Don plays "Hotel California" at the opening of a Rock HOF exhibit. I think he is actually singing live here (he forgets a word and sings his harmony part instead of the melody during the chorus). It's not too bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hOc-rtuYaE
Definitely sings live there and without tons of autotune and other effects. That singing was nice to listen to, because it sounded so spontaneous. But he probably couldn't sing like that for a whole show (let alone tour) at his age. All those aggressive endings in the verses. Very cool.
I hear ya, Shun. My concert budget is pretty much busted right now. Don is coming to play near me for 2 nights next month and I'd like to go. It's small enough that it should be easy to tell if he's really singing live or not.
Not sure if I'll be able to swing it. I already missed JD Souther. 🙁
Honestly at this point, as much as the Autotune bothered me when I saw him (and you could tell - it has a metallic almost robotic hint to the sound of the voice when Autotune is used), I think I'd rather hear him WITH it than without it. The clip Chaim posted of him clearly singing live was dreadful. I really would like to think that he would use the Autotune. He needs it. Trust me, lol. He's no singer, but a top shelf guitarist.
If you go, definitely report back. Personally for the sake of anyone going I hope that the teleprompter and Autotune are in working order. It makes it bearable. It's still not a great vocal performance by any stretch, but it is better than his real unaffected voice. I used to hate the fact he Autotuned - but I think now until he wisens up and hires a singer or two, Autotune is at the very least making it passable and decent lol.
I've changed my stance on Don and Autotune. I think he NEEDS to Autotune if he isn't willing to put the ego aside and get someone who can sing to be in his band. Otherwise it's just going to spoil it, no matter how great he plays, how tight the band is, or how the other musicians play. And if you are a Don Henley fan, you won't like it. He simply cannot sound good (even with Autotune IMO) doing DH songs. It's not great when he sings Glenn songs like Take It Easy or Peaceful Easy Feeling, don't get me wrong, but it's not as bad as his renditions of Witchy Woman, One Of These Nights, etc. Even a Glenn Frey fan wouldn't like his voice on GF songs, but it is still IMO better than when he tries to sing DH songs. Autotune does help, but if you love the vocals you'll be disappointed. I'm a guitar first guy, and even I was disappointed in the vocal performance. But I have a feeling someone who really sees the Eagles as a strong vocal band and loves the voice of Don and Glenn and maybe isn't a guitar fanatic or one to care more about guitar will be upset.
I’ve seen Felder perform solo already so unless his vocals have really gone downhill in the last couple of years, I doubt I’ll be surprised by anything I hear. Not like with Kevin Cronin when I saw REO Speedwagon, now that I wasn’t expecting.
It seems lots of people use Autotune these days, even the younger artists, unfortunately. If I do end up going to his show, it would be preferable that Felder not use it but if he does it’s really not going affect my opinion of his vocals. He’s a passable singer who is getting on in years. He never was a strong vocalist.
Right or wrong, what’s done is done
It’s only moments that you borrow...
When it comes to Felder's (lack of) vocal prowess - it's damned if you do, damned if you don't with regards to Autotune. Either way it's not good. At least with Autotune his voice would be in tune.
I think the prevalence of younger artists using Autotune is a direct reflection of the state of the music industry. Right now they'd rather you be a pitchy singer that looks good and can eat up a crowd and have a good social media presence. They'd rather Autotune the voice of the above person both live and on record than choose a singer that sings well but maybe isn't as visually stimulating or has as good of a presence.
It's funny you mention Kevin Cronin. I agree his voice has changed a LOT but I still love seeing that band! Me and my folks have seen them 3 times now, every time they come through Peoria, IL where we live (which is also close to their hometown of Champaign) we go see them. I love the Kevin era material on record and while his voice has definitely changed, I guess it hasn't to the point of affecting the show. I've never walked away disappointed, let's put it that way. I didn't notice much difference between the first two times I saw REO, but this last time I could see a little more decline in vocal strength, admittedly.
There are very few bands I've seen more than once (Eagles, AC/DC, Styx), and only two I've seen more than twice - Journey and REO. I've seen Journey twice but I will be seeing them next June front row. They put on such a great show but so many have hangups about Steve Perry's absence. So in June it will make #3. I love seeing Journey. Neal Schon is one of my favorite guitarists and he does well running the band.
Apparently communication between Don and Joe isn't necessarily stagnant.
https://youtu.be/Cd18W5CG3KM?t=738
Thanks for sharing that. I’m not surprised they have spoken to each other. Don has said in other interviews that they have been in contact. With both collaborating with so many other artists these days, it’s a shame they can’t do something together.
It sounds like Don doesn’t like snow ones, lol. And that was a funny James House story.
Right or wrong, what’s done is done
It’s only moments that you borrow...