Review: Bernie Marsden – Working Man

Conquest Music (November 24^th 2023)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

Where do I even begin? Like most, I knew Bernie through his tenure in Whitesnake. And criminally, I lost track of him. I knew of his time in Alaska, but that’s about it.

Time moves on. We all have that situation in life where we lose track of someone and then the next thing you know, they aren’t around anymore. And you wonder why you didn’t make the effort to keep in touch.

Because that’s life. Bernie passed away on August 24, age 72. And now before me I have his last body of work to review.

The first thing that strikes me is his voice.

Jeez, if I live to be 100, I will NEVER have a voice that good. It’s stunning. It’s a voice that, with Bernie being ‘just’ a guitarist, you wouldn’t expect. Coverdale was beyond lucky being able to call on such a voice for backing vocals, because this is a voice of a singer.

Sonically, the album is up front, bright and shiny. It’s a joy coming through whatever speakers you happen to be playing it through.

Obviously the blues shine through and Bernie’s playing is top drawer. The feel he brings through the guitar is quite breath-taking. The highlights are the whole album. I’m not joking. In fact treat yourself to the two disc version – which includes Bernie’s take on three ‘Snake classics – and listen to it in its entirety with a glass of your favourite wine. You know, the way it used to be done. It deserves nothing less.

As an epitaph, it’s an incredible piece of work from a vastly underrated musician.

Bernie – I’m sorry I lost track of you.

Tracklist:

Limited Edition Double CD
Disc One
01  Being Famous
02  Midtown
03  Longtime
04  Invisible
05  Son I’ve Never Known
06  Steelhouse Mountain
07  Working Man
08  Valentine’s Day
09  Savannah
10  Bad Reputation
11  You Know
12  The Pearl

Disc Two (Bonus Disc)
01 Look At Me Now
02  Midnight Believer
03  Who’s Fooling Who
04  Just Don’t Have The Time
05 Foolish Day
06  Here I Go Again
07  Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City
08  Til The Day I Die
09  Time Is Right For Love
10  Come On In My Kitchen

Limited Edition Double LP
Side A
01  Being Famous
02  Midtown
03  Longtime
04  Invisible
05  Son I’ve Never Known
06  Steelhouse Mountain
Side B
01  Working Man
02  Valentine’s Day
03  Savannah
04  Bad Reputation
05  You Know
06  The Pearl

Bonus LP
Side C
01  Look At Me Now
02  Midnight Believer
03  Who’s Fooling Who
04  Just Don’t Have The Time
05  Foolish Day
Side D
01  Here I Go Again
02  Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City
03  Til The Day I Die
04  Time Is Right For Love
05  Come On In My Kitchen