Customer Reviews

Faith Healer: An Introduction

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't own this myself, but I own all his superb albums, and this has nibbles of the best of each. Most SAHB collections I've seen focus on the earlier material, with its cagey vaudevillian charm laced with Harvey's gutteral poetry. Fortunately, the band really took it up a notch with 1975's "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" (its mesmerizing opening cut "Action Strasse" is here) and went on to make some very powerful and enduring original works that straddle the line between punk snarl and theatrical attention to detail. This collection has samples from all eras of this captivating and original band, starting with their very rare 1st lp ("Isobel Goudie") and culminating with a haunting desert excursion in song "Sirocco". The live version of "Faith Healer" still gives me chills after all these years, and the best SAHB song (and possibly my favorite of all time!)is here - the title cut from Alex's (mini) rock opera, 1978's "Rock Drill." I know you probably don't have all of their great albums, so this is by far the best place to start. Vambo Rool, ok?

An introduction to- well this is a very good one in my opinion. If you are like me, you like Alex but are not sure which CDs to buy I would recommend this. There isn't a bad track but... ah but then maybe there is Alex had some strange choices on his LPs. Alex could really rock and the Sensational Band were excellent, a brilliant foil to Alex's raw vocals. Faith Healer is the killer track the intro is magnificent and is live. I never saw the band in concert, save for the Old Grey Whistle tests, but I imagine from this they were superb. The Tomahawk kid is excellent and really deserves a listen to the lyrics 'hold my hand my captain and we'll.... ET AL' Alex could rock and yet have his tongue firmly in his cheek. This type of humour works much better on tracks like this in a much better way than the, to the virgin (* yes I know the label is Vertigo!)listener on tracks when she hears 'Cheek to cheek' or 'Tomorrow belongs tome'. 'Next' is a challenge but if, like me, you love Alex's style and vocals then this CD is the introduction for you.

BUT a word of caution dear reader. Beware, this introduction may just set you on the road to wanting to discover all of Alex's CDs.

If it does? Then I really envy you that journey and the pleasure of discovering them for the first time. BUY this Cd you will not regret it!

There has been a number of SAHB collections released since the late-1970s and this 14-track CD is interesting for five numbers. Isobel Goudie, Gamblin' Bar Room Blues, Sultan's Choice, Sirocco and Mrs. Blackhouse typically aren't found on these albums, with the latter trio from SAHB Stories (1976) and the band's final studio album, Rock Drill (1978).

With every SAHB album available - except Fourplay, which was recorded without Harvey - in packages of two albums on two CD's, the measure of these sets is how they break from the norm. By hitting every checkpoint of the group, this is about as good as it gets for one CD.

Don't start here if you are a first time buyer. Patchy at best. Sultans Choice, Blackhouse and Sirrocco are hardly great songs.
Pick up Next which is brilliant. Not a bad track