Customer Reviews

Live in the Heart of the City

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3 star:		(2)
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I bought this album with very little by way of expectations. A live Whitesnake album without "Here I Go Again" on it? Is this a misprint?

I know all about Mr. Coverdale's history, both with Deep Purple and beyond. I had no idea this live album was recorded before they enjoyed the huge success they did in the mid 80's. But, I do want to make a remark here.

Producing a song that people like is not "selling out." I'm getting really tired of hearing such a blanket statement. Selling out is going from being a hard rock band to being a pathetic pop band and changing the songs you already wrote to fit your pop turn, see Bon Jovi in 2003. But, the idea that a good rock album is only a real album if it's an import is pathetic. Some bands, like Whitesnake, received air play because they made good music that people wanted to hear and could relate to. So, put that "sell out" line away because it does not apply to Whitesnake.

This is a good album even without material that the mainstream wasn't fortunate enough to know. I love David Coverdale's voice, though. It had that blues sound that all real rockers love and the party sound for live concert. Basically, you feel the emotion in every note. That's why I surround myself in Mr. Coverdale's music. He's a rock God.

Whitesnake music runs through my veins. I'm 22 years old. This album was recorded before I was born. Tell me something, does this prove to you that true rock and roll, when performed right, can stand the test of time? I think so. So, take my word for it and check it out. You'll be glad you did!

Of course Coverdale's vocals smoke... and the version of 'Fool For Your Loving' included here is my favorite. 'Ain't No Love In the Heart of the City' is an awesom cross between melancholy blues and metal. But 3 songs from the 11/23/78 Hammersmith show are not on this CD. Go for the CD with 13 tracks. It still leaves off one version of 'Come On' that was on the original double lp set (and the strongest version, at that) but it is more complete than this one.
I'm waiting for the double CD reissue with bonus tracks- hint hint!!!

March 20, 2007 UPDATE!
The 2 CD version is out. No bonus tracks, but at least all of the original tracks. My favorite Whitesnake release ever!

When Whitesnake attained super-group status, something was lost. This live disk captures them at the pinnacle of their earlier period; and one regrets only that there is not a domestic release to pull the retail price down. Still, it's worth the money.

These fine live recordings feature the original Whitesnake line-up playing the Hammersmith Odeon in November 1978 and on two dates in June 1980.
The sound is good, and Whitesnake play some great, often blues-tinted hard rock, held together by Deep Purple's Jon Lord and Ian Paice.

The band goes through some of the best songs from their first three albums:
The heavy "Sweet Talker", which opens with a superb dual guitar riff, the groovy, swaggering blues-rock workouts "Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues", "Ready An' Willing" and "Love Hunter", the catchy radio staple "Fool For Your Loving", the acoustic, Led Zeppelin-influenced ballad "Ain't Gonna Cry No More", and the soulful Bobby 'Blue' Bland classic "Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City".

Furthermore, they perform two Deep Purple songs from the David Coverdale era, a fine "Might Just Take Your Life" and a magnificent eleven-minute rendition of "Mistreated".

The music is less flashy, perhaps, than the latter-day versions of Whitesnake featuring hair metal guitarists Adrian Vandenbergh and Steve Vai, but the two excellent rock n' roll guitarists Bernie Marsden and Mickey Moody play superb, interlocking guitar riffs and fiery solos (not least Moody's extended slide guitar solo), and the rhythm section of Lord, Paice and bassist Neil Murray is rock-steady. And then there's Coverdale, of course.

If you like early Whitesnake, or just hard, blues-n-boogie rock n' roll in general, I can't see why you wouldn't enjoy this excellent live album as well. It's a prime example of Whitesnake at their best and grooviest, and it doesn't get much better than this.
I was actually surprised at how good this record is...it really should be mentioned alongside "Live In Japan" and "Framptom Comes Alive" as one of the greatest (and most entertaining) live albums of its time.

One of the best examples of classic British hard rock, this record shows Whitesnake at its best. David Coverdale's voice is one of the most powerful among all the rock singers, and nicely combines strength and emotion. The rest of the band is at the same level. Ian Paice and Neil Murray form the perfect rithym section, pumping and pulsing. Marsden and Moody guitar playing duo is tight and concise. And Jon Lord, well Jon Lord is Jon Lord. If you like classic hard rock you gotta have this one.

It's sad that most people have no idea that Whitesnake used to be such a great band, and are only aware of the pop material they put out in the late 80s. Whitesnake used to be a clssic hard-rock, blues band, and this is a fine example of the kind of material they put out in their heyday.

This is the classic line-up (Coverdale, Lord, Pace, Murray, Marsden, and Moody), and features some of their best songs--"Fool for your loving", "Ain't gonna cry no more today", "Love Hunter", "Take me with you", and others.

It goes without saying that you have a great combination here, with Pace's very under-rate drumming, and Lord's powerful keyboard playing. Marsden and Moody make a great guitar team, with some scorching solos throughout this great live concert compilation.

If you like classic Deep Purple, or want to hear what Whitesnake was like in their absolute peak, you owe it to yourself to check this one out. You won't be disappointed.

LIVE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY is a great early live recording from the days when Whitesnake were an English metal answer to Southern rock- raw and honest, yet melodic. There are spots here that venture into SPINAL TAP territory, but overall, it's a great album, and I'd rather hear this one than the 1987 album anytime.

THis is a good live recording by Whitesnake, featuring footage from two shows recorde around 1980. It has the best band material ever, because soon after this they completely sold out to the mainstream. It has Jon Lord and Ian Paice form Purple, along with Bernie Marsden and Micky Moody on guitars.