WHITESNAKE — Lovehunter (review)

Album · 1979 · Hard Rock

4/5 · 2010-04-08
1967/ 1976

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I do not remember my first contact with David Coverdale and even with "Lovehunter", one of those albums that closed an era and opened another era. Yeah, because "Lovehunter" is one of the last album of 70's in 70's style and one of the first album of the NWOBHM, without being heavy metal or hard rock but only a great album of Blues Rock. In short, as often happens, "Lovehunter" is loved by more hopen-minded metalheads and Bluesmen. But on closer inspection I have never heard a more Blues albums among those released in those years in the UK!

The first thing I notice (I admit it... with pleasure) is the cover. Do not know about you but I really do not know a more Blues cover that this. I will join the Blues in something rotten, but at the same time, vital, powerful, passionate... For my efforts, this is the soul of the blues to me. Be wrong. For me it is. Chris Achilleos can also be criticized for this cover but I think it is extraordinary. Ok if a woman can not read these notes that insult. Yet I read a woman's life that is generated and the snake's death. Who will win? Sure...: Love!

Then there's David Coverdale: He possesses an extraordinary voice, really powerful even as Blues and Rock. Often, talking with musicians (and not just lovers) is by identifying David as the soul of Whitesnake. However, the other band members are not just supporting actors. I can not see them as supporting actors. Although, I must say, Coverdale is able to kill all who stand beside him.

Musically "Lovehunter" is an album very close to the album with Coverdale Deep Purple, except that here we stand before an album Blues Rock, where Deep Purple were moving in a ard Rock. Nevertheless, differences are minimal. Rather it should be noted as "Lovehunter" is an album very energetic, less technical than Purple. But even "Lovehunter" is bloody as were the Purple's album. Perhaps Whitesnake are more melodic but ultimately not different (the title track is a 100% Purple song). Technically Dave Dowle is not Ian Paice because, compared to Paice Dowle is more cumbersome. No less technical, though. Only more cumbersome, which takes power. If we speak of the songs is difficult to make a good speech reading every song. Having said that I basically "Lovehunter" is an album by Blues Rock should be noted the use of slide guitar, by Moody and Marsden, great guitarists, but to no Blues eso provided. They sound very blues and what turns each song into something close to Heavy Metal. Noting that in 1979 we are what makes this really special Lovehunter. Jon Lord hardly notice. But note where he is noted for the excellent sound carpet body in support of guitars. Neil Murray is an excellent bassist who plays really good job. And finally there he... David Coverdale. Seems to have it before, so is communication. "Outlaw" is a great Soul Blues Rock with great vocals and David seem to materialize before me. Not to mention that they are powerful, melodic and technical, but all feeling "Long Way From Home" and "Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues". Eventually even the cover of Leon Russell's "Help Me thro'The Day", just slow, it is 100% Whitesnake. If you then add that as well as a filler "Rock'n'Roll Women" becomes a jewel we have interpreted "Lovehunter" in the right way.

If I could have before me say Coverdale him to return to produre album "Lovehunter" why is that element which he expresses himself better. Maybe today would not be credible as a "macho" but I am sure that the Rock would be richer.