Whitesnake - Gold

While compilations can fall short in any number of ways, Whitesnake's Gold assemblage is exactly what was needed in putting together the very best tracks from a band that never really could go the distance on its albums. David Coverdale and company were one of those bands from the late '70s through the end of '80s that issued hot-selling singles and gained massive radio and video airplay -- but whose albums (and some of them were hits) were always marred by filler. Gold collects 33 cuts over two CDs and delivers a powerhouse best-of that charts Whitesnake's entire run for Geffen circa 1978-1989. Virtually anything a fan ever wanted is right here, from the single "Time Is Right for Love" through "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City" from Snakebite and the title track from the excellent Trouble to hits from Lovehunter, Ready an' Willing, Slide It In, and Whitesnake and live cuts from their various live outings, all the way through to their last album for the label, Slip of the Tongue. There is no cross-licensing, which is a drag because there were great songs on 1998's Restless Heart, recorded for EMI in the U.K. only, but that's a small complaint. In addition, there are different mixes of "Give Me All Your Love," "Fool for Your Loving," and "The Last Night of Freedom." This is a must for those who dug the excess and pomp of the Whitesnake sound that was at once polished, bombastic, full of hooks, and snarling. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andrea Canter Song Clearance Barry Korkin Editorial Assistant Beth Stempel Production Coordination David Coverdale Producer, Compilation Producer Erick Labson Mastering Fin Costello Photography Geary Chansley Photo Research Jimmy Page Producer Keith Olsen Producer Martin Birch Producer Martin Huxley Liner Notes Mike Clink Producer Mike Fraser Producer Mike Ragogna Compilation Producer Mike Stone Producer Neil Zlozower Photography Norman Seeff Photography Russell Young Photography Ryan Null Photo Coordination Simon Fowler Photography Tom Lord-Alge Remixing Tony Mottram Photography Trevor Horn Producer William Hames Photography