Whitesnake Announce Live DVD/CD Package

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of WHITESNAKE’s multi-platinum ‘Slide It In’ album, Frontiers Music Srl, the Italian-based label, will release “Live In ‘84 - Back To The Bone”, a complete celebration of the group’s awe inspiring line-up during what many feel was the incredible beginning of what David Coverdale called his desire to make Whitesnakemore ‘electrifying’ on record and on stage.

Set for release in Europe on November 7^th, in the UK on November 10^th, and in North America on November 11^th, this release will be available in DVD and a Deluxe CD/DVD edition.

Culled from audio and video recordings and unheard demos from the private collection of WHITESNAKE leader and vocalist, David Coverdale, the release offers an ultra-rare collection of material, performed by the band’s acclaimed 83-84 line-ups. Featured on the record is the awesome Cozy Powell on drums (ex-Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, MSG and later on Gary Moore and Black Sabbath); unique guitarist John Sykes, whom Coverdale credits with inspiring a whole generation of six stringers after his breathtaking work on the WHITESNAKE ’87’ album and bassist exceptionnnel, Neil Murray.   Bonus content features legendary keyboardist Jon Lord performing his last show ever with WHITESNAKE on video and also the bonus CD.

"All of the features have been treated lovingly and respectfully, with no expense spared, utilizing technology to improve sound and picture quality,"” says Coverdale, who personally oversaw all elements of this release. Concludes Coverdale - “"These are memories I treasure and delight in sharing with you as we continue our celebration of the30th Anniversary of WHITESNAKE’s ‘Slide It In'."

Comments

[Ace Steele]

Hmmm. Should be interesting, "Slide It In" is actually 2 separate LPs. They European one, featuring the impressive guitar work of Mel Galley, the bass playing of Colin Hodgekinson, & Cozy's drumming. And the slicked up John Kolodner U.S. release, where David re-did his vocals, Sykes added a solo to I believe one song, & Neil Murray might have re-done a bass track or two. That record sure set the stage for the juggernaut that '87 was. And another band reshuffle by the time they hit the road w/ Vivian Cambell, Rudy Sarzo, Adrian Vandenburg, Tommy Aldridge, & of course, David.

[Badland]

Great album one of my favorite. Awesome live band back in the day. Its funny how some people think Slide It In was their first album. They had 5 before this one. Come An Get It is a good one. One of the shows i saw was at the Texxas Jam their first with the new line up Ace talked about.

[Bob]

Ace, let's not forget that the American version of "Slide It In" removed most of Jon Lord's keyboard work. "Hungry For Love" has a nice Hammond organ solo on the european version of the album that was completely stripped from the American version. I do honestly love Whitesnake, but Jon Lord's penomenal talents were wasted, and I dare say, not appreciated in that band. Thank goodness Deep Purple decided to reunite right around the time that Coverdale was remaking Whitesnake's sound.

[Jack]

Euro version is definitely better, but either way it is still a great album.

[Snoot]

Haven't heard the US version, I like their previous albums more than Slide It In and Cozy wasn't a great fit for the band.

[Him]

Cozy wasn't a good fit? Why do you say that, Snoot? I am just curious, because I always thought his snare destroying sound is what made "Slide It In" so good. Is it just his playing in this band or is it a more general issue?

Heck, he and Murray helped to salvage the Headless Cross-era of Sabbath (not that I am in any way down-playing Iommi or even Martin for that matter).

Damn shame the way he died as well.

[Snoot]

I just think the band lost a bit of swagger and soul when he came in and to me it's evident in the footage from Monsters of Rock '83.
That being said, Slow an Easy is a killer song and it is a damn shame he's not around anymore.

[Metalboy!]

"Slow An' Easy" is a Classic as is the album(s). I've got both versions remastered.

I look forward to getting this as I, like most here, I imagine, have an insatiable hunger for old concert footage of Whitesnake (or any of our heroes, for that matter).

I've also got a bunch of British Import Videos of various Whitesnake concerts pre-'87 I need to have converted to DVD. I lucked out at a couple of London vintage record stores back in 2001, where I also scored tons of SAXON, DIO and Deep Purple stuff plus the odd Tygers of Pan Tang 45, etc., too!

[Him]

Thanks for clarifying Snoot. I replied a few days back. But my post got lost in the interwebs.

[Metalboy!]

Hey, HIM, did you read Iommi's autobiography, "Ironman"?

Many a revelation and previously untold story.

Really amazing, his tale of survival and that of Black Sabbath.

[Him]

Another one to re-add to the list, Metalboy! Thanks for reminding me.

In my line of work I rarely get to read for pleasure and, when I do, it is often historical works. But, back in the day, I consumed books like _Ironman_. And Sabbath exist in a rather sacred zone for me: I like all eras (even Martin's, as I find "Black Moon" to be an incredibly powerful song).

While the music gets me through, I need to make more of an effort to read more of those sorts of books. That said, people like you and Ace also provide me with some great snapshots.

[Him]

. . . you forced my hand, Metalboy! I bought the book today. I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for pushing me to do something for fun.

But, as regards the original topic, they released the teaser video for the Whitesnake release:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHSZoO8eJXM

Have to say, it looks (and sounds) promising. The shot of Powell behind the kit was great.

The only thing sad about it is to compare Coverdale's voice then to how he sounds now. I will never expect a singer to sound the same 30 years on (see DLR). But it so diminished as of late. I think Coverdale, like a certain Ledded fellow, should retire the band and focus on music that he can create that is within his range these days.

He is a talent, to be sure (not to the level of Plant, but a talent nonetheless) who has created some great music with some great bands. I just think he needs to settle for a sound that fits who he is today. I won't even go into how creepy it is to see him sporting those new teeth, grabbing his crotch, and prancing around like it still in 1984. Geesh, he is 63 years old (not young). I suspect, however, that LSD prevents him from seeing the truth . . . as well as a revenue stream that affords him a measure of comfort up there in Tahoe.