When Whitesnake broke through in 1987 with their self-titled album and sensational videos, it seemed like the group had finally arrived. It only took almost 10 years, various personnel changes and six albums to get there. Even the peak ’80s lineup change (think Steve Vai, Rudy Sarzo, and Tommy Aldridge) couldn’t keep up the ’90s thunder, and singer David Coverdale pulled the plug to revisit it. Through a collaboration with Jimmy Page, a solo album, and a Whitesnake album that would later have been a solo album, he formed a new incarnation of the band with all-American recruits. After further changes, they picked up the 2008s good to be bad, Whitesnake’s tenth studio album and first in over a decade. And some might argue that it’s the last decent album the group would ever make. The Still good to be bad boxset more or less confirms it.
Celebrating the 15th anniversary of the original album, the four CD and single Blu-ray Disc set provides all the details. There are two new versions of the original album (one remastered and the other remixed), unreleased studio and live recordings from the period, music videos, interviews and live recordings from the period good to be bad World Travel. There’s “If You Want Me” backed by the Hook City Harlots and Horns, and a version of “All For Love” with a different guitar solo by Aldrich. developments is a CD of unreleased songs, tracing their origins, various parts, lyrics, and the finished product. A poster, a recreation of the 2009 tour program and a 60-page hardback booklet with liner notes, photos, lyrics and credits complete the package. The Blu-ray is filled with various Whitesnake music videos for “Ready To Rock” and “Lay Down Your Love”; Live recordings from the band’s 2008 European tour, including performances of “Best Years”, “A Fool In Love” and “Can You Hear The Wind Blow”; Acoustic sets plus an interview by Eddie Trunk.
For good to be badCoverdale brought in guitarists Doug Aldrich from Dio and Reb Beach from Winger, along with drummer Chris Frazier, bassist Timothy Drury and keyboardist Uriah Duffy, and recorded the record in Los Angeles. Present from the start is the snarling, heavily distorted guitar sound that characterized 1987’s breadwinner. With the dingy ’90s in the rearview mirror, the timing for Whitesnake’s comeback couldn’t have been better as “Best Years” rolled out the welcome mat in grand style. Coverdale isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel – he’s taking the old and giving it a shiny new shine.
“Lay Down Your Love”, “Call On Me”, “Ready To Rock”, “Good To Be Bad”, “All For Love” and “A Fool In Love” all follow Whitesnake’s sizzling ’80s hard rock formula. And of course, “All I Want All I Need,” “Summer Rain,” and “All I Want Is You” tick the rock ballad box appropriately. Ironically, it’s the album’s final song, “Til The End Of Time,” which breaks the mold and offers a rather soothing ride into the sunset while the acoustics fade.
Since then, three more studio albums have been released, including one full of Deep Purple remakes good to be bad There has been much speculation that Coverdale is done after numerous health issues led to tour cancellations. Aldrich left the band in 2011 and the last album was released in 2019. The Still good to be bad Boxset is a reminder that despite all the twists and turns, Whitesnake has persevered for 40 years, with David Coverdale at the helm, surrounded by the right musicians to deliver the band’s signature mix of sensual hard rock and blues. For some people it never gets boring.
~ Shawn Perry
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