Whitesnake Video:

		List Price: $43.99		Label: Universal Import Salesrank: 148755 Released: December 17, 2002
		Used Price: $79.95
		MPAA Rating: Media: DVD

Starkers in Tokyo Reviews:
DC and AV Do It Right!
2009-09-01 - I didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up. However, I did put some money together to buy the Slip of the Tongue album from Whitesnake. Of course, I think their best album is the self-titled one. Nevertheless, I have long been a huge fan of David Coverdale specifically because of his work in Whitesnake and his great solo career. But I understand why the American market was so particular in supporting Whitesnake when it did - clearly Americans wanted the big hair heavy metal thing and would even tolerate the glam look. (I was one of those Americans.) Whitesnake was just too mature for America, I think, during the 1980s. However, musically speaking, David Coverdale and his bandmates have always been supremely talented individuals, and Whitesnake (and David Coverdale) is definitely one of the most under-rated bands that I can think of at the moment. Also, I suppose that being a British guy lends more to the credence that DC has over there, but I still remember watching the MTV music videos back in the day and wondering why the heck everybody didn't love Whitesnake like I did! But to use a perhaps apt phrase, I'd say that America wasn't ready for DC and Whitesnake just then. We were too busy headbanging and whatnot, and Whitesnake does what few bands back then did: Whitesnake made sense.

Well, there is no denying that David Coverdale can sing like the best of them. In fact, I think he beats most of the best singers out there. Sure, Deep Purple had its moments, but Whitesnake is such an advanced band, if you ask me. It is a band with integrity, I think; and I also think David showed that over the years with how they developed their albums and did their concerts. Again, DC and Whitesnake play REAL music that I want more people to appreciate. These guys are legit. (Heck, VH1 has them listed as the 85th greatest rock band of all time!)

In terms of this "unplugged" DVD performed at Starkers in Tokyo, Japan, the tendency is to associate the venue with MTV's show, Unplugged. Well, the world's markets are quite different, and acts tend to succeed in different ways in different places. Heck, watching the MTV Unplugged show with Poison (one of my favorite bands of all-time, to note), for example, still feigns that fakeness about trying to bring American music culture out of the big hair phase and headbanging and ease people into a new appreciation of those 1980s metal and rock bands. The "age of excess" (the 1980s) was trying to remain viable in the American market by trying to simmer down a bit and still reach people. MTV's Unplugged was cool in doing that, and it was indeed a unique experience to hear guitar solos on those brand-new wooden guitars those guys would buy just for the show. But again, that all seemed so contrived to me; it was all just novelty.

Coming up to 1998, when David Coverdale and Adrian Vandenberg played their "unplugged" acoustic set in Tokyo, the performance is anything but fake. The venue is obviously not the popped-out MTV Unplugged culture where people still hooted and hollered during the acoustic performances as hard rockers faked soft tones. Obviously, the culture in Japan is already different from America, and this venue (as witnessed on the DVD) features an audience who is supremely low-key. Heck, I don't think some even understood the show but maybe knew the tunes. Either way, they weren't rockin' out. But then again, isn't that what an "unplugged" set is all about? Listening? It's supposed to be an artistic venture.

Anyway, besides that and more to the actual performance itself, David Coverdale's voice is so totally awesome. It is hard to put it into words, but I can easily say that this guy hums better than I sing. My favorite song from this set is "The Deeper the Love," though they are all so darn good. Adrian plays a very good guitar in the background, but the feature seems to be exclusively about David. Either way, with a fantastic supporting acoustic guitar in the background, David's vocals are all the much better. But these softened versions of the songs are so legit. David was 47 when he did this show (released in 2002), but his age does didn't seem to phase him. I was again reminded of his melodic voice from the 1980s - he still does it better than most people I can think of. (I typically appreciate women's voices more than men's - Sheryl Crow being one of my favorites - but DC is probably in the top two or three of my favorite male singers of all time.) In fact, I actually recommend watching this show on this DVD over against watching the old 1980s MTV videos. Seriously. This "unplugged" acoustic show in Tokyo puts those big hair days to rest, I think. I honestly believe DC and AV's show at Starkers in Tokyo out-ranks their 80s heydays.

Well, unfortunately this review must come to an end. I say unfortunately because this DVD is hard to come by anymore. The majority of this show can be found on [...], though the clarity and the performance are better with this DVD production. Really, if you want to know what David Coverdale is all about and what a REAL singer is like - who happened to play in rock bands, giving the genre some credibility, if you ask me - try to get ahold of this DVD. It is far more mature than what we remember about the "decade of decadence" in the 1980s - and not just because this is Whitesnake, a solid band in its own right. The songs performed on this DVD have some of the best lyrics you will find in music, and they are sung by one of the greatest vocalists in history. Do it - check this out.

Simply a great listening
2005-08-29 - This album/DVD is great, bluesy, relaxing, something to get you in a good mood. Coverdale explores really well his vocals, without trying really high notes (which are now a major problem for his at this point in time). It does look and sound marvelous.

Original and Interesting
2005-03-29 - I did not think that acoustic Whitesnake would sound any good, but it does. It's just a voice and a guitar. While this DVD may not win new Whitesnake fans, it will certainly appeal to existing fans.

Classy not classic
2004-09-27 - This is certainly NOT the greatest acoustic/unplugged album ever made. The snakes style depends so much on dynamics, and a lone guitar doesn't create that impact. Shame that instead of reworking Whitesnake, Coverdale didn't instead look out some soul/blues classics and present them with a stripped down sound. 'Here I go again' is a victim of style here. It suffers particularly because it never has the chance to really step up a gear - which is it's strength on the original. If you dig Coverdales bluesy heartfelt vocal style, as I do, it's certainly worth getting hold of 'Starkers'. There are great performances on the numbers which don't rely on switches from soft to loud like 'soldier of fortune' 'sailing ships' and my personal favourite, 'not fade away'. Replace 'classic' with 'classy' and file under 'After Hours'

Fully clothed
2004-06-18 - This is FANTASTIC. This really shows off both Vandenburg and Coverdale. Its a real shame that Vandenburg is not in Whitesnake now as he is great. Best songs are Sailing ships and soldeier of fortune.
I wish Whitesnake would bring out a propper live vid though. Can't wait for 2004 greatest hits tour!