Comments on: Don Dokken Interview Exclusive http://melodicrockconcerts.com/2009/10/12/don-dokken-interview-exclusive/ The online destination for rock news and interviews, along with live concert photography and reviews. Thu, 17 May 2012 09:43:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Melodic Rock Concerts » Dokken Greatest Hits CD Review http://melodicrockconcerts.com/2009/10/12/don-dokken-interview-exclusive/comment-page-1/#comment-27962 Melodic Rock Concerts » Dokken Greatest Hits CD Review Mon, 17 May 2010 16:01:15 +0000 http://melodicrockconcerts.com/?p=1664#comment-27962 [...] Enter Greatest Hits, a 12-song package consisting of 10 re-recorded and re-mastered songs, and two brand new tracks. From beginning to end, the melodies are fresh and the production is top notch on this release. There’s an added force to the driving guitar of “Breaking the Chains”, and “Unchain the Night” sounds more menacing than ever. Dokken is back to prove their unique brand of rock will live on, somehow managing to produce a release that is just as addictive as their prime works. “Just Got Lucky” is a great selection to start off the disc, and perhaps the highlight of the re-recorded songs. Don Dokken’s voice is kept in a lower and more comfortable key on this song as it is on many others, but this is clearly one of his finest singing efforts. The band’s very first hit “Breaking the Chains” is next for a facelift. The rhythm section is much more defined than it ever was on the original version, and the guitar riffs are remarkably crisp. Don Dokken from years past is brought in to fill some of the impossibly high parts, but the entire recording flows seamlessly. The guitar solo and bridge of the song is a prime example of the excellent production showcased on this disc. There’s no break in the action as “Into the FireI” is up next. Added bass and menacing vocal delivery from Don make this recording a success. “The Hunter” is another fine performance from Don even in its higher parts, and features a ripping guitar solo from Jon Levin. Next is a case where the perfection achieved in the first version is nearly impossible to repeat. “In My Dreams” isn’t a bad re-record, but it is one of the weakest songs on the disc. The chorus of “It’s Not Love” is sampled from the 1980s, but the slightly tweaked guitar solo adds some flair to the song. The sole ballad that made the cut, “Alone Again” maintains its original passion with a more rugged performance from Don Dokken with just the right touch of vibrato. “Dream Warriors” and “Unchain the Night” are noticeably changed in key from the originals, with “Unchain” emerging as the stronger of the two. The instrumentation of the haunting introduction is much improved, and as Don yells “never” for the last time, Jon breaks into a finely executed version of George Lynch’s solo. Mick Brown pounds the intro to “Tooth and Nail” harder than ever, but the most noticeable part of this final song is the rough tone to Don’s voice as he wails “straight to the top” with all his might. Letting it loose, after all, is what metal is about. The two new songs that follow the 10 re-records are “Almost Over” and “Magic Man”. “Almost Over” features what is perhaps the best vocal performance from Don Dokken on new material in over a decade. The songwriting is very reminiscent of early Dokken, but is still modern enough to stand ground in 2010. Drug dealers are the subject of “Magic Man”, a fast-paced finale to the disc. Entrancing guitars are intertwined with lyrics that tell the story of a drug addiction, all to a forceful backbeat. Two bonus tracks in the form of cover songs are available for listeners in Japan. “We have a cover song called “Lies” by the Knickerbockers and also “Bus Stop” by the Hollies. Mick sang live as a duet on that and it came out really cool,” said frontman Don Dokken in our recent interview. You can read the full interview, which includes discussion of the band’s future, by clicking here. [...] [...] Enter Greatest Hits, a 12-song package consisting of 10 re-recorded and re-mastered songs, and two brand new tracks. From beginning to end, the melodies are fresh and the production is top notch on this release. There’s an added force to the driving guitar of “Breaking the Chains”, and “Unchain the Night” sounds more menacing than ever. Dokken is back to prove their unique brand of rock will live on, somehow managing to produce a release that is just as addictive as their prime works. “Just Got Lucky” is a great selection to start off the disc, and perhaps the highlight of the re-recorded songs. Don Dokken’s voice is kept in a lower and more comfortable key on this song as it is on many others, but this is clearly one of his finest singing efforts. The band’s very first hit “Breaking the Chains” is next for a facelift. The rhythm section is much more defined than it ever was on the original version, and the guitar riffs are remarkably crisp. Don Dokken from years past is brought in to fill some of the impossibly high parts, but the entire recording flows seamlessly. The guitar solo and bridge of the song is a prime example of the excellent production showcased on this disc. There’s no break in the action as “Into the FireI” is up next. Added bass and menacing vocal delivery from Don make this recording a success. “The Hunter” is another fine performance from Don even in its higher parts, and features a ripping guitar solo from Jon Levin. Next is a case where the perfection achieved in the first version is nearly impossible to repeat. “In My Dreams” isn’t a bad re-record, but it is one of the weakest songs on the disc. The chorus of “It’s Not Love” is sampled from the 1980s, but the slightly tweaked guitar solo adds some flair to the song. The sole ballad that made the cut, “Alone Again” maintains its original passion with a more rugged performance from Don Dokken with just the right touch of vibrato. “Dream Warriors” and “Unchain the Night” are noticeably changed in key from the originals, with “Unchain” emerging as the stronger of the two. The instrumentation of the haunting introduction is much improved, and as Don yells “never” for the last time, Jon breaks into a finely executed version of George Lynch’s solo. Mick Brown pounds the intro to “Tooth and Nail” harder than ever, but the most noticeable part of this final song is the rough tone to Don’s voice as he wails “straight to the top” with all his might. Letting it loose, after all, is what metal is about. The two new songs that follow the 10 re-records are “Almost Over” and “Magic Man”. “Almost Over” features what is perhaps the best vocal performance from Don Dokken on new material in over a decade. The songwriting is very reminiscent of early Dokken, but is still modern enough to stand ground in 2010. Drug dealers are the subject of “Magic Man”, a fast-paced finale to the disc. Entrancing guitars are intertwined with lyrics that tell the story of a drug addiction, all to a forceful backbeat. Two bonus tracks in the form of cover songs are available for listeners in Japan. “We have a cover song called “Lies” by the Knickerbockers and also “Bus Stop” by the Hollies. Mick sang live as a duet on that and it came out really cool,” said frontman Don Dokken in our recent interview. You can read the full interview, which includes discussion of the band’s future, by clicking here. [...]

]]> By: Melodic Rock Concerts » New Single from Dokken on the Way http://melodicrockconcerts.com/2009/10/12/don-dokken-interview-exclusive/comment-page-1/#comment-4439 Melodic Rock Concerts » New Single from Dokken on the Way Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:56:10 +0000 http://melodicrockconcerts.com/?p=1664#comment-4439 [...] will be featured on the disc, along with two new songs and two cover songs as revealed in our recent interview with frontman Don Dokken. Cleopatra Records will release the package sometime early next [...] [...] will be featured on the disc, along with two new songs and two cover songs as revealed in our recent interview with frontman Don Dokken. Cleopatra Records will release the package sometime early next [...]

]]> By: mary http://melodicrockconcerts.com/2009/10/12/don-dokken-interview-exclusive/comment-page-1/#comment-2629 mary Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:14:09 +0000 http://melodicrockconcerts.com/?p=1664#comment-2629 I am 45 still love Dokken. Don is still the most beautiful man I have ever seen (and I was NEVER a slut)and can still hold his own...great musician!My 16 yr old son plays guitar and loves the metal.His metal is Lamb of god,and screamers like that...still appreciates the 80's metal-it's always around and meant to be enjoyed,no bullshit fun. I am 45 still love Dokken. Don is still the most beautiful man I have ever seen (and I was NEVER a slut)and can still hold his own…great musician!My 16 yr old son plays guitar and loves the metal.His metal is Lamb of god,and screamers like that…still appreciates the 80′s metal-it’s always around and meant to be enjoyed,no bullshit fun.

]]> By: walker caine http://melodicrockconcerts.com/2009/10/12/don-dokken-interview-exclusive/comment-page-1/#comment-2102 walker caine Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:53:24 +0000 http://melodicrockconcerts.com/?p=1664#comment-2102 I like the singer remarks. I used to call most of the '80s singers the Choir Boys - because a lot of them got their training in the church choir. Those clear voices aren't heard anymore. I used that training in the late 70's but then went to the individual song so as not to sound the same on everything ... no processing, no EQ, just put it out there and let it be what it is. If a bad note fits, why fix it? Some of the best stuff (mostly pre-80's) are riddled with mistakes. It's an aspect I've always appreciated about Robert, Don, Brett, & some of the others. Good interview Matt. I like the singer remarks.
I used to call most of the ’80s singers the Choir Boys – because a lot of them got their training in the church choir. Those clear voices aren’t heard anymore. I used that training in the late 70′s but then went to the individual song so as not to sound the same on everything … no processing, no EQ, just put it out there and let it be what it is. If a bad note fits, why fix it? Some of the best stuff (mostly pre-80′s) are riddled with mistakes.

It’s an aspect I’ve always appreciated about Robert, Don, Brett, & some of the others.

Good interview Matt.

]]> By: Matt Becker http://melodicrockconcerts.com/2009/10/12/don-dokken-interview-exclusive/comment-page-1/#comment-2036 Matt Becker Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:08:50 +0000 http://melodicrockconcerts.com/?p=1664#comment-2036 Thanks Neeley! I was a bit surprised at that as well during the interview - it wasn't the answer I expected! Great news nonetheless for all Dokken fans. Thanks Neeley! I was a bit surprised at that as well during the interview – it wasn’t the answer I expected! Great news nonetheless for all Dokken fans.

]]> By: Neeley http://melodicrockconcerts.com/2009/10/12/don-dokken-interview-exclusive/comment-page-1/#comment-2027 Neeley Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:18:29 +0000 http://melodicrockconcerts.com/?p=1664#comment-2027 Good job Matt. Glad the interview with Don worked out for you. I think this is the first interview with Don where he actually commented and even made somewhat of a commitment for recording a follow-up to Lightning Strikes Again. Only time will tell! Rock!! Good job Matt. Glad the interview with Don worked out for you. I think this is the first interview with Don where he actually commented and even made somewhat of a commitment for recording a follow-up to Lightning Strikes Again. Only time will tell!
Rock!!

]]>