Not that onset of old age has dampened his libido, within minutes, he is thanking a woman at the front for showing her “magnificent breasts” to him as they “are all the inspiration I need.” But ever the English country Gent soon after that he is accepting a Christmas presents from the audience. And so it is in the world of Whitesnake.
By any stretch of the imagination Coverdale’s 60th year has been a good one. New album “Forevermore” has received much critical acclaim and tonight is Whitesnake’s second nearly sold-out show at this venue in six months, it is also the last night of the World Tour.
This incarnation of Whitesnake is as good as any, since the heydey. Twin guitarists Reb Beach and Doug Aldrich are supremely talented, and drummer Brian Tichhy is a flamboyant presence behind the kit. The elephant in the room, however is Coverdale himself, because whilst the old boy looks good and remains a front man of the highest order, his voice was, shall we say, a little hit and miss at that show in June.
So it is a relief then that he seems on form as the opening strands of “Bad Boys” hit. The set list is more or less the same as last time, but that’s not really an issue when you are dealing with a stellar back catalogue such as the one Whitesnake posses.
As before, after around 45 minutes, the front man disappears and the guitarists duel, then it’s the drummer’s turn (and if you want to see a drum solo played with knives then look no further…I am not kidding!)
It is the second half of the mammoth two hour 10 minutes set that sees the band cut loose. The band intros include snippets of songs as diverse as Hendrix’s “Fire” and “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer. There’s an impromptu rendition of “Slide it In” (we are only putting it in a little bit” says Coverdale.)
Then it happens. Santa turns up and begins chucking goodie bags into the crowd, which is all fine and very cheesy, before all eyes turn stage right. “We have a surprise for you ladies and gentlemen,” says David, “Santa has brought my old friend Bernie Marsden with him” and the veteran former ‘Snake – who has been appearing occasionally with the band after making up with Coverdale – is back playing “Fool For You Lovin’” and “Still of the Night” and it becomes less of a gig and more of a celebration.
There is a nod to the front man’s Deep Purple days with a run through of “Burn” before a life affirming evening of genuine warmth ends with Bing Crosby’s “I’m Dreaming of a White(snake) Christmas.”
As the man himself might well say, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a little Whitesnake in your stocking.
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