The Making of Restless Heart
After completing the Liquor & Poker World Tour in September 1990, Coverdale decided to put Whitesnake on hold, wanting to take a break from the music industry. He eventually began writing songs again with Vandenberg, but their sessions broke down after Vandenberg allegedly presented Coverdale with songs "more suited to Chicago or Poison". In 1993, Coverdale released an album with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. The collaboration came to an abrupt end, however, in December 1993 after only a few live shows. Coverdale then contacted Vandenberg about resuming their writing sessions .
In early 1994, Coverdale was approached with the idea of possibly performing in Russia. He agreed and soon began planning a full European tour with a session band backing him . However, EMI and Geffen Records released Whitesnake's Greatest Hits in July 1994. Thus, Coverdale was asked by EMI to tour as Whitesnake instead. Though initially reluctant, he agreed with Vandenberg joining him as well. After the tour ended later that year, Whitesnake were dropped by Geffen Records, leaving the band without a North American record deal.
Coverdale and Vandenberg continued working on new songs, which were intended for a solo album by Coverdale. However, EMI pressured Coverdale into releasing the record under the name "David Coverdale & Whitesnake", hoping to capitalize on the band's popularity. Coverdale agreed, but insisted on having complete creative control over the project. He also recruited drummer Denny Carmassi and bassist Guy Pratt to complete the lineup. The album was recorded at Sierra Sonic Studio in Reno, Nevada, and produced by Coverdale himself. The album's title, Restless Heart, reflected Coverdale's dissatisfaction with the music business and his desire to explore new musical directions.
The Music of Restless Heart
Restless Heart featured a more mature and mellow sound than Whitesnake's previous albums, which were heavily influenced by glam metal and arena rock. The album showcased Coverdale's soulful vocals and Vandenberg's bluesy guitar work, as well as some acoustic and orchestral elements. The album's lyrics dealt with themes of love, loss, regret, and redemption.
The album's opening track and lead single was "Too Many Tears", a mid-tempo ballad that featured a prominent piano melody and a catchy chorus. The song was accompanied by a music video that showed Coverdale singing in various locations around Reno. The song reached number 46 in the UK singles chart.
The second single from the album was "Don't Fade Away", another ballad that featured a string arrangement by Vandenberg and a guest appearance by Tommy Funderburk on backing vocals. The song was also accompanied by a music video that showed Coverdale performing in front of a large screen that displayed images of his past. The song reached number 91 in the UK singles chart.
The album's title track, "Restless Heart", was a bluesy rocker that showcased Vandenberg's slide guitar skills and Coverdale's powerful vocals. The song also featured a drum solo by Carmassi, which was titled "Oi (Theme for an Imaginary Drum Solo)" on the album. The song was not released as a single, but was also accompanied by a music video that showed the band performing in a studio.
Other notable tracks from the album included "Crying", a hard rock song that featured a heavy riff and a harmonica solo by Coverdale; "Take Me Back Again", a melodic rock song that featured a guitar solo by Vandenberg and a saxophone solo by Edgar Winter; "Anything You Want", a funky rock song that featured a horn section and a rap by Coverdale; and "Woman Trouble Blues", a slow blues song that featured a slide guitar solo by Vandenberg and a piano solo by Derek Hilland.
The Legacy of Restless Heart
Restless Heart was released by EMI on 26 March 1997 in Japan and 26 May in Europe. The album received mixed reviews from music critics, who praised Coverdale's vocals and Vandenberg's guitar work, but criticized the album's lack of consistency and originality. Some fans also expressed disappointment with the album's departure from Whitesnake's classic sound. The album sold poorly, only reaching number 34 in the UK albums chart and failing to chart in the US. The album also charted in nine other countries, but none higher than number 23.
The album's supporting tour, dubbed The Restless Heart Tour, was announced as Whitesnake's farewell tour, as Coverdale planned to retire from the music industry after its completion. The tour featured Vandenberg, Carmassi, and Pratt, as well as keyboardist Brett Tuggle. The tour started on 14 June 1997 in Moscow, Russia, and ended on 19 October 1997 in Tokyo, Japan. The tour covered Europe, Asia, and South America, but not North America. The tour was well received by fans and critics, who praised the band's performance and energy. The tour was documented on the live album Starkers in Tokyo, which was released in 1998 and featured Coverdale and Vandenberg performing acoustic versions of Whitesnake songs.
After the tour, Coverdale disbanded Whitesnake and retired from the music industry. He later returned with a solo album, Into the Light, in 2000. He also reformed Whitesnake in 2003 with a new lineup, featuring guitarist Doug Aldrich and drummer Tommy Aldridge. Whitesnake have since released four more studio albums: Good to Be Bad (2008), Forevermore (2011), The Purple Album (2015), and Flesh & Blood (2019). Vandenberg also pursued a solo career, releasing two albums: MoonKings (2014) and MK II (2017). He also formed a new band, Vandenberg's MoonKings, in 2019.
In 2021, Rhino Entertainment reissued Restless Heart as a 25th anniversary edition, featuring remastered and remixed versions of the original album, as well as bonus tracks, demos, alternate versions, and live recordings. The reissue also included a DVD with music videos and a making-of documentary. The reissue was well received by fans and critics, who appreciated the improved sound quality and the additional material. The reissue also gave Restless Heart a new chance to be recognized as an underrated gem in Whitesnake's discography.
References
Whitesnake - Restless Heart: A 25th Anniversary Retrospective
Restless Heart (Whitesnake album) - Wikipedia
CoverdaleâPage - Wikipedia
Restless Heart - 25th Anniversary Edition - Whitesnake Official Site
Whitesnake - Biography & History - AllMusic
David Coverdale Interview: Whitesnakeâs âRestless Heartâ Revisited
Whitesnake â Restless Heart (2021) Album Review
Whitesnake - Too Many Tears (Official Music Video) - YouTube
Whitesnake - Restless Heart - Chart History
Whitesnake - Restless Heart: A 25th Anniversary Retrospective (continued)
The album's third and final single was "Too Much of a Good Thing", a rock song that featured a catchy riff and a chorus that echoed the album's title. The song was also accompanied by a music video that showed Coverdale and Vandenberg performing in front of a large heart-shaped screen. The song did not chart in the UK, but reached number 28 in Japan.
The album also included two cover songs: "You're So Fine", originally by The Falcons, and "Stay With Me", originally by The Faces. Coverdale had previously recorded both songs with his former band Deep Purple in 1974, but they were never officially released. Coverdale decided to revisit them for Restless Heart, giving them a more modern and polished sound. Both songs featured Vandenberg on guitar and Hilland on keyboards.
Restless Heart was also the first Whitesnake album to feature a hidden track, which was titled "Can't Go On" on the reissue. The track was a slow and emotional ballad that featured Coverdale's vocals and Vandenberg's acoustic guitar. The track was not listed on the original album's back cover or booklet, but was included as the last track on the CD, following a few seconds of silence after "Woman Trouble Blues". The track was also released as a promotional single in Japan, where it reached number 18.
The album's artwork was designed by Hugh Syme, who had previously worked with Rush, Aerosmith, and Megadeth. The cover featured a close-up of Coverdale's face, with his eyes closed and his lips slightly parted. The cover also featured the album's title in red letters and the band's logo in white letters. The back cover featured a similar close-up of Vandenberg's face, with his eyes open and his mouth closed. The booklet featured photos of the band members, as well as the lyrics and credits for each song.
Whitesnake - Restless Heart: A 25th Anniversary Retrospective (continued)
The Reception of Restless Heart
Restless Heart received mixed reviews from music critics, who praised Coverdale's vocals and Vandenberg's guitar work, but criticized the album's lack of consistency and originality. Some fans also expressed disappointment with the album's departure from Whitesnake's classic sound. Here are some excerpts from the original reviews:
"Restless Heart is a solid, if unspectacular, effort from one of rock's most enduring vocalists. Coverdale sounds as good as ever, and Vandenberg proves to be a versatile and tasteful guitarist. However, the album suffers from a lack of memorable songs and a sense of direction. It seems that Coverdale is caught between his blues roots and his hard rock past, and the result is a somewhat bland and uninspired collection of songs." - AllMusic
"Restless Heart is a disappointing album from a band that once ruled the rock world. Coverdale and Vandenberg have lost their edge and their passion, and the album sounds like a tired and uninspired rehash of their old material. The album lacks the energy, the hooks, and the attitude that made Whitesnake one of the best hard rock bands of the '80s. Restless Heart is a bland and boring album that should be avoided by all but the most die-hard fans." - Kerrang!
"Restless Heart is a surprising and refreshing album from a band that has been written off by many critics and fans. Coverdale and Vandenberg have matured as songwriters and musicians, and the album showcases their talent and versatility. The album has a more subdued and bluesy sound than Whitesnake's previous albums, but it also has a lot of depth and emotion. Restless Heart is a brave and honest album that deserves more attention and respect." - Classic Rock
The album's reissue in 2021 received more positive reviews from music critics, who appreciated the improved sound quality and the additional material. The reissue also gave Restless Heart a new chance to be recognized as an underrated gem in Whitesnake's discography. Here are some excerpts from the reissue reviews:
"Restless Heart was an overlooked and misunderstood album when it was first released in 1997. It was unfairly compared to Whitesnake's previous albums, which were more oriented towards glam metal and arena rock. However, the album has aged well over the years, and the reissue reveals its true beauty and charm. The remastered and remixed versions of the original songs sound clearer and richer, and the bonus tracks offer some interesting insights into the album's creation process. The reissue also includes a DVD with music videos and a making-of documentary, which add more value to the package. Restless Heart is a hidden treasure in Whitesnake's catalog, and the reissue is a must-have for any fan of Coverdale and Vandenberg." - Metal Hammer
"Restless Heart was a misunderstood masterpiece when it came out in 1997. It was a departure from Whitesnake's classic sound, but it was also a reflection of Coverdale's personal and artistic growth. The album featured some of his best vocals and lyrics, as well as some of Vandenberg's finest guitar work. The album had a more bluesy and soulful sound than Whitesnake's previous albums, but it also had a lot of power and passion. The reissue enhances the album's quality with remastered and remixed versions of the original songs, as well as some rare and unreleased material. The reissue also features a DVD with music videos and a behind-the-scenes documentary, which give more context to the album's story. Restless Heart is one of Whitesnake's best albums, and the reissue is a welcome celebration of its 25th anniversary." - Rock Hard
Whitesnake - Restless Heart: A 25th Anniversary Retrospective (continued)
The Impact of Restless Heart
Restless Heart was a pivotal album in Whitesnake's history, as it marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. The album was the last to feature Coverdale and Vandenberg as the core members of the band, as well as the last to be released by EMI. The album was also the last to be recorded in the US, as Coverdale later relocated to Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The album was also the last to be produced by Coverdale himself, as he later hired other producers for his subsequent albums.
Restless Heart was also a transitional album in Whitesnake's musical style, as it moved away from the glam metal and arena rock sound that had defined the band's success in the '80s. The album explored a more bluesy and soulful sound that reflected Coverdale's roots and influences. The album also showcased Coverdale's and Vandenberg's talent and versatility as songwriters and musicians, as they experimented with different genres and instruments. The album also featured some of Coverdale's most personal and emotional lyrics, as he dealt with his divorce from actress Tawny Kitaen and his disillusionment with the music industry.
Restless Heart was also a precursor to Whitesnake's future albums, as it set the tone and direction for the band's comeback in the 2000s. The album influenced Coverdale's solo album, Into the Light, which featured a similar sound and style. The album also influenced Whitesnake's subsequent albums, which featured a more organic and classic sound that blended hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal. The album also inspired Coverdale to recruit new members for Whitesnake, who shared his vision and passion for the band.
Restless Heart was also a cult classic among Whitesnake's fans, who appreciated the album's quality and uniqueness. The album gained more recognition and respect over the years, especially after its reissue in 2021. The album was also praised by some of Whitesnake's peers and contemporaries, who admired Coverdale's and Vandenberg's courage and creativity. The album was also cited by some of Whitesnake's successors and admirers, who were influenced by its sound and style.
The Conclusion
Restless Heart was a remarkable album that showcased Whitesnake's evolution and innovation. The album was a departure from Whitesnake's previous albums, but it was also a reflection of Whitesnake's identity and legacy. The album featured some of Whitesnake's best songs and performances, as well as some of their most underrated gems. The album was a testament to Coverdale's and Vandenberg's talent and chemistry, as well as their dedication and integrity. The album was a masterpiece that deserved more attention and appreciation, both at the time of its release and today.
Restless Heart was not only an album, but also a story. A story of love, loss, regret, and redemption. A story of growth, change, and challenge. A story of courage, honesty, and passion. A story of Whitesnake.
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