 Blue
Murder
S/T
Geffen Records 1989
www.johnsykes.com
Read the Carmine Appice interview
What’s the 4-1-1?
After playing with Tygers of Pan Tang and Thin Lizzy, guitar virtuoso
John Sykes got the gig of a lifetime. In 1984 he joined a reformed
Whitesnake line-up, a position he originally declined. John
did some guitar work on Whitesnake's Slide It In album in 1984. Impressed
by his work, Whitesnake made Sykes a full member and in 1987
released their self-titled album. The album prominently displayed
Sykes masterful guitar work on such tracks as "Still of
the Night" and the re-worked "Here I Go Again".
Whitesnake found themselves with their most successful album
to date. There are conflicting reports as to Sykes departure
from the group, he either left or was fired depending on what
you read. However, Geffen records were certainly a fan of John's
work in Whitesnake. So much so they offered him a record contract
of his own. With the help of Tony Franklin and Carmine Appice,
Blue Murder was born in 1989.
Sykes performs double duty on their self-titled debut, handling
guitars and vocals. Both are pretty smooth on the albums opening
track "Riot". You can take the man out of Whitesnake
but you can't take the Whitesnake out of the man. That's evident
on "Sex Child". Sykes parallels the work he did on "Slide
it In". There's no sexual innuendo or metaphor here, Blue
Murder cums right out it says it (that's not a misspelling!). Sex
child / we're gonna slip and slide / I'm gonna come inside / girl. "Valley
of the Kings" is an eight minute epic that displays all the
member's strengths. Appice sets the pace with a pounding drum beat
and Franklin plays in sync with Sykes guitar work. Sykes and company
throw in a couple of blues-influenced tracks, among them is the
acoustic lead "Jelly Roll". "Ptolemy" is a
nice blend of blues & metal. "Out of Love" is the
group obligatory power ballad. Blue Murder's debut album wouldn't
be complete without an eighties metal staple. Nope, it's not a
song about gypsies, it a song named after the group. Blue Murder
is the best track on the album. It has that perfect metal sound
which defined that era.
The Verdict
Whitesnake should be crying Blue Murder! It's clear that John Sykes
was influential in the success of the eighties version of Whitesnake.
Sykes took that talent and displayed it prominently with Blue
Murder. The album is loaded with guitar heavy, metal anthems
as well as smooth blues tracks. Sykes sounds a little like David
Coverdale, but that doesn't take away from his vocal talents.
The songs are simple, memorable, and a blast to listen to. It's
too bad Blue Murder weren't more successful. Definitely a must
for eighties Whitesnake fans. I won't even hold it against the
group that they dressed like pirates on the back cover.
Did you Know?
Sykes released two more albums under the Blue Murder moniker before
changing the group's name to Sykes (clever!). He went on to release
five more albums.
Rating:  out
of 5
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--George Dionne
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