Rave-Up Blues

My Alex Harvey record collection expanded today with the arrival of the much sought after 'Hair Rave-Up' and 'The Blues'. Now, I've mentioned Alex quite a few times on here, usually when I find a new CD to buy and get all excited, and today is no exception. Don't you love it when the post arrives early?

'Hair Rave-Up: Live From The Shaftesbury Theatre, London' (1969)

Alex played in the Hair Band for a few years in the late '60s, after being Scotland's Tommy Steele in the late '50s, a soul and blues singer in Germany in the early '60s and before creating one of the hardest rocking bands ever to grace this earth, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, the first band I ever saw back in 1973.

Now, Alex played guitar in the Hair Band and one night they recorded the 'Rave-Up' live, a sort of big after show party in the theatre, and this record is the result. It's a mix of songs from the musical 'Hair', some covers and some songs written by the band themselves, a mix of psychedelic instrumentals (like 'Hare Krishna') and rather fun ditties with Alex on vocals, like the mad 'Royal International Love-In'. There's a great version of 'All Along The Watchtower' with Alex's trademarked dramatic vocals backed with loud brass, totally changing it from Dylan or 'Hendrix's versions.

Two of the tracks are available on the anthology, 'Considering The Situation' (but, strangely, not available to download on iTunes although the rest of the album is there) - 'Hair' and 'Birthday' - and these give a flavour of the album, euphoric and way over the top. Alex's tracks have the same kind of brass sound as some of the songs on 'Roman Wall Blues', a big sound pushing their way on top of the guitars that just isn't made these days. It sounds good to these ears. As does Alex's vocal delivery and dramatic phrasing - what a great interpretive singer he was.

The 'Rave-Up' vinyl record appears on eBay every now and then and usually goes for around £60+. I didn't know there was a CD version put out by Castle Music in 2001 (part of the Sanctuary Group of labels). I've never seen it anywhere before, but found it last week through a lovely little online shop in Finland called Hippie Shake Records and they sent it to me most speedily, for which I am grateful. It sounds good and comes with a great fold-out booklet with loads of photos and artwork from 'Hair' as well as a brief history of the Hair Band.

Cor, I've got the 'Hair Rave-Up' by the Hair Band, a record I never expected to hear, let alone have.

Tracklisting:

Hair
El Pussy Cat
Royal International Love-In
Bond Street Baby
Hare Krishna
All Along The Watchtower
Birthday
Keep Out
Candy
Movin' In The Right Direction
I Know Where You Are

'The Blues' (1964)

This record is a collection of various bluesy recordings Alex made in 1964 with his brother, Leslie (who later played with Stone The Crows) on guitar. The CD is on Walhalla Records in Germany and was released in 2006.

The sound is very stripped down and minimalist with Alex in full-on blues wail for many of the songs. The mood is lightened by a few songs, like 'Waltzing Matilda' (yes, *that* song) and 'The Big Rock Candy Mountain', and a couple stray into folk/country territory. His version of 'Strange Fruit' is harrowing, just voice and guitar. There are no credits to the songs so I don't know if any are Alex originals. It's definitely an album for completists.

Tracklisting:

Trouble In Mind
Honey Bee
I Learned About Woman
Danger Zone
The Riddle Song
Waltzing Matilda
TB Blues
The Big Rock Candy Mountain
The Michigan Massacre
No Peace
Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
St James Infirmary
Strange Fruit
Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
Good God Almighty

I'm pleased with both CDs but I'm sure I'll play 'Hair Rave-Up' more than 'The Blues' - it's well groovy, has energy and life, a euphoric lift that pleases the ear and the heart and you just know that they're having fun on that stage. Rave on Alex.