Album review: WHITESNAKE – The Rock Album: MMXX

WHITESNAKE - The Rock Album MMXX

Rhino [Release date 19.06.20]

Part one of a remastered trio (the Red White & Blue trio), this compilation goes back to 1984’s Slide It In and takes in rock tracks of Ol’ Cov’s catalogue since, all given a 2020 remix.

The forthcoming red vinyl release is the love songs, while the blue will be the blues.

A British institution, although the band is now more American, Whitesnake, fronted by the former Deep Purple vocalist David Coverdale, have continued to record and tour, and despite the obvious ageing of the vocal chords, we’ve still had some more than decent songs over the years. Since moving from the blues roots to hard rock this compilation takes us back to the transition point of 1984’s Slide It In (the Sykes/Murray US remix), and from the MTV album (1987’s ‘Whitesnake’) when sales rocketed.

The catalogue is full of great tracks, especially when they rock out, as this album does. Who can argue with tracks like ‘Still Of The Night’ or (one of the highlights) ‘All Or Nothing’? You can’t, essential rock listening. The tracks were hard, heavy, solid and bright before the new mix and master, and the sound is fantastic.

‘Love Ain’t No Stranger’ is a wonderful song, and the rock reworking of ‘Here I Go Again’ too. In some cases the new mix adds extra guitars (in the case of ‘All Or Nothing’ included on the original multi track but not used at the time).

The album takes us up to 2019’s ‘Flesh And Blood’, and includes the previously unreleased song ‘Always The Same’.

The sound is fantastic, but much is down to the listener, some may not like the remix (some verge on a reimagination of). But what is lovely, is the package. This 2LP on 180g white vinyl, in an embossed gatefold sleeve, it’s a lovely thing to hold before we even start. Inside the gatefold each track is annotated, this is done with Coverdale’s full involvement. A lyric insert too, what’s not to love?

In some cases the remix is a lot more (or less) noticeable than in others. Coverdale wanting to bring out the best of each track, or a cynical cash in? Well, the music is good, the package is wonderful.

I’ll savour this on the feel, the vinyl and the track by track annotation alone. ****1/2

Review by Joe Geesin


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 25 February 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 27 February 2024.

How to Listen Live?

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Power Plays w/c 4 March 2024

COLLATERAL Glass Sky (Big Shot Records)
THE ZUTONS Pauline (ICEPOP)
THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS Rise Above It All (Mascot)
MATT PEARCE & THE MUTINY From Here To The Moon (indie)
THE BLACK VULTURES Never Say (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 4 March 2024

09:00-12:00 LEE AARON Tattoo Me (Metalville)
12:00-13:00 THE END MACHINE The Quantum Phase (Frontiers)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023


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