TCCDM Pulls One Out: "SAHB Stories" - The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (1976)
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"SAHB Stories" - The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (1976)
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band has always enjoyed adding a little slice of avant-garde to their sound. A little twist to their lemons. On "SAHB Stories" (pronounced "Sob Stories"), however, the theatrics are toned down just a smidge, and yet the album still delivers more often than the midwives at the Nonnatus House. Everybody came to the party, especially guitarist Zal Cleminson and bassist Chris Glen, who always seem to play off each other with such ease and chapeau. "SAHB Stories," the band's sixth album, has it all and with no drop-off. The riffage bangs right alongside Alex Harvey's tongue-in-cheek swag without any problems. Add a little atmosphere and attitude, and you have yourself a surprisingly strong hoss for being this deep in their discog rodeo.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band were a fearless band who totally committed with in-your-face panache. And on this album, the songs appear to have a sharper bite with a sneaky undertone that seems to put our defenses on notice. The way late-night gas fill-ups are wont to do. As for the "Glasgow Kid," Alex Harvey sounds wonderfully unnerving, making us hang on every word. Even better is how the track order seems to flow in perfectly chosen order. To my ears, anyway. And it sounds better with every spin. I suppose Alex Harvey is an acquired taste. Much like Captain Beefheart or Tom Waits, one either gets it or doesn't. Whaddyagonnado? As for me, I pick up any SAHB I can find.
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"SAHB Stories" - The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (back)
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"SAHB Stories" - The Sensational Alex Harvey Band (inside gatefold)
Favorites include:
"Sultan's Choice"
"Amos Moses"
"Boston Tea Party"
"Dogs Of War"
I'm a big fan of The Sensational Alex Harvey Band as well as a big fan of guitarist Zal Cleminson. Very underrated. But their albums are not an easy find here in the States. Leastwise, not in Kansas. So when I do come across one in the wild, I'm flummoxed. I mean, they're leprechauns. However, summertime is garage sale time, and a few weeks ago, I found two Alex Harvey albums from the same seller. "SAHB Stories" being one of them. I bundled and got them both for $12 each. By the way, here is an interview I did with Zal Cleminson a few years ago.
My copy is an original UK pressing on the green-and-pink Mountain label. The vinyl is held in a gatefold cover. Later pressings were marketed by Phonogram and literally had Phonogram stickered to the cover. The runouts are all stamped except for the "HTM", which is etched. The label has "Made in GT Britain" around the edges. The catalog #TOPS 112 can be found on the spine and also on the back cover in very small text.
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Mountain label
Cat #
TOPS 112
SIDE A DEADWAX
TOPS 112 A-1 OM HTM 3
SIDE B DEADWAX
TOPS 112 B-1 GO HTM 1
"Amos Moses" - The Sensational Alex Harvey Band / "SAHB Stories" (1976)
TRACKS:
A1 "Dance To Your Daddy" 5:43
A2 "Amos Moses" 5:22
A3 "Jungle Rub Out" 4:26
A4 "Sirocco" 6:52
B1 "Boston Tea Party" 4:37
B2 "Sultan's Choice" 4:09
B3 "$25 For A Massage" 3:16
B4 "Dogs Of War" 6:10
PERSONNEL:
Alex Harvey - vocals, guitar
Zal Cleminson - guitar
Chris Glen - bass
Hugh McKenna - keyboards, synthesizer
Ted McKenna - drums
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