GiGinJapan Artwork of Japanese CDs (mostly) Dokken / Japan Tour 1991 / 2CDR+2DVDR / Shades
Live At Koseinenkin Kaikan Osaka Japan 11th March 1991. NTSC
Play sample :
DON DOKKEN, a foamy super band that disappeared leaving one piece of Melodic HR’s masterpiece “UP FROM THE ASHES”. Introducing a gorgeous 4-disc set of the finest video and live album that recorded the precious live in Japan. Before we get into the bottom line, let’s look back at this super band.
DON DOKKEN was a band that embodied the ideal of melodic hard. With the end of the 80’s, DOKKEN was disbanded and Don Dokken was formed as the “next band”. Initially, the band name “DOKKEN II” was rumored, but due to a lawsuit with a former member, Don couldn’t use “DOKKEN” by himself. Named. It was a new band, not a solo.
Moreover, the contents were amazing. European / American virtuosos such as John Norum of EUROPE, Peter Bartes of ACCEPT, Mikkey Dee (currently SCORPIONS) who has been the cornerstone of MOTORHEAD for many years at former KING DIAMOND, and Billy White of early prog metal flagship WATCH TOWER. A worldwide ultra-luxury band comparable to WHITESNAKE in the GEFEFN era. And the announced “UP FROM THE ASHES” was also really wonderful. Although the artwork is very similar to “BACK FOR THE ATTACK”, the style is exactly the opposite, and the rain of sorrow and harmony that makes “UNDER LOCK AND KEY” even more beautiful. The American group of Don and Billy solidifies the essence of the song, and Noram’s European phrase and Peter’s heavy chorus create a deep emotion. Although it did not have a fierce razor edge like George Lynch, it is a multinational hard rock that far surpasses the original family with rich crying and excitement. The melody group at that time was delighted with “DOKKEN meets EUROPE!”, And the people who were disappointed with the subsequent reunion DOKKEN said “DON DOKKEN was better …”.
However, the era is the 90’s. The street sensation of GUNS N’ROSES swept the scene, and the gloomy grunge was creeping up from the bottom of the ground. “Beautiful rock” lost its place, and DON DOKKEN was disbanded with one album and one tour. We headed for the reunion of DOKKEN in 1994. A performance in Japan is also realized in such a bubble. In this work, the audience shot of “March 11, 1991: Osaka Welfare Pension Hall” is distributed to Disc 1-2, and the audience recording of “March 12, 1991: Shibuya Public Hall” is distributed to Disc 3-4. It is a 4-disc set. Here, let’s confirm the position of the show in the one-time visit to Japan schedule of DON DOKKEN.
・ March 9: Shibuya Public Hall
・ March 11: Osaka Welfare Pension Hall [Disc 1-2]
・ March 12: Shibuya Public Hall [Disc 3-4]
・ March 14: Shibuya Public Hall
[Disc 3-4: Audience Album (Shibuya)] The alternative disc 3-4 is an audience recording of Shibuya Public Hall. This is a direct CD version of the original master brought from the original route, which is also really wonderful. It’s not the type that is touted as “sound board”, but the clearness that stands out is line class. It is a famous recording that jumps straight into the details vividly while sucking in the enthusiasm of Japanese people who have no eyes on Melodious HR.
The two performances drawn with such quality are the world of DON DOKKEN, which is similar to DOKKEN. Of course, the set was “UP FROM THE ASHES”, showing 8 out of 11 songs on the album. DOKKEN’s masterpieces are sprinkled there, but the selection is clearly biased. Even in DOKKEN, the melodious style of “UNDER LOCK AND KEY” is heavily used, less than the heavy “TOOTH AND NAIL”, and zero for “BACK FOR THE ATTACK”. The balance is completely opposite to that of “BEAST FROM THE EAST,” which was “TOOTH AND NAIL & BACK FOR THE ATTACK,” and emphasizes DOKKEN’s melodious side / don side.
And the performance is different from DOKKEN again. It looks fun above all! The interview at that time also talked about good friendship, but DOKKEN’s squeaky feeling is not at all, and it is not “I am me. You are you” that is common in super bands. Don decided the action in a good mood, and the front desk of four people lined up in a row at the JUDAS PRIEST. It’s a band-like ensemble that doesn’t seem to disappear with bubbles. Especially wonderful is the twin guitar. The technical Billy and the European melody Noram contrast with each other’s individuality, but the harmony is also decided. It features more playing than the album, and it doesn’t have any negative effects such as the absence of George … I mean, the DOKKEN number has been upgraded even further.
The highlight of such a DOKKEN song is “It’s Not Love”. Insert ACCEPT’s “Balls To The Wall” in the middle to reproduce that heavy chorus. This is the only former band song of the members, but Don also sings Singalong and shouts chorus with a fierce headbang. Peter proudly raises his right hand as he returns to “It’s Not Love,” but his appearance is perfect. If there was a next work & next tour, EUROPE might have done something … Now it’s a dazzling scene that makes me regret.
“UP FROM THE ASHES” was a masterpiece of Don Dokken, a genius melody maker, while being too soft for George’s fans. It is the best record of 2 performances where the joy of getting a band like a band and the beautiful voice of the heyday go through the whole story.
I wanted you to leave the live album from this performance in Japan as well as the DON DOKKEN version of “BEAST FROM THE EAST” ……. One that relieves such regrets and approaches the wonderful true appearance of a super band that transcends nationality. Please enjoy it to your heart’s content.
