There’s been some wondering as to whether WHITESNAKE were going to celebrate another decade of their “1987” masterpiece with a new reissue – given there was one ten years ago that coupled remastered CD with a DVD. Yes, they were, and they are: October 6th will see the re-release of it in various formats of which the most fabulous is a Super Deluxe Box Set.
This time a freshly remastered album is given an expanded context, with one additional disc delving into demos laid down with John Sykes, Neil Murray and Aynsley Dunbar, and the other highlighting concert material, recorded with Vivian Campbell, Adrian Vandenberg, Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge – both line-ups helmed by David Coverdale, of course. There’s also a collection of remixes, a DVD with the same old videos, upgraded visually and aurally, a new clip for “Here I Go Again” and a few live recordings, a documentary, and a 60-page book. What’s important, the box shouldn’t be expensive, although those who don’t want to go for such a bonanza can opt for a 2CD version, with the album and live tracks, while 2LPs attach a selection of stage cuts and remixes to the original tracklist.
At its most alluring, though, the reissue looks like this:
Disc One:
Original Album – 2017 Remaster
Disc Two:
Snakeskin Boots – Live On Tour 1987-88
(previously unreleased)
1. Bad Boys/Children Of The Night
2. Slide It In
3. Slow An’ Easy
4. Here I Go Again
5. Guilty Of Love
6. Is This Love
7. Love Ain’t No Stranger
8. Guitar Solo – Adrian and Vivian
9. Crying In The Rain
10. Still Of The Night
11. Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City
12. Give Me All Your Love
Disc Three:
87 Evolutions – Demos and Rehearsals
(previously unreleased)
1. Still Of The Night
2. Give Me All Your Love
3. Bad Boys
4. Is This Love
5. Straight For the Heart
6. Looking For Love
7. Children Of The Night
8. You’re Gonna Break My Heart Again
9. Crying In The Rain
10. Don’t Turn Away
11. Crying In The Rain (Lil’ Mountain Alternate Take Ruff Mix)
Disc Four:
87 Versions – 2017 Remixes:
1. Still Of The Night
2. Is This Love
3. Give Me All Your Love
4. Here I Go Again 87
“87 Versions” – Japanese Mini-Album:
5. Standing In The Shadows
6. Looking For Love
7. You’re Gonna Break My Heart Again
8. Need Your Love So Bad
9. Here I Go Again (radio mix)
10. Give Me All Your Love (single version)
DVD:
Music videos – restored and remixed in 5.1:
1. Still Of The Night
2. Here I Go Again 87
3. Is This Love
4. Give Me All Your Love
5. Documentary
6. Here I Go Again – Purplesnake Video Jam (previously unreleased)
1987 Tour Video Bootleg (previously unreleased):
7. Crying In The Rain
8. Band Intros
9. Still Of The Night