Whitesnake: Lovehunter (1979) Music Review – By Vincent Mento

This is not a real woman. This is fantasy art therefore will not be censored.

So, one might wonder how does this fit into the horror realm if at all, well the band’s music has been played in about three productions and David Coverdale lent his voice for another, and the cover-lp artist work was seen in the dark fantasy-sci-fi film Heavy Metal, and it filters back to Deep Purple too.

This album really gave me the opening to discover the blues influence, well this and The Rolling Stones, otherwise, but it is also celebrating a 45-year anniversary this October 1st, and yeah it was not a rousing success nevertheless it did create an effective. Therefore, allowing the opportunity to take you on a fun trip before music had to worry about too much for sensitive listeners. This album was officially their second and continue the bluesy-hard rocking style complete with more implied lyrics that delivered more innuendo and artwork that caught anyone’s attention. Aiding them in their journey once again was Martin Birch, who also had worked with Deep Purple [D.P.] (another band’s music I enjoy very much) and used the 18th-century estate of Clearwell Castle where D.P. recorded ‘Burn’ and ‘Stormbringer’. Now, we gotta mention the artwork, it was drawn by Chris Achilleos, RIP, December 6, 2021, which is often obscure nowadays on the net as a hidden image, but works to show the fantasy-art of rear-view of naked woman straddling a snake; at the time of the release Coverdale, lead singer, commented he protested the image but grew to accept the attention, after all his presence on stage was to strut with swagger and command all the dazzling eyes of the ladies. Life of a rock star! A brief note, the album in United States after the outcry would have drawn panties looked – *eye roll*

Leading the record was “Long Way from Home,” the first single and a strong track, that contain riffs of bluesy-rock that would become a signature of the band, along with some suggestive lyrics. Next up is “Walking in the Shadow of the Blues” with the very talented Jon Lord dancing his fingers over his keyboards, and contains wonderfully cool guitar riffs, the song’s music just sizzles for me, to enjoy on repeat. The third track is a cover from Leon Russell, called “Help Me Thro’ the Day;” thoroughly deep bluesy track perfect for a lazy afternoon, no wind chimes just listen to the song, vocals of David just make everything feel just so mellow. If you heard of some the band Kiss, their suggestive songs then you know “Medicine Man” it has wickedly cool solo and simply rocks, all followed by another uptick in rocking song of “You ‘N Me.” Onward to another kicking song that has Lord performing a wizard-like style on the boards, with Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden dueling guitar riffs, all found on “Mean Business.”

The seventh song, is full-on inappropriate lyrics, decency forbids me from repeating them, thoroughly sexually charged title song “Lovehunter” there’s plenty blues thanks to Moody’s slide guitar, the music just carries the rocking groove for the listener. A lot of listeners and many of the fans enjoy the innuendos in the music, it is all helped by the rock tune. Suddenly we get enjoyable change-up, with hold-my-beer moment as Bernie Marsden on “Outlaw,” nailing the tempo with his lead vocals a refreshing style, no complaints, the music just builds well and maintained throughout. “Rock ‘N’ Roll Women” to many critics is the worst song on the album, I would not go that far, the opening of song, sounds like Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Good” but never lives up to that enthusiasm though it does give Lord more solo work. The last track “We Wish You Well” is a very quick ballad, and frankly doesn’t fit the whole album vibe, I like the sentiment of the music and meaning memory it is trying to generate but would of best left for a live-record, as it’s kinda of downer.

While drummer David Dowle does an effective job, there seems at times like he’s going through the motions, the heart not truly into the music’s groove, thankfully he was replaced by Ian Paice, another former member drummer of Deep Purple. Coverdale was not rebuilding D.P. as some always thought he was creating the best musicians to conquer the hard rock meets blues world of music.

Track Listing:

Long Way From Home

Walking in the Shadow of the Blues

Help Me Thro’ the Day

Medicine Man

You ‘n Me

Mean Business

Lovehunter

Outlaw

Rock ‘n Roll Women

We Wish You Well

LINEUP:
Bernie Marsden – Guitars, Vocals – Track 8
Dave Dowle – Drums
David Coverdale – Vocals
Jon Lord – Keyboards
Micky Moody – Guitars
Neil Murray – Bass

First ‘Lovehunter’ is an essential album for the causal listener of the band, as some songs have not endured lasting quality, yet when one reflects back 45-years ago on the band’s catalog there are albums that don’t carry a lot of memories for me this one still does, though I wasn’t listening to in the ’70s. A solid second full record from the band, that sadly ends with two clunky songs. My girl has a fondness for their music, and I am thankful for that, as she states “their music is the kind you light the candles, let the shadows grow long and groove the night away with a scotch and nothing else…” *grin* The band generates the own combination of blues and hard rock, and it lyrics that later bands would build on, adding more sex appeal to as they acclaimed mantle of star-power and immortality with the music.