Posts tagged David Coverdale

Thanks to OzOz for the review contribution.

(Review from hardrockhaven.net)

Recorded during the tour in support of Slip of the Tongue, Live at Donington 1990 showcases the band at the end of their decade of huge popularity, celebrating the glitz and glamor that was eighties metal. Add to that the fact that this tour boasted the insane guitar pairing of Steve Vai and Adrian Vandenberg, and the result is a great live Whitesnake release.

The set list covers everything one would expect from a mid-period Whitesnake show. In addition to the then-new album material, we get the pre-metal, sex-heavy classics (“Slide It In,” and “Slow and Easy”) the band’s first major UK hit (“Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City”) and of course, MTV favorites “Is This Love”, “Here I Go Again” and “Still of the Night”. While fans of the first two Coverdale solo LPs and bluesy early Whitesnake may feel the set is a bit too 1980s heavy, considering the impact both the self-titled record and their latest album had, it’s still a great celebration of the band at its popularity peak.

Musically, there is nothing to complain about. Vai and Vandenberg both exemplify 1980s shred excess, but both also understand the need to pull things back at times. Even the more blues-influenced songs retain their original vibes, which is surprising.

This album just proves that even as the musicians get older, good music truly doesn’t age.

Line-up:
- David Coverdale / vocals
- Steve Vai / guitar
- Adrian Vandenberg / guitar
- Rudy Sarzo / bass
- Tommy Aldridge / drums

Track List:
CD1
01. Slip Of The Tongue – 6:52
02. Slide It In – 5:02
03. Judgement Day – 5:55
04. Slow & Easy – 8:11
05. Kittens Got Claws – 4:58
06. Adagio For Strato – 3:00
07. Flying Dutchman Boogie – 3:53
08. Is This Love – 4:45
09. Chaep & Nasty – 4:20
10. Crying In The Rain – 13:27
CD2
01. Fool For Your Loving – 6:01
02. For The Love Of God – 5:12
03. The Audience Is Listening – 3:01
04. Here I Go Again – 5:42
05. Bad Boys – 6:16
06. Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City – 8:26
07. Still Of The Night – 7:59

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David Coverdale, Rudy Sarzo, Tommy Aldridge, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Good to be Bad (2008) (@256)

25 May 2008

1 comment

(Review from allmusic, about.com, dailymusicguide.com)

Whitesnake has been around for 30 years, and a band with that sort of longevity has to fight to stay modern and relevant. When it comes to new material from bands we grew up with, fans can be ambivalent. We’d rather hear “Fool For Your Loving”, “Still Of The Night” or “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” for the billionth time than something new.

With “Good To Be Bad”, Whitesnake proves they still have plenty left in the tank. The songs on the album are classic Whitesnake, full of big guitar riffs and melodic hooks. There’s a nice combination of rockers and ballads. There is something for every classic rock fan on here, from the head bangers (‘Good To Be Bad’), to the lighter wavers (‘All I Want, All I Need’).

Beginning with the single “All for Love,” dead center on the album, with classic power chords as a majestic intro to the big bad crunch of a four-chord riff that the tune hinges on. Rough and rowdy, it’s still got a killer hook in the refrain that is pure trademark Whitesnake. Guitars don’t sound like this on records anymore, and it’s too bad because that solid wall of big fat distorted roar still sounds like a Les Paul. Music aside, Coverdale’s voice is a bit lower in the 21st century, but he’s still better than 90 percent of the frontmen out there. He can emote, growl, and get up above that dense mix.

Though the highlight on the album is without a doubt the epic ‘Summer Rain’. This is a gorgeous, upbeat ballad, which is up there with the likes of ‘Here I Go Again’ and their other most impressive material. There is even a bit of blues on the album, which is guaranteed to get you reaching for that air guitar (A Fool In Love).

A fresh blast from the past.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – Vocals
* Doug Aldrich – Guitar
* Reb Beach – Guitar
* Timothy Drury – Keyboards
* Uriah Duffy – Bass
* Chris Frazier – Drums

Track List:
01. Best Years – 5:15
02. Can You Hear The Wind Blow – 5:04
03. Call On Me – 5:02
04. All I Want All I Need – 5:41
05. Good To Be Bad – 5:14
06. All For Love – 5:13
07. Summer Rain – 6:11
08. Lay Down Your Love – 6:01
09. A Fool In Love – 5:50
10. Got What You Need – 4:16
11. ‘Til The End Of Time – 5:35

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David Coverdale, Doug Aldrich, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Live in the Shadow of the Blues (2006) (@192)

24 May 2008

(Review from revelationz.net)

Whitesnake is back with a fresh double live album with 20 tracks, but more appealing it contains 4 brand new studio tracks. These songs are the first new songs from Whitesnake in ages and all new tracks are written in collaboration with the splendid guitarist Doug Aldrich.

Three of the new studio tracks are solid rockers. Coverdale also uses some of the old tricks in the book to adapt fans to the new material, since “Dog” opens with Coverdale’s classic howl. The up-tempo “Ready to rock” has a wall of Led Zeppelin like guitars and a killer solo. A chunky riff and yet another killer solo from Aldrich makes “If you Want Me a” potential live favorite. The best rocker is “If you want me”, since it has the best melody line. The song is a hybrid of classic melodic Whitesnake and a fresh powerful modern edge. “All I Want Is You” is a brilliant power ballad. The thick bluesy guitar sound gives goose pimples.

Most of the live recordings are from the recent world tours. All 20 songs are amazing, representing the legacy of Whitesnake. Hearing those astonishing songs performed by an amazing band and Mr Whitesnake himself David Coverdale makes “Live..In the Shadow of the Blues” one of the best live albums of 2006. The songs off “Whitesnake 1987″ never get worn out and they still sound fabulous – in fact they sound very similar to the record and the solos are note for note. The two songs off “Slip of the Tongue” album, Judgement Day and The Deeper the Love works really well live. Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach are a dangerous guitar duo.

The band’s performance is damn consistent and the songs are timeless. On top is Coverdale’s expressive and unique voice, which has suffered a bit from the many years in rock ‘n’ roll. “Live : In the Shadow of the Blues” is the perfect present for the aged rock fan who loves quality rock.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale / Lead Vocals
* Doug Aldrich / Guitar, Backing Vocals
* Reb Beach / Guitar, Backing Vocals
* Timothy Drury / Keyboards, Backing Vocals
* Uriah Duffy / Bass, Backing Vocals
* Tommy Aldridge / Drums

Track List:
CD1
01. Bad Boys
02. Slide It In
03. Slow An’ Easy
04. Love Ain’t No Stranger
05. Judgement Day
06. Is This Love
07. Blues For Mylene
08. Snake Dance
09. Crying In The Rain
10. Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of City
11. Fool For Your Loving
12. Here I Go Again
13. Still Of The Night
CD2
01. Burn-Stormbringer Burn
02. Give Me All Your Love Tonight
03. Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues
04. The Deeper The Love
05. Ready An’ Willing
06. Don’t Break My Heart Again
07. Take Me With You
08. Ready To Rock (New Studio Record)
09. If You Want Me-I’ll Come Running (New Studio Recording)
10. All I Want Is You (New Studio Record)
11. Dog (New Studio Recording)

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David Coverdale, Doug Aldrich, Live, Tommy Aldridge, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Live in the Still of the Night (2004) (@320)

23 May 2008

1 comment

(Review from blogcritics.org)

Whitesnake has always been a revolving door of musicians supporting band founder and frontman David Coverdale since the breakup of the classic line-up. “Live In The Still Of The Night” is certainly no different, finding Coverdale again surrounded by five hired guns, who breath new life into the band. They certainly have the muscle to resurrect this blues-rock dinosaur at a time when most of these “nu-rock” bands need to be stepped on with a two ton paw.

Coverdale can still belt out the arena-rock ballads and blues-metal anthems with the best of them, and he oozes enough charisma to keep the audience eating out of his hands for the entire show. Doug Aldrich is clearly from the older Jimmy Page/Gary Moore school of blues-based rock guitar. He even has a ’58 re-issue Gibson Les Paul that he persuaded Page to scratch his initials into with a fork. Reb Beach is more from the ’80s, Van Halen/Steve Vai school of flash guitar, but he can still do it all. Coverdale has clearly given Aldrich the spotlight in this band, as he takes the majority of the guitar solos, and even gets two full songs “Blues For Mylene”, and “Snake Dance”, which were essentially his solo vehicles. Beach does add some excellent rhythm guitar and the occasional colorful solo, but was much less in the spotlight.

The setlist is a decent mix of old and new, going all the way back to the beginning with the Snakebite slow-blues ballad “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City”, and as far forward as the Slip Of The Tongue anthem “Judgement Day” from 1989. The 1987 album Whitesnake gets the lion’s share, six of the album’s eleven songs are performed.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – Vocals
* Doug Aldrich – Guitar
* Reb Beach – Guitar
* Marco Mendoza – Bass
* Timothy Drury – Keyboards
* Tommy Aldridge – Drums

Track List:
01. Burn – 8:32
02. Bad Boys – 5:27
03. Love Ain’t No Stranger – 4:40
04. Ready An Willing – 6:03
05. Is This Love – 4:50
06. Give Me All Your Love – 4:53
07. Judgement Day – 5:23
08. Blues For Mylene – 3:53
09. Snake Dance – 2:08
10. Cryin’ In The Rain Pt1 – 4:37
11. Drum Solo – 5:15
12. Cryin’ In The Rain Pt2 – 3:04
13. Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of – 9:05
14. Don’t Break My Heart Again – 6:08
15. Fool For Your Lovin’ – 4:49
16. Here I Go Again – 6:56
17. Take Me With You – 7:15
18. Still Of The Night – 8:54

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David Coverdale, Doug Aldrich, Live, Tommy Aldridge, Whitesnake

David Coverdale – Into the Light (2000) (@320)

22 May 2008

(Review from allmusic)

In 2000, David Coverdale was officially a full-time solo artist again. Although not groundbreaking, 2000′s Into the Light is a decent solo effort that should please those who admire his ’70s and ’80s output. In fact, this isn’t a radical departure from the British singer’s work with Whitesnake and Deep Purple. Instead of attempting to be relevant to the alternate rock scene of 2000, Coverdale sticks with the type of commercial hard rock, arena rock, and power ballads that he is best known for.

Even though the songs aren’t quite in a class with his best Purple and Whitesnake offerings, they are enjoyable; Coverdale’s die-hard fans will find that he is as confident and assured on bluesy rockers like “Cry for Love” and “River Song” as he is on the power ballad “Don’t You Cry”. The album often sounds like it could have been recorded in the 1970s or 1980s.

“Into the Light” shows that Coverdale is still quite capable of holding attention.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – lead vocals, guitar (1)
with
* Doug Bossi – guitar, back vocals
* Earl Slick – guitar
* Marco Mendoza – bass, spanish guitar (12), background vocals
* Denny Carmassi – drums
* Derek Hilland – keyboards (1, 8)
* Mike Finnigan – organ & piano
* John X. Volaitis – keyboards & percussion (3), keyboards (4, 10, 11), harp (11)
* Reeves Gabrels – solo resolve (3)
* Dylan Vaughan – guitar (4)
* Tony Franklin – bass (4)
* Bjorn Thorsud – tambourine (4)
* James Sitterly – strings (5)
* Ruy Folguera – string arrangement (5)
* Jimmy Z – harmonica (7)
* Linda Rowberry – vocal duet (12)

Track List:
01. Into The Light
02. The River Song
03. She Gives Me
04. Don’t You Cry
05. Love Is Blind
06. Slave
07. Cry For Love
08. Living On Love
09. Midnight Blue
10. Too Many Tears
11. Don’t Lie To Me
12. Wherever You May Go

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David Coverdale

Whitesnake – Restless Heart (1997) (@256)

20 May 2008

(Review from allmusic.com)

The reunion of Coverdale and Vandenburg in the “Starkers in Tokyo” unplugged show, inspired them to then work together on a new album – “Restless Heart”. Originally intended to be a solo album for Coverdale, the record company pressures made it a Whitesnake release.

After nearly a decade, the album shows not much changed in the Whitesnake realm and their R&B stylings. Though unlike their last two studio albums, this is not a showcase for rock’s most renowned hired guns. Adrian Vandenberg finally gets his full day in studio.

Instead of walloping listeners over the skull with an album opening rocker, the band kicks things off on a mellow note, with the bluesy ballad “Don’t Fade Away”, but harder-edged material soon follows, including the riff-rocking title track, and “Crying”, which shows the singer’s Zeppelin fixation remains.

The times may have changed, but David Coverdale is content with his old sound — and longtime Whitesnake fans won’t be disappointed.

After the tour of this album, Coverdale once again called it a day.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – vocals
* Adrian Vandenberg – guitars
* Brett Tuggle – keyboards, back vocals
* Guy Pratt – bass guitar
* Denny Carmassi – drums and percussion
with
* Tommy Funderburk – back vocals
* Beth Anderson – back vocals
* Maxine Waters – back vocals
* Elk Thunder – harmonica

Track List:
01. Don’t Fade Away – 5:02
02. All In The Name Of Love – 4:42
03. Restless Heart – 4:50
04. Too Many Tears – 5:44
05. Crying – 5:34
06. Stay With Me – 4:09
07. Can’t Go On – 4:28
08. You’re So Fine – 5:10
09. Your Precious Love – 4:34
10. Take Me Back Again – 6:02
11. Woman Trouble Blues – 5:36

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David Coverdale, Whitesnake

Coverdale-Page – Coverdale-Page (1992) (@256)

20 May 2008

(Review from allmusic, rateyourmusic.com, amazon)

By the dawn of the 90s, Coverdale put Whitesnake on hold — opting to step out of the spotlight for a brief spell. At the same time neverending rumors about an impending Led Zeppelin reunion appeared as though it would finally come to fruition. However, when Robert Plant began to have cold feet concerning the reunion, the plan was nixed. As a result, Page united with Coverdale, after all the accusations of David Coverdale ‘ripping off’ Led Zeppelin in his group, Whitesnake. Some felt this was Page’s way of ‘getting back’ at Plant.

Though Coverdale/Page doesn’t recapture the pompous majesty of Led Zeppelin, it does leave all of the Zep clones in the dust. Jimmy Page plays better than he has since his Zep days and Coverdale sounds like Plant more than ever — in parts, you would be hard pressed to tell that Coverdale hadn’t suddenly been replaced halfway through a song by Robert Plant. The music is hard and raw without any of the almost AOR qualities we’ve come to expect from Coverdale. A mix of blues and Middle Eastern influences which Page would experiment further in his career.

Rockers such as Shake My Tree, Waiting On You, Pride and Joy, and Feeling Hot offer a fresh blast of Page’s guitar, who still can rock. On the lighter side, this album offers up some incredible slow-bluesier rockers such as Take Me For A Little While and Over Now.

If you’re a Led Zeppelin fan looking for a fix, don’t feel guilty — pick it up and give it a try.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
* Jimmy Page – electric guitars, bass, harmonica, dulcimer, backing vocals
with
* Lester Mendel – keyboards, percussion
* Jorge Casas – bass
* Ricky Phillips (Philips) – bass
* Denny Carmassi – drums, percussion
* John Harris – harmonica
* Tommy Funderburk – back vocals
* John Sambataro – back vocals

Track List:
01. Shake My Tree – 4:53
02. Waiting On You – 5:16
03. Take Me For A Little While – 6:15
04. Pride And Joy – 3:31
05. Over Now – 5:23
06. Feeling Hot – 4:11
07. Easy Does It – 5:52
08. Take A Look At Yourself – 5:02
09. Don’t Leave Me This Way – 7:53
10. Absolution Blues – 5:59
11. Whisper A Prayer For The Dying – 6:54

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David Coverdale, Jimmy Page

Whitesnake – Slip of the Tongue (1989) (@256)

18 May 2008

(Review from amazon, rollingstone.com, wikipedia)

Following the success of 1987, Adrian Vandenburg became a permanent member of Whitesnake. He and Coverdale co-wrote most of the songs of the upcoming successor album. Unfortunately Vandenberg suffered a debilitating hand injury related to isometric exercises and was unable to participate in the album sessions. With all of the foundation tracks completed, guitarist Steve Vai was called in to record all the guitar parts. The rock world and guitar fans everywhere waited with batedbreath for the result of this union.

The problem with Vai is that he always tries to sound like himself, because he’s a very authentic player. In doing this, he tries to avoid using blues and pentatonic-based licks. Instead of playing standard metal cliches, he overplays with his killer (but rather progressive) chops, going for unexplored avenues. The result is that, in a band like Whitesnake, he frequently moves away from the main song’s focus.

Unlike any Whitesnake album, there’s a lack of deep emotion all along this album — like the proverbial Ice Queen. Not passionate enough to evoke pleasure, not rude enough to spark contempt, it is an album that shies from both ends of the emotional spectrum.

Nevertheless, the re-recording of the earlier hit from “Ready An’ Willing” album, “Fool For Your Loving”, became an MTV favourite; while such raunchy rockers as the album-opening title track, “Cheap An’ Nasty”, and “Kittens Got Claws” fitted in well with the then-thriving party/glam metal climate. Even core fans found comfort in hard rockers like “Judgement Day” and “Wings of the Storm”.

A world tour of “Slip of the Tongue” was followed by a period of inactivity. It was no secret that Coverdale wanted out of the business at that point. He’d grown uncomfortable with the corporate, image-driven entity he felt Whitesnake had become. In a candid period interview, Coverdale sums it up in one sentence: “It got louder and louder, and so did I, to the point now where I have to get dressed up as a ‘girly man’ and tease ones questionable pants or hair and it’s all getting a bit … boring”.

Whitesnake officially went on hiatus in 1991.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – vocals
* Steve Vai – Guitars
* Rudy Sarzo – bass
* Tommy Aldridge – drums
with
* Glenn Hughes – back vocals
* Tommy Funderburk – back vocals
* Richard Page – back vocals (4)
* Don Airey – keyboards
* David Rosenthal – keyboards

Track List:
01. Slip Of The Tongue – 5:20
02. Cheap An’ Nasty – 3:28
03. Fool For Your Loving (1990 version) – 4:11
04. Now You’re Gone – 4:12
05. Kitten’s Got Claws – 5:02
06. Wings Of The Storm – 5:01
07. The Deeper The Love – 4:22
08. Judgment Day – 5:16
09. Slow Poke Music – 3:59
10. Sailing Ships – 6:03

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David Coverdale, David Rosenthal, Don Airey, Glenn Hughes, Rudy Sarzo, Tommy Aldridge, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Whitesnake (1987) (@256)

17 May 2008

(Review from amazon, wikipedia, planetrock.co.uk)

At the end of the “Slide It In” tour, Cozy Powell left to form Emerson, Lake & Powell. Veteran drummer Aynsley Dunbar (of Journey & Jefferson Starship fame) was brought in, as was ex-Ozzy and Rainbow keyboardist Don Airey. John Sykes’ collaboration with Phil Lynott had transformed Thin Lizzy’s sound into a heavier rock band, bordering on metal. His collaboration with David Coverdale did pretty much the same to Whitesnake.

The band’s eighth studio album titled 1987 or simply Whitesnake is the fruit of a concerted effort to break the US market. The recording is power drenched, the band and production sound light years ahead of most other releases of the time and this album is noteworthy not only for the blistering feel of the tracks but also for the blend of ballads and rockers. With his wonderful set of pipes and great backing band Coverdale can attack stuff like “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love” yet still happily turn around and crank serious wattage with the likes of “Children of the Night”, “Bad Boys” and the plaintive “Crying in the Rain” – a power ballad with the emphasis on the power and a tune above the norm for this style of song.

All that’s without mentioning the mighty Zeppelin-esque “Still of the Night”. Seriously, a strong so strong that it blitzed just about every other hard rock track doing the rounds from other contemporary bands. A flagship tune and there ain’t no doubt – a track any band would be proud to have in it’s armoury with which to lay waste to their audience with.

Unfortunately this line-up too didn’t last long as Coverdale sacked all the other members of the band before even the album was released.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – lead vocals
* John Sykes – guitar, backing vocals
* Neil Murray – bass
* Aynsley Dunbar – drums
with
* Don Airey – keyboards
* Bill Cuomo – keyboards
* Adrian Vandenberg – guitar solo (10)

Track List:
01. Still Of The Night – 6:36
02. Bad Boys – 4:06
03. Give Me All Your Love – 3:31
04. Looking For Love – 6:33
05. Crying In The Rain (1987 version) – 5:37
06. Is This Love – 4:43
07. Straight For The Heart – 3:39
08. Don’t Turn Away – 5:10
09. Children Of The Night – 4:24
10. Here I Go Again (1987 version) – 4:34
11. You’re Gonna Break My Heart Again – 4:11

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David Coverdale, Don Airey, John Sykes, Neil Murray, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Slide It In (1984) (@256)

16 May 2008

(Review from allmusic, wikipedia)

Following up the splendid “Saints & Sinners” album was no easy task, but 1984′s Slide It In turned out to be an even greater triumph for Whitesnake.

From the boisterous machismo of “Spit It Out” and “All or Nothing” to the resigned despair of “Gambler” and “Standing in the Shadow” and the embarrassingly silly title track, everything seems to click. For hit singles, look no further than the twin guitar attack of “Guilty of Love” and the sheer poetry and emotion of “Love Ain’t No Stranger”, a great power ballad. Not to be outdone, “Slow an’ Easy” is a masterpiece of sexual tension and the kind of power-blues which no one does as well as Whitesnake.

This edition is the album’s original version. It features a stronger presence of keyboards by Jon Lord, and the bass is more noticeable.

Later on, a more slickly produced, radio-friendly version of the album was released in the US. Neil Murray was brought back and the bass parts were re-recorded with him and with the addition of John Sykes as a third guitarist, his sound was layered on top of the original guitar parts.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – lead vocals, percussion, piano
* Micky Moody – guitars
* Mel Galley – guitars, backing vocals
* Colin Hodgkinson – bass
* Jon Lord – keyboards
* Cozy Powell – drums

Track List:
01. Gambler – 3:57
02. Slide It In – 3:20
03. Standing in the Shadow – 3:32
04. Give Me More Time – 3:41
05. Love Ain’t no Stranger – 4:13
06. Slow an’ Easy – 6:09
07. Spit It Out – 4:11
08. All or Nothing – 3:34
09. Hungry for Love – 3:57
10. Guilty of Love – 3:18

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Colin Hodgkinson, Cozy Powell, David Coverdale, Jon Lord, Mel Galley, Micky Moody, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Saints and Sinners (1982) (@256)

15 May 2008

(Review from allmusic, hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com)

David Coverdale returned to music the next year, reforming Whitesnake and the band rushed to studio for their next album.

Their 1982 album, “Saints and Sinners” features a blend of solid instrumentation: great dual guitar lines, solid backline, and Lord’s organ all blended with Coverdale’s gritty vocals. Rowdy bursts of bluesy aggression are all over the album like in “Rough an’ Ready”, “Bloody Luxury” and the downright nasty “Young Blood.” David Coverdale also reached new heights with the astounding heavy blues of “Crying in the Rain” and the timeless power ballad “Here I Go Again”. More boogie woogie rock comes out on “Love An’ Affection” and “Rock An’ Roll Angels” with the piano prominent again in both songs.

This proved to be the last album of the “classic” line-up as Bernie Marsden, Neil Murray and Ian Paice left. Whitesnake’s line-up never stabilized ever since.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – lead vocals
* Bernie Marsden – guitars
* Mel Galley – guitars
* Micky Moody – guitars, backing vocals
* Jon Lord – keyboards
* Neil Murray – bass
* Ian Paice – drums

Track List:
01. Young Blood – 3:30
02. Rough An’ Ready – 2:52
03. Bloody Luxury – 3:23
04. Victim Of Love – 3:33
05. Crying In The Rain – 5:59
06. Here I Go Again – 5:08
07. Love An’ Affection – 3:09
08. Rock An’ Roll Angels – 4:07
09. Dancing Girls – 3:10
10. Saints An’ Sinners – 4:23

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Bernie Marsden, David Coverdale, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Mel Galley, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Come an Get It (1981) (@256)

14 May 2008

(Review from amazon)

Confident from the success of ‘Ready An’ Willing’, Whitesnake went into the studio, effortlessly knocking out vintage blues rock.

There are many highlights including ‘Child Of Babylon’, an epic song showing off Coverdale at his best, the grooving title track and the monolithic anthem ‘Don’t Break My Heart Again’ with its nod towards a more pop metal direction. The fun blues boogie numbers ‘Would I Lie To You’ and “Wine, Women An’ Song” were brilliantly humorous and even more fun when played live! ‘Till The Day I Die’ features a superb vocal performance from Coverdale.

As on their previous album, the Purple duo Jon Lord and Ian Paice, turns in solid professional performances. Also of note is the typically old-school guitar work from Moody/Marsden throughout the album, especially on the song ‘Hit An’ Run’ which given a bit more development in the chorus department could have been a classic. Neil Murray’s bubbling basslines can also be heard throughout to great effect.

After the release of this album, Coverdale took time off to look after his sick daughter. He decided to temporarily break up the band.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – vocals
* Micky Moody – guitar
* Bernie Marsden – guitar
* Jon Lord – keyboards
* Neil Murray – bass guitar
* Ian Paice – drums

Track List:
01. Come An’ Get It – 3:57
02. Hot Stuff – 3:22
03. Don’t Break My Heart Again – 4:01
04. Lonely Days, Lonely Nights – 4:14
05. Wine, Women An’ Song – 3:43
06. Child Of Babylon – 4:50
07. Would I Lie To You – 4:30
08. Girl – 3:54
09. Hit An’ Run – 3:21
10. Till The Day I Die – 4:27

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Bernie Marsden, David Coverdale, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Trouble (1978) (@256)

13 May 2008

(Review from rockages, wikipedia)

Keyboardist Jon Lord (of Deep Purple) joined the band and Whitesnake’s first full-length studio album, “Trouble” came out in fall 1978. It is a blues rock/R&B styled album with some Led Zeppelin and Free influences. Coverdale steered away from any Deep Purple connotations during this time period.

Swirling effects then that scratchy guitar intro mark the opener “Take Me With You”. Slightly softer edged but not dissimilar to “Burn” in many ways its a decent heavy rock song. “Love To Keep You Warm” has much more in common with the funk tinged Deep Purple of “Come Taste The Band” vintage and despite being a plodding mid-tempo love song has a warm feel and is quite listenable. “Lie Down” however is a blues rock monster following much the same design as “Come On” off the Snakebite EP. A regular early live favourite that bounds along underscored by some great piano and topped off by an understated Micky Moody solo. With the cover of “Day Tripper” they take the unusual step of considerably reworking a Beatles classic. Turning into a slow-burner of a blues number with Coverdale producing a moody vocal and Marsden a fine, voicebox solo. “Nighthawk (Vampire Blues)” is another solid rocker that hints at the direction of the early 80s despite some distinctly 70s guitar licks in it but notably it does feature Coverdale singing about a ‘Gypsy woman’ not for the first or the last time!

Opening side two is the quite mid tempo love song “Time Is Right For Love” featuring some quite brilliant guitar touches down low in the mix adorning the versus. The title track “Trouble” is quite superb; effectively Whitesnake’s own smoking heavy blues number that didn’t replace but actually accompanied its close relative “Mistreated” in the live set. “Belgian Tom’s Hat-Trick” is a Micky Moody written instrumental that features a solo spot each for Moody, Lord then Marsden within the structure of a decent little boogie rocker. “Free Flight” is notable for Coverdale relinquishes lead vocal duties to Marsden for the whole track. Closing track “Don’t Mess With Me” has a thumping intro, fast paced versus, chant-able chorus and singalong breakdown. It’s a more than solid rocker that closes the album.

“Trouble” is a solid if fairly unspectular album that built upon the strengths of their EP and went some way toward establishing the band although it would be their next album, “Love Hunter” that really seals their ascension.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – vocals
* Micky Moody – guitar
* Bernie Marsden – guitar
* Neil Murray – bass guitar
* Jon Lord – keyboards
* Dave Dowle – drums

Track List:
01. Take Me With You – 4:47
02. Love To Keep You Warm – 3:45
03. Lie Down (A Modern Love Song) – 3:15
04. Day Tripper – 3:48
05. Night Hawk (Vampire Blues) – 3:38
06. The Time Is Right For Love – 3:29
07. Trouble – 4:48
08. Belgian Tom’s Hat Trick – 3:26
09. Free Flight – 4:05
10. Don’t Mess With Me – 3:18

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Bernie Marsden, David Coverdale, Jon Lord, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Snakebite (EP 1978) (@256)

12 May 2008

(Review from rockofages)

Employing some of the names that had helped out on the commercially unsuccessful but worth exploring post-Purple solo albums “White Snake” and “Northwinds” Coverdale set out with guitarists Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden, bass player Neil Murray and drummer Dave Dowle to create a new hard blues-rock outfit.

The very first album under the Whitesnake moniker, the Snakebite EP features four tracks which pretty clearly marked the route Coverdale and his band intended to take, at least in the bands early years. The highlight of the release is undoubtedly the excellent cover of the blues standard “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City”. A slow, grooving number that recreates somewhat the feeling of Coverdale’s Deep Purple highlight “Mistreated”. It later became a concert staple for the rest of band’s career.

Elsewhere, Micky Moody gets a showcase with the excellent, upbeat slide guitar rocker Steal Away, whilst the bands hard rock credentials were set out as the Coverdale/Marsden songwriting team produced it’s first fruits in the guise of Come On, a great blues rock number which itself nods to older Coverdale output with the line “I’m just a soldier of fortune”.

Another up-tempo rocker entitled “Bloody Mary” proves to be the weakest of the release and wouldn’t become a part of the early live set that the others would. It’s still worth hearing though if only for some classic Coverdale-isms.

The CD edition includes 4 bonus tracks taken from David Coverdale’s Northwinds solo album.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – vocals
* Micky Moody – guitar
* Bernie Marsden – guitar
* Neil Murray – bass guitar
* Dave Dowle – drums

Track List:
01. Come On – 3:33
02. Bloody Mary – 3:20
03. Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City – 5:13
04. Steal Away – 4:20
05. Keep On Giving Me Love (Bonus) – 5:18
06. Queen Of Hearts (Bonus) – 5:17
07. Only My Soul (Bonus) – 4:36
08. Breakdown (Bonus) – 5:12

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Bernie Marsden, David Coverdale, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, Whitesnake

David Coverdale – Northwinds (1978) (@256)

11 May 2008

5 comments

(Review from allmusic)

1978′s Northwinds, David Coverdale’s second solo album after the demise of Deep Purple, is a powerful dose of blues- and R&B-influenced hard rock. It is also a huge leap forward in quality from the previous year’s White Snake, a tentative and generally cautious record.

“Keeping on Giving Me Love” is loose and funky and a blowout jam wraps it up. The gorgeous ballad “Northwinds” builds to a gospel-like fervor; Coverdale’s voice is warm and smooth and Hinckley’s dominant keyboards are supported by Moody’s tasteful rhythm guitar. “Give Me Kindness” is a slab of R&B-based hard rock with horns present to add spice. Initially, Coverdale’s slow, soft vocals and Hinckley’s effective keyboards provide the soul of the splendid “Time & Again”, but Graham Preskett’s electric violin and, ultimately, Coverdale’s surging voice aid the overall swell of power at the finale. “Only My Soul” offers a rich musical stew of introductory organ and acoustic guitar, steady drums, biting little guitar fills, supple bass licks, Glover’s synthesizer fill and more electric violin lines from Preskett, but Coverdale’s ethereal singing holds it all together. The hard-charging rocker “Breakdown” is about the disintegration of Deep Purple.

This edition of the album also includes two solid bonus tracks: the spry groove rocker “Shame on the Devil” and the melodic pop/rock song “Sweet Mistreater”.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – Vocals
with
* Micky Moody – Guitar
* Simon Phillips – Drums
* Alan Spenner – Bass
* Tim Hinckley – Keyboards
* Roger Glover – Keyboards

Track List:
01. Keep On Giving Me Love – 5:15
02. Northwinds – 6:13
03. Give Me Kindness – 4:32
04. Time & Again – 4:02
05. Queen Of Hearts – 5:15
06. Only My Soul – 4:35
07. Say You Love Me – 4:20
08. Breakdown – 5:15
09. Shame The Devil (Bonus) – 3:34
10. Sweet Mistreater (Bonus) – 3:45

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David Coverdale, Micky Moody, Roger Glover

David Coverdale – White Snake (1977) (@256)

10 May 2008

(Review from allmusic, wikipedia)

After Deep Purple crumbled in the mid-’70s, vocalist David Coverdale began a solo career with 1977′s White Snake. Before too long, Coverdale would use the album title (as well as guitarist Micky Moody) for his future band, first known as “David Coverdale’s Whitesnake” and soon afterwards as just Whitesnake.

The album is a very inward looking, reflective and low-key affair in many ways, written and recorded as it was in the aftermath of the collapse of Deep Purple. Coverdale is clearly flummoxed regarding the direction the music should take. There are some blues-rock numbers that benefit from Coverdale’s rich, throaty vocals and Moody’s reliable guitar parts. They would later settle on this style for Whitesnake. However, much of the album shows Coverdale’s love of R&B and soul. Remember that it was this route that Deep Purple took, particularly on 1974′s Stormbringer.

“Lady” manages to blend R&B and hard rock elements effectively thanks to Moody’s slithering guitar and the punchy horns. The smoldering “Blindman” is probably the best song because of its blues-rock purity; it actually sounds like a blend of Free, Bad Company, and, ultimately, future Whitesnake. “Goldies Place” is a blue-eyed stab at R&B and funk. “Whitesnake” is a guilty pleasure rocker; the sexual symbolism surpasses mere double entendre, but it’s not quite hardcore porn. “Peace Lovin’ Man” goes so far as to approach gospel-influenced soul. “Hole in the Sky” is a smooth, dreamy ballad.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale / vocals
with
* Micky Moody / guitar
* De Lisle Harper / bass
* Tim Hinckley / keyboards
* Simon Phillips / drums
* Roger Glover / synths
* Liza Strike / back vocals
* Helen Chapelle / back vocals
* Barry St John / back vocals

Track List:
01. Lady – 3:47
02. Blindman – 6:00
03. Goldies Place – 5:02
04. Whitesnake – 4:20
05. Time On My Side – 4:25
06. Peace Lovin’ Man – 4:52
07. Sunny Days – 3:29
08. Hole In The Sky – 3:21
09. Celebration – 4:09
10. Peace Lovin’ Man (Bonus Take 1) – 5:03
11. Sunny Days (Bonus Take 1) – 3:19

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David Coverdale, Micky Moody, Roger Glover

Whitesnake – Live in the Heart of the City (1980) (@256)

28 Nov 2007

(Review from amazon, metal-observer.com, allmusic)

“Live In The Heart of the City” was recorded over two dates in 1980 and one date in 1978 and from the much missed Hammersmith Odeon. Although Whitesnake never achieved the sales figures of Coverdale’s previous band, Deep Purple, this is still a class live-album.

Featuring some quite excellent musicianship from guitarists Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody, interlocking guitar riffs and fiery solos; the rhythm section of Lord, Paice and bassist Neil Murray is rock-steady and the exceptional vocal talents of Coverdale every single song on this live-CD is a slab of good time rock ‘n’ roll with a whole load of boogie thrown in.

Whitesnake favorites such as “Walking in the Shadow of the Blues” “Ready an’ Willing” and “Fool for Your Loving” heat up the crowd, but it’s the extended version of “Lovehunter” that gets things boiling, thanks to Micky Moody’s extended slide guitar solo. The audience participation on “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” provides another thrilling moment, but the band truly brings the house down with a last encore of Deep Purple’s “Mistreated” — a blues of monstrous proportions that becomes an 11-minute catharsis for Coverdale.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – vocals
* Micky Moody – guitar
* Bernie Marsden – guitar
* Jon Lord – keyboards
* Neil Murray – bass guitar
* Ian Paice – drums

Track List:
01. Come On – 3:38
02. Sweet Talker – 4:14
03. Walking in the Shadow of the Blues – 4:49
04. Love Hunter – 11:00
05. Fool for Your Loving – 4:50
06. Ain’t Gonna Cry No More – 6:28
07. Ready An’ Willing – 4:46
08. Take Me With You – 6:44
09. Come On – 4:01
10. Might Just Take Your Life – 5:27
11. Lie Down – 4:27
12. Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City – 6:27
13. Trouble – 4:52
14. Mistreated – 10:50

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Bernie Marsden, David Coverdale, Ian Paice, Jon Lord, Live, Micky Moody, Neil Murray, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Starkers in Tokyo (Live 1998) (@256)

01 Jul 2007

(Review from amazon)

There are no drums, no bass, no keyboards, no back-up vocals, just a single voice and a single guitar.

Whitesnake has been around just over 20 years at the time of this concert, and it proves to be one of David Coverdale’s finest. Yes, his voice doesn’t have it’s range like it did in the 70′s, but he can still melt your heart when he sings ballads.

Not surprisingly, that’s what Starkers In Tokyo contains most of, slow blues burners and late 80′s ballads, with a few newer tunes thrown in. It opens with Sailing Ships, a relaxing rendition that sets the tone for most of the show. Slipping next into the mournful Too Many Tears, Coverdale pouring his heart and emotion into the song. About halfway through, from 1987′s selftitled album comes the show rev-upper Give Me All Your Love. The last three songs are excellent, Is This Love, the heavy Here I Go (which is about the fastest song performed) and Solider of Fortune. The latter being a lovely addition, digging into his Purple bag of tricks.

All-in-all, a relaxing, comfortable listen that will soothe you from a rough day.

Line-up:
* David Coverdale – vocals
* Adrian Vandenburg – guitar

Track List:
01. Sailing Ships – 4:37
02. Too Many Tears – 4:13
03. The Deeper The Love – 4:09
04. Love Ain’t No Stranger – 3:15
05. Can’t Go On – 3:50
06. Give Me All Your Love – 3:21
07. Don’t Fade Away – 4:26
08. Is This Love – 3:09
09. Here I Go Again – 4:46
10. Soldier Of Fortune – 4:22

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David Coverdale, Sakalli's Pick, Whitesnake

Whitesnake – Ready an' Willing (1980) (@256)

06 Apr 2007