The album that broke Whitesnake in the US finally gets its ‘Ultimate Special Edition release celebrating 35 years as the original UK album was released in 1984. 35 years is crazy to think about. In those 35 years, this album only gets better.
This special edition consists of 6 CDs, 1 DVD, 1 Book, 1 Tour Program replica and 1 Album Cover Poster. And it has over 100 tracks amongst all the discs. Here is everything you get.
Now of course that 100+ tracks is misleading and this set is truly for the ultimate fan. Why? Because the set repeats the songs a lot. Because the set repeats the songs a lot. Yes, I wrote that twice on purpose.
Let me explain by jumping in to the album right away and we will talk about the first 3 discs as they go together.
Disc 1: The US Mix
Disc 2: The UK Mix
Disc 3: The Special 35th Anniversary US Remix
The album was first released in 1984 in the UK and the album consisted of 10 tracks which are the same 10 tracks on the US release only different track order. Okay, that isn’t the only differences. The band had signed with Geffen records and before it was released in the US, Geffen wanted the album to be re-mixed as it sounded too European for the US Audience. Of course, according to David he stated that “well, I am European”.
David agreed to the change, but had a stipulation. Since the band had a line-up change since the original UK album was released, he wanted their two new members to be on the album. So, guitarist John Sykes and bassist Neil Murray re-recorded the parts and they are the ones playing on the album. You can hear the differences even though sometimes they are not noticeable, other times there is a distinct difference. I won’t point them out as you should hear for yourself.
The UK disc in this set also has a few bonus tracks that were not on the original releases. They are a B-Side and two remixes of songs on the album. Now for the 35th Anniversary Set, they did a completely new and modern mix of the US album. And is it different? Yes, the biggest change is the overall sound. It is so full and rich and actually louder.
What I did was go to my Apple Music account and created a playlist of the first 3 albums in this set. I put the songs in order of the US album and put each song as the US mix, UK mix and the New US Mix one after the other. This really let me explore the songs together and pinpoint the differences. And what I noticed most was that the New US Mix was so much louder and fuller than the the other two. I actually really enjoyed it. I am not saying it is better, but it didn’t suck.
Disc 4: Monitor Mixes & Intros, September 1983
The fourth disc had the whole album again, but this time there were some intros added from David Coverdale himself and the tracks were mixes taken straight from the monitor back in 1983. This would now be the fourth time you get the album. As I said, a lot of repeats on this set and that is why it is truly for hardcore fans.
The disc also boasts keyboardist, Jon Lord’s last Whitesnake show from Sweden on April 16th, 1984. Each song chosen you can hear Lord and remember what a stellar organist/keyboardist he was and how crucial he was to that early Whitesnake sound. Some great live tracks.
Disc 5: Live in Glasgow, Scotland, March 1st, 1984
What every Special Edition box set should have is a live show from a tour for that album. This is a previously unreleased show and it is spectacular. It is raw, rough at times and overall sensational. It is great to hear John Sykes completely kill it on these songs and his solos are amazing. You also get a wonderful Keyboard solo from Jon Lord and see what a beast he is with that instrument.
If you are a fan of the 1987 Whitesnake album, you get the early versions of “Here I Go Again”, “Crying in the Rain” and “Fool For Your Loving” from ‘Slip of the Tongue’. Of course, the casual fan might not know that all 3 of these songs had appeared on early Whitesnake albums before the releases in those future albums. The overall setlist is fantastic and I am glad to have, yet another, live show.
Disc 6: Early Ruff Mixes, Original Demos & Obscurities
And here is the GEM of the whole set. I love how David goes deep into his archives and pulls out the little nuggets that only true fans want and love to hear. These are some early versions of the songs with different lyrics, different mixes and sounds and just plain ruff at times. David even put together a track called Wheezy Interludes that is David and company goofing off during takes and letting loose. There sounds like a lot of alcohol was involved and a lot of drugs based on all the snorting (they say it was them fighting a cold…I call bullshit!!!)
You get the original demos of the songs from the album and then you get the Unfinished Symphonies. Songs and demos that were not finished at the time but they might have later seen the light of day in one form or fashion. For example, the first track called “Body Heat” sounds a lot like it became “In the Still of the Night”. It was also great to hear an early version of “Whisper a Prayer for the Dying”. This is my favorite disc of the 6.
Disc 7: DVD Videos
The DVD consisted of 4 music videos, a song from Pop of the Tops, a Promo video, a song from the “Live…In the Still of the Night” DVD and a song from “Live at Donington”. The videos were great as I hadn’t actually seen a couple of them. You also get the videos for the Jon Lord last show from Sweden that I mentioned earlier on Disc 4.
The last little bit on the DVD was an interview with Davide Coverdale discussing various topics related the band and the album. I won’t spoil it for you, you will need to watch for yourself.
60 Page Book:
As with all his box sets, David compiled another great book with loads of pictures of the band, articles about the band, magazine covers, essays on the band, reviews of the album and loads of band material. You get track by track information of each disc, line-up information and everything you need to know including info on the model on the cover. It is fantastic.
Slide It In Replica Tour Book:
You also get a mini-replica of the tour program from 1984. It is full of pictures and everything include in that original book. It is compact and awesome. Here is the centerfold…
And lastly, you get a wall poster of the album cover. Excuse all the lines as it was folded in the box set and will always be. This might be the last time I see it as I won’t display it and will keep it stored in the Box Set itself for safekeeping.
That is everything…wow. I am exhausted. What a blast it was exploring this album and deep diving in to everything. I didn’t go track by track as if you bought this you know the songs and this isn’t really a review of the album. That will come some day. This was a review of the Box Set. And as a score, it is another home run. David always does it right for these sets and this is no different. Other artist please take note on this and make sure you do something that provides as much for your money as David does. I will give this one a score of 4.25 out of 5.00 Stars. It does repeat the songs over and over, but the nuggets, the gems and the live show all put it over the top. Thanks again David. Can’t wait to see what else is in store for future releases.
Thanks for hanging around to the end. If you want to check out my reviews of other Whitesnake, click below:
The David Coverdale Series:
- Deep Purple – Burn
- Deep Purple – Stormbringer
- Deep Purple – Come Taste the Band
- Deep Purple – Made in Europe
- David Coverdale – Whitesnake
- Deep Purple – Last Concert in Japan
- David Coverdale – Northwinds
- David Coverdale’s Whitesnake – Snakebite
- Whitesnake – Trouble
- Whitesnake – Lovehunter
- Whitesnake – Ready an’ Willing
- Whitesnake – Live…in the Heart of the City
- Whitesnake – Come An’ Get it
- Deep Purple – Live in London
- Whitesnake – Saints & Sinners
- Whitesnake – Slide It In
- Whitesnake – “Give Me More Time” 12″ Single (Bonus Review)
- Whitesnake – ‘The Best of Whitesnake (Bonus Review – 1982 release)
- Whitesnake – Whitesnake (1987)
- Whitesnake – “Is This Love” 12″ Promo (Bonus Review)
- Whitesnake – Slip of the Tongue
- David Coverdale – “The Last Note of Freedom” – Single Review
- Coverdale/Page – Coverdale/Page
- Coverdale/Page – “Take Me For A Little While 12” Single (Bonus Review)
- David Coverdale & Whitesnake – Restless Heart
- Whitesnake – Starkers in Tokyo
- David Coverdale – Into the Night
- Whitesnake – Live…In the Still of the Night (DVD)
- Whitesnake – Live…In the Shadow of the Blues
- Whitesnake – Good To Be Bad
- Whitesnake – Forevermore
- Whitesnake – Live at Donington 1990: Monsters of Rock
- Whitesnake – The Purple Album
- Whitesnake – The Purple Tour (Live)
- Whitesnake – Flesh & Blood
- Whitesnake – The Rock Album
- Whitesnake – The Albums Ranked Worst to First
- David Coverdale – The Albums Ranked Worst to First
Other David Coverdale Albums reviewed – (Box Sets and Bootlegs):
- Whitesnake – 1987 (30th Anniversary Edition) – Box Set
- Whitesnake – Slide It In (35th Anniversary Edition) – Box Set
- Whitesnake – Unzipped – Box Set
- Whitesnake – Slip of the Tongue (30th Anniversary Edition) – Box Set
- Whitesnake (Snake) – Still of the Night Live in Battle Creek, Mich. July 26, 1987 (Bootleg)
2 Loud 2 Old Music 
Great set. I’ve still only listened to some of it. The new mix did sound great. My main peeve is that the original UK mix actually had a different running order to the US but they’ve changed that here. Should have kept it as it was I think. I’ve got in on vinyl though so no big deal!
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I will have to go back and look. I thought the UK mix was different here as well as the original release. I have the US version on Vinyl so I will see as well. That would stink.
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Awesome well detailed review!
This box set is amazing. I still haven’t dove into the UK and US mixes albums yet as I’m still digging around on those demos and as you said the fantastic live show!
The packaging of it is slick as well.
I’m really glad I went the physical product on this one(thanks to my daughter Lauren) as its phenomenal.
ITunes has everything but the live show added which is bizarre to say the least but i don’t have to worry about that…
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Thanks Deke!! I have actually stopped buying on iTunes with the big deluxe box sets. The physical copies are way too nice. And especially if they leave out a live show.
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For sure John. Your review was brilliant. I really think the two unsung hero’s on the this are Powell and Galley!
Powells drums especially the snare sound like artillery fire at time…
So good!
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David doesn’t get slouches when it comes to musicians. That is why Whitesnake works no matter who is behind him.
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Uh…I dunno about now man haha..But from the 1978-1987 studio album for sure.
Those demos are awesome…pure sonic gold
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Now still has some solid players.
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For sure his players are talented no questions but theirs something missing!
Oh yeah…John Sykes…
But man that live album Mel Galley holds his own with the firepower that Sykes has…
Such a great live album. I going to review it separately!
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I will give you that. David doesn’t have that special writing partner anymore like in those days.
The live album is really great. It will be on the playlist for awhile.
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Absolutely John! That whole box set is amazing. I think I may have to at some point by the 87 Deluxe as the only copy i have is the set I bought from iTunes! But to the get the book etc…might have to do it
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Yes, you just might need to do that.
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I have mixed feelings about boxed sets like this. True deep cut fans can paw over the details but the price is often so high due to the extras and the packaging that it feels exploitative. You’re loving it though so I’m guessing you got what you wanted from an exhaustive deep look at a classic album.
I fee different about remixed albums too especially when they take the old line up off and update them… (stares hard at Ozzy Osbourne)… the love stuff though and the out takes. That’s gold.
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I can understand that. Most of the time they are way too pricey. I think paying over $100 for anything is ridiculous…unless it is a rare album on vinyl (I’ve done that before). This one was $63 for 6CDs & a DVD. I felt that wasn’t too bad so I bit.
For those of us in the States, we didn’t know at the time that the UK and US were different as we never heard the UK release of this album (not until years later for me). All I knew was Sykes. Now, I know differently and I love all the early Snake albums as much as these.
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I hear that I found out a lot of records had US mixed through the file sharing era. There’s a US Mix of Manic Street Preachers first album that rips along.
I’ve never spent 100 bucks on an album. The chase is better than the catch and finding the bargain is half the fun.
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Cool. I will have to listen to the two and compare.
I don’t know if I will ever do it again. I agree with the hunt and the bargain being the best part. It was a spur of the moment and I was weak that day. I had to grab it.
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If you love it Man it’s worth it.
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Really pleased this one delivers the goods… you’re on a good run with the box sets.
Obviously the live show will be great, cause all live albums recorded in Scotland are at least 75% better than normal live albums.
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Haha I was just coming here to say that J. and HMO will be saying that it’s better ‘cos the live set was from Scotland…
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Yes I am…but I have been real particular on which ones I get. This one delivered. And I was not aware about that about Scotland. I will have to look for more live albums from there if that is the case!!
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Thanks covering all of this so clearly and honestly. It confirms that, while I think it is a thing of beauty to behold, it does not need to be in my collection because that’s a lot of repetition because that’s a lot of repetition.
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Yep. You will know those songs inside and out when you are done with this one for sure. If you can get a hold of that live set, that would be worth having…because it is from Scotland of course!!
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Thorough as usual. I am still working my way through. I look forward to finishing!
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And here was me wondering whether to spend £8 on that second-hand vinyl copy I saw last week!
Great review.
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Thanks. And yes, you should still get the vinyl.
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I’d feel like it was missing 90 tracks now!
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Yes, but if you played it several times in a row it would be like the same thing.
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But loads cheaper – maybe I could just mess with the bass and treble a bit to make it sound like a monitor mix, every so often.
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That is one way to do it
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great review on the box set i was thinking about getting this?now i’m definitely getting this thanks again
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Thanks. You won’t be disappointed. If you don’t have the box sets for the other albums, they are must grabs as well.
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