The 'Snake still bites. It bites hard. It's common sense, the legend of Whitesnake was widely updated after their multi-million selling 1987 album, yet for the genuine 70's/80's Hard Rock lovers it's legitimate anthems like Trouble (1978), Lovehunter (1979), Ready An' Willing (1980), Come An' Get It (1981), Saints An' Sinners (1982) and Slide It In (1984) that accompanied their most memorable moments of their youth forever after. And - apart from the royal leader David Coverdale himself - some other bright figures were associated with this (musically) golden era of the band. Talkin' 'bout...
...the three M's: Bernie Marsden, Mick Moody (lately also acting as Company Of Snakes) and Neil Murray were the (almost) steady lineup surrounding the (then) non-blonde loverboy in the band's late 70's/early-to-mid 80's era. Just before Coverdale decided to base his rumor on the other side of the Ocean, cooperating with prominent musicians like Adrian Vandenberg, John Sykes, Steve Vai, Tommy Aldridge, Rudy Sarzo or (lately) Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach, it was these three gentleman that stood proud next to (or behind, should I dare say?) the magnetic frontman - not to forget great players like (then) ex-Purple men Ian Paice or John Lord of course. Years ago I was reading the back cover liner notes in a Greek issue Whitesnake compilation and was sad to notice that, according to the editor's note, Whitesnake IS David Coverdale and David Coverdale IS Whitesnake. Pardon me, I totally disagree with this statement. In this DVD I (once again) saw why.
Filmed in June 2004, in a Sold-out show at Burnley Mechanics in Burnley, England, these three magnificent artists prove to be the living history of the Snake's first wave of success. Grateful help came in this gig from keyboard player Mark Stanway (Grand Slam, Magnum) and Jimmy Copley (Paul Rodgers Band, Company Of Snakes), while the vocal duties are handled by two really capable frontmen including Doogie White (Rainbow, Cornerstone,Y. Malmsteen) and Stefan Berggren (Company Of Snakes, Snakes In Paradise, Razorback). Through the band's entire, perfect performance I had the chance to hear a bunch of songs I doubt I'll ever hear again from Mr. Coverdale himself. A really honest setlist for more than 90 minutes includes - of course - classics such as Don't Break My Heart Again, Fool For Your Loving, Hear I Go Again or Slow An' Easy but I was thrilled to put myself in the spirit of forgotten jewels like Walkin' In The Shadow Of The Blues, Trouble, Ready An' Willing or Ain't Gonna Cry No More. A brilliant output, with all the respect these songs must have.
The three M's don't have to prove any-fuckin'-thing to anyone. Plain stage show, excellent contribution to the legacy of this legendary bluesy (then) Hard Rock band and the persuasion on their whole experience. In addition, the rest of the participants show an ability of carrying out their mission in the best possible way. No extravaganza, no wanna-be attitude, just perfect completion and respect to what they're doing. To be furthermore mentioned, for the unbelievers: both White and Berggren do it right! Glad to see them, also, singin' along the entire Here I Go Again classic.
Extra information: A special feature on the DVD - which is by the way region-free with three audio preferences - includes an exclusive Marsden/Moody performance of Whitesnake songs like Trouble, The Time Is Right For Love or Till The Day I Die, while there's sort of an interview goin' on in between 'bout the Snake's early days and various other stuff; I was surprised to hear Moody's influences by bands like the Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynyrd!
Overall, a nicely shaped DVD with excellent visual quality offers us a first-class chance to view a memorable event with lots of romance in the air. I certainly enjoyed this show, sometimes singing along or memorizing the inheritance of Whitesnake. Are you wondering if it's a rip off project? Hell, NO! The proof: the sound; Bernie's and Mick's guitar, Neil's bass guitar... The distinction is crystal clear. Yeap, 'bluesy' Whitesnake existed before the 'hard' 1987 album (I love it, anyway) and these men are the living proof.
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