Doug played for Sera Masanori's self cover album again. It was recorded in LA this summer and it's called "Jacaranda". It's the second album of Twist International following the first album released in 2003, "Sho". Most songs are Sera Masanori's old songs, but 2 new songs are included. And this time it's the acoustic album and sounds different.
"Anta No Ballad" is basically a heavy song, so it sounds different from the original one. It becomes warm and soft. Doug's slide guitar is cool on "Soppo" and Doug himself seems to like it most. The acoustic guitar is powerful on "Yadonashi" and "Hikigane". And the new song "Jacaranda" sounds relaxed and comfortable, and Sera Masanori's vocal is different from the other songs in the album. Both Doug and Sera Masanori's guitar is great.
The limited edition includes the DVD. It features the scenes from the recording and the interviews. Jacaranda flower looks very beautiful in LA. The studio looks a nice place filled with nature. The recording session has very good atmosphere. I can feel they really enjoy playing together. Sera Masanori has a longer career than Doug, and Doug says in the interview that he keeps learning from Sera Masanori's playing everytime. Twist International played in Japan with "Sho" album in 2003. I hope they will play some acoustic shows with this album.
Whitesnake's 4 new songs are available on SPV website. You can hear the full-length version of "Ready To Rock" which was played on the Japan tour this year. The studio version of this song is more amazing. "If You Want Me - I'll Come Running" is also cool. And "All I Want Is You" is a ballad, sounds like "Here I Go Again". I can't know the Whitesnake's new direction or sound well only from these 4 songs, but I'm sure it's differentn from before, because Doug wrote the songs with David Coverdale for the first time. I really look forward to hearing the full-length album soon!
Finally Whitesnake's live DVD+CD's released date in Japan is fixed!
I expected it would be released before the Japan tour in May, and it comes true.
It's good for me ... it has Japanese subtitles. I imagine the set on the upcoming Japan tour will be similar to this DVD, but I expect some surprise ...
I hope Burning Rain will release the new album and tour also. I haven't listened to Doug's music since 2000 except for some songs on tribute albums or another projects.
It's been too long to wait ... anyway, I want to hear the new songs!!!
Finally Whitesnake's Japan tour has been confirmed! (More information to my Doug Aldrich In My Heart website.)
The information about this was passing by quickly. The venues are bigger than the last tour, 9 shows including 2 standing-style venues. The ticket will be sold out soon again? There is no date for the Japanese version of their live DVD yet, but they got No. 1 at the order chart before the release was canceled. So they are very popular now in Japan, I think. It would be better if they have a new album, but I'm very excited to see them again!
David Coverdale posted on his official board that "It appears we may be blessed in starting off the year's activities in Japan in early May..." It hasn't been confirmed yet, but it may be possible. Their live DVD will be released on February 7, but the Japanese version's release date hasn't been fixed. The American version seems to be region-free, so maybe we, Japanese can watch it. This DVD is sold out at pre-order at some CD stores ... amazing!
I heard the radio program "Power Rock Today" said Whitesnake might come to Japan. Maybe they will not play the new songs, but I hope they will if they come...