Angel – The Casablanca Years (7CD) Caroline International
Glam / hard rock band Angel were allegedly discovered playing in a nightclub by bassist Gene Simmons, and subsequently signed Kiss’ then label Casablanca. A big lush sound and the band dressed in white, they stood out in more ways than one. And their label has rotational symmetry too – it reads the same upside down.
Formed in Washington DC in the mid 70’s, they originally line-up comprised vocalist Frank DiMina, guitarist Punky Meadows, bassist Mickie Jones, drummer Barry Brandt and keyboard player Gregg Giuffria. The original eponymous debut had some progressive roots too.
The mix of acoustic and electric guitars with layered keyboards and even occasional flute make for a big sound, and the big vocals have range and power that overlay the strings well.
The second (and better known) album Helluva Band was even bigger, and although a little more mainstream it featured pianist Gregg in a bigger role, at times a nod to Keith Emerson in his playing. Some of the tracks are quite gentle, but aren’t without their charm, and there’s some blistering guitar work too.
Third album On Earth As It Is In Heaven was the last to feature bassist Jones. The album was produced by the legendary Eddie Kramer. The album kicks off much heavier, it’s solid and there’s some great tracks. Crunchy at times, commercial at others.
1978’s White Hot, one of the band’s most mainstream, commercial and successful outputs, featured new bassist Felix Robinson. The track Ain’t Gonna Eat My Heart Out Any More was a minor hit, very radio friendly. Compare this and the debut and they’re a mile apart, but listen to the albums in order and the journey seems obvious.
By 1979 and Sinful, their fifth (and final, before reformations) studio album, was their poppiest yet, but still had some serious rock’n’roll moments. Going a similar way to Kiss at the time. The piano on LA Lady is almost FM/Aor meets Southern Rock.
The double album Live Without A Net (on once CD), the band hoped would do for them as Alive had done for Kiss. It actually led to their breakup. A shame. It’s a great album that had a solid setlist from across the career. Despite the move from prog / glam to mainstream hard rock, things never worked out for Angel as the live set shows.
The band’s catalogue has been compiled and reissued several times. Too piecemeal. Until now. This package, compiles the complete works. A seventh disc of rarities, a booklet full of indepth notes and pictures, all in decent box – the music and packaging are both excellent and this whole thing demands a place in any record collection. It’s how things should be done. 8.7/10
Joe Geesin
Track Listings
Disc: 1
1. Tower
2. Long Time
3. Rock & Rollers
4. Broken Dreams
5. Mariner
6. Sunday Morning
7. On & On
8. Angel (Theme)
Disc: 2
1. Feelin’ Right
2. The Fortune
3. Anyway You Want It
4. Dr. Ice
5. Mirrors
6. Feelings
7. Pressure Point
8. Chicken Soup
9. Angel Theme
Disc: 3
1. Can You Feel It
2. She’s a Mover
3. Big Boy (Let’s Do It Again)
4. Telephone Exchange
5. White Lightning
6. On the Rocks
7. You’re Not Fooling Me
8. That Magic Touch
9. Cast the First Stone
10. Just a Dream
Disc: 4
1. Don’t Leave Me Lonely
2. Ain’t Gonna Eat My Heart Out 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
Disc: 5
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
Disc: 6
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 Lightening
13. Hold Me, Squeeze Me
14. Got Love If You Want It
15. Feelin’ Right
16. 20th Century Foxes
Disc: 7
1. Rock & Rollers (Mono Mix)
2. The Magic Touch (Mono Mix)
3. Winter Song (Mono Mix)
4. Flying With Broken Wings (Without You) [mono Mix]
5. Don’t Leave Me Lonely (Mono Mix)
6. Don’t Take Your Love (Mono Mix)
7. 20th Century Foxes (Mono Mix)
8. Rock & Rollers (Single Edit)
9. On & On (Single Edit)
10. Tower (Single Edit)
11. Don’t Leave Me Lonely (Single Edit)
12. 20th Century Foxes (Stereo Edit)
13. Better Days (Single B-side)
14. Walk Away Renee (Anthology)
15. Virginia (Foxes Soundtrack)
16. 20th Century Foxes (Foxes Soundtrack)
17. The Christmas Song (Single Edit)