More than four decades ago, Whitesnake founder and frontman David Coverdale began his musical journey with the legendary Deep Purple. Whitesnake’s 12th studio album, The PURPLE Album, pays homage to Coverdale’s beginnings. This album draws on songs from “Burn,” Stormbringer” and “Come Taste The Band,” the three Deep Purple albums that featured Coverdale.
The PURPLE Album is well done and serves as a tribute to Deep Purple with heavier guitars and the ’80s metal flare of Whitesnake. The keyboards on the opening track “Burn” and on “You Keep on Moving” would make the late Jon Lord proud. Although there are no radical reinterpretations of the songs on this album, they have taken on new lives at the hands of Whitesnake, featuring David Coverdale on vocals, Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra on guitars, Michael Devin on bass and Tommy Aldridge on drums.
While “Burn,” “Stormbringer” and “Soldier of Fortune” have been featured in Whitesnake’s live performances over the years, these rock classics are virtuosic on this album. Funky, bluesy and soulful, it’s easy to pick out how influential Deep Purple has been on other musicians over the years. “You Fool No One” is a perfect example. As Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra lay out a twin guitar assault, thunderous drums replace the keyboards in the original intro, sounding much like Metallica’s “One.” My personal favorite track on this album is “Lady Double Dealer.” It’s the predecessor of the ’80s hair metal that makes me want to roll down the windows and turn up the car stereo. Whether you prefer Deep Purple or Whitesnake, you’ll enjoy The PURPLE Album. While you’re listening, have some fun and see if you can pick out a few bands that were apparently influenced by Deep Purple.
