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RELEASED:2008
PRODUCER: Don Dokken
LABEL:
BAND: Don Dokken
Drums- Frank Lentz, Gary Ferguson,Vinnie Colaiuta,
Guitars- Michael Thompson, Steve Ornest, Wyn Davis
Bass- Tony Franklin, Michael Thompson, Wyn Davis
Piano- John Schreiner, John Keane,
Synth - John Schreiner, John Keane, Wyn Davis
Background vocals- Kelly Keeling on "Where The Grass Is Green |
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Don
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Don |
TRACKS:
1.In The Meadow 02. I'll Never Forget
03. Where The Grass Is Green 04. Ship Of Fools
05. You Are Everything 06. Venice 07. Sarah 08. The Tragedy 09. Someday |
OVERVIEW
Dokken front man Don Dokken has released his second solo album,” Solitary". Produced by Wyn Davis,” Solitary" has been nearly 10 years in the making. Unlike Don's first solo pop oriented album,” Up From The Ashes", "Solitary" unveils a reflective side of one the most prolific singers to emerge out of the 80's genre infused with a melodic vibe of soothing guitars and passionate vocals.
Brutally honest, Don Dokken shows his softer side, as he sings of lost love, finding peace of mind amidst the chaotic world of rock n' roll, and evens goes back to his birthplace of Venice, California and reminisces about his past on his second solo release,” Solitary.
SONGS
Opening track,” In The Meadow", has that classic Dokken pop vibe, as Don sings of love gone by. Strumming his Takamine, one of my favorite tunes is "I'll Never Forget". The haunting ballad is performed with so much passion and honesty and has an eclectic new age feel. You can almost feel the pain, as Don sings,"Thinkin about the winters come and gone, all the summers we were younger then, I met you."
"Where The Grass Is Green", is song about the fleeing friends of Hollywood and about turning around to see no one there. You could say it is about the Hollywood scene, and how fame has a price. I think it also kind of reflects on the Hollywood lifestyle and how tragic sometimes it can become, as with the sudden death of Heath Ledger."Ship Of Fools" is a relaxing tune that kind of reminds me of the everyday ups and down that we must deal with.
One of the most outstanding aspects of this album is the tranquil vibe that stems from each and every song. A good song can stand on it's own with a stripped down appeal. "Solitary" is about a man looking on life from the outside looking in and through it all tries to find peace of mind, reflecting on the mirror of his past.
CONCLUSION
It is so inspiring to finally see the release of "Solitary". I have spoken to Don many times about releasing his solo album, and doing an acoustic tour. It would be perfect for his voice, and to see it come into fruition is such an accomplishment.
Don comments," I wouldn't say ballads are the proper word. It is just a more mellow album. It is more geared around acoustic guitars, piano, sitars, percussions, and orchestration. Songs like that. The record companies just don't get it, so I decided to put it out myself. The first thing...I like to do is to listen a riff, whether it is bluesy or rock that dictates what kind of lyrics I write.
"Venice" is a beautiful ballad filled with images of amazing beaches, as Don reflects on his past. "Solitary" ends on a bright note with the pop piano spirtual oriented,” Someday".
"Solitary" paints a picturesque canvas of love, hope, and reflection, as Don unveils his most personal work to date.
Be sure to catch Don Dokken opening for Queensryche till March 1. You can purchase "Solitary" on Don's acoustic tour and at www.dokkenstore.com
Review by Deb Rao
