Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Coverdale, David
Label: Purple Records
Release: 1978
Length: 38:53
Rating: 4/5
On his second solo album, »Northwinds«, the legendary singer David Coverdale (ex-Deep Purple, Whitesnake) made a major leap forward from his low-profile but seriously solid debut, »White Snake« (1977). His partnership with guitar virtuoso Micky Moody bloomed into enviable blues rock flowers around the time of »Northwinds« (which was originally supposed to be called »North Winds«). Coverdale gave his heart fully to the blues this time. Compared to the debut, »Northwinds« leans even harder into blues rock, and on a few tracks you could even call it hard rock. The keyboard arrangements are considerably more polished, while Moody allowed himself even more room to improvise on guitar.
Coverdale’s voice has always been the picture of stunning emotional range, and back then, after the breakup of Deep Purple and before Whitesnake came along, he was also one of the most sought-after rock vocalists around (he came within a hair of becoming a member of Uriah Heep in 1977). Whitesnake, for what it’s worth, had already come together as White Snake band before the release of »Northwinds«, as a live backing band to promote Coverdale’s solo debut.
Four tracks from this album, »Keep On Giving Me Love«, »Queen of Hearts«, »Only My Soul« and »Breakdown«, became part of the upcoming Whitesnake EP »Snakebite« (1978). Interestingly, David’s old Deep Purple buddy, the legendary bassist and producer Roger Glover, who handled production on »Northwinds« once again, watched over the synthesizers this time, while the bass lines were played by the late session bassist Alan Spenner. Tim Hinkley handled most of the keyboards again, while the drum stool, instead of the famed Simon Phillips (Toto), went to Tony Newman, a much lower-profile session player compared to his predecessor, best known for working with David Bowie on the albums »Diamond Dogs« and »David Live« (both from 1974).
The punchy »Keep On Giving Love« is a convincing album opener in prime blues rock territory, where the eternal vocal seducer wins you over with a passionate, mischievous streak, while Moody’s guitar finesse rests on enviable subtlety the whole way through. The title track is a touching ballad built in Coverdale’s best vocal and songwriting manner, the one that made him famous back in his Deep Purple days. Moody, meanwhile, impresses again with inventive, refined guitar variations that add extra emotional depth to the deeply melancholic atmosphere.
On the colorful r’n’b experiment »Give Me Kindness«, David brought in gospel elements, playing electric piano himself and adding dramatic backing vocals, sung by none other than the legendary singer Ronnie James Dio (ex-Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio) and his wife Wendy as special guests. »Time And Again«, which also carries a hint of soul, is another gorgeous ballad with subtle symphonic arrangements on piano and synthesizer, and David’s heart-wrenching singing radiates a youthful innocence that’s rather atypical for him.
»Queen of Hearts« is an explosive blues rocker with irritable guitar runs and a combative vocal from David. You could call it a prototype of the typical, hard-hitting blues rock number from the early Whitesnake era, with an atmosphere crackling with erotic tension. On the excellent ballad »Only My Soul«, which is packed with subtle arrangements, David puts his mighty vocal sophistication and incredible emotional range on full display, enough to melt even the coldest ice. The synthesizer touches are especially impressive, adding generous atmospheric depth to a song that David’s gorgeous vocal performance alone lifts into the top league of the best ballads of his career.
»Say You Love Me«, where Moody also lets loose with a monumental guitar solo, continues the string of blues ballads built on subtle piano arrangements, with Coverdale’s singing taking us through every twist and turn of his heartache. The closer, »Breakdown«, is the hardest-rocking moment of the whole album thanks to its punch, though at its core it’s still pure blues rock built on sharpened guitar phrases, while the rhythm section, especially Newman on drums, works at full steam this time and loyally backs Coverdale’s furious vocal approach.
On the excellent »Northwinds«, a major step up from his debut, Coverdale shone as a first-rate solo artist. He tired of that quickly, though, and the same year he teamed up with Moody to found Whitesnake instead, kicking off the most triumphant and commercially successful chapter of his rich career. He only picked the solo path back up in 2000 with the album »Into the Light« (not counting the 1993 Coverdale and Page project), which turned out to be just as short-lived an episode.
Lineup
David Coverdale – vocals, piano on “Northwinds” and “Time and Again”, electric piano on “Give Me Kindness”
Micky Moody – guitar, backing vocals
Roger Glover – synthesizer, production
Tony Newman – drums, percussion
Alan Spenner – bass guitar
Tim Hinkley – keyboards, backing vocals
Graham Preskett – violin
Lee Brilleaux – harmonica
Ronnie James Dio – backing vocals on “Give Me Kindness”
Wendy Dio – backing vocals on “Give Me Kindness”
Production
Roger Glover
Track List
1. Keep on Giving Me Love
2. Northwinds
3. Give Me Kindness
4. Time and Again
5. Queen of Hearts
6. Only My Soul
7. Say You Love Me
8. Breakdown
