From the opening riffs of Swampsnake you know this is Pub/boogie rock with a Glam take . It was later hailed as Vambo rock .
Link to playlist on Spotify ; spotify:user:virtualolav:playlist:4BXeoHBVB3WvXZcwYLsLwM , so you can listen as you read .
Link to playlist on Spotify ; spotify:user:virtualolav:playlist:4BXeoHBVB3WvXZcwYLsLwM , so you can listen as you read .
I`m normally not a big fan of Boogie Woogie music , but here it works fine with the guitar of Zal Cleminson and the harmonica more as the boogie “piano”.
Alex Harvey born in Glasgow in 1935 did have roots from the cabaret , skiffle scene , which comes quite apparent in most of his music . Gang Bang the next track is kinda continuing the pornographic takes on the pub/glam rock , so is the title track Next with also a heavy Tango feel . I do remember vividly one of the parties at my parents house at Solhøgda where we where dancing or at least trying to dance tango to this track (Next), wizzing around the whole apartment including the hallways and toilets , great fun .
I have had the pleasure of seeing Alex and the band live in Oslo in the early 70 (74 to be exact) and it did lasting impression not only the energetic performance of Alex but also the circus like dressing up of the rest of the band , timely in line with the Glam Rock period , But SAHB as they where called (Sensational Alex Harvey Band ) did a stunning performance . You can watch yourself here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG6aLs8zzrs
And you should also notice the trademark horizontal striped shirts he was “always” wearing. And the make and dress up of the rest of the band.
Well back to Next , I probably could have written about other albums from SAHB but because of the Tango party link it had to be this one . The title track Next is based on a song by Jacques Brel , and is quite political about prostitution and anti military , to see the original click here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O0D4Fnb_s4
Faith Healer is a lengthy track with a never ending intro , but burst out into a chorus almost like a Psalm and then back to Zal`s easy guitar riffs , with Alex almost talking on top.
“The last of the teenage idol`s” It´s almost like an Alice Cooper song . (Alex did Schools out ) Especially in the beginning , but it converts to a typical Harvey Vambo rock track in the end .
As I said there are a lot of good songs spread around other Harvey Album´s . For instance on Framed the first SAHB there is Framed and Hole in her stocking and not least Midnight Moses .
On The impossible dream , there is Man in the Jar and Weights made of lead possibly the 2 best songs for me .
Watch here :
You also have the cabaret type Sergeant Fury . Money Honey and Tomahawk kid.
A Live album came in 1975 and included probably his biggest hit the Tom Jones cover of Delilah.
On Tomorrow Belongs to me , you have Action Strasse and Snake bite and not least Anthem , watch here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zuuwG7NuPk
In 1976 he released and albums of covers with the Penthouse Tapes , where you find Schools out and a unlikely cover of The Osmonds Crazy Horses. Funny enough Delilah is not included .
This was the last album I bought I think and the ones after that was not that good .
Alex ,died of a heart attack in 1982 on his way back from a concert in Belgium . RIP
web site here :
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