The Very Best of Dokken

• Artist: Dokken
• Rating:
• Release Date: July 06, 1999
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Rock

Review

Dokken was one of the finest bands to come out of the Los Angeles hair metal scene of the '80s, and The Very Best of Dokken proves it. Don Dokken was a terrific singer, and guitarist George Lynch's splashy fretwork was a superb fit. (Bass guitarist Jeff Pilson and drummer Mick Brown were important factors in the group's songwriting as well.) Perhaps it's no surprise that tensions were high between Don Dokken and Lynch, continuing a long tradition pioneered by the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and Deep Purple's Ian Gillan and Ritchie Blackmore. By 1999, Lynch had left the band and been replaced by Winger alumnus Reb Beach. The Very Best of Dokken is a great 16-song compilation arranged in chronological order; it's essential listening for anyone interested in Reagan-era hard rock and heavy metal. Dokken's '80s studio albums were occasionally uneven, so this collection, which also includes decent liner notes, is the best place for the uninitiated to start. Highlights include "Breaking the Chains," "Into the Fire," "Just Got Lucky," "Alone Again" (one of the finest power ballads ever), "In My Dreams," "Dream Warriors," and "Burning Like a Flame." Other notable tracks include the fiery instrumental "Mr. Scary"; "Walk Away," the sole studio cut on Dokken's 1988 live album, Beast from the East; "Mirror Mirror," from Don Dokken's 1990 solo album, Up from the Ashes; and the anti-drug "Too High to Fly," from the somewhat underrated yet aptly titled 1995 reunion album, Dysfunctional. ~ Bret Adams, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Breaking the Chains	Don Dokken, George Lynch	Dokken	(3:52)
Paris Is Burning [Live]	George Lynch, Don Dokken	Dokken	(5:09)
Into the Fire (Lyrics)	Jeff Pilson, George Lynch, Don Dokken	Dokken	(4:27)
Just Got Lucky (Lyrics)	George Lynch, Jeff Pilson	Dokken	(4:36)
Alone Again (Lyrics)	Don Dokken, Jeff Pilson	Dokken	(4:22)
Tooth and Nail (Lyrics)	George Lynch, Mick Brown, Jeff Pilson	Dokken	(3:42)
The Hunter	Don Dokken, Jeff Pilson, Mick Brown, George Lynch	Dokken	(4:08)
In My Dreams (Lyrics)	Jeff Pilson, Don Dokken, George Lynch, Mick Brown	Dokken	(4:20)
It's Not Love (Lyrics)	George Lynch, Mick Brown, Jeff Pilson, Don Dokken	Dokken	(5:00)
Dream Warriors (Lyrics)	Jeff Pilson, George Lynch, Dokken	Dokken	(4:48)
Burning Like a Flame (Lyrics)	Mick Brown, Don Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson	Dokken	(4:46)
Heaven Sent (Lyrics)	Jeff Pilson, Don Dokken, George Lynch	Dokken	(4:53)
Mr. Scary	Jeff Pilson, George Lynch	Dokken	(4:30)
Walk Away (Lyrics)	Don Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson	Dokken	(5:02)
Mirror Mirror (Lyrics)	The Billy White, Don Dokken	Don Dokken	(4:40)
Too High to Fly	George Lynch, Don Dokken	Don Dokken	(7:10)

Credits

Don Dokken (Producer), Tom de Savia (Project Assistant), Nick John (Project Assistant), Patrick Mulligan (Project Director), Dan Hersch (Remastering), Jeff Pilson (Bass), Jeff Pilson (Keyboards), George Lynch (Guitar), Katherine Turman (Liner Notes), Neil Kernon (Producer), Don Dokken (Guitar), Steve Woolard (Research Assistant), Virginia Haverick (Project Assistant), Neil Zlozower (Photography), Don Dokken (Vocals), The Billy White (Guitar), Emily Cagan (Producer), Bill Inglot (Remastering), Peter Baltes (Bass), Peter Baltes (Vocals), Bill Inglot (Producer), Mikkey Dee (Drums), Wyn Davis (Producer), Don Dokken (Performer), Ted Myers (Project Supervisor), Dokken (Producer), Mikkey Dee (Percussion), Tom Werman (Producer), Elizabeth Pavone (Editorial Coordinator), Lori Carfora (Design), David McLees (Producer), Angelo Arcuri (Producer), Daniel Goldmark (Editorial Research), Hugh Brown (Art Direction), Juan Croucier (Bass), Michael Wagener (Producer), Jeff Pilson (Vocals), Steven Chean (Editorial Supervision), Mick Brown (Drums), Mick Brown (Vocals), Rick Sales (Project Assistant), Juan Croucier (Vocals)

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