Whitesnake
Ready An' Willing

THE REVIEW

David Coverdale is defined as the "Divo" of hard rock.

With his magnetic womanizing gaze and his perfectly teased wig-like hair, he has captured the hearts of three generations of ladies. Perhaps this is also one of the reasons why his persona isn't very likable. And probably the rest is due to his boundless ego, cultivated since his days with the Deep Purple. Surely transitioning from a shop assistant in the working-class neighborhoods of Yorkshire to frontman of one of the greatest bands in the history of rock can't be easy. And when it comes to egocentrism, he was also in good company. This is a necessary premise to understand that if there are people who stop at appearances or hearsay, the undersigned certainly doesn't belong to that category. From me, you won't get non-musical considerations.

David Coverdale is a natural talent. An unreachable timbre, with extraordinary soulful modulations. A warm voice, that knows how to hit hard and gently caress. A voice that is the vibration of the soul. The blues has always been his passion. And his creation, the White Snake, is a slave to the circular movements and deviations of this genre. A compelling hard blues that alternates power and elegance, sensuality and melancholy. The most successful synthesis of this early period of Whitesnake is "Ready An' Willing". A record that demonstrates the now well-tested harmony of the guitar duo composed of Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden. Completing the line-up is the experienced Neil Murray on bass, but above all, two sacred monsters and former adventure companions from Purple: Jon Lord on the ivory keys and Ian Paice behind the drums.

The year is 1980 and the group intends to ride the new wave starting from the purple ashes. The opener "Fool for your Lovin'" immediately makes it clear what this record is made of. Not only a successful single, but also an elegant example of hard rock, driven by an irresistible guitar riff and a chorus that is impossible to forget. The track, by the way, was originally written for His Majesty B.B. King, but Coverdale, the sly old fox, reconsidered after realizing he had a "royal flush" or rather a real ascent to the charts. The entire work is noteworthy, from the more typically rock 'n' roll pieces like the driving "Sweet Talker" and "Black 'n' Blue", to the blues moods of the beautiful title track and the paced "Love Man". However, the masterpiece of the record takes the form of the heart-wrenching ballad "Blindman", in which David delivers a goosebump-inducing performance. His sensual voice slides over you like rain, leaving us drenched in melancholy. "Ain't Gonna Cry No More" is another significant track, with its two faces, with its acoustic and intimate intro that later develops into more energetic and rhythmic rock. There's a certain Zeppelin scent in the air.

The rest of the work travels on the same coordinates and decidedly high standards. Not a record, therefore, for those seeking novelty at all costs. This is the usual hard rock, tried and tested, tinged with blues, but played with immense class and so much passion.