Released in November 1989, Slip Of The Tongue was the eagerly awaited follow-up to Whitesnake, an album that saw David Coverdale and Co. at the top of the rock world. The final part of the trilogy of exquisite reissued vinyl albums by Craft Recordings, this was an album that received mixed reviews in the press, but one that I loved, and it would send me Germany-bound to witness the Whitesnake phenomenon live.
Given that Slide It In had laid the groundwork for the Whitesnake album, which hit gold status almost as soon as it was released and would be five times platinum by the end of 1987, there was an element of pressure from Geffen to get the next album out in a timely manner.
There was another roster change, with Vivian Campbell out and Adrian Vandenberg writing with Coverdale. The band decamped to Granny’s House in Nevada to write and rehearse. Ten songs, all in the key of A, had been written, and once again the recording difficulties raised their ugly head.
Vandenberg would come down with carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, and John Kalodner would give David a list of the only three guitar players who he thought Coverdale could use.
Steve Vai, who had partnered up wonderfully with David Lee Roth, was on board. Central to his style was building the guitars up from scratch, so Adrian’s parts were removed and Vai went to work.
The album’s title track would open the new vinyl, and I was hooked. Producer Keith Olsen and John Kalodner may have thought Vai was not a great fit, but this was a great track and one that worked so well live. Flashy drums, a wonderful break in the middle section, and Coverdale’s voice sounding on fire, for me, the phrasing and licks that Vai threw in were just magical.
Chrap An’ Nasty had cowbell-driven Hair Metal all over it. The typical Coverdale lyrical theme was there, and the spot that we could all join in made things right in the world.
Fool For Your Loving was the next track, reinvigorated from Ready An’ Willing. A good version, for me, but Kalodner would say that he thought it was not a hit record, and he was probably right.
The up-tempo ballad Now You’re Gone followed. The track would nudge gently into the charts, but certainly not to the smash level of the previous album’s singles. Kalodner would say later that the album was not developed enough, and he considered it a mistake that he let the album come out as it was. There were financial pressures and commercial pressures dictating things, too.
Kittens Got Claws would close Side One, and Wings Of The Storm open Side Two, two tracks that even back in ’89 would pass me by.
The Deeper The Love was the most successful single from the album, hitting number 35 in the UK. Memories of this track at the time were positive, but I loved the version on Starkers In Tokyo more.
The album epic was Judgement Day. To this day, the drums opening from Tommy Aldridge is cemented in my memory. This was one track that led to our trip to Germany to see Whitesnake live. A bloody long coach trip, two of our crew failed to make the coach in London, having fallen asleep in Pizza Hut after too many beers.
But what a trip. The Vandenberg/Vai axis live was spectacular. Coverdale was on fire, and Rudy Sarzo was godlike with his bass. Live, Judgement Day was unbelievable and a massive highlight of a magnificent set. The memories….
Closing the album was Slow Poke Music, one I never really cared for and Sailing Ships, which would take on a new life on Starkers In Tokyo.
Slip Of The Tongue would hit number ten in both the UK and US album charts, and Whitesnake would triumph at Donington in 1990. This was at a time when there was a changing of the guard. Guns N’ Roses were one of the Geffen champions. Whitesnake would release their Greatest Hits album in 1994, tour and then be dropped by the label.
It is interesting to revisit Slip Of The Tongue and, indeed, Whitesnake and Slide It In in this new reissue. On pristine, brand-new vinyl, these were three wonderful albums of their time, and it has been a joy to revisit them.
It is a shame the Coverdale/Sykes writing partnership did not continue, and you do wonder how different Slip Of The Tongue would have been driven by these two, or even with a Kaldodner-inspired reworking. We will never know.
Slide It In, Whitesnake and Slip Of The Tongue return to vinyl in their original US 1-LP configuration, alongside the wide release on standard black vinyl and exclusive colour pressings. Released on 18 September 2026, visit craftrecordings.com/whitesnake-lps to pre-order all three albums.
Slip of the Tongue Track Listing
Side A
Slip of the Tongue
Cheap an’ Nasty
Fool for Your Loving
Now You’re Gone
Kittens Got Claws
Side B
Wings of the Storm
The Deeper the Love
Judgment Day
Slow Poke Music
Sailing Ships
