Whitesnake with Sykes & when Coverdale still had a voice

[Afghan Dave]

Viv was in WS for a the videos and tour following 1987 album. That was the return to the twin guitar set up favoured by Coverdale.

Coverdale has said that having Campbell and Vandenberg on stage was like a wild west shoot out every night - no love lost between them and both enjoying much acclaim as guitar heros out for the big time.

The reasons for him being pushed out of the band were cited as his nagging wife and poor song writing ability - the truth is who knows?

[Philly Q]

Thanks for that info Dave, glad I wasn't imagining it!  

Campbell has never struck me as much of a songwriter, but then Old Cov tends to monopolise the writing, so he really only needs someone to chip in the odd idea.  Seemed to work OK in Dio.  

I always suspected Viv's "solo" band Trinity didn't take off because the material wasn't turning out strong enough, but maybe they couldn't get a good record deal or they just hated each other.  As you say, who knows?

[fps_dean]

As far as Whitesnake goes my fave is the Moody & Marsden era - followed by Sykes.

Love BOTH versions of "Slide It In"  -the USA remix with Sykes guitar is a bit more metal and an indicator of what would come with 1987 but the Moody & Galley version is nice too

Hated the Vai era as Steve Vai has no place in Whitesnake - would love to have heard Slip of the tongue with Vandenberg playing it ( as he wrote all the songs and injured himself prior to recording them)

Warren De Martini was somewhat out of place on the Greatest Hits tour and by Restless Heart it wasn't really Whitesnake as much as Coverdale gone solo in some ways

Starkers In Tokyo was interesting though

Current lineup kind of perpetuates the 1987 tour with 2 hotshot hired guns on guitar but no emotional connection to what they play

Yeah I agree.  Most the Vai era was bad, but I don't blame Vai for that as I do poor songwriting.

I do not think I have ever heard the UK version of Slide It In, but I would like to.

[Afghan Dave]

Yeah I agree.  Most the Vai era was bad, but I don't blame Vai for that as I do poor songwriting.

I do not think I have ever heard the UK version of Slide It In, but I would like to.

I think that is the only time I've ever heard that said! Vai just about ran over each song with a steamroller of avant guard shred!

[Philly Q]

I think that is the only time I've ever heard that said! Vai just about ran over each song with a steamroller of avant guard shred!

"Weaving sonic tapestries from Hell" was how Coverdale described it (you have to imagine it in that cod Shakespearian accent of his).

He got the Hell bit right, anyway.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Vai just has a tone and a technique and sound that just doesnt sit in a blues based context well - it's all too Zappa-esque

I rather liked some of the songs on Slip of the tongue - (Sailing ships, judgement day, now you're gone) & a few were similar to previous Whitesnake stuff - cheap and nasty etc

There were some interesting moments like wings of the storm which was epic in some ways

The remake of foll for your loving is best overlooked - VAi's tone was just so wrong and the solo swamped the song. A million miles away from the Hammond organ driven original- no soul!

I just would love to hear that album played by guys with Les pauls (apart from the clean or acoustic bits) , no floyds and a bit of feel and restraint.
Good heavy rock stuff!

[mikeluke]

I seem to remember seeing an interview with Coverdale at some point during the big-hair period - he came over as being really 'camp' - was this just my imagination?

[Philly Q]

I'd say "theatrical" more than "camp", but I know what you mean.  :D

[mikeluke]

I was expecting more hairy-chested Tarzan and less Julian Clary...

[jt]

:D Yep its true Coverdale & WS did get very camp in the end !

And yes Johnathon his voice did change quite a bit after his operation.

 :D  8)