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DonFan
09-30-2008, 11:18 AM
Kendra GETS IT.
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Review: Eagles deliver sweet nostalgia
By Kendra Meinert • Gannett Wisconsin Media • September 30, 2008
Two songs into what would become a marathon set Monday night at the ReschCenter, Glenn Frey told the crowd, “Check your ticket stubs. This is the Eagles’ Assisted Living Tour. And we’re the Eagles, the band that wouldn’t die.’’
At least he got it half-right.

Not battling egos, not 28 years between studio albums and not even apparently hell freezing over have been able to stop the long run of the ’70s kings of California country-rock. But as for any signs that somehow time is starting to catch up with Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit – all hovering near 60 – there were virtually none to be found during a show that goes down as the most expensive ticket in Resch history.

Twenty-eight songs. Two hours and 45 minutes. Four frontmen all in fine voice. One stunningly spare “Desperado’’ to end the night. Not only did the Eagles give 6,494 fans their $177 worth, but they looked like they were having a better time doing it than they did during a rather frosty performance in 2003.

On a stage that resembled the Hollywood Bowl with a massive arched video backdrop, the foursome in black suits, white shirts and ties actually broke from their standard wall-of-singers formation to share mics, trade guitar licks and get about as playful as the Eagles get.

Goofy caricatures of themselves floated around in an animated aquarium video behind them during “Funk #49.’’ Walsh – always the life of the Eagles’ party – strapped a “helmet cam’’ on a Cheesehead during “Life’s Been Good’’ and stalked the crowd with the lens as he slipped in alternate lyrics: “I go to Lambeau, root for the Pack.’’ And was that actually a smile from Henley behind the drums on “One of These Nights’’ as the group revisited its arena-rock roots during a looser, faster finish to the night?

Perhaps they were revitalized by having new music to serve up (and by a terrific four-piece horn section). They played generously from “Long Road Out of Eden,’’ their first studio release since 1979’s “The Long Run,’’ opening with four of its tracks. They came back after an intermission to do another string of three acoustically on stools, including a poetic “No More Walks in the Wood’’ a cappella.

The new album’s title track, Henley’s 10-minute think piece on the U.S. involvement in Iraq, came later – the grittiest performance of the night with monster guitars, a marching drum beat and war footage. If that song didn’t remind the crowd he remains the Eagle with the best voice, “Boys of Summer’’ and “Desperado’’ no doubt did.

It was the classic hits that lured those mostly boomer fans to shell out as much as $177 a ticket to return to the soundtrack to their youth. Whether it was Frey – still looking the California cool cat -- effortlessly leading on “Peaceful Easy Feeling’’ or Schmit’s trippy mellow of “I Can’t Tell You Why,’’ the lush harmonies that have been the group’s signature since the early ’70s still feel like warm sunshine on your face.

So no wonder when a room-commanding trumpet solo opened into a well-worn “Hotel California’’ just five songs in, the crowd couldn’t help but get to its feet. Nothing feels as good as sweet nostalgia delivered like it was just yesterday.
Kendra Meinert writes for the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

TimothyBFan
09-30-2008, 12:03 PM
That's what I'm talking about:applause::applause:!! I LOVE that review! They all should be like that. I got chills reading this one and agree COMPLETELY!!!!!:thumbsup: Kudos to this reviewer for getting it right!!

Brooke
09-30-2008, 01:19 PM
Now that's what I saw in St. Louis! Great review! Thanks! :D

Molly
09-30-2008, 04:05 PM
Hey ladies, Steve and I just got back from Green Bay, and that review above is right on! Of the 3 shows I've seen this year, this was by far the best -we had an absolute blast.

We had 9th row center aisle seats. Not great, but compared to last week in Milwaukee- PHEE-NA-MO-NAL!!! I sat next to 2 really fun blondes. Since my hair is now really blonde courtesy of my stylist getting carried away last week, that made 3 blondes in a row! Trouble!!! The woman next to me was especially fun -she and I danced nonstop-even when we were sitting down because of the crowd being seated. Ironically, turns out she's an "Eyetalian" girl named Karen C! I seem to attract to sassy Eyetalian Karens! :thumbsup:

OK, here are a few unique things about our show. Sorry if this gets long:

Some idiot kept yelling "Seven Bridges Road" after every song! I remember when I had my first beer! :eyebrow:

After intermission, people were really slow getting back to their seats so we had people crawling over us during NMWITW and WITW which after doing them, Glenn said "That was the botanical portion of our show".

Cheesehead cam!!! Perfect for Green Bay where babies are issued a cheesehead before they even leave the hospital! Lambeau Field (where the Packers play) is literally across the street from the Resch Center (we parked in the Lambeau parking lot), so the line "I go to Lambeau and cheer on the Pack" got quite an ovation.

Glenn walked over to Joe while he was wearing the cheesehead and "sniffed" it (insert stinky cheese joke here). He made quite a "pew" face. If you've never smelled an actual fomation cheesehead, let me assure you...they stank!!

During "Boys of Summer" Steuart had meandered over to the center of the stage, he turned around to walk back just as Don made a big "strum" of his guitar and the 2 nearly collided guitar necks.

Don said they love the "beautiful city of Green Bay" and loved seeing how the leaves are already beginning to change colors.

Glenn said Al Garth once spent a long winter in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin (which is on the tip of the Wisconsin penninsula) for "the love of a woman".

I spent every Summer as a kid in the Egg Harbor area and I can imagine spending a Winter up there would be loooong. There's nothing to do there, unless of course you're after the "love of a woman"!

Timothy did his usual intro to LWKUA explaining that it was written by Paul Carrack the "Tempted" guy (and again started singing "Tempted"), then we got a little bonus and he said, he also sang, "How long has this been going on". He called LWKUA a "sappy love song". After Tim sang it, Glenn said, "Tim, I don't think that's a sappy love song, I think it's....tender....and lovely and beautiful."

No singing of "My Girl" during Glenn's intro...just a little swaying and dancing.

During the rest of the intros Don did a little drumming thing after every person was introduced, it was really playful. Glenn "danced" to the drums which was interesting. Kind of made up for not getting the ASWTDID dancing once again.

When Glenn undid the button on his cuff and pushed his shirt sleeve up, a white wrap bandage became visible. He explained, "I tried to kill myself last night, but then I saw the blood and couldn't go thru with it" Then he quickly said, "No, no, no...actually, I can't tell you why my wrist is sore" (with a very naughty voice and smile to match). The crowd got his meaning and went nuts (including me:thumbsup:). Then he said, "Hey, 3 1/2 weeks out on the road is a long time!"

Apparently, Mr. Schwetty has been feeling neglected! Kay, stop it...I know exactly what you're thinking right now. Besides, you're too late, I already thought it!

We had another blonde girl across the aisle from me in the next section (about 5 feet away from me) who obviously went to the "Elaine Bettis School of Dance" She was hilarious to watch! Absolutely no rhythm whatsoever! During "Witchy Woman" in ocurred to me that I was having kind of a weird "Seinfeld" moment. At one point, she must have dropped something since she was crawling on her hands and knees (in a dress, yuck!) up and down the aisle. She even had a security guard/camera Nazi down on his knees looking with her.

I have to say, being a few rows back, I expected no "eye contact" that I hear people always saying they were lucky enough to get. Though, being right on the aisle, and literally having a clear view to the stage, and the fact that there was a large congregation of dancing blondes in one small area, I think we actually did! Between the dancing blondes and the Elaine Bettis dancer, there was a lot going on in our section!

The best was as the guys were leaving the stage, this even impressed Ditka...as they were walking off and waving to the crowd, I was standing in the aisle and as Timmy and Glenn were right in front of me, instead of waving (no one in front of me was waving...lame people in the front all night) I gave the 3 finger "I Love You" sign...and I got it back along with a grin from Glenn! Woo Hoo! Made my night!

After the show, I was soooo jacked up, I knew I'd never sleep. So, we went back to our hotel, the Radisson, which is about 5 minutes from the Resch Center and is connected to a casino. It took a long time to get there as the traffic leaving the parking lot was insane. Ditka and I then decided to go down to the casino lounge for a drink. We ended up walking down with another couple. As we were approaching the lounge, I noticed 2 men leaving heading the other way...Scott Crago and Steuart!!

This morning, after breakfast, as I was getting on the elevator Steuart, dressed all in black with a baseball cap pulled down over his eyes and carrying a huge cup of coffee was hurrying off! Apparently, he was staying on the same floor as we were! All I had time for was a "Hi, Good Morning!"

When we were heading out to our car, we saw 5 huge RV's parked in the lot. I had assumed the entire entourage had headed out of town and over towards Minnesota.

Anyway, here are a few pictures Ditka took with our lame little camera. Next to Maleah's there so-so, but I don't think anyone will ever top Maleah's!! At least you can see what Cheesehead cam looks like!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/mollycinder/DSCN1251.jpg
"Wassup!!!"
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/mollycinder/EaglesGB5.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/mollycinder/EaglesGB1.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/mollycinder/EaglesGB2.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/mollycinder/EaglesGB3.jpg
Love this background!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/mollycinder/DSCN1268.jpg

DonFan
09-30-2008, 04:20 PM
Molly! I love it! Great review--sounds like a terrific concert! I can't believe you ran into Scott & Steuart--twice! Maybe it's true that blondes really do have more fun--although this brunette will give you a run for your money!:wink:

Love the cheesehead pics too--they are adorable! :thumbsup:

Mrs Henley
09-30-2008, 04:24 PM
Molly LOVE your review!
Glenn is naugthy, no kidding! ;)

Great pics :D

And I'm glad you enjoyed there! ^^ <3

ticky
09-30-2008, 04:48 PM
Molly you lucky lucky blonde lady!
What a great review. Thanks so much! and how cool you got to see Stewart! He's so talented. And Scotty too? wow.. very cool!

tbs fanatic
09-30-2008, 04:53 PM
Great review. Great pics. Sounds like fun was had by all. :partytime:

glenneaglesfan
09-30-2008, 05:55 PM
Oh Molly, what a fabulous review, and I've been laughing out loud at your comments. I love Glenn's 'botanical' reference, and as for the wrist bandage!!!:censored::pimp:

Brooke
09-30-2008, 06:37 PM
Wow, Molly, great review!

Love the cheesehead cam pics! Joe is so cool!

Sounds like another wonderful Eagles concert! Thanks! :partytime:

Freypower
09-30-2008, 06:47 PM
:thumbsup: Molly. I need to dig out the 'cheese' magnet you so kindly sent me.

That 'my wrist is sore' line is a classic.:ziplip: :censored:

sodascouts
09-30-2008, 07:32 PM
Loved the review Molly - such a fun read - thanks for including all those extra bits that we love! Sounds like the guys were a hoot. (And Glenn's comment about LWKUA - how sweet!)

And how awesome that Glenn not only saw you, but gave that "I love you" sign back! SOOOO cool! You cute blonds get the good stuff every time. ;)

Prettymaid
09-30-2008, 09:02 PM
Great review Molly. Sound like the boys were in fine form.

Ive always been a dreamer
09-30-2008, 10:28 PM
Apparently, Mr. Schwetty has been feeling neglected! Kay, stop it...I know exactly what you're thinking right now. Besides, you're too late, I already thought it!

Why Molly - I am sure I don't know what you are talking about. I thought nothing of the kind! :lie:

But, this is a great review and what an awesome show you had. It will take a while for you to come down from this one. Man - that is so cool that you thought about giving the hand sign and that Glenn saw you and returned the favor. I'm glad Ditka was impressed and tell him thanks for the pics. Now, I'm sure the next time you want to go to another show, Ditka will fully understand and do everything in his power to get you a front row seat. :wink:

TimothyBFan
10-01-2008, 08:51 AM
Great review and pics Molly. Sounds like that was a great show and that the guys were in great humorous form!!