Madfish [Release date 10.04.26]

WOW what a magnificent box set we have here. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, quite literally a 70s theatrical rock sensation. Fronted by singer/songwriter Alex Harvey, once touted as Glasgow’s answer to Tommy Steel, Alex released a string of blues and soul records in the 60s, before becoming part of the house band for the musical Hair in the late 60s.

In the early 60s Alex recorded a version of The Isley Brothers’ ‘Shout’, before Lulu had a hit with it, the Alex version more akin to the Otis Day & The Knights performance (from the John Belushi film Animal House). Combined with turn-of-the-70s prog/hard rock band Tear Gas (previously known as Mustard and The Bo-Weavels). And SAHB, as they became known for short, were born.

From their 1972 debut, Framed, to their split in the late 70s, SAHB produced some fantastic music that was presented theatrically.

Alongside vocalist (and occasional guitarist) Alex were guitarist Zal Cleminson, bassist Chris Glen, keyboard player Hugh McKenna drummer Ted (Hugh’s cousin) McKenna.

And if those names sound familiar, Zal would later record with Nazareth, and Chris and Ted later with MSG (Ted with Rory Gallagher too).

Although Zal Cleminson was often seen adorned with facepaint, it would be incorrect and lazy to call the band a glam rock outfit; for while elements of glam occasionally crept into the groove, there was at least as much hard rock, blues, jazz, even a touch of rock’n’roll and music hall. And presented by a story telling rock’n’roll poet. That screams theatrical prog to me.

This box set, featuring 21 CDs presented in 16 sturdy gatefold sleeves, giving us 16 previously unreleased live performances, from radio transmissions to soundboard recordings; the full itinerary being:

· Disc 1: Marquee Club, London – 18 September 1973

· Disc 2: Rainbow Theatre, London – 7 June 1974

· Disc 3: Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle – 18 October 1974

· Disc 4: Syracuse, NY – Autumn 1974

· Disc 5: Electric Ladyland Studios, New York City (16 November 1974) combined with New Jersey (1974)

· Disc 6: Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle – 9 May 1975

· Disc 7: Guildhall, Preston – 11 May 1975

· Discs 8–9: Free Trade Hall, Manchester – 12 May 1975 (two recordings from the same date/venue)

· Discs 10–11: City Hall, Sheffield – 13 May 1975 (two recordings from the same date/venue)

· Discs 12–13: Victoria Ground, Stoke-on-Trent – 17 May 1975 (two recordings from the same date/venue; also referred to as the ‘Yes’ Open Air Concert)

· Discs 14–15: Apollo, Glasgow – 20 December 1975 (two recordings from the same date/venue; the Glasgow Christmas show)

· Disc 16: New Victoria Theatre, London – 23 December 1975

· Discs 17–18: New Victoria Theatre, London – December 1975 (two additional recordings from the same venue/month)

· Disc 19: Free Trade Hall, Manchester – 9 May 1976

· Disc 20: Neue Welt, Berlin – 12 October 1976

· Disc 21: Reading Festival – 28 August 1977

Opening with a show at London’s Marquee Club in 1973, it’s a bit rough’n’ready, the distortion giving a bootleg feel, But the energy is amazing, the band rocked so much harder on stage than on record. SAHB were never afraid of covering a track or two and making it very much their own.

Here, ‘Crazy Horses’ and ‘Runaway’ sit well next to ‘Framed’, ‘Midnight Moses’ and ‘Tomorrow Belongs To Me’. Zal Cleminson has since told me that later projects were to return to his hard rock roots, and you can see that within his playing here. A very rock’n’roll performance but a tad ropey in quality.

The second disc, recorded at The Rainbow, 1974, is much better, the band sounding tight, ‘Long Hair Music’ a good start and a great rendition of the trad jazz infused ‘Sergeant Fury’ that still rocks, a great showcase for the band’s versatility and talents. ‘Framed’ runs to 9 minutes, and you have to love their take on Jacques Brel’s ‘Next’, giving it that tango feel. And like many of the early shows, proof that some songs were in the set long before they cut them on vinyl. Set closer a great rendition of ‘Jumping Jack Flash’, evidence of both their roots and power on stage.

1974 Newcastle (Disc 3) opens with a heavy and solid ‘Midnight Mose’s, while ‘Man in A Jar’ typifies Alex’s storytelling presentation. And not for the only time in this box the set closes with a medley, in this case mixing ‘Land of 1000 Dances’, ‘Boney Maronie’ and ‘Rock Around The Clock’.

The 1974 New York show, disc 4, opens with a fanfare and pomp, and the band roll into ‘Faith Healer’, not the finest quality but more than good enough to really enjoy. The music really is just fantastic.

Later on, in the Manchester show, ‘The Tale Of The Giant Stone Eater’ and ‘Soul In Chains’ really stand out; great rhythms from Glen and McKenna, Hugh’s piano some good touches, and Zal’s guitar show stealing.

Disc 16 and the first Christmas show, and we’re firmly in potential official live album territory; from the outset the band are tight and perfectly recorded, the crowd noise (very enthusiastic) perfectly balanced in the mix. ‘Next’ and ‘Runaway’ are just mind-blowing in quality in every dimension.

The next show and the roar from crowd at the opening bars of ‘Delilah’, And if you’ve ever seen the Old Grey Whistle Test performance (if you haven’t, you haven’t lived), it is impossible to hear this song without imagining the synchronised antics during the (short) keyboard solo. By the crowd reaction, it’s clearly enacted here.

Disc 21, the final show here, is Reading 1977, good recording, good crowd reaction, some blistering guitar work from Zal. ‘Faith Healer’ a great opener, and the band’s final single ‘Mrs Blackhouse’ and it’s b-side ‘Engine Room Boogie’ are both here, and go down well. The set finishes with ‘Delilah’ and ‘Blue Suede Shoes’.

The performances and tracks are perfect throughout, and recording quality ranges from bootleg to good, in places even excellent and live-album quality. And recording quality aside, every performance is of interest to even the most casual fan.

Now onto the package. As I said, 21 discs across 16 sturdy gatefold card sleeves in a tray within a deep 12” (LP sized) box. In addition, a photo signed by Chris and Zal, a repro tour program, and a thick heavy book. An essay from renowned SAHB archivist Martin Keilty, and lots and lots of pictures; rare records, press cuttings, posters, flyers, concert tickets. Much comes from the archive of Ted McKenna, a wonderful guy I was lucky enough to know, and taken too soon.

The whole box just has “Quality” stamped all over it.

One complaint I’ve heard already was the price given the audio sources. Well you’re not just paying for hours upon hours of audio experience, but the package itself.

Just when I thought we’d had the gold standard box with BMG’s Nazareth box set (4LPs, 33 CDs), the bar has been raised yet further.

Money Well Spent.

Review by Joe Geesin

Universal and Madfish please take note: the 14 CD Alex Harvey set of 10 years ago needs to be reissued. And the following releases need to be tied in:

Live (Hammersmith 1975 full show 2CD, fanclub release)

BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert

British Tour ’76 (MLP release)

US Tour ’74 (2CD MLP release)

Live At The BBC (2CD)

Hot City (The Lost Album, MLP release)

Joe with SAHB’s Ted McKenna

David Randall chatted to Zal Cleminson for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. (March 2019).  The feature includes tracks from SAHB, Tear Gas and Nazareth.

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SAGE Deep End (The Artery Foundation)
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HARSH Back To Life (Fireflash Records)
KING KRAKEN Call To War (indie)
HIGHWAY QUEEN Bring Me Home Tonight (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 13 April 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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