Whitesnake - The Purple Album

Initially, when i hear that a band is going in and re-recording, their past glories, I instantly take a pass.  I don't understand why artists, feel a need to re-hatch their back catalog, rather than putting out new product.  Is it because they can no longer write music, that fans want to hear, or is it some sort of attempt to make dated songs sound fresh?  No tellin'.  I generally write these re-records off, because the new versions, don't typically hold a candle to the originals.  There are those rare occasions, when it works, but they are few and far between. That said, David Coverdale and his fellow snakes have taken on his era of Deep Purple.  Let's see how they fared.

To be honest, I was ready to pan this one, but I couldn't, because it was good.  The tracks on this CD, aren't simply re-records, of Deep Purple tunes, they are much more than that, because they are infused, with a heavy does of Whitesnake.  Whitesnake has done a nice job of breathing new life, into these classic tracks, especially with the help of guitarists Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra.  Actually Beach and Hoekstra's shreddding make this one a must have, because both of these guys are on fire.  It is nice to finally see Reb get more of the spotlight, in this band, because he is such an amazing player.  Hoestra is no slouch either, who complements, Beach's playing and vice versa.

I have to say, when I first heard that Coverdale was going to do this, I was a bit nervous.  I get bummed out when the great singers, from back in the day, try to re-live their past glories, only to prove that they ain't got it anymore.  Coverdale, proved me wrong, because his voice is strong as ever, on this release.  The list of songs picked for this release, meld very well together.  There is a nice mix of rockers and ballads.  The standout tracks are the tracks, that I wasn't as familiar with.  The hits are fairly karaoke, with the exception of the guitar solos.  It was the deeper tracks, that excelled on this one, for me. 

Bottom Line:  Whitesnake putting a fresh spin, on an era of Deep Purple, that is not as celebrated, as their earlier incarnations.  A solid release that can stand on it's own, without seeming like a total covers record.  There is just enough tweaking of the songs, to set it apart from the original versions.

Standout Tracks: Love Child, Sail Away, Stormbringer and Holy Man.

-Ragman is sprawled out, on top of the hood of wifey's car.  Here we go again.  DOH!