This kitten's got claws
80's rock music has been going through something of a revival these last few years, even on TV (Rock Star, Rock Star Supernova, Gene Simmonds Rock School etc). Many have tried to kick-start their careers, with let's be honest, varying results! Some good (Journey), some bad (Ratt, White Lion), and some very fuckin' ugly! (Insert 80's hair band here)
The Hair Metal genre has never gone away, its just been diluted with wannabees churning out formulaic music by numbers. The success of the MTV bands from the 80s will never be reached again, it seemed anyone that had hair bigger than their guitars were immediately signed up. But as the old adage says, 'the cream will always rise to the top,' and that is what we have here
Whitesnake have been rockin' now for the best part of 30 years. The 80's were when they were at their peak, with albums such as 'Paints 'n' Thinners', 'Slide It In', and their biggest album for many, 'Whitesnake' or '1987' as it has became more affectionately known, Whitesnake have never (for this review at least) produced a crap album. I'm glad to say with 'In the shadow of the blues' they've followed on this great tradition.
Live albums for me are normally a stop-gap to pacify the paying public in between studio albums. Whitesnake were always a superb live band and only ever capitalised on this in 1980 with 'Live...In The Heart Of The City'. In what is essentially a greatest hits outing on the back of an excellent live DVD, and the release of several early album remasters, Coverdale and the band deliver to an adoring and partisan crowd. 'Live...' provides the listener with a scintillating documentation of the band's 2006 summer tour across Europe. The CD carries on from where the DVD left off. An aural festival of classic Coverdale 'Cock-Rock' songs which only in a PC 2006 Dave Coverdale can still get away with.
From the opening salvo of 'Bad Boys', we know we are in for a good night. All are playing at the top of their game. Beach and Aldrich play as if they are playing for their careers. (Highly likely considering Coverdales past 'axe for hire' recruitment policy). DC's voice takes a little while to warm up but by the time of the fourth song, the Zep-esque 'Judgement Day', Coverdale is flying. Yes I know its not 1980 but he is substantially better than 15 yrs ago, Too old? Never.
With this disc you are reminded how good the Whitesnake back catalogue is. 'Is This Love?' 'Cryin In The Rain,' 'Ain't No Love,' 'Fool For Your Lovin,' 'Here I Go Again' and finally Still of the Night to round off this first part of this release.
If you liked Purple, side two kicks off in style with a frenetic Burn/Stormbringer medley. Burn has always been one of my favourites, and the medley doesn't disappoint. Tommy Aldridge plays like only he can, LOUD, a truly big hitter. Subtlety is not one of his forte's!
'Sing-a-long-a Coverdale' ensues with 'Give me all your love tonight', followed by the first song I ever heard the 'Snake' do live, 'Walkin In The Shadow of The Blues'. With faster soloing than the more bluesy original, but all the same appreciated
'The Deeper The Love follows', I must admit I would not have expected this to be on this collection, and for me is the only real slow part of the show, The pace picks up with the classics, 'Ready an' Willing' (or Ready and Widdly going off the guitar solo) 'Don't Break My Heart Again,' and finally 'Take Me With You' rounds off the live concert.
Tagged on the end of the show there is a little bonus of 4 studio songs from the new improved White(snake) ultra. Ready to Rock sounds a bit like a filler, nothing too special. The non-PC lyrics are back with 'If You Want Me.' 'All I want is You' is a ballad in the old school 80's (lighters at the ready) but sounds like a cloned 'Here I Go Again' with different lyrics. 'Dog' sounds like the amalgamation of Ray Gillan (Badlands) and Plant, and is the best of the 4 songs on offer and a full blown studio album is promised for 2007. This line up may have changed three times by then especially now that the Winger bandwagon is back on the road
So, this version of The Snake is definitely the Bastard son of 1987 era. They play the older songs but these guys are not blues based players, they are however, very fine musicians of dynamic Rock music. Whitesnake has an edge, which, is whether you like it or not, a matter of taste
Coverdale has always surrounded himself with some of the best musicians available – Moody / Marsden / Sykes / Vandenburg / Vai . The current bunch of hired hands, Beach (Winger) / Aldrich (Dio) / Aldridge (Everyone) / Duffy / Drury (Eagles) all bring their own personalities to the band. My only wish is for Coverdale to bury the hatchet with some of the ex-players and get on the road for night of Whitesnake, blues an' all to see how some of this music should be played! Although I couldn't make the live shows this Summer (due to the over the top cost of a ticket, £35). Listening to this double player is a reminder of how much bite this snake has got left. See you on tour!