The Lord of the Rings books had one ring to rule them all. Now we have one box set to do the same for box sets. The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Good Evening Boys and Girls.
A box of immense proportions. Sixteen previously unreleased live performances from the 1970s over twenty one CDs, a glorious 144-page hard backed book with all sorts of stories and many photographs, a replica tour programme and a photograph signed by Chis Glen and Zal Cleminson.
All contained in an album sized hard box with a foam insert cut to hold the sixteen CDs in four distinct sections.
Now, it’s not cheap and I wrestled with myself as to whether to splurge the £250 or so to buy it.
I decided it is for two main reasons. I’ve been a big fan of Alex and the band since buying their Boston Tea Party single way back in 1976 and borrowing a beat up copy of the Next album from a friend of my then girlfriend’s older brother.
And now Good Evening Boys and Girls is box set so comprehensive I deemed financially worthy. Probably some sort of investment as I doubt there’ll be too many produced.
Alex was ahead of the game wasn’t he? The former “Scotland’s answer to Tommy Steele” after winning a talent completion in the 1950s, he struck gold in the 1970s when forming the Sensational Alex Harvey Band with the members of Tear Gas.
You have to be good if using the word “sensational” – and they were. Better than good. Indeed sensational….!
The short but glorious run of albums between 1972 to 1978 is magical. Each so different, each so good.
Alex the charismatic front man running a tight ship with theatrics to match the inventive musical output. And such a fine guitarist in Zal Cleminson. Don’t let the clown make-up fool you. Zal can play. Check out Zal’s solo on Anthem. Such feeling and tone.
If you were there with them in the ‘70s, you’ll know how on top of the game they were. And may recall their appearances on the Old Grey Whistle Test knocking out Faith Healer and Next for example.
Here’s Faith Healer:
Their cover of Tom Jones’ Delilah is legendary. And that Boston Tea Party single which, as mentioned, started my journey with the band. Here’s a video of them on Top of the Pops doing Boston Tea Party:
They had a reputation for being a remarkable live act. Alas, something I did not experience back then.
Now it’s so great to have these sixteen performances to listen to in this box set. The raw energy is palpable from those I’ve listen to since the box set arrived yesterday afternoon.
With Good Evening Boys and Girls being such a comprehensive set it’s more likely for old fans and completists who, as I have, deemed it an essential purchase.
I bought mine from Burning Shed. They are, at time of posting, showing it for pre-order so I guess it’s sold out and they are trying to source more? A quick search around other retailers indicates sell outs too.
UPDATE 19 April 2026: I’m seeing the box set listed on Amazon again so I suppose some more copies have been made available. Here’s the link:
https://amzn.to/4cRCa53
If you want one, look like you’ll have to act sharpish and perhaps strike it lucky somewhere.
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