WHITESNAKE: Snakebite (MELODIC HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

After his departure from Deep Purple, the future of David Coverdale did not seem to be very bright. However, the man has character and was soon to prove it by setting up a band that would also become legendary: Whitesnake.

This first record is in fact an assemblage. If the first 4 tracks are indeed the band's first production, the next 4 are taken from Coverdale's solo discography and date from 1977. Produced by Roger Glover, they were recorded with different musicians, apart from the faithful Micky Moody. We'll end the presentations by pointing out the presence of Martin Birch behind the controls for the first 4 tracks, which is a change from his many legendary productions for Iron Maiden.

Let's now come to the content of this little monument of the band's artistic history. It is historical because it establishes the Whitesnake style, which is so particular and which is not only due to the charismatic frontman's characteristic voice. Indeed, what Coverdale offers us is a delicious mix of blues, hard rock and soul music, and if the dosage of these elements varies according to the tracks, none is ever completely excluded.

And the whole is full of a feeling that reaches its paroxysm on the legendary ballad 'Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City'. A cover of the Bobby "Blue" Band, this song has become a staple in Whitesnake's repertoire because Coverdale has made it his own. As for the rest of the tracks, 'Come On' sounds like the last Deep Purple before the split as the trio of Moody, Marsden and Murray set up the Whitesnake sound they would embody for most of the band's career. 'Bloody Mary' is not a hymn to the famous vodka cocktail, but rather to a particularly sex-hungry woman. The piano that drives this boogie blues rock is no less reminiscent of a smoky bar atmosphere.

The second part is composed of 4 tracks taken from David Coverdale's solo career. Although these compositions don't differ too much from the first part, they still hint at a significantly different direction. Thus, 'Keep On Giving Me Love', at the same time rock, funk and pop, is reminiscent of Glen Hughes' work, while 'Only My Soul' could remind us of 'Stairway To Heaven' despite a slightly soulful funk break. Finally, 'Breakdown' concludes the opus with a sustained rock'n'roll rhythm and a particularly successful solo.

Although it is Whitesnake's first album, "Snakebite" is not the work of beginners. It remains a perfect and unavoidable introduction to the band's discography, despite the small defect of homogeneity brought about by the tinkering of 2 distinct parts at the beginning. A legend is born and the best is yet to come! - Official website

WHITESNAKE

SNAKEBITE

GEFFEN

MELODIC HARD ROCK