An album of two distinct halves, The Best of Whitesnake inevitably but annoyingly jumbles up honest, workmanlike tracks from the pre-1984 blues-rock outfit with transatlantic poodle-rock from a late-80s band that had the same name and same frontman but little in common musically with their previous incarnation. The only track from their first proper studio album Trouble is the subsequent live standard "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" and there's also just one cut from 1978's Lovehunter ("Long Way from Home"). Other highs include "Fool for Your Loving" (Ready an' Willing, 1980) and the sassy boogie of "Would I Lie to You" (Come an' Get It)--exactly what Whitesnake did best. Poodle-power-chord tracks to avoid include "Is This Love" from 1987 and "Now You're Gone" from 1989's even more dire Slip of the Tongue. Significantly, by the time of "Too Many Tears" from 1997's Restless Heart, Coverdale is nostalgically harking back to the band's blues roots: "All I'm asking is where did I go wrong?" he sings. Just listen to this album, David mate, and you'll find out. --Mark Walker
Track Listing
Fool for Your Loving Don't Break My Heart Again Love Ain't No Stranger Is This Love Now You're Gone (US remix) Give Me All Your Love Ready an' Willing Guilty of Love Would I Lie to You Long Way from Home The Deeper the Love Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City Too Many Tears Give Me More Time Standing in the Shadow Here I Go Again Still of the Night
