David Coverdale: Whitesnake / Northwinds auf 2 CDs

With Whitesnake getting back on the road again for the first time in ten years, with a TV advertised "Best Of" and a 2CD compilation from EMI, the timing for this reissue of David Coverdale's first two solo albums could not be more appropriate. It also sees both highly collectable albums returning to the Purple label where they were first issued 25 years ago.

David Coverdale's decision to quit Deep Purple in the spring of 1976 allowed him to start work on his first ever solo album, "Whitesnake". Exiled in Germany for tax reasons and unable to tour, the low-key release, recorded with the help of former Juicy Lucy guitarist Micky Moody, was the first tentative step towards what became a hugely successful career with the band who took their name from this album, Whitesnake. Taped in late 1976, with former Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover producing (and playing bass), the album was issued early in 1977.

Such were the positive vibes surrounding it that David Coverdale began work on his second solo album almost at once. "Northwinds", recorded in 1977 (again with Glover producing) is widely regarded as one of his best. Musically and vocally strong, it reflected a growing confidence in his career outside Deep Purple (whose demise is documented on the song "Breakdown") and was issued just as Whitesnake were playing their first "back to the roots" live shows in 1978.

This is the first time these two albums have been issued back to back, both digitally mastered and with two bonus tracks apiece; "Sweet Mistreater" (a proposed single), "Shame The Devil", an LP out-take, and two rehearsal takes.

It enables fans old and new to pick both up at a reasonable price. There is no skimping on the packaging however, and the CD carries a 12 page illustrated booklet and the original album sleeves.

Whitesnake : Recorded Aug / Sept 1-7th 1976. Producer: Roger Glover. Musicians: David Coverdale /vocals; Micky Moody / guitar; Tim Hinckley / keyboards; De Lisle Harper / bass; Simon Phillips / drums. With Roger Glover / synthesiser.

Northwinds : Recorded March - April 1977. Producer: Roger Glover. Musicians: David Coverdale /vocals; Micky Moody / guitar; Tim Hinckley / keyboards; Alan Spenner / bass; Tony Newman / drums. Roger Glover / synthesizer

(purplerecords. net)

Rezensionen

C.​ Dick in Audio 10/03: "Beide Alben mit vier Bonus- tracks und 12-seitigem Booklet sind hier fein remastert vereint.​ David Coverdale legt eine fulminante, lockend- lodernde Vokal-Performance hin.​ Spritzig-witzige Rhythmen mit Funk-Fun und Bläser-Support gibt's ebenso wie volle Hardrock-Breitseiten mit Groove-Garantie.​"