There is just no stopping the bluesy hard rock institution that is Whitesnake and thank Heavens for that. As this utterly vibrant, fiery, and powerful live package containing a CD and a DVD documenting the 2015 Purple Tour shows, the band is still firing on all cylinders and their muscular compositions sound better than ever in a live setting. Given that the Purple Tour was downright epic, it is no surprise really that this superb live offering simply entitled "The Purple Tour" illustrates just that. The thing is that there is something magical about a Whitesnake gig. The way in which the band members bring to the fore all the nuances and subtle details of the Purple and Whitesnake classics and yet still make them sound so majestic and hard-hitting is simply awe-inspiring. I have no idea how they do it. The amazing interplay between guitar slingers Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra is a force to be reckoned with while Michael Devin’s thick and pulsating bass lines are to die for and they way in which they lock in with the raging monster on the drums that is Tommy Aldridge is breathtaking. Michele Luppi’s exquisite keyboard work adds atmosphere to the proceedings and Mr. Coverdale is as charming as ever and sounds both passionate and phenomenal here. There is simply no one out there like David; a one-of-a-kind singer and artist. All in all this is some energetic and vigorous stuff, ladies and gentlemen.

The set list is a nicely balanced one in that you get five Deep Purple tunes and eight Whitesnake cuts. Technically speaking, "Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City" is a cover version, but that is besides the point here. The strong and booming production of both the album and its visual counterpart is excellent in that it sounds not only massive, but also warm and organic. What is not to love about that? As to highlights and standout tracks…are you kidding me?! Have you seen the tracklist? Every song incuded here rules like you would not believe. The melancholy "The Gypsy" sounds beautiful and heartfelt while the scorching hot rendition of "Fool for Your Loving" will melt your face off. The moving "Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City" sounds like something from another dimension and the haunting "Soldier of Fortune" is frighteningly good and gives me the chills every time I listen to it. The only thing I do wish is that either "Coming Home" or "You Keep on Moving" from the underrated Deep Purple masterpiece "Come Taste the Band" had been included so that all the Coverdale-fronted albums by the aforementioned band had been represented in the main set on the CD. Luckily, there is an audio version of "You Keep on Moving" to be found in the bonus features section on the DVD, but it would have been cool if it had formed a part of the actual concert footage. Speaking of the DVD, it is beautifully shot and captures the intensity of a Whitesnake performance perfectly; crisp, clear, action-packed, and hugely entertaining. You can tell that these guys are having a great time on stage together.

Whitesnake have released some of the best live albums ever and "The Purple Tour" is certainly no different. It is way up there with the very best of them and is testament to how mesmerizing and thunderous the Whitesnake experience is in a live setting. The beautiful packaging of the whole thing and the excellent liner notes only emphasize and underline the fact that you ought to invest in "The Purple Tour" if you are on the lookout for classic hard rock that is damn-near flawless. This live album is a triumphant, inspired, and inspiring affair. David, Reb, Tommy, Joel, Michael, and Michele, if any of you are reading this, know that we love you and desperately want you to come back to Norway!

 

https://thepurpletour.whitesnake.com/