HAIL VIBRANIA!

I've had some exciting news today about the next Sensational Alex Harvey Band (SAHB) tour, nicely titled 'Hail Vibrania!'. I've already got my ticket for the December gig at Islington and they're using that gig to play the whole of the 'Framed' album, quite an exciting idea. The message from SAHB's MySpace reports:

This December sees SAHB embark on the all new "Hail Vibrania" Tour. Every night promises to be a bit different, however, there are 2 extremely special shows that will NOT happen on any other night of the tour.On Wednesday 12 December, at London's Islington Academy, SAHB will perform, for ONE NIGHT ONLY, the entire FRAMED album, from start to finish. This will include special stage show and full brass section. An unbelievable night that is not to be missed - Get your tickets now from www.ticketweb.co.uk.

And on Friday 14 December, for SAHB's annual Xmas show at the Glasgow ABC, as well as being the usual fun packed exciting evening, SAHB will also preview some of the BRAND NEW Material from the forthcoming HAIL VIBRANIA album. You've been asking for this for a couple of years, and now Zal and the boys mean to deliver - IN TRUE SAHB STYLE!!!!!!!! Tickets are available from www.abcglasgow.com.

The Hail Vibrania tour is a turning point in SAHB's history and continuing development. This is a one time opportunity to witness SAHB's past, present and future by being a part of the unique experience that is The Sensational Alex Harvey Band...!!! YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS IT!!!!!

And I won't miss it - I got my ticket for Islington months ago as declared in this very blog.

'Framed' was the first official SAHB album released in 1972 and I saw the band play songs from it in 1973 when they supported SLADE.

I've been exploring early Alex Harvey (pre-SAHB) and have got hold of two very excellent records: 'Teenage A Go Go - The Unreleased Recordings of Alex Harvey 1963-1968' and 'Considering The Situation', subtitled as a journey through the musical career of Alex Harvey. Both are clearly labours of love and have fantastic early songs from the great man - 'Teenage A Go Go' took ten years to gather acetates and get them properly digitised.

It's a fascinating view of Alex, from his early works with his Soul Band (Lulu started singing 'Shout' after seeing Alex perform it in Glasgow), 'Agent OO Soul' to the swinging stuff he did later in the '60s with the Hairband (he was part of the band that played during performances of 'Hair' and they did their own stuff after the shows, affectionately referred to as the 'Hair Rave Up'). Despite the changing styles and sounds of the decade he's still very much Alex Harvey with his wonderful vocal inflections and energy. What a talent he was and a real trooper.

He'd be 72 now but I've got no doubt he'd still be worth listening to. And I bet he'd put on a grand show!