The Eagles: Glenn Frey (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Don Felder (vocals, electric & slide guitars); Joe Walsh (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Randy Meisner (vocals, guitarron, bass); Don Henley (vocals, drums, percussion).
Engineers include: Bill Szymczyk, Allan Blazek, Ed Marshal.
Recorded at Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida and the Record Plant, Los Angeles, California from March to October 1976.
A steady growth suddenly mushroomed into a monster as the Eagles, along with Fleetwood Mac, epitomized AOR in the early 70s. This record is supposedly a concept album but most of the purchasers merely enjoyed the accessible songs while driving down to the coast in their Volkswagen Caravanettes with 2.4 children. Joe Walsh was added to give gutsy guitar in the wake of the country flavour of Bernie Leaden, while Randy Meisner grew in stature as a writer with 'Try And Love Again' and 'New Kid In Town'. The title track still bites as Henley's voice blends with Walsh's epic solo.
What the critics say...
Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.108) - Ranked #37 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...The highlight is the title track, a monument to the rock-aristocrat decadence of the day and a feast of triple-guitar interplay..."
Q (Magazine) (p.111) - "Recorded with new guitarist Joe Walsh, these autobiographical tales of druggy hedonism and angst comprised their strongest suite."
