In 25 words or less: Essential for any Whitesnake fan wishing to relive the bands true glory days and to hear one of the bands definitive and supremely talented lineups.
“Here’s a song for ya….” ah, the dulcit tones of David Coverdale. Well, this release sure brings back memories of my teenage years attending a high school were hard rock ruled the classrooms and trading tapes (no CD’s when I was in high school!!) and plastering pictures from Metal Edge magazines all over your folders was the done thing. Now, those memories are not of when I saw Whitesnake’s Here I Go Again video for the first time….but actually of this concert. Whitesnake live in 1990, on August 18th headlining the Monsters Of Rock at Castle Donnington, now better known as the Download festival. So back to those memories, well you see, one of the people in that tape and music trading circuit was an English girl who had family connections back home in the UK and they actually recorded this concert live from radio. That poor taped cassette nearly got worn out from being played so much, so for me, I know this concert as well as I know any other Whitesnake album. With a digitally remastered sound now on CD, hearing this release is now heaven to my ears…
If you have read a few of my other reviews, then you will know that I am personally not a big fan of CD only live concert releases. What this concert has over other releases is it has the complete show on DVD as part of the release package. Unfortunately the promo relelase I am doing the review from, does not contain the DVD and judging from the trailer (refer to the right of the screen) the video quality may not be perfect, but hey…this is recorded back in 1990! But, wait, there’s more….extensive footage is also included from the recording and writing sessions for the Slip Of The Tongue album and footage from the archives of the Liqour And Poker World Tour. So regardless of the video quality….this DVD contains footage essential for any Whitesnake fan.
Featuring a band that includes guitarists Steve Vai and Adrian Vandenberg, Rudy Sarzo on bass and Tommy Aldridge on drums, this is arguably the best Whitesnake lineup ever! Ok, well at least it’s my definitive Whitesnake lineup. Blasting their way through the set, songs from the just released Slip Of The Tongue album feature heavily, as to be expected, with of course the given’s such as Still Of The Night, Is This Love, Here I Go Again and Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City.
Coverdales voice is simply stunning throughout and he is at his charismatic best with his between song banter. The overall live rawness gives it a true authentic live sound that is rarely matched today in modern recorded live releases. The inclusion of guitar virtuoso Steve Vai in the band certainly adds a differen’t dynamic to the Whitesnake sound that hadn’t been heard up until that time. For the true Steve Vai fans, For The Love Of God and The Audience Is Listening from his then, recently released Passion And Warfare album makes an apperance. Not to be outdone, a nearly 5 minute Tommy Aldridge drum solo features as part of Crying In The Rain and the hopefully not forgotten Adrian Vandberg shines with his 7 minute solo piece of Adagio For Strato which merges into Flying Dutchman Boogie. Now that’s a lot of instrumental and solo tracks as part of a Whitesnake concert, when there are songs like The Deeper The Love, Give Me All Your Love and Wings Of The Storm that weren’t part of the set. Just sayin’…
Whilst Whitesnake as an entity is still as strong as ever, with the 2011 lineup having just released their superb new album Forevermore, the Live At Donnington: 1990 release is essential for any Whitesnake fan wishing to relive the bands true glory days and to hear one of the bands most definitive and talented lineups.
Tracklisting:
CD1 : Slip Of The Tongue, Slide It In, Judgement Day, Slow An Easy, Kitten’s Got Claws, Adagio For Strato, Flying Dutchman Boogie, Is This Love, Cheap An’ Nasty, Crying In The Rain (featuring Tommy Aldridge Drum Solo).
CD2: Fool For Your Loving, For The Love Of God, The Audience Is Listening, Here I Go Again, Bad Boys, Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City, Still Of The Night.
DVD: Slip Of The Tongue, Slide It In, Judgement Day, Slow An Easy, Kitten’s Got Claws, Adagio For Strato, Flying Dutchman Boogie, Is This Love, Cheap An’ Nasty, Crying In The Rain (Featuring Tommy Aldridge Drum Solo), Fool For Your Loving, For The Love Of God, The Audience Is Listening, Here I Go Again, Bad Boys, Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City, Still Of The Night.
Essential Information
Musical Style: Classic Hard Rock
Released: Out Now
Label: Frontiers Records / Riot! Entertainment
Band: David Coverdale – Vocals, Steve Vai – Guitars, Adrian Vandenberg – Guitars, Rudy Sarzo – Bass, Tommy Aldridge – Drums
Website: www.whitesnake.com
Check it out if you like: Whitesnake & Steve Vai
