Don Dokken’s ‘Solitary’ will be released on January 31st by Deadline Music, a division of Cleopatra Records, Inc, on all digital platforms plus CD and on a very special limited edition red vinyl pressing. Of course the album is nothing new to some fans, I remember buying a CD-Rom of this in the US from Don’s merch stand in 2008 or 2009.
The version I have sports 9 tracks and this re-release adds ‘Jealous’ (A cover of the song by electronic artist Labrinth); and ‘All That Love Can Be’ and ‘My Heart Will Go On’ (two songs written by James Horner song and Will Jennings) – the latter made famous by Celine Dion… yes you heard right Cel… (no I can’t say it twice)…
Don of course is known for his hard rocking and this acoustic solo album allows the softer side of his vocals to come through, and in all honesty he sounds great throughout whether he’s reaching for a little passion or soothing you with gentle emotion.
Opener ‘In The Meadow’ has a very organic Zeppelin-like feel to it but this is an album that provides plenty of variety amongst the acoustic trappings, with ‘I’ll Never Forget’ all mysterious and vaguely Celtic and yet somehow Beatlesque. ‘Where the Grass Is Green’ by contrast opens with an almost Queensryche vibe before bursting into a more traditional melody, whilst ‘Jealous’ the first of the covers comes across all restrained and vaguely ‘Proggy’ not really my up of tea and a mass of cliches lyrically.
I’d have loved it had ‘Ship of Fools’ had been a cover of The Doors classic but it ain’t, and Don gets a little trippy with the aid of Tony Franklin’s fretless bass before ‘You Are Everything’ brings a little hit of Dokken style melody here and there amongst the sure-footed balladry and ‘Venice’ rides a lilting folky vibe to the beach.
Deeper in “Sarah’ shuffles shimmeringly before soaring and the cover of ‘My Heart Will Go On’ I’m sure will surprise many.Both it and the other song written by James Horner that closes ‘All That Love Can Be’ are nicely woven tributes to his friend who passed in 2015.
The final two originals come in the shape of ‘The Tragedy’ and ‘Someday’ the former has a little latter-day Blackmore’s Knight about it, a real anachronistic ballad, and the latter a slow and languid piano-led tear-trekker that is actually one of my favourites here.
With a new solo album due out later this year it will be interesting what Don comes up with next. If I’m honest this album has its moments but it’s one for the fans,but as a fan I’m not complaining.
7/10
Track List:
1. In The Meadow
2. I’ll Never Forget
3. Where The Grass Is Green
4. Jealous
5. Ship Of Fools
6. You Are Everything
7. Venice
8. Sarah
9. My Heart Will Go On
10. The Tragedy
11. Someday
12. All That Love Can Be
Buy the album here: https://orcd.co/dondokkensolitary
