Wednesday
May062015
David Coverdale Sounds Amazing
Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 12:01AM
Loving David Coverdale and his lower range. Whitesnake just released the video for "Soldier of Fortune" from The Purple Album, due May 15.
Reader Comments (11)
But I have to ask those in the know (because I am not): is that some pretty heavy processing that I am hearing on the vocals? It sounds like it, esp. on words like "sung" and "older." Now please, don't get your jorts in a wad over that question. I simply want to know (and also know that doesn't make him any less or more of a singer).
Also have to say that, even as a performative piece (aka, video), this more subdued approach suits him and his, ahem, stature. Some of his on-stage antics--ones that really got the ladies in a fever back in the day--have looked pervy as of late. There is such a thing called an Elder Statesman. That could fit Coverdale these days should he so choose to adopt the posture.
And, again, he could likely pull off songs like this, or some of the ones off of _White Snake_, _Northwinds_, and even _Trouble_. Just wonder if the base would be up for that . . . for a more soulful 'Snake, rather than straining to deliver the songs that came off that tussled conveyor belt of slick hits from '87 onward. Methinks I know the answer.
I will be interested to see what this sounds like live.
Don't get me wrong, I think Coverdale has always been a top notch frontman and singer. His era is even my favorite Deep Purple. But, the last time I saw them, opening for Priest, DC's voice was not in good shape.
I'm curious to see the 'Snake live this summer. Hoping to score some good seats last minute to the show in Huber Heights.
Me thinks thou kicketh a*seth, oh scribe of Metallic persuasion!
As far as Coverdale goes, he should really go the sunglasses route his compatriot Ian Hunter decided to glue onto his face long ago.
Agreed, Jason. Studios are a magical place where vocals can flutter like angel's wings, only to slam to the Earth when let loose on stage. But, still, I hope someone can shed some light on whether or not I was hearing something. It just sounded overly processed to me. And, while I like his era of DP, I still side with the Gillan era. Just preferences really. Both eras are great (heck, the Evans era has got some solid songs in it too).
I am bummed that I won't get a chance to suss out the sound live this year. The closest show to me is happening when I am away traveling. And spyke (Jimbo) is right: even if it sounds like an old cat in getting skinned vocally, the amazing dervish that Aldridge is on skins never ceases to amaze. The closest I have come to being as mesmerized by a drummer (aside from the sweaty majesty that was Ward on the reunion tour) was watching Tempesta slam the skins at a Cult show a few years ago. Not that they play the same; just the way they hold one's attention.
[Sidebar: There is an interesting interview with Coverdale over at CRR. The host and interviewer is always a bit too fawning for my liking. But he does get some interesting observations out of Coverdale, at least one of which confirms that the Elder Statesman idea isn't in the cards anytime soon.]
The head guy at CRR doesn't go that far. But he coddles his pet projects a wee too much for my liking. Still, some very interesting interviews on that site.
And, Bkallday, we are moving past our love for Slayer and agree on one more thing: Coverdale's creepy old perv routine. Part of the problem is that a lot of Snake's top hits reek of machismo that fits well into the 80s style delivered by a 25-35 year old fellow. But a weathered (the man likes his sun) 63 year old with Da Vinci caps and sagging (though taunt for his age) skin?!!? Yuck. Every time he goes into his crotch thrust routine I hear these lyrics: "Sitting on a park bench . . ."
DC isn't actually too processed at all, here. A touch of slight compression (more for recording sake than any vocal trickery, ) & a slight bit of reverb... you don't even really hear it.
This is fairly raw David. And it's pretty exceptional. Few vocalists have anything close to his tone & tonality. I admit I am even softening to "Stormbringer" in it's new form... it's just that Deep Purple as a band was just so damned exceptional, it's like heresy to even mess with the original.
I also think you get at my original post a month or so ago better than I did: not sure how revisiting these classics makes much sense. That said, Coverdale did claim them in a recent interview as his and 'Snake's spin on the originals, praising the originals just the same. Just not sure the spin is worth the recording.
But thanks again, Ace.
And a quick way to make a buck without having to write new songs.