Anyone Know about these...?

[chesterthecat77]

Hi Folks,

I hope everyone had a good Christmas, if you believe in it, or Holiday, if you don't. :-)

Can anyone offer or provide further info on these...? They seem very hard to find...

Decca LP 1964 - Everything's Alright With Isabella Bond (Isobel Bond) Alex is supposed to make contributions under 2 different aliases.

Do The Dog 7'' by Alex circa 1965 and issued only in Italy on Jazz label GTO - Some people have said that this is not an Alex recording even though he is on the sleeve.

Something You Got - As above 7'' on GTO

SAHB on The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1977 performing 2 songs from Fourplay - Released on Live at the BBC, but does anyone have the video footage?

Any help will be valued and karma given

[vambo1uk]

Ah those Whistle Test Fourplay vids, I had been asking/looking for them for years myself, then eventually had to give up, were comercially available VCR's around then even?

[roadworm]

The "Do The Dog/Something You Got" single on 1966 Italian GTA is NOT Alex Harvey on vocals. There's another single on GTA credited to him called "Mashed Potatoes/Hang On Sloopy" but this isn't Alex either. Alex had absolutely nothing to do with either of these singles. I don't know what the Italians were playing at, but the picture sleeves are very nice (that's definitely Alex!!). The Hairband "Band On The Wagon" LP is from 1969 on BELL (Cat No: SBLL 123) and is very difficult to find. Alex sings 7 tracks on it including a long jazz/rock version of "Big Louis." A single was released: "Big Louis/Travelling Song" on 1969 BELL but once again this is incredibly rare. Fans of the Animals may be interested to know that Alan Price produced the Hairband LP and even sings one track on it called "I'm Living" (though he's uncredited as the vocalist).

Bob Dylan fans may be interested to know that Alex sang three of his songs in the 60s: "Like A Rolling Stone", "The Wicked Messenger" and "All Along The Watchtower." As far as I know, Alex only ever recorded one Beatles song ("Birthday"). Alex's favourite Beatles track was "Here There And Everywhere."

Here's something that certainly needs chasing up: in October 1981, an Alex Harvey Band gig was recorded professionaly in Workington on reel-to-reel straight from the PA system. One of the guys from the band has the tape. I think it should be released on CD, so if anyone knows how to contact these guys then I wish you the best of luck!!

[roadworm]

The "Everything's All Right" LP by Isabella Bond is on 1964 German DECCA. Alex sings "Jailhouse Rock" under the name of James Dayle and the Top Ten Allstars. He also sings "Going Down To Birmingham" under the name of The Sabres. Alex recorded under false names for contractual reasons (he had a contract with Polydor at the time, so couldn't use his real name on the DECCA recordings). Both of these tracks are performed by Alex's Soulband. They appear on the Alchemy CD "Teenage A Go Go" released in 2003. Still quite easy to find.

[penny]

Great amount of info there, roadworm.

Thanks for posting and have a karma.

[chesterthecat77]

Thanks Roadworm,

That is superb, the most info on those i have ever had...Excellent.

I have Teenage a-go-go so 1 down ha ha! Now to find those OGWT performances ha ha! Vambo1 - I dont think VCR's were very common then, but maybe someone has the master in a vault somewhere.

I am lucky enough to have the original 'HairBand - Band on The Wagon' LP in very good condition, it was me who first put it on youtube...It's one of those lost gems of records, lots of great material lost in time. Anyone who would like it PM me and i'll offer a lossless copy.

I'm sure i speak for everyone when i say 'Gimme that PA recording' It would be great if this was issued, nice to know that there are still lost recordings out there waiting to be found.

Thanks again!

[roadworm]

I've sent an mp3 of "No Complaints Department" to Gideon Coe at BBC Radio 6 and asked him if he could play it as a tribute to Alex. His show goes out from Monday to Thursday and by sheer bad luck the 4th & 5th of February fall on Saturday and Sunday. Maybe he could play it on 6th Feb instead?

If you're lucky enough to own a UK copy of the 1987 SAHB compilation CD "Portrait", then track 10 plays "No Complaints Department." The LP version also contains the track, but is difficult to find. The CD/LP are on the START label.

As for unreleased recordings by Alex, MLP did a great job of tracking down those SAHB American radio gigs, but there is at least one still unaccounted for. In 1974 SAHB recorded a session at the Electric Ladyland Studios, New York (in quadrophonic!!). There are great versions of "Vambo", "Man In The Jar", "Anthem", etc etc. I wonder who has the mastertape?

[chesterthecat77]

Excellent,

I hope the song is played - One of the finest 'Lost' songs there is and a sin it was left of Rock Drill.

Yes, i've been told there are many American recordings - I have some, i will look and see what i have and get back to you.

It's great to have all this info, thanks Roadworm.

[roadworm]

I remember SAHB (without Alex) on OGWT in January 1977. Hugh McKenna seemed a little nervous as he sang "Smouldering" (my favourite track) and "Pick It Up And Kick It." Zal had the OGWT "starkicker" stuck to his ear!!!!

[roadworm]

NEWSFLASH!! Gideon Coe will be playing SAHB's "No Complaints Department" sometime this week on his show between 9pm and midnight (BBC Radio 6).

[Ginnie]

Feb 7, 2012 12:11:35 GMT @roadworm said:

NEWSFLASH!! Gideon Coe will be playing SAHB's "No Complaints Department" sometime this week on his show between 9pm and midnight (BBC Radio 6).

Great!