We went to The Eagles' concert last week, and I gotta tell you, the old guys can still rock.
The arena was packed, mostly with BabyBoomers. After all, the Eagles got together in the early 70's - about the time we could afford to start paying for albums and cassettes. Their songs have spanned our generation. We grew up with "Take It Easy"in 1972 to "Best of My Love" in 1975 to "Heartache Tonight" in 1979 all the way to "Get Over It" in 1994. Not to mention their sabbatical from 1980-1994 during which time they did their own things.
On this tour they had substantial assistance with an outstanding young lead guitarist, an additional percussionist, keyboardist, and brass section that doubled as backup singers and strings players. The first third of the night was dedicated to their more mellow songs, like "Tequila Sunrise," Glenn Frey's "You Belong to the City," and Timothy B. Schmidt's "I Can't Tell You Why." Then they took a break.
I could tell my better half was wondering if we'd spent our money on a mediocre concert; I reminded him that these fellows were older than we are!
The guys changed into more casual attire and began the second two-thirds of the show sitting on bar stools, and furthering our impression that they weren't up to their old rockin' selves. Then they put away the stools, and the real show began.
Glenn Frey introduced Joe Walsh who mumbled into the mike, "So, how's your century going?" The crowd did its usual whistling and cheering, after which he said, "I never thought I'd even be in this century!" (More whistling and cheering). Then he sequed into "Funk 49," and we knew the old guys still had it. The final third spotlighted a lot of Walsh's guitar virtuoso with more of his James Gang repertoire. They don't call him a guitar great for nothing. Schmidt and Frey kept up with him on bass, keyboards, and acoustic guitar. Henley rocked on drums.
They played three encores: The first, of course, was "Hotel California." Second was Don Henley's "All She Wants to Do is Dance," and last was "Desperado." A concert billed as "the Farewell Tour" was well worth the high ticket price. And I got a tee-shirt.
You know things have changed, however, when those in the crowd who don't carry cigarette lighters hold up their cell phones.
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4 comments:
Talent improves with age and practice, and when you have a group of musical geniuses...can you help but rock till the day you die?
I've seen many concerts in 30-plus years, but never the Eagles. You are fortunate!
It definitely was an awesome concert! One thing to note, one of the guys in the horn section was the legendary Al Garth, who plays violin, horns, woodwinds.... You might remember him and his contributions to the Loggins & Messina " Sittin' In" Album. Not to mention all of the other artists he has performed with.
Some of my more favorable moments was Joe Walsh's "Helmet-CAM"...what a hoot. Also, the freeze frame motions that the band did at the end of Funk 49.
As always, the vocals were pristine.
My brother went to see them not that long agao and give them a raving review! May have to get tickets...
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