Having signed so many of the top 80’s bands to their independent label, it is hardly surprising that Frontiers records are determined to make the most of them. One result is that Dokken have exhumed a 1981 live recording, baked the original tapes in an oven and transferred to digital format.

The press release states it features the classic line-up although at that stage Juan Croucier, later of Ratt, was sin the band and not Jeff Pilson, while the venue is unclear although Do Dokken refers to the band being about to travel home after their tour.

The recording shows a band very much in development, already with two great songs in Breaking the Chains and opener Paris is Burning and the explosive chemistry between Don Dokken and George Lynch in evidence, but with rawer edges and with the songwriting still developing.

Night Rider includes some audience participation, while as well as songs that ended on their first album there are unreleased tracks in Goin’ Down, Hit and Run and You’re a Liar.…

An interesting if not essential snapshot of the development of one of the best hard rockers to come out of America in the 80’s.

***½

Review by Andy Nathan