Good Evening Boys & Girls – Why This Alex Harvey Box Set Matters
Hi, Phil Aston here from Now Spinning Magazine, and this is one of those moments where I’m talking about a box set I don’t own yet… but already know is going to be something very special.
Madfish have just announced Good Evening Boys & Girls, a monumental 21-CD live box set from the legendary Sensational Alex Harvey Band, due for release in April 2026. And rather than this being a traditional “review”, this is really about starting a conversation — because this release hits on something much deeper than just another archival set.
This is about why Alex Harvey still matters. And why this particular box set feels so important.
What’s In The Box?
First, let’s talk about the scale of this thing, because it’s huge:
21 CDs featuring 16 previously unreleased live performances
Concert recordings spanning 1973–1977
A 144-page hardback book
Rare memorabilia including posters, passes and ephemera
A replica Glasgow Apollo programme
A signed band photograph from Zal Cleminson and Chris Glen
Soundboard and radio recordings, newly remastered
This set traces the band from the Marquee Club in 1973 through ballrooms, theatres and festivals across the UK, Europe and the US — including New York, Berlin, Reading Festival, and of course the legendary Glasgow Apollo Christmas show of 1975, a gig that has achieved near-mythical status among fans.
The audio has been remastered by Pete Reynolds, whose CV includes work with Mott The Hoople, Fleetwood Mac and Wishbone Ash — and the brief here has clearly been authenticity. This is SAHB as they were heard on the night: gritty, elastic, unpredictable and completely uncompromised.
Why I’m So Excited About This
Now here’s the personal bit — because Alex Harvey wasn’t just another band for me.
I was 14 years old in 1973, and like a lot of kids of my generation, music discoveries didn’t come from playlists or algorithms. They came from shared moments. The kind of moments where you go into school the next day and everyone’s saying the same thing:
“Did you see that last night?”
For me, that moment came via The Old Grey Whistle Test.
Among a sea of long-haired bands in grey coats, something different happened. On came Alex Harvey and his band — with that audacious name, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. You don’t call yourself that unless you’re ready to back it up.
They played Faith Healer.
And suddenly everything changed.
Zal Cleminson dressed as a clown — but not a funny one. A menacing one. Alex Harvey prowling the stage like a street preacher, part vaudeville performer, part storyteller, part provocateur. That throbbing keyboard pulse. That chugging SG guitar tone. Lyrics that felt dangerous when you were sitting in the living room with your parents.
The next day at school? That was all anyone talked about.
Alex Harvey wrote lyrics we simply don’t get now. Surreal. Darkly funny. Provocative. Sometimes unsettling. Sometimes philosophical. Sometimes oddly prophetic — even touching on themes like environmental damage long before it was fashionable.
They could cover Crazy Horses, deliver brutal hard rock riffs, and still feel like a band rooted in theatre, storytelling and real human experience.
And crucially — they were a live band.
Which is why this box set makes so much sense.
Why This Box Set Feels Right
If any band deserved a deep-dive live anthology like this, it’s SAHB.
This isn’t about polishing history. It’s about preserving energy. Most of these recordings are soundboard or radio broadcasts — and yes, there’s one included that’s apparently a bit rough sonically, but it’s there because it documents the final performance of the original line-up.
That honesty matters.
And because this is being done by Madfish Music, you already know the mindset:
“What would the fans want?”
Madfish don’t do things by halves. These sets take years to assemble, and nothing gets left out if there’s even a chance it could be included.
Let’s Talk About It
This box set isn’t cheap.
It isn’t casual.
And it isn’t for everyone.
But for Alex Harvey fans, this feels like a once-in-a-generation release.
So I really want to know what you think.
Did you see SAHB live?
Was Faith Healer a defining moment for you too?
Does this box set excite you… or feel overwhelming?
Drop your thoughts in the comments, in the WhatsApp group, or over in the Now Spinning Arms — because this is exactly the kind of release that deserves a proper conversation.
As soon as I get my hands on a copy, you know I’ll be unboxing and reviewing it in minute detail.
Until then — keep spinning those discs.
Music is the healer and the doctor.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
Hi Phil, only just discovered your channel-really great articles and working my way through your YouTube stuff. I also saw the OGWT show where SAHB played Faith Healer and Next – wow game changers! Saw SAHB live at Prestron Guildhall on the Tomorrow Belongs To Me Tour May 1975-still one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.. I don’t care what this box set costs I’m having it! Greetings from St.Agnes in Cornwall – I understand you are based in Penzance. I have almost 11,000 CDs mainly rock, metal, punk, prog. Saw The Wildhearts at Torquay Arena a couple of weeks ago – awesome, great new venue. All the best, Ian
Although I was probably too young to see Alex Harvey in his prime with the superb band I really love his music. I am eagerly awaiting your review of this box set and I hope it isn’t that long away from being on your channel. I really enjoy your videos and have many of the albums you showcase on vinyl. Sadly I gave all my Alex albums away to the local hospice shop ( had them all as a youngster ) I wish they would re issue that 14 cd box set also!!. Keep up the great work. I’m on the fence about this until I read what the sound quality is like of these shows as some of the Alex live stuff I’ve heard although superlatively brilliant performance wise doesn’t sound that great so look forward to your respected impressions of it.
Read an early review elsewhere which suggests the content on these discs on a lot of occasions is sonically not that great , and one of the shows at least is an audience recording. That said the reviewer said it was a no brainer for dedicated fans to pick up and is selling very well. I have the 14 cd box set and a lot of the live stuff on that also isn’t brilliant sounding. I guess they have perhaps gone for atmosphere and importance of the recorded concert. I have pre ordered this and will be getting it come what may but am really looking forward to your review as I really appreciate your honesty and thorough analysis. I consider myself an audiophile and love to hear brilliant recordings such as the current Steven Wilson Milan live set. I’m not expecting the Earth but am hoping that most of these shows are going to be good to listen to fingers crossed!!.
Just received my copy of the box set, it looks a nice package but there are no posters or anything that I was expecting. Also the photo graph is just a cardboard print not a glossy publicity shot which I also was hoping for. But it is signed which is the main I guess. The book looks great but I would say it isn’t superb paper quality and the programme is a little blurred. Glad I bought it though and I’m waiting on your review before I actually play it !.
Just to add there is none of this inside of it sadly
Rare memorabilia including posters, passes and ephemera
I have a few of the Madfish sets and to be honest this Particular box contents do seem a little “Spartan” in comparison, I look forward to Phil’s valued assessment.
Couldn’t help myself I’ve played 6 of the discs so far 4 of them sound really good especially the Berlin and Double Sheffield City Hall shows but the Glasgow Christmas Show and the Marquee 73 shows are pretty poor sounding. Don’t get me wrong I’m very happy I bought this release, as the book is tremendous and the content what I’m working my way through slowly is very generous. I really appreciate the efforts Madfish have taken to track all these shows down. The Sheffield show is an absolute stormer!!.
I picked up a copy of Good Evening Boys & Girls for Aus$ 406.
I was looking at the madfish website and it translated into about $675.
I’m as happy as a pig in poo over this set.
Good on you Phil.
Greetings from Western Australia