The Eagles - Long Road Out Of Eden

[winston]

One of the many Christmas gifts that my wonderful wife gave me was The Eagles CD "Long Road Out Of Eden"

I just had a chance to listen to it all the way through (It's a two CD release).

What bowls me over every time that I listen to their music is the consistency of this band. Their recorded and live work is always near perfect. I have always wondered how they managed to obtain such perfection, both in the studio and during live performances. I love their music obviously. Any thoughts on this matter?

[jimk]

This is such a cliché, but I can't resist. They must rehearse an awful lot, and each member must put in quite a lot of time practicing his own part, too.

JimK

[winston]

This is such a cliché, but I can't resist. They must rehearse an awful lot, and each member must put in quite a lot of time practicing his own part, too.

JimK

Thanks for the quip. It was a blow to the heart of the matter.

You know I kind of doubt that they rehearse together very much at all. Given the acrimonious relationships that have existed within the band for such a long time I am surprised that they can even stand to record together.

[charlyg]

I'm mad at them for firing Don Felder. I saw them on their last tour and the Hotel California intro was drek! They had brass doing the spanish guitar stuff!! PUHLEEZE!

[peewee]

At that level, the only rehearsing that is done is usually preparing for an upcoming tour or for a trip to the studio. Bottom line is that these guys are pros who are very long in the tooth. It doesn't take them very much time to get back into playing shape as a band.

On a side note, I ran into Steuart Smith over Thanksgiving week at a local shop that we both frenquent. He was having a quick repair made to his old Casino. Steuart was home for the holiday and was preparing to head down to NC to lay down tracks for a side project he's working on. He's very well liked here and is one of the many success stories to come from DC.

[mgauction]

Charly - From what I understand, the issue with Felder was money and therefore replaced. I don't think he is replacable. Damn, is he good!

[charlyg]

I thought it was money(royalties) owed not requested.

[mgauction]

Wow, maybe so. Then was it his option not to play for them because of that, or, was he really fired?

[charlyg]

From his website http://www.feldermusic.com

In 1999/2000 Don would play with the Eagles for the last time for the New Years Shows. In February 2001 Don was wrongfully terminated from the Eagles and is in a pending litigation against his former partners. Don hasn’t let this slow him down, he continues to give back to the public that supported his career through the years by doing numerous charity events all over the world and helping people less fortunate. He is currently working on a solo album, writing music for TV and movies and there are many other projects in the works. - Cathy

[mgauction]

Thanks!

[charlyg]

Jer Velcum!

[jimbunch]

I also recently purchased the new CDs. These guys just continue to amaze me. Great vocals and great musicians. I highly recommend the CD.

[lyle_from_minneapolis]

This is such a cliché, but I can't resist. They must rehearse an awful lot, and each member must put in quite a lot of time practicing his own part, too.

JimK

Jim is right, I think. I saw them on 60 Minutes, and one thing they have always done when rehearsing before both gigs and recording sessions is something they call The Circle of Fear. They grab acoustic guitars and sit in a circle, eyes on each other, and they play their songs to perfection. Anyone who screws up hears about it, and they keep going until the piece is right.

It's a good concept...but it also explains a lot of the acrimony!...

[winston]

From the same website that Charly referenced above:

1. One of his band mates in the Continentals, which he joined at the age of 15, was Stephen Stills. "We played junior high schools, the usual stuff," recalls Felder. "We were pretty successful, considering that we were all teenagers lying about our ages." When Stills left the Continentals, he was replaced by Bernie Leadon, who came from California with some hot bluegrass licks. "I wanted to learn his country stuff, and Bernie had never played electric guitar," says Felder, "So we traded lessons."

2. Don taught guitar to Tom Petty and did arrangements for Mudcrutch. Mudcrutch later would become Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

This is interesting stuff!!!!