Released on CMC International April 9, 2002
THE BAND:
Don Dokken –vocals, acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar
Mick Brown –drums, percussion, vocals
John Norum –lead guitar
Barry Sparks –bass, vocals
TRACK FRAGMENTS:
1.) “Sunless Days” –This track kicks off with a full band arsenal, just
the way a CD should. Don kicks the vocals in with the same type musical
arrangement Dokken has used for the last couple CD. After the first chorus
there is a real strange vocal effect. Norum’s solo is not nearly has intense as
the song in whole is.
2.) “Little Girl” –This track’s main guitar riff is a very memorable pattern.
When the vocals kick you can hear softly in the background what sounds like a
small cello section. The pre-chorus section is vintage Dokken arrangement.
There is a huge Indian bridge hat comes from out of nowhere on the song. The
track had no solo, which was odd for Dokken.
3.) “Everyone Needs (to be with someone)”-This track opens with a very
laid back type pattern. From the first vocal arrangement of the verse you can
hear the hook. Don’s vocals get real thick sounding during the pre-chorus.
Barry’s bass line just thumps on this track. During the bridge there is a
harmonizing vocal section. The lyrical arrangement of the bridge has a very
Doors feel to it.
4.) “You” –This track opens with a very raw sounding guitar pattern. The verse
opens with a harmonizing backing vocal section. There is a special effect added
to Don’s vocals on the pre-verse. Don shows through the chorus he still has a
great vocal range. The solo is turned way down and sounds like it is way off in
the distance.
5.) “Goodbye My Friend” –This ballad kicks off with acoustic guitar and piano.
Vocally this is Don at his best. The drum patterns and bass line are very
simple and laid back. The bridge has a huge acoustic section where an acoustic
guitar solo would have been nice.
6.) “Magic Road” –This track opens with a real heavy fuck sounding pattern.
When the vocals kick in the band incorporate an acoustic guitar as the main
instrument. The acoustic rhythm has a very melancholy feel to it. The solo on
this track is also turned down way too much and even though it is very intense
sounding, because it was turned down it does not pack much of a punch.
7.) “There was a Time” –This being the second ballad on the CD also opens with
piano. The musical arrangement on this ballad is a little better and more
suited for Dokken’s sound. Barry has a real great bass sound on this track.
The vocals are a little more like vintage Dokken. Once again there is no solo.
8.) “Heart Full of Soul” –This track opens with a little percussion piece within
the drum pattern. You can really hear a huge hook with the pre-chorus. The
song is very short and without a solo.
9.) “Under the gun”-This track opens with a very heavy guitar arrangement. At
time the musical arrangement has that old Dokken sound to it, which I found to
be one of the few highlights on the CD. The solo was very intense with a twin
guitar sound to it.
10.) “I’ve Found” –This last track opens with a very simple acoustic guitar and
cello piece. The vocals are a lot better on this track. The vocal arrangement
has a very early Beatles feel to them. If one did not no better one would think
this was a Beatles cover.
In reviewing this CD it was very hard to find very many good things to say about it. And as a long-standing Dokken fan I was completely shocked!! “Long Way Home” is a long way from being even remotely close to being even a mediocre Dokken release.