Midnight Moses, Boston Tea Party, Snake Bite and Jungle Rub Out are all great tunes to try, as well as plenty of others. 🙃
Faith healer , only comparitively well known song to feature a Tootlebug drone giving the pulse, long intro apparently (Chris Glenn) to equalise the times on both sides of a cassette tape, saw them 3 times and words like entranced and mesmerised spring to mind - never a dull moment with the SAHB
This song sounds like a lot of detail went into making it; thanks for sharing!
i saw the band live in 1976- his voice was as good live as on record-band had great image- alex was dressed in black and white big striped sweat shirt,braces, skinny jeans and dm boots-his guitarist was half clow/half droog from clockwork orange-
Out in 1973 brilliant
Never had the fortune to see The SAHB live but Alex Harvey freaked me out (aged 13) when I saw them on the TV..and Zal Cleminson was a bit different..I've since delved into them a bit more....superb!!...nice one guys (thumbs up emoji)
Thanks Ken!
that's the stuff!
Quite exceptional. I’ve been listening to this song for 50 years and I’m always amazed by how good it is.
Best Scottish band of all time
They need to listen to the song. Midnight Moses
The band does exactly what it says on the tin. sENSATIONAL. , kicked the who off the stage , kicked Jethro Tull off the stage, kicked slade. , off the stage , never. , never ,be another , Eddy. Berry torryburn. By Dunfermline , Scotland , , if you like. This , your bonus track is just a gigolo, And ace in the hole.
Saw SAHB as the support act for The Who at Parkhead in Glasgow. Think The Who would have been nervous following them on that day