Album review: SENSATIONAL ALEX HARVEY BAND – Framed

October 17th, 2026 by jason

Madfish [Release date 17.10.26]

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band were literally a sensation, and formed in Glasgow in 1972, combining blues and soul singer/ guitarist Alex Harvey and progressive/hard rock band Tear Gas. Alex had been active since the mid 50s and issued a number of singles and albums during the 60s, while Tear Gas, who had issued two (now very collectable) albums, featured guitarist Zal Cleminson, bassist Chris Glen, drummer Ted McKenna and keyboard player Hugh McKenna. Original vocalist David Batchelor would later work with SAHB as a producer.

Signing to Vertigo, Framed was the band’s debut album, also issued in 1972, and was originally issued on the ‘Swirl’ Vertigo label, which will now set you back over £200. And a wonderful and rocking affair it is too. The album featured a number of blues standards, some of which Alex had performed and recorded in the 60s. That debut is what we get rereleased here, faithfully presented in a replica die cut gatefold sleeve, and a gem it is too. The bluesy title track opens, bluesy but it also showcases Harvey’s theatrical presentation, a rock’n’roll poet who knew how to embrace the listener and capture your attention, both on record and on stage. The Hammer Song mixed acoustic and hard rock, again the presentation is driving. Then there’s Midnight Moses, a driving hard rock number with a hook and a gritty riff.

The seven minute Isobel Gouldie takes in a range of different styles, and showcases Harvey’s art of storytelling. Then the classic I Just Want To Make Love To You, as much a presentation as a blues song, with a mid song soul inspired brass that adds another dimension

Hole In Her Stocking is more jovial, and another classic is the There’s No Lights On The Christmas Tree Mother, They’re Burning Louie Tonight (also released as a single), And album closer St Anthony another rocker. The theatrical presentation encompassed hard rock, prob, blues, stage show and much more, SAHB were truly diverse, the musicians versatile, rock and prog leanings for sure. Just because Zal wore facepaint, does not make them a glam rock band. Anything but.

Presentation: Wonderful. The sleeve is true to the original, thick card too. Bonus. The vinyl Is good, and best of all, the sound is fantastic. Warm yet bright when required, dynamic, a pleasure to handle and listen to. As with previous Madfish releases I’ve had, the effort made is as good as the choice of album. Anything less is not an option. The kind of music and kind of release that fans and collectors like myself will love. If Madfish treated the entire SAHB catalogue like this, I’d be first in line. *****

Review by Joe Geesin

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

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Power Plays w/c 12 October 2026

TAKEDA – Lion’s Den (Drongo Records)
SCARDUST – Symphony (Frontiers)
AMBERLIN – Gravity (Rude Records/Equal Vision Records)
MISSING TOYS – Lifeline (Pride & Joy Music)
SWEET GORILLA – It’s Your Life (5000 Records)
ROYAL BLOOD – Dead Company (Warner Records)

Featured Albums w/c 12 October 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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