WHITESNAKE

WHITESNAKE
COME AN' GET IT (1981)
REMASTER
320 KBPS

The band went into Startling Studios at the tail end of 1980/early 1981 and recorded one of the early greats alongside the classic 'Ready An' Willing'. Released in April 1981 and entering the UK chart at number 2 this was early Whitesnake (pre 'Slide It In' or the Marsden years) at their peak. The most gobsmacking tracks of this 100,000 seller were more often than not written solely by David Coverdale, an example of his ever growing prowess. This was a cock sure Whitesnake, confident from the success of 'Ready An' Willing', effortlessly knocking out vintage blues rock. Stand out tracks are in abundance; 'Child Of Babylon' (epic song showing off DC at his best, some of the most frightening singing you'll ever hear), the grooving title track and the monolithic anthem 'Don't Break My Heart Again' with its nod towards a more pop metal direction. As on 'Ready An' Willing' the Purple duo Jon Lord and Ian Paice, turned in solid professional performances. The fun blues boogie numbers 'Would I Lie To You' and 'Wine, Women An' Song' were brilliantly humorous and even more fun when played live! The stand out track for me however has to be 'Till The Day I Die' with it's superb vocal performance and lyric reminiscent of 'Ain't Gonna Cry No More' arguably the best pre 'Slide It In' track. Also of note is the typically old-school guitar work from Moody/Marsden throughout the album, especially on the song 'Hit An' Run' which given a bit more development in the chorus department could have been a classic. Neil Murray's bubbling basslines can also be heard throughout to great effect. The production by Martin Birch however, left a lot to be desired. The record sounds dry and flat compared to some of Whitesnake's contemporaries in the hard rock genre at the time.
As great an album as it was it was apparent that the 'Snakes had taken this style as far as it could go. To release another album like this would be resting on their laurels, hence the farce that became 'Saints and Sinners'. Some would say that this was the last great early 'Snakes record although others may point out that this was where the band had stopped progressing musically. It was time to shed a couple of skins...

1. Come an' Get It
2. Hot Stuff
3. Don't Break My Heart Again
4. Lonely Days, Lonely Nights
5. Wine, Women an' Song
6. Child of Babylon
7. Would I Lie to You
8. Girl
9. Hit an' Run
10. Till the Day I Die
Bonus Tracks
11. Child of Babylon (alternate version)
12. Girl (alternate version/rough mix)
13. Come an' Get It (rough mix)
14. Lonely Days, Lonely Nights (alternate version/rough mix)
15. Till the Day I Die (rough mix)
16. Hit an' Run (backing track)