Queensryche with Don Dokken
Harrah’s Voodoo Lounge
Kansas City, MO
January 25, 2008

by Gary Dean Ash
Staff Writer

Comments: The night presented itself with two bands who were staples of the ‘80s metal scene, Dokken and Queensryche. But the sets of both bands were sonically different as Don Dokken performed a stripped back acoustic set and Queensryche unleashed their fury of music with swelling volumes of pure progressive metal.

It was a unique experience hearing Dokken songs acoustically, but the artist pulled it off with class. He was joined onstage by Kelly Keeling of MSG, Baton Rouge and Blue Murder fame and jammed on hits like “Just Got Lucky,” “Alone Again” and “In My Dreams.” This was a refreshing change for fans, but the music sounds best played hard and loud.

One highlight of the acoustic set was a John Norum penned song called “Good Man Shining,” Don dedicated the touching song to his good friend actor, Heath Ledger, who recently past away at age of 28. Don said Heath loved '80’s music. Don Dokken put on a pretty good show which brought back a lot of good memories.

Set List (in no particular order):
Into the Fire
Just Got Lucky
Alone Again
Good Man Shining
It's Not Love
In My Dreams
Breaking the Chains

After the Dokken acoustic set, Queensryche hit the stage running and never stopped, The band sounded great and the crowd of 1500 roared their approval. The band threw in Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” (Geoff Tate played saxophone) and Sabbath's “Neon Knights” from their recent Take Cover studio album.

Tate was in very good spirits this evening interacting with the audience and band alike. The rest of the band, Scott, Mike, Eddie and Michael were also very into the show. Tate stated to the crowd that the band started back in ‘81 with people saying “You can’t do this …You can’t do that.” His response to this was, "You have to follow your heart." After 27 years, they are still doing it exactly the way they want to.

This was almost a greatest hits show with songs like, “I Don't Believe in Love,” “Eyes of a Stranger,” “Anybody Listening” and “Jet City Woman.” Hardcore fans were treated to rare gems like “Real World” and “NM 156,” The evening wrapped up with encores of “Silent Lucidity” and “Take Hold of the Flame.”

The Venue, Harrah’s Voodoo Lounge, was an unusual hall for the band to perform. The band’s massive sound seemed almost unable to be contained within the small venue.

All in all it was a pretty good show. Also according to other reviews, the set list of the previous show in Aspen included “Needle Lies” and “Breaking the Silence” proving their set list may not yet be set in stone.

Set List:
Burning Man
NM 156
Screaming In Digital
Welcome to the Machine (Pink Floyd)
I'm American
Hostage
Bridge
The Killing Words
Another Rainy Night
Black Sabbath - Neon Knights
Walk In The Shadows
Real World
I Don't Believe in Love
Anybody Listening?
Jet City Woman
Eyes Of A Stranger
Empire
Encore:
Silent Lucidity
Take Hold Of The Flame

Photos provided by Gary Dean Ash