ANGEL 'LIVE WITHOUT A NET' CANDY418
IN THE 1970s double live albums were often the calling card of an act that had either made its mark or were about to explode to international fame. They were a marker of confidence by both the record label and the artist. Angel was no exception as all eyes had been on the band for some considerable time in preparation for an anointment to the premier league. Because label mates KISS had exploded with their epoch-making ‘Alive!’ double album it seemed as though Angel could have the same success. Sadly, however, that success was not to be.
With five studio albums behind them there was no shortage of material from which to compile this album.
Recording two concerts in California during 1978, the band had a red hot selection of tracks that incorporated such nuggets as ‘Tower’ and ‘Feelin’ Right’ (complete with a Jeff Beck tribute) from their very earliest, prog-influenced, days to the pop metal of ‘Ain’t Gonna Eat My Heart Out Anymore’, ‘Got Love If You Want It’ and ‘White Lightning’. They also found room to include some surprises, such as a fine rendition of the Mott The Hoople standard ‘All The Young Dudes’ and a brand studio track, ‘20th Century Foxes’, recorded for the 1980 ‘Foxes’ film soundtrack.
Despite the album’s explosive content and no-holds-barred performance, the record failed to connect in the way that everyone had hoped for. In addition, Casablanca Records were fast losing traction as a company and facing massive destabilising forces, which left the band pretty much rudderless. They had in many respects reached the end of the line but at least they went out with a bang!
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Fully Remastered Audio, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, new liner notes by Angel expert Dave Reynolds and enhanced artwork.
TRACK LISTING: 1. TOWER 2. CAN YOU FEEL IT 3. DON’T LEAVE ME LONELY 4. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE 5. I AIN’T GONNA EAT OUT MY HEART ANYMORE 6. OVER AND OVER 7. ANYWAY YOU WANT IT 8. ON THE ROCKS 9. WILD & HOT 10. ALL THE YOUNG DUDES 11. ROCK & ROLLERS 12. WHITE LIGHTNING 13. HOLD ME, SQUEEZE ME 14. GOT LOVE IF YOU WANT IT 15. FEELIN’ RIGHT 16. 20TH CENTURY FOXES
ANGEL 'WHITE HOT' CANDY416 (2 BONUS TRACKS)
THE STORY OF Angel is quite remarkable. Launched as the diametrical opposite of KISS (who shared the same label) the band was supposed to reflect the less intimidating qualities of their great adversaries. It was a polar position reinforced by progressive musical attributes and an image that featured angelic all white costumes. KISS was being sold as bad boys but Angel, like the name suggests, were knights in white satin. Their complex, prog-infused, pomp rock suggested that they were superior musicians cut from a very British-influenced musical heritage, with shades of Yes, Led Zeppelin, Procol Harum and Genesis underscoring their style.
‘White Hot’ was the band’s fourth album, following three highly praised but commercially disappointing previous records. This time around, they decided to take stock and plan a different musical strategy. One that saw them refining their style, drawing on hard hitting pop rock rather than overt prog touches. In addition, they brought in a new producer, Eddie Leonetti, a man who had been building a healthy and respectable reputation as the hard rock producer de jour. His previous work with fellow LA rockers Legs Diamond helping to cement the decision to use him.
Originally released in 1978, and housed in a beautifully illustrated album sleeve, the record boasted ten tracks of lean and mean rock, with the emphasis on hard hitting hooks and hip kicking riffs. Tracks such as ‘Don’t Leave Me Lonely’, ‘Ain’t Gonna Eat My Heart Out Anymore’ (previously recorded by the Young Rascals), ‘Hold Me, Squeeze Me’ and ‘Over And Over’ underscored the band’s intention perfectly. Look out to for the, bonus, rare Canadian only single B-side ‘Better Days’.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Fully Remastered Audio, 2 Bonus tracks, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, new liner notes by Angel expert Dave Reynolds and enhanced artwork.
TRACK LISTING: 1. DON’T LEAVE ME LONELY 2. AIN’T GONNA EAT OUT MY HEART ANYMORE 3. HOLD ME, SQUEEZE ME 4. OVER AND OVER 5. UNDER SUSPICION 6. GOT LOVE IF YOU WANT IT 7. STICK LIKE GLUE 8. FLYING WITH BROKEN WINGS (WITHOUT YOU) 9. YOU COULD LOSE ME 10. THE WINTER SONG BONUS TRACKS: 11. BETTER DAYS (single B-side) 12. THE CHRISTMAS SONG (single)
ANGEL 'SINFUL' CANDY417 (2 BONUS TRACKS)
AFTER FOUR ALBUMS there was a strong feeling that Angel were building towards some sort of creative crescendo. Of course, they had already moved through a fledgling progressive rock stage, working towards a more accessible style, perfectly framed by their previous album, ‘White Hot’. The focus was now on pure pop metal, the band crafting exquisite melodic hard rock with riffs and hooks to die for. They were also defining their image, as the ‘Sinful’ the album sleeve showcased the band with perfectly coiffed hair and in stunning all white superhero style outfits. It was an angelic sight to behold.
Issued in 1978, recorded in Los Angeles and produced once again by Eddie Leonetti (Legs Diamond, Moxy, Rex) the record packs an impressive sonic punch, easily outpacing their previous works and positioning the band as potential superstars. In a bizarre move, the record was originally titled ‘Bad Publicity’ and had a suitably debauched album sleeve that was in complete contrast to their previous image. At the 11th hour after an intervention from the label boss at Casablanca this sleeve was abandoned, although several thousand copies were printed and ready to ship to stores. That sleeve has been included in this re-issue.
Musically, the album contained some of the band’s most identifiable tracks, songs such as ‘Don’t Take Your Love’, ‘Waited A Long Time’ and ‘L.A. Lady’. Sadly the big breakthrough failed to materialise, leaving both band and label mystified as to their lack of progress. Musically however it was a triumph of enormous significance and is often hailed as the pinnacle of their creative achievements.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Fully Remastered Audio, 2 Bonus tracks, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, new liner notes by Angel expert Dave Reynolds and enhanced artwork.
TRACK LISTING: 1. DON’T TAKE YOUR LOVE 2. L.A. LADY 3. JUST CAN’T TAKE IT 4. YOU CAN’T BUY LOVE 5. BAD TIME 6. WAITED A LONG TIME 7. I’LL BRING THE WHOLE WORLD TO YOUR DOOR 8. I’LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN 9. WILD AND HOT 10. LOVERS LIVE ON BONUS TRACKS 11. VIRGINIA (Foxes Soundtrack) 12. WALK AWAY RENEE
FASTWAY 'ALL FIRED UP' CANDY391
WHEN GUITARIST ‘FAST’ Eddie Clarke left Motorhead in 1982, few would have expected him to go on to eclipse the success of his former band. Motörhead, although hugely successful as a live act and feverishly lauded in the UK media, had not enjoyed significant record sales in North America; not unsurprising considering the raw ferocity of their sound. For Clarke this was an opportunity to take stock and build a musical outfit that could break into that market with a far more wide screen approach. It was a smart move as Fastway’s debut album struck gold in the USA, elevating their profile far beyond Motörhead’s niche appeal.
Surrounding himself with a mixture of well respected band members, including former Humble Pie drummer Jerry Shirley, ex-Taste bassist Charlie McCracken and, sparkling new discovery, Irish vocalist Dave King, the band immersed themselves in blues rock but with a contemporary edge. It was a sound that won much respect and fitted in nicely with the emerging commercial interest in hard rock. Continuing their progress they recorded ‘All Fired Up’, a record that stylistically mirrored the band’s debut album and was produced once again by industry legend Eddie Kramer (Kiss, Hendrix, Humble Pie) who had so successfully guided the previous record.
Issued in July 1984, ‘All Fired Up’ was positively received, getting off to a good start and attracting rave reviews. The album boasts a selection of tough, no-nonsense tracks, including such gems as ‘Steal The Show’, ‘Tell Me’, ‘If You Could See’ and the title track. It was a record that further enhanced Fastway’s reputation as one of the best band’s of the 80s.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Fully Remastered Audio, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, new liner notes by Malcolm Dome and enhanced artwork.
TRACK LISTING: 1. ALL FIRED UP 2. MISUNDERSTOOD 3. STEAL THE SHOW 4. STATION 5. NON STOP LOVE 6. HURTIN’ ME 7. TELL ME 8. HUNG UP ON LOVE 9. THE STRANGER 10. TELEPHONE 11. IF YOU COULD SEE
WIGGY BITS 'S/T' CANDY415
THE RATHER ODDLY named Wiggy Bits were formed from a long line of well known New York East Coast musicians during the early seventies. The various members had seen active duty in bands ranging from the Blues Magoos & Balance (vocalist Peppy Castro), Barnaby Bye & Aviator (drummer Mike Ricciardella) to psych rockers the Illusion (guitarists Ritchie Cerniglia and Mike Maniscalo together with Mike Ricciardella). With their various individual projects falling apart, Wiggy Bits were than formed as a rather effective hard rock band and handled by, none other than, Hall And Oates manager Tommy Motolla, a man who would eventually become the CEO of SONY music.
Recording at the Record Plant in NYC, the band’s lone album is a fine example of strong yet melodic mid seventies hard rock with the emphasis on edgy dynamics, powerful riffs and the soaring vocals of Peppy Castro. Signed to Polydor, their album was produced mainly by the band (engineered by future superproducer Jimmy Iovine) was issued in 1976, and despite its quality received little fan fare outside of a handful of critics and fans from their previous groups.
The album, building on a ground swell of solid hard rock tracks such as ‘Free To Ride The Wind’, ‘Oh Captain’, ‘I’ll Write You Off’ and ‘Place In The Sun’, showcase a band with an ambitious mandate, employing lots of solid lead guitar and impressive arrangements. Sadly the project faltered but several other better known successful splinter projects emerged from the ashes, including Network, Balance and Aviator.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Fully Remastered Audio, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, new liner notes by Dave Reynolds and enhanced artwork.
TRACK LISTING: 1. FREE TO RIDE THE WIND 2. OH CAPTAIN 3. LIES 4. ELLIE 5. PLACE IN THE SUN 6. WIGGY 7. LOVE TRACKS 8. ALONE AGAIN 9. BAD SITUATION 10. I’LL WRITE YOU OFF
