The Impossible Dream was the third album by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, released October 4, 1974.[3] The album was released separately on CD but can be hard to find; however, the CD is widely available on a 2-in-1 album, the other album being Tomorrow Belongs to Me. It was the band's first release to chart, peaking at No. 16 on the UK Album Chart. "Anthem" was the last single released by SAHB in the U.S.
| The Impossible Dream | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 4, 1974 | |||
| Recorded | 1974 | |||
| Studio | Apple Studios, London | |||
| Genre | Hard rock | |||
| Length | 43:09 | |||
| Label | Vertigo, 2002 CD reissue released on Mercury | |||
| Producer | The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, David Batchelor "Sergeant Fury" by Derek Wadsworth | |||
| The Sensational Alex Harvey Band chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from The Impossible Dream | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C−[2] |
Between March 26–4 April 1974 at Advision Studios, London, the SAHB had recorded an album with producer Shel Talmy. It remained unreleased until 2009 when it was released as Hot City. Many of the songs were re-recorded for The Impossible Dream.
Track listing
editAll tracks composed by Alex Harvey and Hugh McKenna; except where indicated.
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hot City Symphony Part 1: Vambo" | 5:02 | |
| 2. | "Hot City Symphony Part 2: Man in the Jar" | Harvey, McKenna, Alistair Cleminson | 8:11 |
| 3. | "River of Love" | 3:15 | |
| 4. | "Long Hair Music" | 4:43 | |
| 5. | "Hey" | Harvey, Cleminson, McKenna | 0:40 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sergeant Fury" | Harvey, McKenna, David Batchelor | 3:31 |
| 2. | "Weights Made of Lead" | Harvey | 2:41 |
| 3. | "Money Honey / The Impossible Dream" | Jesse Stone / Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion | 2:11 |
| 4. | "Tomahawk Kid" | Harvey, McKenna, Batchelor | 4:30 |
| 5. | "Anthem" | 7:42 |
Personnel
editThe Sensational Alex Harvey Band
edit- Alex Harvey – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Zal Cleminson – guitar
- Chris Glen – bass guitar
- Hugh McKenna – keyboards, synthesizer
- Ted McKenna – drums
Additional musicians
edit- Vicky Silva – guest vocals on "Anthem"
- London-Scottish TA Regiment (including John Gilligan) – drums and pipes on "Anthem"[4]
Technical
edit- The Sensational Alex Harvey Band – producer
- David Batchelor – producer (all tracks except #4)
- Derek Wadsworth – producer (track 4)
- Martin Rushent – engineer (all tracks except #4)
- Dave "Cyrano" Langston – engineer (track 4)
- Keith Davis – cover illustration, design
Charts
edit| Chart (1974) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[5] | 78 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[6] | 16 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[7] | Silver | 60,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/r593254
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: S". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 12 March 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Mulligan, Brian, ed. (21 September 1974). "Advertisement" (PDF). Music Week. London, England, U.K.: Billboard Publications, Inc.: 1. ISSN 0265-1548. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
New album out Oct 4
- ^ Liner notes
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 135. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "British album certifications – The Sensational Alex Harvey – The Impossible Dream". British Phonographic Industry.