[2019-09-20] Wiggy Bits "Wiggy Bits (Collector's Edition)" (Rock Candy UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Aug 08, 2019 9:05 am

Description
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition / Fully Remastered Audio / Long lost Aviator & Balance related melodic rock/AOR obscurity resurrected for the modern age / Features 'Free To Ride The Wind', 'Oh Captain' and 'Place In The Sun' / 12 page booklet - 3,500 word essay by Dave Reynolds and new band interview.

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 Mottola, 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 super producer Jimmy Iovine), was issued in 1976, and despite its quality received little fanfare 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', showcases 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.

Tracklist
1. Free To Ride The Wind
2. Oh Captain
3. Lies
4. Ellie
5. Place In The Sun
6. Wiggy
7. Love Track
8. Alone Again
9. Bad Situation
10. I'll Write You Off

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W8LJBTT/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07W8LJBTT/?tag=imwan-21

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Didn't even see this.

Let me tell you, if you love vintage 70s Hard Rock with no frills, killer guitar work and great vocals with driving music and melodies, by all means get this.

This is long-sought after album for Hard Rock fans and it was well liked, well reviewed and somehow bombed on major label Polydor.

I'm getting this for sure and you must too!

Would I steer you wrong?

Hell no.

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Sep 14, 2019 9:56 am

Bump: This has been pushed back to September 20th.

[2019-09-20] Wiggy Bits "Wiggy Bits (Collector's Edition)" (Rock Candy UK)

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