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Posts tagged Neil Murray
National Health – National Health (1977) (@256)
18 Feb 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
Founded in 1975, National Health was one of the last of the great “Canterbury-style” progressive rock bands.
With a frequently changing lineup, the band toured extensively, never getting close to studios and shop for two years. Indeed quite a lot of water went under the bridge from their formation as a sextet. With Bruford now gone and Campbell discouraged, both replaced, the two Gilgamesh members Gowan and Lee were also history, although the former is a guest on all tracks. Among the other guest are the frequent blows of Brother Jimmy Hastings, the percussions of John Mitchell and the acquired taste of ex-Northette Amanda Parsons’ vocals.
Coming with a typical semi-humoristic late 70′s-type of artwork depicting UK healthcare problems, the album holds four tracks over 10 mins+, even if “Borogroves” is divided in two movements, thus making indeed a fifth one.
Opening of the promising Tenemos Road, the group’s musical world clearly takes from where Hatfield (and Gilgamesh to a lesser extent) had left things off. The track jumps hurdles effortlessly and gets to typical Canterbury soundscapes. The following “Brujo” features Hastings’ delightful flute trading licks with Parsons’ almost Chinese-timbred voice. The track slowly gaining momentum until reaching an excellent funk groove where the two keyboards feud with the then-ala mode synth tones. Stewart returns to the fuzzed-out Hammond then Miller’s surprisingly (and short) heroic intervention. Then slowing down and returning on Parsons scats and a short rebuff to end the first side.
The flipside’s Borogoves is mostly an excuse for an excellent bass movement from Neil Murray where the rest of the band can show their chops. The closing monster track Elephants has some incredibly intense moments. In general it follows the colour of the rest of the album, first with an ascending riff, then a funky groove and then a haunting piano riff that allows the group to strut their stuff without showing off, before Parsons returning with sung vocals.
While it was rather clear that this kind of ultra-technical jazz-rock’s heydays were long past, National Health’s debut is still very much an excellent example of the genre
Line-up:
- Phil Miller / guitar
- Neil Murray / bass
- Pip Pyle / drums, cowbell / gong / tambourine (1), glockenspiel / finger cymbals / shaker / bells (2), Pixiephone (4)
- Dave Stewart / acoustic & electric pianos, organ
with
- Alan Gowen / Moog Pianos (1-3)
- Jimmy Hastings / flute (all), bass clarinet (1), clarinet (3)
- John Mitchell / percussion (1), temple blocks / guava (2), congas (3)
- Amanda Parsons / Vocals
Track List:
01. Tenemos Roads – 14:34
02. Brujo – 10:16
03. Borogoves (Excerpt From Part 2) – 4:11
04. Borogoves (Part 1) – 6:34
05. Elephants – 14:20
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Micky Moody – I Eat Them for Breakfast (2001) (@256)
17 Aug 2010
(Review from Blues Revue)
Micky Moody is a seasoned, and very experienced musician who has been a huge part of the British rock scene for many years, but is still an unknown musician to many.
With his first solo album, Micky Moody might surprise listeners who know him only from his past with Whitesnake by sharp, genre-appropriate playing from ’14-string rag’ (guitar and mandolin) to the via-Freddie King cover of ‘Me and My Guitar’. Nothing earthshaking here but great playing and vocals
His backing band include the usual suspects Bernie Marsden, Neil Murray and Don Airey.
Line-up:
- Micky Moody / Guitar, Dobro, Mandolin, Bass, Vocals
with
- Bernie Marsden / Guitar, Vocals
- Neil Murray / Bass
- Don Airey / Organ, Piano, Keyboards, Wurlitzer
- Robert Hart / Vocals
- Paul Williams / Vocals
- John Lingwood / Drums
- Andy Pyle / Bass
- Henry Spinetti / Bass, Drums
Track List:
01. On Common Ground – 4:48
02. Alimony – 4:51
03. Delta Bluesman – 4:08
04. Mixed-Up Blues – 2:29
05. My Lady Friend – 3:27
06. 14-String Rag – 2:19
07. Me And My Guitar – 3:39
08. Just Leave Me Alone – 3:50
09. Turning Point (Parts 1-5) – 10:09
10. Obsession – 3:16
11. Let This Boy Boogie – 3:41
12. My Word For Trouble (W.O.M.A.N.) – 4:24
13. Journey Home – 2:20
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Tony Ashton & Friends – Live At Abbey Road (2000) (@256)
27 Dec 2009
(Review from allmusic)
Coming together to honour and celebrate the career of Tony Ashton, musical guests from all eras of his work perform a blistering set of classics from Tony Ashton’s career, Whitesnake and Paice-Ashton-Lord.
Sound quality is top notch and energy levels are high. ‘Hey, this is live,’ comments Bernie Marsden after a slightly wobbly break, and this album really is vibrant with real live musical excellence.
The concert begins with the band Mash, followed by Johnny Johnson and Dave Williams. A Hardin and York (Eddie Hardin, Pete York) reunion follows which includes Geoff Whitehorn, Chris Barber, Jaz Lochrie. Zoot Money, and Eddie’s daughter Emma is up next. They are followed by Angel. Wrapping up the first half of the event is a short set of Rock (and Who) classics performed by John Entwistle, Zak Starkey, John Rabbit Bundrick and Gary Nuttall.
The second half opens with Tony Ashton himself, followed by a short acoustic set by Mickey Moody and Bernie Marsden. Afterward, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Neil Murray and Robert Hart joins them for a short set of Whitesnake songs. The finale is a mini Paice-Ashton-Lord reunion set, which includes Bernie Marsden and Howie Casey.
Line-up:
- Tony Ashton / Keyboards, Vocals
with
- Chris Barber / Trombone
- John “Rabbit” Bundrick / Keyboards
- Howie Casey / Saxophone
- John Entwistle / Bass
- Robert Hart / Vocals
- Jon Lord / Organ, Saxophone
- Bernie Marsden / Guitar, Saxophone, Vocals
- Micky Moody / Guitar
- Neil Murray / Bass, Saxophone
- Gary Nuttall / Guitar, Vocals
- Ian Paice / Drums, Saxophone
- Nigel Portman Smith / Bass
- Zak Starkey / Drums
- Geoff Whitehorn / Guitar
- Laurie Wisefield / Guitar
- Pete York / Drums
- Jeanette McKinley / Back Vocals
- Sheila McKinley / Back Vocals
Track List:
01. Introduction – 1:52
02. One Room Country Shack – 8:11
03. Mercy Mercy – 5:07
04. No Money Down – 6:35
05. Shake Rattle and Roll – 3:22
06. Ain’t Gonna Cry No More – 5:04
07. Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues – 4:56
08. Ready An Willing (Sweet Satisfaction) – 4:48
09. Ain’t No Love (In The Heart Of The City) – 7:56
10. Here I Go Again – 5:51
11. Ghost Story – 5:36
12. Sneaky Private Lee – 8:32
13. Resurrection Shuffle – 9:50
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Gilgamesh – Arriving Twice (1973-75) (@256)
03 Nov 2008
(Review from progarchives.com)
Gilgamesh is one of the more inaccessible group in the Canterbury genre. This posthumous album is made of tracks ranging from 1973 to 1975, and believe me, these are not bottom-of-the-drawer tracks.
The thing that strikes most is that the music is much more melodic and accessible, bordering on a very pleasant jazz-rock somewhere between early 70‘s Miles Davis, Isotope and Mahavishnu Orchestra. One of the real highlights is the almost 18-min “suite” (more like a lengthy but tight improvisation) called “You’re Disguised”, which is simply breathtaking at times. Guitarist Phil Lee is really the star in this track and gives keysman Alan Gowen are real challenge to keep up with him. From the second session in late 1974, Extract is another highlight, but clearly a hint that this was part of another bigger track. Throughout the three sessions, it is funny to see Gilgamesh never had a fully installed bassist, as the rest of three members remained put. From the third session late 1975, the four tracks are scorchers (except for the very expandable but thankfully short title track, and it is interesting to hear that Gowan’s synth-playing has evolved due to progress while his electric piano stayed constant.
One of the strange things about the content of this album is that although coming from three different sessions, those tracks manage to make a pretty good album on its own with no tracks standing out like a sore thumb. If needed to compare, this compilation is much closer to the second album, Another Fine Mess with its cold fusion rather than the debut, which is much closer to some free jazz.
Less “groundbreaking” than the two historic albums , but certainly a spotless release. Again, fairly different than the other two albums, this album is not really suited as a proper intro to the band because it is unrepresentative of their albums.
Line-up:
- Alan Gowen / piano, electric piano, synths
- Phil Lee / guitars
- Mike Travis / drums
- Neil Murray / bass on 1, 2
- Peter Lemer / electric piano on 3, 4
- Steve Cook / bass on 3, 4
- Jeff Clyne / bass on 5, 6, 7, 8
Track List:
01. With Lady and Friend – 4:29
02. You’re Disguised – 17:58
03. Island of Rhodes – 6:57
04. Extract – 9:32
05. One End More – 9:16
06. Arriving Twice – 1:46
07. Notwithstanding – 4:26
08. Lady and Friend – 4:07
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Black Sabbath – Forbidden (1995) (@256)
03 Oct 2008
(Review from metal-archives.com, wikipedia)
Following Butler’s departure, Iommi reinstated former members Neil Murray on bass, and Cozy Powell on drums, effectively reuniting the Tyr lineup. The band enlisted Body Count guitarist Ernie C to produce the new album. The resulting album, “Forbidden” received end of some rather harsh criticism, mostly due to its extremely rough production and complete departure from the more melodic sound present on the previous Tony Martin era releases.
Stylistically this album is a combination of the Deep Purple inspired attentiveness to melodic and catchy hooks that has been present throughout the Tony Martin era, and some of the creepy sounding elements that can be found “Born Again” and some of the earlier Ozzy Osboure era material. “Illusion of Power” is probably the spookiest sounding of the lot, containing a dissonant main riff that is comparable to “Disturbing the Priest” as well as the title track to the Eternal Idol release. Ice-T’s spoken narration is actually quite fitting and complements the song well. “Rusty Angels” is much lighter sounding up-tempo song; the main riff sounds like it could have been used on the “Seventh Star” release.
Things really pick up a notch with “Get a Grip”, which has a main riff that is heavily reminiscent of “Zero the Hero”, not to mention some exceptional lead breaks that take me back to the glory days of the Dio era. This one also has a great speed section for the closing with Cozy Powell going steady on the double bass drum. “Shaking off the Chains” is our token groove song for this release, having a repetitive yet fun very set of verses and refrains. Groove can be quite fun when it’s kept in moderation, and thankfully Black Sabbath understood this better than the pioneers of the 90s groove style that would write entire albums of the stuff.
“I Won’t Cry For You” sounds the most like the material on the Headless Cross album. It’s not quite as riveting as “When Death Calls”, but it qualifies as a new classic for the Tony Martin years. “Kiss of Death” is the token epic and has a soft guitar intro reminiscent of “Nightwing”, although Tony Iommi doesn’t go nuts and let it all loose the way he did on that masterpiece. “Guilty as Hell” and the title track are both mid-tempo songs with sections similar to such memorable riff monsters as “Jerusalem”, “Kill in the Spirit World” and “Call of the Wild”. “Sick and Tired” is more of a blues driven number and has a good amount in common with Headless Cross b-side “Cloak and Dagger”.
“Forbidden” proved to be the last studio album under the “Black Sabbath” moniker. Iommi put the band on hiatus after the album’s tour, eventually disbanding the line-up in 1997.
Line-up:
- Tony Martin – vocals
- Tony Iommi – guitars
- Neil Murray – bass
- Cozy Powell – drums
- Geoff Nicholls – keyboards
with
- Ice T – vocals (1)
Track List:
01. The Illusion Of Power – 4:54
02. Get A Grip – 3:59
03. Can’t Get Close Enough – 4:28
04. Shaking Off The Chains – 4:04
05. I Won’t Cry For You – 4:48
06. Guilty As Hell – 3:28
07. Sick & Tired – 3:31
08. Rusty Angels – 5:00
09. Forbidden – 3:49
10. Kiss Of Death – 6:09
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Black Sabbath – Tyr (1990) (@256)
28 Sep 2008
(Review from progarchives.com)
“Tyr” is the third album featuring Tony Martin on vocals and second featuring Cozy Powell on drums. While not technically a concept album, some of the album’s lyrical themes are loosely based on Norse mythology. The runes on the cover are taken from the Rok Runestone in Sweden.
This album represents possibly the most dramatic departure from Black Sabbath’s traditional sound, with only traces of it found in the occasional riff. This is one of Sabbath’s heaviest albums and perhaps the most prominently reliant on keyboards by the perennial 5th member, Geoff Nicholls. As a result, much of the music is a lot darker than previous Sabbath works, closely resembling the previous album “Headless Cross” in terms of darkness.
The title track starts off with a soft chant plunges into a heavy mid-paced chug of a song, Powell’s drums crashing all around. ‘The Law Maker’ is faster with a drum intro/guitar solo intro. Tony Martin sounds almost exactly like Dio where Iommi just blazes away come solo time. Martin’s voice soars over an amazing Iommi doom riff in “Jerusalem”. Nicholls complements the guitar with a great keyboard arrangement.
‘The Sabbath Stones’ slows it down but doesn’t relinquish the heaviness. Tony Iommi’s acoustic guitar work really shines within the song, inter-laced between the heavy riffs and more of Powell’s hard skin bashing. What would a Sabbath album be without an intro/instrumental? ‘The Battle Of Tyr’ is more of Nicholls’ showcase and winds right into ‘Odin’s Court’. More acoustic guitar from Iommi on ‘Odin’s Court’ and a sweeping keyboard arrangement/effect. Martin’s voice put right up front and the man sounds extremely strong. ‘Odin’s Court’ slides right into ‘Valhalla’, no pausing. Soaring chorus, Martin hitting the highs with ease and Iommi blazing a smoldering solo.
A slow, almost sad, solo starts off ‘Feels Good To Me’. It’s good, there’s a bluesy quality to it but it still seems out of place after six very strong, very heavy songs. Cozy Powell starts ‘Heaven In Black’ with a thunder drum roll, kicking into the guitar — resulting in a faster, heavier closer.
If you liked the previous two Sabbath albums you should definitely get this one too.
Line-up:
- Tony Martin / Vocals
- Tony Iommi / Guitar
- Geoff Nicholls / Keyboard
- Neil Murray / Bass
- Cozy Powell / Drums
Track List:
01. Anno Mundi – 6:13
02. The Law Maker – 3:54
03. Jerusalem – 4:00
04. The Sabbath Stones – 6:47
05. The Battle Of Tyr1:08
06. Odin’s Court – 2:42
07. Valhalla – 4:42
08. Feels Good To Me – 5:44
09. Heaven In Black – 4:06
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Bernie Marsden – Look At Me Now (1981) (@256)
10 Jun 2008
(Review from purplerecords.net)
By 1981 three quarters of Whitesnake’s material was emanating from guitarist Bernie Marsden, and in the same year he finally managed to find time to record his second solo album.
Aside from Marsden on guitar and vocals, fellow Whitesnake members Ian Paice, Neil Murray and Jon Lord were the backbone of the band for the sessions, with Simon Phillips depping as the second drummer (Marsden even persuaded Micheal Schenker to come in and supply hand-claps to the end of one song!).
The album isn’t much different in style, it is the pretty ho-hum bluesy hard rock, we’ve come to know Marsden for.
There were plans for some live shows but Whitesnake were so busy these couldn’t be sorted out. Marsden did manage to get the musicians together again in August 1981 for a radio session, two of them are included in this edition of the album as bonus tracks.
Line-up:
- Bernie Marsden / Lead Vocals, Guitars
with
- Neil Murray / Bass
- Jon Lord / Keyboards
- John Cook / Keyboards
- Don Airey / Keyboards
- Ian Paice / Drums
- Simon Philips / Drums
- Cozy Powell / Drums
Track List:
01. Look At Me Now – 3:58
02. So Far Away – 3:39
03. Who’s Fooling Who – 3:54
04. Shakey Ground – 4:04
05. Behind your Dark Eyes – 4:42
06. Bylbos Shack Pt 1 & 2 – 4:03
07. Thunder & Lightning – 4:21
08. Can You Do It? (Rock City Blues) – 4:18
09. After All the Madness – 4:04
10. Always Love You So (Bonus B-Side) – 3:41
11. Look At Me Now (Bonus Radio Live) – 4:21
12. Bylbos Shack (Bonus Radio Live) – 4:36
Link in comments.
Company of Snakes – Burst the Bubble (2002) (@256)
06 Jun 2008
(Review from amazon, metal-temple.com)
“Burst The Bubble”, made up of new studio material, picks up where early Whitesnake left off. With their timeless hard rock Made in Britain that is based on blues, boogie and traditional rock influences, “Company Of Snakes” reduce possible arguments about trends and fashions to absurdity, while proving that there will always be an audience for their brand of classic rock.
Songs like the opener ‘Labour of Love’, the melodic ‘Sacrificial Feeling’, ‘Little Miss Happiness’ with its good-time rock’n'roll attitude, ‘Back To The Blues’ (which really doesn’t require further explanation), or the ballad ‘Those Days’ bear the unmistakable mark of the Moody and Marsden. Stefan Berggren stands out with his bluesy, clear timbre. Berggren’s voice and vocal style follow in the footsteps of David Coverdale or Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company).
Other standouts include “Ride Ride Ride (Run, Run, Run)”, an amazingly catchy song that makes you keep tapping your foot no matter how hard you try to stop and “Can’t Go Back” which creates such a great atmosphere that imposes to be listened while you drink bourbon, smoking heavy cigarettes.
After the release of this album, Stefan Berggren left and the band slowly evolved into M3 with the incorporation of new vocalist(s).
Line-up:
* Neil Murray – bass
* Micky Moody – guitar, back vocals
* Bernie Marsden – guitar
* Don Airey – keyboards
* Stefan Berggren – vocals
* John Lingwood – drums
Track List:
01. Ayresome Park
02. Labour Of Love
03. Ride Ride Ride (Run, Run, Run)
04. Burst The Bubble
05. Sacrificial Feelings
06. What Love Can Do
07. Little Miss Happiness
08. Hurricane
09. Kinda Wish You Would
10. Days To Remember
11. Back To The Blues
12. All Dressed Up
13. Can’t Go Back
14. She
15. Ayresome Park – Reprise
Links in comments.
Company of Snakes – Here They Go Again (Live 2000) (@320)
05 Jun 2008
(Review from amazon, allmusic)
Neil Murray (another ex-Whitesnake of the classic line-up) and seasoned keyboardist Don Airey joined in the “Snakes”. After several vocalist changes, the band settled for Stefan Berggren evolving into the “Company of Snakes”. The band cut a live album culled from concerts between August and September, 2000.
On this crisp sounding double live album, the group performs almost exclusively material that they wrote with Whitesnake, and it sincerely smokes. Although they do not have vocalist David Coverdale in the lineup, Stefan Bergren amply handles the vocal chores. There’s room for a couple of new songs, though, as well as a great rendition of Rainbow’s “Since You Been Gone”.
“Here They Go Again” provides a great opportunity to enjoy once more the “old” Whitesnake songs, but it isn’t just for Whitesnake nostalgics – this fine live album should appeal to all fans of hard, bluesy, guitar-heavy rock n’ roll.
Line-up:
* Neil Murray – bass
* Micky Moody – guitar, back vocals
* Bernie Marsden – guitar
* Don Airey – keyboards
* Stefan Berggren – vocals
* John Lingwood – drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Come On – 4:25
02. Walking in the Shadow of the Blues – 5:01
03. Trouble – 6:30
04. Kinda Wish You Would – 5:55
05. Rough An’ Ready – 3:24
06. Don’t Break My Heart Again – 6:35
07. Moody’s Blues – 4:01
08. Slow An’ Easy – 6:57
09. Sweet Talker – 5:06
10. Ready An’ Willing – 6:32
CD2
01. Would I Lie to You – 4:32
02. Ain’t Gonna Cry No More – 7:08
03. Silver on Her Person – 5:00
04. Lovehunter – 5:14
05. Is This Love – 5:42
06. Since You Been Gone – 3:39
07. Here I Go Again – 9:27
08. Wine Women An’ Song – 6:42
09. Fool for Your Loving – 5:07
Links in comments.
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
Link in comments.
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
Link in comments.
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
Link in comments.
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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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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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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Whitesnake – Ready an' Willing (1980) (@256)
06 Apr 2007
(Review from allmusic.com, amazon.com)
Back in 1980, Whitesnake guitarists Bernie Marsden and Mick Moody played big, bluesy guitar riffs and short, sparse solos, Coverdale didn’t yet dye his hair, and the music was raw and powerful.
David Coverdale and company were growing increasingly more consistent and self-assured with each record, and this album’s first half shows great progress over the previous year’s Lovehunter. Opener “Fool for Your Lovin’” was their best single yet, as well as their highest charting; with its clever combination of hit-savy chorus and authentic bluesy resignation, it set the template for subsequent triumphs. Further highlights include the live favorite “Sweet Talker” (given extra bite by Micky Moody’s expert slide guitar), the groove monster of a title track, and a set of memorable ballads in “Blindman” and “Ain’t Gonna Cry No More.”
Line-up:
* David Coverdale – vocals
* Micky Moody – guitars
* Bernie Marsden – guitars
* Jon Lord – keyboards
* Neil Murray – bass
* Ian Paice – drums
Track List:
01. Fool for Your Loving
02. Sweet Talker
03. Ready an’ Willing
04. Carry Your Load
05. Blindman
06. Ain’t Gonna Cry No More
07. Love Man
08. Black and Blue
09. She’s a Woman
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Whitesnake – Lovehunter (1979) (@256)
26 Feb 2007
(Review from wikipedia, amazon.co.uk)
Whitesnake was the band formed by vocalist David Coverdale after his acrimonious departure from Deep Purple. During the band’s early years, its music was primarily blues rock (although, Coverdale himself described Whitesnake’s early style as, “progressive R&B”). At this time, the band was made up of; Coverdale himself, Bernie Marsden, Micky Moody and Neil Murray. The drummer and keyboard slot changed a few times.
Intended as a vehicle for his own brand of bluesy vox-heavy rock (the first album was a set of ballads), the project quickly grew to include the gargantuan keyboards and pyrotechnic percussion of Deep Purple’s Jon Lord and Ian Paice, the sound becoming fuller, the lyrics more overtly predatory. Love Hunter, recorded before Paice’s arrival, was immediately notorious for a sleeve featuring a buxom woman sitting lasciviously astride an enormous snake. Lovehunter’s lurid cover art featuring a naked white female straddling a large snake was created by famed fantasy artist Chris Achilleos. Achilleos’ original Lovehunter artwork was stolen in the 1980s and has yet to be recovered.
The album revealed Coverdale, who was often dismissed as a mere sexist rocker, to be a master of various forms–dirty, dark-hearted rock (“Mean Business”), incorrigibly sensual R&B (“Rock’n'Roll Women”), and slow, impassioned and soulful anthems (“Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues”). Leading to 10 years of unremitting success, Love Hunter was Whitesnake’s purest offering.
Line-up:
* David Coverdale – vocals
* Micky Moody – guitars
* Bernie Marsden – guitars
* Jon Lord – keyboards
* Neil Murray – bass
* Dave Dowle – drums
Track List:
01. Long Way From Home – 4:56
02. Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues – 4:24
03. Help Me Thro’ The Day – 4:39
04. Medicine Man – 3:59
05. You ‘N’ Me – 3:30
06. Mean Business – 3:48
07. Love Hunter – 5:39
08. Outlaw – 4:03
09. Rock ‘N’ Roll Women – 4:45
10. We Wish You Well – 1:34
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Colosseum II – Strange New Flesh (1976) (@256)
23 Feb 2007
(Review from progarchives.com)
Gary Moore aaarrgghhh!?? No, no, not at all. The good Mr. Moore actually plays some superb fusion/jazzrock/prog guitar here!
This debut album of a newly reformed band was truly a progressive rock band to the corner! The music is a blend of jazz rock fusion in the vein of Return To Forever (“Romantic Warrior” album, especially), Gong as well as classic rock music in the vein of James Gang (“Bang”, “Straight Shooter” albums, especially) and also Trapeze – Glenn Hughes era (Medusa album, especially) or Tommy Bolin (“Teaser” album, especially) or collaboration work of Beck, Bogert and Appice, or Frumpy. But of course there are plenty of progressive elements of their own that cannot be compared with others. The vocal quality of Mike Starrs is similar to Glenn Hughes with a more jazzy style. Each track has a very unique music style.
The opening track “Dark Side of the Moog” blew me at first listening. It has a dazzling and powerful keyboard / moog works combined with stunning guitar fills. Honestly, it was this track that caused me to buy the CD in the first place.
Line-up:
- Don Airey / keyboards, synthesizers
- Jon Hiseman / drums, tympani, gongs
- Gary Moore / guitars, vocals
- Neil Murray / bass
- Mike Starrs / lead vocals
Track List:
01. Dark Side of the Moog (6:17)
02. Down to You (9:05)
03. Gemini and Leo (4:48)
04. Secret Places (3:59)
05. On second thoughts (7:30)
06. Winds (10:23)
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