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The Impossible Dream (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band album)

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1974 studio album by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
The Impossible Dream
Studio album by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
ReleasedOctober 4, 1974
Recorded1974
StudioApple Studios, London
GenreHard rock
Length43:09
LabelVertigo, 2002 CD reissue released on Mercury
ProducerThe Sensational Alex Harvey Band, David Batchelor
"Sergeant Fury" by Derek Wadsworth
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band chronology
Next
(1973) 		The Impossible Dream
(1974) 		Tomorrow Belongs to Me
(1975)
Singles from The Impossible Dream
  1. "Sergeant Fury"
    Released: August 2, 1974
  2. "Anthem"
    Released: November 15, 1974
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic
Christgau's Record GuideC−

The Impossible Dream was the third album by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, released October 4, 1974. 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.

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

All tracks composed by Alex Harvey and Hugh McKenna; except where indicated.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Hot City Symphony Part 1: Vambo" 5:02
2."Hot City Symphony Part 2: Man in the Jar"Harvey, McKenna, Alistair Cleminson8:11
3."River of Love" 3:15
4."Long Hair Music" 4:43
5."Hey"Harvey, Cleminson, McKenna0:40
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sergeant Fury"Harvey, McKenna, David Batchelor3:31
2."Weights Made of Lead"Harvey2:41
3."Money Honey / The Impossible Dream"Jesse Stone / Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion2:11
4."Tomahawk Kid"Harvey, McKenna, Batchelor4:30
5."Anthem" 7:42

Personnel

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

Additional musicians

  • Vicky Silva – guest vocals on "Anthem"
  • London-Scottish TA Regiment (including John Gilligan) – drums and pipes on "Anthem"

Technical

  • 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

Chart (1974) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 78
UK Albums (OCC) 16

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) Silver 60,000

Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r593254
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. Liner notes
  5. 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.
  6. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  7. "British album certifications – The Sensational Alex Harvey – The Impossible Dream". British Phonographic Industry.
Alex Harvey
Pre-SAHB albums
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band albums
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