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Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
33 years ago today, Hotel California was released just in time for the Christmas buying season of 1976.
It was their biggest success and the album for which they became best known. It was career-altering both by taking them to the pinnacle and then by hastening their dissolution due to the toll of the ever-intensifying pressure they felt to outdo themselves.
With the addition of Joe Walsh and the loss of Leadon, they finally placed themselves firmly on the "rock" side of "country rock." They made the transition with a bang. There isn't a weak song on the album (though admittedly I believe some of them are a bit overrated, as I'll detail later).
So, Hotel California, happy anniversary! Let's have some pink champagne on ice and say "Here's to you!"
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
Happy Anniversary to the Hotel, it's my fave album:band:
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
I feel I should make some comments about this landmark album which I think changed my life, but what to say? Probably I should comment more on how I feel about it these days.
Hotel California - there has never been a song like this and never will be again. It's an extraordinary journey through a surreal world of shadowy figures and a hint of paranoia. All members of the band shine here from Glenn's 12 string acoustic to the monumental guitar duel to Don's superb vocals and drumming (the phrase 'vicious cymbals' is apt here).
New Kid In Town - achingly perfect dissection of a career, a relationship, whichever. The Mexican/Spanish feel of it complements the title track and draws you further into the murky world of Southern California. I love how they hark back to California's early Spanish heritage here. To me now, despite the fact that it went to Number One and won a Grammy, the song is underrated. It is a jewel in the band's crown.
Life In The Fast Lane - the hard rock anthem which is now almost as career defining as the title track. Love Glenn's clavinet (shades of Superstition & Trampled Under Foot) as well as Joe's awesome guitar work and the cynical lyrics. The melancholy and sense of loss in NKIT descends into the bitter recriminations found here as well as the sense of people driving over the edge.
Wasted Time - I thought this was one of the most insightful songs I had ever heard for years, but I'm afraid time has dulled its impact. The piano and vocal duet recalls Desperado and the closing harmonies are nice but overall the song is an example of Don's domination of the album. It remains one of his finest lyrics - it just has not aged well in my opinion.
Wasted Time/Reprise - nice touch to recall the Desperado album and it does remind you that the song has a beautiful melody too.
Victim Of Love - great track with some nice guitar work and more cynical lyrics (maybe a bit too much so- perhaps if Glenn had sung a couple of lines it would have made for an interesting contrast).
Pretty Maids All In A Row - this is perhaps my second favourite lyric after New Kid In Town. It's just magnificent with Joe's slide guitar and his rueful voice, with those impeccably arranged harmonies washing over you. Why do we grow up so fast, indeed? What happened to all the promise of the early years? (There are similar themes expressed in every other song on this album, but PMAIAR does it very succinctly).
Try And Love Again - the sleeper of the album, with superb lead guitar by Glenn, beautiful harmonies and Randy's aching lead. We've all been where this song goes.
The Last Resort - Don's epic. Once more, he dominates it, unfortunately at the rest of the band's expense (I have never understood why Glenn at least did not play piano for the HFO version). I know some poeple find the lyrics rather tendentious if not sanctimonious as he tries to tell the entire history of the state and ends by attacking organised religion. I nevertheless feel the closing lines 'you call some place paradise/kiss it goodbye' sum up the album.
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
Very well-written review, FP. I'll try to do one later, although I don't think I can top yours!
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Freypower
Life In The Fast Lane - the hard rock anthem which is now almost as career defining as the title track. Love Glenn's clavinet (shades of Superstition & Trampled Under Foot) as well as Joe's awesome guitar work and the cynical lyrics.
FP--I LOVED your whole review. I won't even try my own, especially after reading yours. Spot on. But I must say this above really got my attention "shades of Superstition & Trampled Under Foot"... hmmm- I will be listening to this today and listening a little closer than usual because of that one line. Very interesting and, I'm sure, very true.
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
My clock radio woke me up with with "Life In The Fast Lane". Great song to get you moving on a sleepy day!
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
FP, I've really enjoyed reading your review!
I love the whole album, there are so many really really good songs on this album!!!! :thumbsup::bow::grooving:
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
I love the atmosphere on this album, and the tunes are not bad either! Even though I seem to prefer the more rough and perhaps less safe material of the early days. Desperado is my favourite. I tend to say to people that New Kid in Town is THE perfect pop song. Everything is in place and even the modulation, which usually is treated in a rather idiotic manner in pop music, is part of the composition here. I mean that it doesn't sound like "alright, now the same thing a minor third higher", but more like a little passage which "happens to modulate".
About the 12-string on the title track. If I remember correctly, Don has said in some guitar magazine that HE played it. He also played that part live, although with an electric 12-string. I don't seem to hear the part that Glenn plays live (capo 2nd fret) on the original version. I've always wondered what Glenn plays on this track.
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
I have had discussions about which instrument Glenn plays on HC before. Of COURSE Felder is going to claim that he plays the 12 string acoustic. (I wasn't referring to the opening section which I guess has to be Felder).Maybe so. You can hear some acoustic strumming if you listen hard enough which surely must be Glenn, once Felder and Joe get to their electric parts. I mean really - he had to play SOMETHING on it. He does play a 12 string acoustic part now when they play it live, perhaps that is what I should have said.
TBF, the clavinet sound is very distinctive, as it is in the two songs I mentioned (both of which were recorded before LITFL). It is not as obvious in LITFL because the guitars are so prominent. It's really a rhythm part - as far as I know he never played keyboards on this song live, but I thought it was worth mentioning because it is usually overlooked.
Another interesting thing about the album is that in the period 1977-1978 it made the Eagles the biggest band in the world, along with Fleetwood Mac, because their only serious competetion, Led Zeppelin, were out of action at the time.
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Freypower
I have had discussions about which instrument Glenn plays on HC before. Of COURSE Felder is going to claim that he plays the 12 string acoustic. (I wasn't referring to the opening section which I guess has to be Felder).Maybe so. You can hear some acoustic strumming if you listen hard enough which surely must be Glenn, once Felder and Joe get to their electric parts. I mean really - he had to play SOMETHING on it. He does play a 12 string acoustic part now when they play it live, perhaps that is what I should have said.
I'm sorry, I thought you meant the main acoustic guitar that starts the song. Yes, there definitely are some "extra" strumming acoustic guitars that appear at least in the choruses. As I recall, Felder starts to strum the chords too at one point with his 12-string; I think that's when the guitar harmonies come in. But some of the stumming parts appear only in the choruses, so they must be Glenn, yeah.
I'm afraid it may be me with whom you've had that conversation before about what Glenn plays in Hotel California. I asked this question in another forum a couple of years ago.
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
I know I’m late on this and I am sorry I missed the Hotel California celebration week here on The Border. However, I feel I must revive this thread to comment on what I believe to be one of the top ten best rock and roll albums ever recorded. I'll continue using the same scale to rate the songs on this album as I did for the other album anniversary celebrations. I said many times that I think Hotel California is the pinnacle of the band’s genious. There are simply no bad songs here, IMO. I love the way that every song is very different, yet, they all come together so well thematically to make such a cohesive album. The album showcases every band members’ individual talents so beautifully. My one and only criticism is that Henley dominates the vocals a bit too much. I think it would have come across as more of a collaborative effort for the band even if Glenn had one more lead vocal. Which one??? – Life In the Fast Lane. I have heard him sing the song and he really does it justice. I’m not saying it would have been better, but I think the song would have been equally as good with Glenn as the lead vocalist. I don’t have time right now to comment on each song. I think FP already summed up most of my thoughts. The only thing I disagree with her about is the aging of Wasted Time. To me, the song is just as beautiful and appropriate today as it was when I heard it 33 years ago. As I’ve said before, every song on the album is superb and timeless. So here they are in the order that I love them …
1. Hotel California - 5+
2. New Kid In Town - 5+
3. Life In the Fast Lane - 5
4. Wasted Time - 5
5. Try and Love Again - 5
6. Victim of Love - 5
7. Pretty Maids All In a Row - 4
8. The Last Resort - 4
key:
5 - I love it
4 - I really like it
3 - I like it
2 - meh
1 - yikes
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HOTEL CALIFORNIA!!!
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Re: Happy Anniversary Hotel California!
Oh my gosh, I can't believe I forgot to do my review of this! It's just that with all the holiday rush... I'll get to it, though.
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Well - I thought I'd go ahead and revive this thread to officially say ...
HAPPY 34th ANNIVERSARY HOTEL CALIFORNIA!!!
This is one of the best albums in the history of rock and roll. To celebrate, we just finished a Survivor Game for this incredible album with a lot of spirited debate about the songs. There are very few albums that are superb from statrt to finish, but this is definitely one of them, IMHO. It is very worthy of all the accolades it so often receives.
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
I'm listening to the DVD-A version of it now (released back when remixing albums and putting them on a DVD to make the most of surround sound was trendy). It sounds SO FREAKING COOL to hear distinct, clear-as-a-bell sounds and voices coming out of all the different speakers - it's like you're right there in the middle of the guys playing and singing. I recommend it to anyone who loves this album hardcore.
ETA: Holy crap - just looked it up on Amazon and it costs $189! Glad I got it back when it was readily available and thus affordable!
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
I don't have that version but I know exactly what you mean!! That's why we love vinyl soooooo very much! With a great set of speakers, you get all those different sounds coming at you from different directions and it's unbelievably fantastic!!!
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Even though this thread is to celebrate the Hotel California album, I thought I'd take an opportunity to recognize some milestones for the iconic song. On May 7th, 1977 the Hotel California single hit #1 on the Billboard charts, and on May 12th of that year, the single went gold. It sure never looked back, and has gone on to be considered one of the best rock and roll songs ever. I would have to agree!!! :bow:
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
YAY for Hotel California!!!!! :partytime: The best song and album of all time! The biggest masterpiece in music!!!! :D
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ive always been a dreamer
On May 7th, 1977 the Hotel California single hit #1 on the Billboard charts, and on May 12th of that year, the single went gold. It sure never looked back, and has gone on to be considered one of the best rock and roll songs ever. I would have to agree!!! :bow:
Yep, absolutely agree :headbang::rockguitar:
Also one of the most recognised & commercially successful rock & roll songs (which doesn't always happen even when well deserved) - and still attracting a new audience (My 6-year old can sing along with it!).
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
The album that made the Eagles a household name in England! and also the one that got me really into the Eagles. Congratulations Hotel California - been 'living it up' with the Eagles ever since then:thumbsup:
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Happy 35th Birthday to HOTEL CALIFORNIA!!!
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Hotel California was released 35 years ago today!
Here's my ranking of the songs from favorite to least favorite:
1. Try and Love Again
2. Pretty Maids All In a Row
3. Victim of Love
4. Wasted Time/Wasted Time (Reprise)
5. Life in the Fast Lane
6. New Kid in Town
7. Hotel California
8. The Last Resort
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
My ranking:
1. New Kid in Town
2. Pretty Maids All in a Row
3. Victim of Love
4. Hotel California
5. Life in the Fast Lane
6. Wasted Time
7. Try and Love Again
8. The Last Resort
9. Wasted Time Reprise (I actually think this instrumental piece is very beautifully arranged, but as it's a reprise of an earlier song, I went ahead and put it last)
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOTEL CALIFORNIA! :birthday::birthday::birthday:
Like the State Fair, you get bigger and better every year. I love you so much and you are the reason I'm still alive today. If it weren't for your amazing songs and your amazing music I would not be here nor would I be the successful guitarist I am today. Thanks to the Eagles for making this album and especially to Joe Walsh for inspiring a geetar player like little old me! :hilarious:
I rank the songs as such:
1. Hotel California.
2. Life In The Fast Lane
3. Victim Of Love
4. New Kid In Town
5. Pretty Maids All In A Row
6. Wasted Time
7. Try and Love Again
8. The Last Resort
9. Wasted Time (reprise)
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Congratulations Hotel California!!
I believe this is one of the greatest albums EVER!
Here is my ranking:
1. Hotel California.
2. Life In The Fast Lane
3. The Last Resort
4. Wasted Time
5. Victim Of Love
6. New Kid In Town
7. Pretty Maids All In A Row
8. Try and Love Again
9. Wasted Time (reprise)
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOTEL CALIFORNIA
I definitely think that this album is one of the greatest written by our boys, and also one of the most iconic ones ever written. mention the Eagles as a band to any ofbthe general masses and the first question they come back with is 'oh, like did they sing HOTEL CALIFORNIA?' and the album stands in the top 10 of many different all-time polls.
And how can anyone who has seen the title track performed live (particularly outdoor as the sun is setting) not feel a thrill of excitement run through them as the opening part starts to play?
In order my list is
Hotel California
New Kid In Town
The Last Resort
Life in the Fast Lane
Victim Of Love
Wasted time
Pretty Maids All In A Row
Wasted Time (reprise)
Try and Love Again
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Congratulations Hotel California!!!
LOVE this album!
Here is my ranking:
1. Hotel California
2.New Kid In Town
3.Life In The Fast Lane
4. Wasted Time
5. The Last Resort
6.Victim Of Love
7. Pretty Maids All In A Row
8. Try and Love Again
9. Wasted Time (reprise)
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Woo-hoo! Happy birthday, Hotel California! This album was my intro to the Eagles on a chilly fall morning in 1979, when the kid I was riding to school with popped it into his cassette player. Of course, I had heard the hits all over the radio, but hearing the album cuts was what made me sit up and take notice.
Since then, I've found I prefer the live versions of most of these songs, but here's my list:
Wasted Time
The Last Resort
New Kid in Town
Victim of Love
Try and Love Again
Hotel California
Life in the Fast Lane
Pretty Maids all in a Row
Wasted Time (reprise)
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY HOTEL CALIFORNIA!!!
What can we say about this album that hasn't already been said a gazillion times before. Just the fact that the album has generated so much discussion in the last 35 years is a testament to the greatness of this masterpiece.
I'll just recopy my list that I posted earlier in the thread ...
1. Hotel California
2. New Kid In Town
3. Life In the Fast Lane
4. Wasted Time
5. Try and Love Again
6. Victim of Love
7. Pretty Maids All In a Row
8. The Last Resort
9. Wasted Time Reprise
With the exception of Try and Love Again, my list almost goes in the order that the tracks appear on the album. I guess that means I think the album gets progressively weaker, but that's all relative. IMO, even the worst track on this album is still an excellent song!
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HOTEL CALIFORNIA!
This album is my album. This was the one that got me into this band. I still remember hearing Victim of Love on cassette in my mom's car at seven years old, hearing all these songs and just falling in love with them. And I love every song equally, I really love them all, so it's gonna be hard to rank them, but here's my ranking.
1. Victim of Love
2. Hotel California
3. Wasted Time
4. Pretty Maids All In A Row
5. Life In The Fast Lane
6. New Kid In Town
7. The Last Resort
8. Try And Love Again
9. Wasted Time reprise
(I would actually consider VOL and HC to be in a tie for first place, since they're my two absolute favorite Eagles songs ever, but if I had to put one over the other it would be VOL. Just because it was the first Eagles song I ever heard and it's special to me in that way.)
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
1. Hotel California
2. New Kid In Town
3. Life In The Fast Lane
4. Pretty Maids All In A Row
5. Victim Of Love
6. Try And Love Again
7. The Last Resort
8. Wasted Time
9. Wasted Time (Reprise)
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
35 years! Seems impossible!
1. Hotel California
2. New Kid In Town
3. Life In The Fast Lane
4. Victim of Love
5. Wasted Time
6. Try And Love Again
7. Pretty Maids
8. The Last Resort
9. Wasted Time (Reprise)
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
I just listened to my DVD-A of Hotel California tonight and once again, I'm reminded of just how freaking incredible this album is. Brilliant!
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
I've been listening to the CD in my car this past week, and I must say I have been enjoying it immensely. Truly a piece of work this one is! :thumbsup:
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sodascouts
I just listened to my DVD-A of Hotel California tonight and once again, I'm reminded of just how freaking incredible this album is. Brilliant!
I need to get the DVD-A sometime. As far as the album... I truly hate to say this, but...... I told you so! :hilarious:
It's truly the masterpiece of the 70s. Sums up rock n' roll very, very well IMO. Certainly the best concept album I think. It takes you on a journey from beginning to end, which I LOVE about any album. It tells a story and it like a movie with no picture. I love albums where every song connects with one another and it doesn't seem like every song tells a completely different story. I like when albums have a theme although there are some concept records I don't personally like, but for the most part I love them.
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Well - I didn't forget about this, but I'm just getting around to posting the results of our Hotel California album poll. I doubt if anyone will be surprised to hear that Hotel California has the most points, with New Kid In Town trailing in second place. So here we go ...
1. Hotel California - 84 points
2. New Kid In Town - 74 points
3. Life In the Fast Lane - 68 points
4. Victim of Love - 65 points
5. Wasted Time - 59 points
6. Pretty Maids All In a Row - 50 points
7. The Last Resort - 43 points
8. Try and Love Again - 40 points
9. Wasted Time Reprise - 12 points
As always, Thanks to those who participated and if anyone else wants to post their list, please feel free, and I will update the results.
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
I'm late to the party again! Love this album, although to be fair since I haven't replaced my vinyl copy yet I mostly listen to the songs from other compilations i.e. Very Best Of, or HFO.
My list is:
1. The Last Resort
2. New Kid In Town
3. Hotel California
4. Life In the Fast Lane
5. Wasted Time
6. Victim of Love
7. Pretty Maids All In a Row
8. Try and Love Again
9. Wasted Time Reprise
The first 5 change around a bit, but there's a definite gap between my top 5 and the others (which I still like very much).
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Okay - here is an updated list that includes EaglesKiwi's list. Her votes didn't change the order of the standings at all ...
1. Hotel California - 91 points
2. New Kid In Town - 82 points
3. Life In the Fast Lane - 74 points
4. Victim of Love - 69 points
5. Wasted Time - 64 points
6. Pretty Maids All In a Row - 53 points
7. The Last Resort - 52 points
8. Try and Love Again - 42 points
9. Wasted Time Reprise - 13 points
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
1. Try And Love Again
2. Wasted Time (reprise)
3. Wasted Time
______________
4. New Kind In Town
5. Hotel California
6. Pretty Maids All In A Row
7. The Last Resort
______________
8. Life In The Fast Lane
9. Victim Of Love
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Here is an updated list that includes Scarlet Sun's list. His votes only changed the order of the standings slightly by putting Wasted Time just one point above Victim of Love ...
1. Hotel California - 96 points
2. New Kid In Town - 88 points
3. Life In the Fast Lane - 76 points
4. Wasted Time - 71 points
5. Victim of Love - 70 points
6. Pretty Maids All In a Row - 57 points
7. The Last Resort - 55 points
8. Try and Love Again - 51 points
9. Wasted Time Reprise - 21 points
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Re: Celebration of "Hotel California" Album!
Little late but here's my list:
1. Wasted Time
2. Try and Love Again
3. Victim of Love
4. Hotel California
5. Life in the Fast Lane
6. Long Run
7. New Kid in Town
8. Pretty Maids All in a Row
9. WT reprise