Whitesnake – Live At Donnington 1990 (2011)
In 1990, Whitesnake embarked on a World Tour in support of their (then) latest album, Slip Of The Tongue. One of the stops made during that tour was in Donnington, Berkshire England as headliners of the Monsters Of Rock Festival. Their fateful headlining performance was recorded with the intention to release a live album the following year. Unfortunately for Whitesnake fans, the live album was shelved and never heard from again…until now. Whitesnake has released a double live album (and a companion DVD) of the entire Donnington concert and their fans should rejoice. This live set is amazing!
Back in 1990, Whitesnake was at the peak of their stardom. Three years earlier they had released their biggest album to date, the self-titled Whitesnake that went on to sell millions of copies. Their follow up, Slip Of The Tongue was just as grand, and featured new guitarists Steve Vai and Adrian Vandenberg (replacing the much beloved John Sykes), along with Rudy Sarzo on bass and Tommy Aldrige on drums. This was an entirely different lineup than the one that recorded the magnificent eponymous CD. Slip Of The Tongue would be the last Whitesnake album released in the US for 18 years. That is part of the reason that fans were anxious to see the Donnington CD get an official release. The other part of the reason is because the performance was one of the best the band has ever done.
Opening with “Slip Of The Tongue” and coming out onstage with rampant energy, Whitesnake proved immediately what headlining rockers should do at a festival. While it was expected that the band would play a few tracks to help promote their new album, the classics were plenty and arrived early as well. “Slow And Easy,” “Slide It In,” and “Cheap And Nasty” all showed up toward the beginning of the set, much to the delight of the fans.
Key moments throughout the live CD set include both Adrian Vandenberg’s guitar solo as well as Steve Vai’s. Both of these gentlemen are exceptional guitarists in their own right, and I often forget that they were in the same band for a brief time. Hearing the stunning work that they put into their respective solos was a real treat to the musical ear. If for no other reason (even thought there are plenty) these solos make this album worth owning.
A magnificent version of “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” complete with the audience serenading the band shows up in the encore just before the show stopping, “Still Of The Night.” This one-two combination is an exceptional way to close out a concert and had me yearning to see the band live again. I only wish that I could build a time machine and see this rendition of Whitesnake live on stage. However, since time travel has not become available without a flux capacitor, plutonium, and a boatload of money, we will just have to settle for the next best thing — Whitesnake Live At Donnington 1990. This 2-disc set is worth every penny that you spend on it.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing
DISC ONE:
Slip Of The Tongue
Slide It In
Judgment Day
Slow An Easy
Kitten’s Got Claws
Adaigo For Strato
Flying Dutchman Boogie
Is This Love
Cheap And Nasty
Crying In The Rain
DISC TWO:
Fool For Your Loving
For The Love Of God
The Audience Is Listening
Here I Go Again
Bad Boys
Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City
Still Of The Night
Whitesnake (circa 1990)
David Coverdale – Vocals
Steve Vai – Guitar
Adrian Vandenberg – Guitar
Rudy Sarzo – Bass
Tommy Aldridge – Drums
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