Whitesnake
Slip Of The Tongue

THE REVIEW

Honestly, I was somewhat surprised not to find an album like "Slip Of The Tongue" already reviewed in Debaser's archives, and the reason is easily understandable: we're talking about Whitesnake and a lineup that, for the first time, features the six-string wizard Steve Vai on lead guitar, Tommy Aldridge on drums, Rudy Sarzo on bass, and valuable collaborations like Don Airey on keyboards or Glenn Hughes as backup vocals.
All the ingredients for a memorable work are indeed present and, although in terms of sales it was not a real success like "1987", the final product turns out to be equally of great quality, both in terms of songs and musically. Certainly, the same cannot be said for the atmosphere in which this work was completed; many will remember the previous departure of Vivian Campbell from the group and the subsequent injury of Adrian Vandenberg (the composer of a good portion of the guitar parts of "Slip Of The Tongue"); basically, a true curse seemed to haunt Coverdale during that period, and for this reason, the only "titan" capable of facing such a calamity entered the scene, able to swiftly learn the guitar parts already written 90% and to assimilate them with his great and unique personality: Steve Vai.

After a rather aggressive opening given by the song that lends the album its title, the record gradually shifts to more melodic sounds, as in the completely original reinterpretation of the track "Fool For Your Loving" (originally written by the group in 1980 in "Ready an Willing") or even in the ballad "Now You're Gone" which almost seems, at times, to bring back memories of the early Whitesnake style, but with a Vai always ready to scratch with his histrionic and virtuosic guitar. The guitar intro present in "Kittens Got Claws" is a true emulation of a cat's meow, almost giving a modern Hendrixian version of the sound, but the highest level is definitely reached in "Wings of the Storm" which alternates slow parts with fast ones with great technical skill, and even more so in "Sailing Ships", the last track of this album and probably also the one with the greatest potential, with a magnificent Steve Vai both in the acoustic section and arrangements, as well as in the thrilling solo, but, if possible, perhaps even more for the active presence of Glenn Hughes as a backup voice next to Coverdale, a presence that brings to mind, with a hint of nostalgia, the magical duets of the glorious Deep Purple. A song often underrated by critics, "Slow Poke Music", should be highlighted, however, for an absolutely brilliant and original guitar work by Vai and a second ballad that became very famous also due to its notable radio play, "The Deeper The Love", where Coverdale displays an incredibly sensual and mature voice.
Adding to all this is a respectable production by Mike Clink and Keith Olsen, "Slip Of The Tongue" should rightfully be considered a significant album in the hard rock genre, with the only limitation being that it was crafted, due to sheer necessity, in a very tight timeframe, especially for Steve Vai, who materially couldn't manage his boundless talent to its fullest, as in his works with Diamond Dave, but as we know, miracles were only performed by the Messiah!