Dokken - "Greatest Hits Re-recorded"

[rob62972]

Okay all you Dokken fanatics out there!! Coming off the heels of a pretty successful "Lightning Strikes Again" disc, Dokken is working on a new greatest hits album with all the songs being re-recorded with Jon Levin on guitar and Barry Sparks on bass.

 

Here is a great interview recently with Jon Levin:

 

http://www.bravewords.com/news/105750

 

Exclusive: DOKKEN Guitarist JON LEVIN On Upcoming Tour - "We Are Blessed To Be Able To Do Something Like This"

Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 15:12:50 EST

 

As previously reported, DOKKEN featuring front man Don Dokken on vocals, Jon Levin Ex-Warlock on guitar, Barry Sparks on bass, and Mick Brown on drums will be embarking on a West Coast Tour kicking off on January 31st in Clinton, Oklahoma at the Lucky Star Casino.

 

Don Dokken has informed BraveWords.com and spoke to BraveWords.com correspondent Deb Rao that plans are currently in the works for an East Coast tour with selective dates in March. Stay tuned to www.dokken.net for upcoming tour dates.

 

Q: Dokken is getting ready to embark on a West Coast Tour. Who is in the current lineup on the upcoming tour?

 

A: "Yes, the first show is on Saturday night in Oklahoma City with RATT and WARRANT. Mick and Barry are back. So we are really looking forward to doing this tour. We haven't all played together in quite awhile. So it should be great. We have three shows on the West Coast coming up and scattered dates throughout the winter. In the meantime, we are also working on the new record."

 

Q: What are the details surrounding the next Dokken release?

 

A: "We are doing our re-recorded greatest hits record. But there is going to be three or four newly recorded songs on it with everything fresh."

 

Q: Will the new material have the same Dokken vein as Lightning Strikes Again or will it be heavier as Don mentioned earlier this summer to me?

 

A: "It is not even anything that we thought of. I am not even sure we would even sit down and come up with something like that. We really just write. I guess it is all along the same lines but we always try and go a little heavier. So why not?"

 

Q: Dokken's tenth studio album, Lightning Strikes Again is one of the bands strongest albums to date. The chemistry between you and Don showcases the strength of the songwriting of Dokken today and re-enforces the bands place in music today. What is your secret to being a great tour guitarist and working with Don and the band? This past summer on the Poison tour, you and Don worked so well together to give the best show every night.

 

A: "I try to give 100 percent every night. I come out and take every show and each one as it comes and try and do the best performance I can and give 100 percent every night. I don't take it for granted. We are blessed to be able to do something like this."

 

Q: As a guitarist, what are your goals for Dokken in 2009?

 

A: "I want to of course, do a really good job on this record. I am always striving to take my playing to the next level. I want to try and break some new ground on the new record. Then obviously, we want to go back on the road this summer."

 

Dokken dates:

 

January

31 - Lucky Star Casino - Clinton, Oklahoma (with Ratt, Warrant)

 

February

18 - Sodo Nightclub - Colorado Springs, Colorado

20 - Grizzly Rose - Denver, Colorado (with Trixter)

21 - Club Red - Tempe, Arizona

[heaven&hell]

I'm happy they're doing some new tracks but part of me wishes that they wouldn't touch the old stuff.

[rob62972]

I'm happy they're doing some new tracks but part of me wishes that they wouldn't touch the old stuff.

I agree Wes. Something tells me the re-recorded portion of the disc is gonna blow. I can't imagine Don trying to sing those old tunes with his "new" voice.

[Fat Freddy]

Cant' be any worse than George Lynch's re-recordings on the REVOLUTION disc...

[rob62972]

Cant' be any worse than George Lynch's re-recordings on the REVOLUTION disc...

Good point Keith!!

 

[Evil Rick]

I'm happy they're doing some new tracks but part of me wishes that they wouldn't touch the old stuff.

If it makes you feel better Wes, at least Don's voice won't come close to touching the old material...

 

 

 

 

...I'm awful, I know!

[Jimbo]

I really hate these kinds of "projects". They're never as good as the original, they screw the original performers out of a royalty check, and they screw loyal fans that made the band popular in the first place by putting a few "new" songs, or more likely demos that never got finished, onto them. As much as I love Dokken, I wouldn't spend a penny on this one. (And the labels are all peeing in their Gucci loafers wondering how to get more fans to buy CDs. Morons.)

[heaven&hell]

I'm happy they're doing some new tracks but part of me wishes that they wouldn't touch the old stuff.

If it makes you feel better Wes, at least Don's voice won't come close to touching the old material...

 

 

 

 

...I'm awful, I know!

 

Chad is gonna kill you for that one.

 

I guess we can take this up with Don at DRF.

[heaven&hell]

[heaven&hell]

I really hate these kinds of "projects". They're never as good as the original, they screw the original performers out of a royalty check, and they screw loyal fans that made the band popular in the first place by putting a few "new" songs, or more likely demos that never got finished, onto them. As much as I love Dokken, I wouldn't spend a penny on this one. (And the labels are all peeing in their Gucci loafers wondering how to get more fans to buy CDs. Morons.)

 

Well I don't know for sure but at least it's not as bad as what Ozzy and Sharon did by re-recording the bass and drum parts on the first two Ozzy albums to screw Kerslake and Daisly out of $$$$$.

[Jimbo]

I really hate these kinds of "projects". They're never as good as the original, they screw the original performers out of a royalty check, and they screw loyal fans that made the band popular in the first place by putting a few "new" songs, or more likely demos that never got finished, onto them. As much as I love Dokken, I wouldn't spend a penny on this one. (And the labels are all peeing in their Gucci loafers wondering how to get more fans to buy CDs. Morons.)

 

Well I don't know for sure but at least it's not as bad as what Ozzy and Sharon did by re-recording the bass and drum parts on the first two Ozzy albums to screw Kerslake and Daisly out of $$$$$.

 

I might be mistaken, but isn't that what is happening here? I thought Dokken was recording their early hits with a new guitarist and bassist. Am I reading that incorrectly?

[heaven&hell]

I really hate these kinds of "projects". They're never as good as the original, they screw the original performers out of a royalty check, and they screw loyal fans that made the band popular in the first place by putting a few "new" songs, or more likely demos that never got finished, onto them. As much as I love Dokken, I wouldn't spend a penny on this one. (And the labels are all peeing in their Gucci loafers wondering how to get more fans to buy CDs. Morons.)

 

Well I don't know for sure but at least it's not as bad as what Ozzy and Sharon did by re-recording the bass and drum parts on the first two Ozzy albums to screw Kerslake and Daisly out of $$$$$.

 

I might be mistaken, but isn't that what is happening here? I thought Dokken was recording their early hits with a new guitarist and bassist. Am I reading that incorrectly?

 

What I mean is that I don't know that Don is just doing this to screw George and Jeff like Ozzy was doing or if they are doing it just to update the songs. Ozzy and Sharon did it because Kerslake and Daisly had been suing them for unpaid royalties for years and I don't know if Don is doing it for that reason or not.

[whiplash1972]

I really hate these kinds of "projects". They're never as good as the original, they screw the original performers out of a royalty check, and they screw loyal fans that made the band popular in the first place by putting a few "new" songs, or more likely demos that never got finished, onto them. As much as I love Dokken, I wouldn't spend a penny on this one. (And the labels are all peeing in their Gucci loafers wondering how to get more fans to buy CDs. Morons.)

 

Well I don't know for sure but at least it's not as bad as what Ozzy and Sharon did by re-recording the bass and drum parts on the first two Ozzy albums to screw Kerslake and Daisly out of $$$$$.

 

I might be mistaken, but isn't that what is happening here? I thought Dokken was recording their early hits with a new guitarist and bassist. Am I reading that incorrectly?

 

What I mean is that I don't know that Don is just doing this to screw George and Jeff like Ozzy was doing or if they are doing it just to update the songs. Ozzy and Sharon did it because Kerslake and Daisly had been suing them for unpaid royalties for years and I don't know if Don is doing it for that reason or not.

 

Don and George approve this post...

 

[Evil Rick]

I really hate these kinds of "projects". They're never as good as the original, they screw the original performers out of a royalty check, and they screw loyal fans that made the band popular in the first place by putting a few "new" songs, or more likely demos that never got finished, onto them. As much as I love Dokken, I wouldn't spend a penny on this one. (And the labels are all peeing in their Gucci loafers wondering how to get more fans to buy CDs. Morons.)

 

Well I don't know for sure but at least it's not as bad as what Ozzy and Sharon did by re-recording the bass and drum parts on the first two Ozzy albums to screw Kerslake and Daisly out of $$$$$.

 

I might be mistaken, but isn't that what is happening here? I thought Dokken was recording their early hits with a new guitarist and bassist. Am I reading that incorrectly?

 

What I mean is that I don't know that Don is just doing this to screw George and Jeff like Ozzy was doing or if they are doing it just to update the songs. Ozzy and Sharon did it because Kerslake and Daisly had been suing them for unpaid royalties for years and I don't know if Don is doing it for that reason or not.

It's two different things...Ozzy and Sharon re-recorded complete albums because of their little grudge match that was going on and the buying public was never notified on the packaging or anything that what they were buying weren't the original recordings.

 

Don is re-recording songs for a greatest hits release, but if I go and buy a new copy of BFTA or Tooth & Nail it's going to still have the original musicians on the albums.

 

Sure George won't be getting any royalties off this release but it's not uncommon, bands do it all the time...just buy a greatest hits release from Deadline records.

[Jimbo]

Maybe we could all just get together and record our favorite Dokken classics ourselves. I have an accordian, a mouth harp, a kazoo and a whistle.

 

Okay, who's ready to learn "Breaking the Chains"?

[heaven&hell]

Maybe we could all just get together and record our favorite Dokken classics ourselves. I have an accordian, a mouth harp, a kazoo and a whistle.

 

Okay, who's ready to learn "Breaking the Chains"?

 

[heaven&hell]

I really hate these kinds of "projects". They're never as good as the original, they screw the original performers out of a royalty check, and they screw loyal fans that made the band popular in the first place by putting a few "new" songs, or more likely demos that never got finished, onto them. As much as I love Dokken, I wouldn't spend a penny on this one. (And the labels are all peeing in their Gucci loafers wondering how to get more fans to buy CDs. Morons.)

 

Well I don't know for sure but at least it's not as bad as what Ozzy and Sharon did by re-recording the bass and drum parts on the first two Ozzy albums to screw Kerslake and Daisly out of $$$$$.

 

I might be mistaken, but isn't that what is happening here? I thought Dokken was recording their early hits with a new guitarist and bassist. Am I reading that incorrectly?

 

What I mean is that I don't know that Don is just doing this to screw George and Jeff like Ozzy was doing or if they are doing it just to update the songs. Ozzy and Sharon did it because Kerslake and Daisly had been suing them for unpaid royalties for years and I don't know if Don is doing it for that reason or not.

It's two different things...Ozzy and Sharon re-recorded complete albums because of their little grudge match that was going on and the buying public was never notified on the packaging or anything that what they were buying weren't the original recordings.

 

Don is re-recording songs for a greatest hits release, but if I go and buy a new copy of BFTA or Tooth & Nail it's going to still have the original musicians on the albums.

 

Sure George won't be getting any royalties off this release but it's not uncommon, bands do it all the time...just buy a greatest hits release from Deadline records.

 

Oh I agree with you on all points especially the Deadline Records point.

[Doksdad]

I'm happy they're doing some new tracks but part of me wishes that they wouldn't touch the old stuff.

If it makes you feel better Wes, at least Don's voice won't come close to touching the old material...

 

 

 

 

...I'm awful, I know!

 

Chad is gonna kill you for that one.

 

I guess we can take this up with Don at DRF.

Well Rick, you better still have Pete's Rockarma business card because if you want backstage this year, you'll need it

 

My take on this is that they have interest from their label to churn out another album and since the last one took flippin' forever to record, they just figured they could rip out the old stuff and then tour. I look forward to Levin's take on some George's solos as the dude can play. I am suprised the Sparks is still involved as he and Don had a fallout. They must have patched things up.

 

I am thinking there will be two new tracks tops on it. Don just does not want to keep writing the 80's stuff. But I think he has a few more left in him as I don't think anything modern would fit on this album. Hopefully he does write a couple of new songs and does not just dig into the vaults and grab some demos that never went anywhere. There is a reason that they never went anywhere....

[Captain Howdy]

They main reason Deadline has done so many of these re-recorded albums, and the reason the likes of Lynch Mob and Dokken have gone the recorded route is that they recorded all their big hits on big labels, and make little or no money off any compilations out by their previous labels.

The only way they can make some reasonable money out of a hits compilation is to re-record, as it would cost them the earth to get the likes of Geffen, Atlantic, Mercury (or whatever label) to let them use the original recordings on a compilation.

 

They are not doing it to screw older band members out of any money, as the band members could just do the same themselves (which is what has happened with Dokken), or to screw the fans, they are just trying to get what they feel is a fair paycheque for a greatest hits package.

 

Love them or hate them, there is at least a genuine reason for these re-recorded packages!

[Evil Rick]

I'm happy they're doing some new tracks but part of me wishes that they wouldn't touch the old stuff.

If it makes you feel better Wes, at least Don's voice won't come close to touching the old material...

 

 

 

 

...I'm awful, I know!

 

Chad is gonna kill you for that one.

 

I guess we can take this up with Don at DRF.

Well Rick, you better still have Pete's Rockarma business card because if you want backstage this year, you'll need it

 

My take on this is that they have interest from their label to churn out another album and since the last one took flippin' forever to record, they just figured they could rip out the old stuff and then tour. I look forward to Levin's take on some George's solos as the dude can play. I am suprised the Sparks is still involved as he and Don had a fallout. They must have patched things up.

 

I am thinking there will be two new tracks tops on it. Don just does not want to keep writing the 80's stuff. But I think he has a few more left in him as I don't think anything modern would fit on this album. Hopefully he does write a couple of new songs and does not just dig into the vaults and grab some demos that never went anywhere. There is a reason that they never went anywhere....

Now Chad, you know I said that knowing full well you would see it!

 

And speaking of getting backstage, Mike and I were just discussing that very situation while I was trying to persuade him into getting VIP tickets (btw he is still kicking himself over calling you Wes at BW3's lol!).

[heaven&hell]

I'm happy they're doing some new tracks but part of me wishes that they wouldn't touch the old stuff.

If it makes you feel better Wes, at least Don's voice won't come close to touching the old material...

 

 

 

 

...I'm awful, I know!

 

Chad is gonna kill you for that one.

 

I guess we can take this up with Don at DRF.

Well Rick, you better still have Pete's Rockarma business card because if you want backstage this year, you'll need it

 

My take on this is that they have interest from their label to churn out another album and since the last one took flippin' forever to record, they just figured they could rip out the old stuff and then tour. I look forward to Levin's take on some George's solos as the dude can play. I am suprised the Sparks is still involved as he and Don had a fallout. They must have patched things up.

 

I am thinking there will be two new tracks tops on it. Don just does not want to keep writing the 80's stuff. But I think he has a few more left in him as I don't think anything modern would fit on this album. Hopefully he does write a couple of new songs and does not just dig into the vaults and grab some demos that never went anywhere. There is a reason that they never went anywhere....

Now Chad, you know I said that knowing full well you would see it!

 

And speaking of getting backstage, Mike and I were just discussing that very situation while I was trying to persuade him into getting VIP tickets (btw he is still kicking himself over calling you Wes at BW3's lol!).

 

I'm sure there were worse things Mike could of called him, at least I hope there is.

[Doksdad]

I'm happy they're doing some new tracks but part of me wishes that they wouldn't touch the old stuff.

If it makes you feel better Wes, at least Don's voice won't come close to touching the old material...

 

 

 

 

...I'm awful, I know!

 

Chad is gonna kill you for that one.

 

I guess we can take this up with Don at DRF.

Well Rick, you better still have Pete's Rockarma business card because if you want backstage this year, you'll need it

 

My take on this is that they have interest from their label to churn out another album and since the last one took flippin' forever to record, they just figured they could rip out the old stuff and then tour. I look forward to Levin's take on some George's solos as the dude can play. I am suprised the Sparks is still involved as he and Don had a fallout. They must have patched things up.

 

I am thinking there will be two new tracks tops on it. Don just does not want to keep writing the 80's stuff. But I think he has a few more left in him as I don't think anything modern would fit on this album. Hopefully he does write a couple of new songs and does not just dig into the vaults and grab some demos that never went anywhere. There is a reason that they never went anywhere....

Now Chad, you know I said that knowing full well you would see it!

 

And speaking of getting backstage, Mike and I were just discussing that very situation while I was trying to persuade him into getting VIP tickets (btw he is still kicking himself over calling you Wes at BW3's lol!).

 

I'm sure there were worse things Mike could of called him, at least I hope there is.

I guess he could have called me Mark Slaughter......

[RichieZ]

I'm looking forward to this!

[Evil Rick]

I'm happy they're doing some new tracks but part of me wishes that they wouldn't touch the old stuff.

If it makes you feel better Wes, at least Don's voice won't come close to touching the old material...

 

 

 

 

...I'm awful, I know!

 

Chad is gonna kill you for that one.

 

I guess we can take this up with Don at DRF.

Well Rick, you better still have Pete's Rockarma business card because if you want backstage this year, you'll need it

 

My take on this is that they have interest from their label to churn out another album and since the last one took flippin' forever to record, they just figured they could rip out the old stuff and then tour. I look forward to Levin's take on some George's solos as the dude can play. I am suprised the Sparks is still involved as he and Don had a fallout. They must have patched things up.

 

I am thinking there will be two new tracks tops on it. Don just does not want to keep writing the 80's stuff. But I think he has a few more left in him as I don't think anything modern would fit on this album. Hopefully he does write a couple of new songs and does not just dig into the vaults and grab some demos that never went anywhere. There is a reason that they never went anywhere....

Now Chad, you know I said that knowing full well you would see it!

 

And speaking of getting backstage, Mike and I were just discussing that very situation while I was trying to persuade him into getting VIP tickets (btw he is still kicking himself over calling you Wes at BW3's lol!).

 

I'm sure there were worse things Mike could of called him, at least I hope there is.

I guess he could have called me Mark Slaughter......

I wouldn't mind being mistaken for Mark Slaughter...now Taime Downe on the other hand!

[chocularok]

I guess I'm the only one really looking forward to this. Sure the original versions can't be touched, but Levin can do Lynch spot on. Plus, hearing these tunes with todays production...I think this will be really cool. Then again, I was one of the few guys who liked it when Testament & Exodus did the same thing with their classics.