DonFan
07-19-2008, 09:01 AM
The Eagles still rocking hard after all these years
By SCOTT CRONICK At The Shore, 609-272-7017
Published: Saturday, July 19, 2008
ATLANTIC CITY - Fans will give legendary bands some leniency when they perform live. Whether it's overlooking Mick Jagger reading from a teleprompter or understanding that Elton John can't move around like he used to, they get a bit of a pass.
There was no forgiveness needed Thursday night when the Eagles played their first of two sold-out shows at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa's Event Center.
Despite the band's 37 years of existence and the average age of the four longtime band members at 60, the Eagles undoubtedly remain at the top of their game.
While the "Hell Freezes Over" reunion may have had more media hype, this tour may be the best time to see the Eagles since the late '70s. While "Hell Freezes Over" offered a handful of new songs, the Eagles' latest release, the double-CD "Long Road Out of Eden," is a quintessential Eagles recording that shows Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit can still bring it not only as performers, but songwriters as well. It's like time never passed.
Unlike many concerts featuring new music from classic rockers, the crowd didn't run to the bathrooms when the Eagles played their new material. In fact, the band played nine songs from "Long Road Out of Eden," including four to begin the show and three to begin the second set after a 20-minute intermission.
Not only did the crowd not run to the exits, it thoroughly enjoyed the new material, particularly the openers "How Long" and "Busy Being Fabulous," which showcased the Eagles' still-unbelievable harmonies that have become the band's hallmark.
While some of the new songs, particularly Schmit's sappy "I Don't Want to Hear Anymore," didn't fare as well, others like the moody title track reminiscent of "Hotel California" and Frey's rocking "Somebody" were worth the price of admission alone.
Of course, the band, dressed like Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" with black suits, white shirts and black ties, didn't leave Borgata without playing its hits, and it seems like they played all of them in a 28-song set that lasted for more than two-and-a-half hours.
A band is certainly confident when it can play its most famous song - and arguably the most famous classic-rock song of all time - fourth in the set. But that's exactly what the Eagles did when they rolled out "Hotel Caifornia." With Henley behind the drums and Frey on a 12-string, it was rock 'n' roll bliss, particularly when Walsh and guitarist Stuart Smith harmonized for the song's trademark dueling guitar solos, resulting in a standing ovation.
The night was full of great moments as the Eagles showed off their songwriting diversity that ranges in styles from country-ish Americana like "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Lyin' Eyes" and the encores "Take It Easy" and "Desperado" to disco-ish pop songs like "Witchy Woman" and "One of These Nights" to sing-along anthems like "In the City," "Heartache Tonight" and "Life in the Fast Lane." Heck, these guys can even pull off a five-song acoustic set that was highlighted by "Take It to the Limit."
More amazing than the arsenal of hits is the level of talent that the Eagles still possess. With the exception of Walsh - who was never a great vocalist to begin with - the Eagles' vocals sound like they did 30 years ago. Vocals aside, they are all amazing musicians, as well. Henley is the most impressive. Whether playing guitar, drums, keyboards or just singing, it's hard not to watch Henley even when the spotlight isn't on him.
Fan favorite and New Jersey native Walsh remains a guitar god. Although he disappointingly didn't play many solos in the first half of the show, he let loose after the intermission, breaking out the crowd-pleaser "Life's Been Good," as well as the James Gang's "Funk #49."
Ticket prices, ranging from $196 to $501, may have been high to see the Eagles at Borgata. But no one walked out complaining. The chance to see an act of this caliber in such a small venue is that rare opportunity Eagles fans didn't want to pass up.
They made a good decision.
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By SCOTT CRONICK At The Shore, 609-272-7017
Published: Saturday, July 19, 2008
ATLANTIC CITY - Fans will give legendary bands some leniency when they perform live. Whether it's overlooking Mick Jagger reading from a teleprompter or understanding that Elton John can't move around like he used to, they get a bit of a pass.
There was no forgiveness needed Thursday night when the Eagles played their first of two sold-out shows at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa's Event Center.
Despite the band's 37 years of existence and the average age of the four longtime band members at 60, the Eagles undoubtedly remain at the top of their game.
While the "Hell Freezes Over" reunion may have had more media hype, this tour may be the best time to see the Eagles since the late '70s. While "Hell Freezes Over" offered a handful of new songs, the Eagles' latest release, the double-CD "Long Road Out of Eden," is a quintessential Eagles recording that shows Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit can still bring it not only as performers, but songwriters as well. It's like time never passed.
Unlike many concerts featuring new music from classic rockers, the crowd didn't run to the bathrooms when the Eagles played their new material. In fact, the band played nine songs from "Long Road Out of Eden," including four to begin the show and three to begin the second set after a 20-minute intermission.
Not only did the crowd not run to the exits, it thoroughly enjoyed the new material, particularly the openers "How Long" and "Busy Being Fabulous," which showcased the Eagles' still-unbelievable harmonies that have become the band's hallmark.
While some of the new songs, particularly Schmit's sappy "I Don't Want to Hear Anymore," didn't fare as well, others like the moody title track reminiscent of "Hotel California" and Frey's rocking "Somebody" were worth the price of admission alone.
Of course, the band, dressed like Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" with black suits, white shirts and black ties, didn't leave Borgata without playing its hits, and it seems like they played all of them in a 28-song set that lasted for more than two-and-a-half hours.
A band is certainly confident when it can play its most famous song - and arguably the most famous classic-rock song of all time - fourth in the set. But that's exactly what the Eagles did when they rolled out "Hotel Caifornia." With Henley behind the drums and Frey on a 12-string, it was rock 'n' roll bliss, particularly when Walsh and guitarist Stuart Smith harmonized for the song's trademark dueling guitar solos, resulting in a standing ovation.
The night was full of great moments as the Eagles showed off their songwriting diversity that ranges in styles from country-ish Americana like "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Lyin' Eyes" and the encores "Take It Easy" and "Desperado" to disco-ish pop songs like "Witchy Woman" and "One of These Nights" to sing-along anthems like "In the City," "Heartache Tonight" and "Life in the Fast Lane." Heck, these guys can even pull off a five-song acoustic set that was highlighted by "Take It to the Limit."
More amazing than the arsenal of hits is the level of talent that the Eagles still possess. With the exception of Walsh - who was never a great vocalist to begin with - the Eagles' vocals sound like they did 30 years ago. Vocals aside, they are all amazing musicians, as well. Henley is the most impressive. Whether playing guitar, drums, keyboards or just singing, it's hard not to watch Henley even when the spotlight isn't on him.
Fan favorite and New Jersey native Walsh remains a guitar god. Although he disappointingly didn't play many solos in the first half of the show, he let loose after the intermission, breaking out the crowd-pleaser "Life's Been Good," as well as the James Gang's "Funk #49."
Ticket prices, ranging from $196 to $501, may have been high to see the Eagles at Borgata. But no one walked out complaining. The chance to see an act of this caliber in such a small venue is that rare opportunity Eagles fans didn't want to pass up.
They made a good decision.
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