In 1995 the all-original line up of
Dokken reformed for the great comeback album "Dysfunctional". This performance is captured in Tokyo, Japan from their reunion Tour.
I was and still am a
Dokken fan. In 1988 when I was co-starring a local radioshow
Dokken's
Mr. Scary was the theme song.
Dokken 's fantastic live album "Beast from the East" off 1988's "Back for the Attack" Tour was recorded in Japan also.
"Beast for the East" is a great live album, which displays a great live band. Luckily I experienced
Dokken live in support of their "Erase the Slate" album. Unfortunately it was not the original line-up, since
George Lynch was missing, but Reb Beach did a marvelous job on both the record and the Tour.
Since this concert is from 1995 it's a mystery why it's released now. Especially since
Dokken is still going strong, but of course original line-ups sell most. However, with my previous live experience in mind, I am very disappointed in this concert. Don
Dokken's vocals sound uninspired and the show is a below average performance from both him and the band. Dons vocals sound very unexpressive on the chorus for
Alone Again and flat on a sloppy version of
Kiss of Death. It sounds like there is no chemistry on stage and most versions of the
Dokken classics are toothless versions performed without the usual bite. Guitar virtuoso
George Lynch doesn't sound as convincing as he usually does. His masterpiece
Mr. Scary is nowhere as sparkling as the version on "Beast from the East".
Dokken performs a small half-acoustic set at the end of the concert starting with
Unchain the Night. Don plays the acoustic guitar, Mick Brown the bongos, while
George Lynch keeps his electric and adds a pretty cool solo after the first verse. The same goes for the all instrumental track
I will remember.
Just like the performance the production is tame. There is hiss on the right speaker during the piano part of
Alone Again. Furthermore the band has no interaction with the audience, who are rarely heard on this album.
The band doesn't sound well rehearsed. After Don's solo piece on
Alone Again,
George Lynch and company should kick in with a solo. However, it sounds like they (or the soundman) were asleep since they cue it wrongly.
As a
Dokken fan I am shocked of this mediocre performance. The setlist definitely gives you high expectations and they are incredible musicians. This performance is way below
Dokken standards and this album should not have been released at all.
A below average performance from
Dokken is still better than a lot of bands. I cannot imagine the band approving this release, since "Japan Live 95" doesn't justify the
Dokken name or fulfills any expectations an average fan have for a
Dokken live album.
Disappointed.
Written by
Michael Friday, December 12, 2003
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