My own rediscovery of the Eagles has been quite a trip. I grew up listening to their hits endlessly on the radio, but I've since mostly forgotten them. For someone outside the USA, I could see why you would like them!
Solid ranking (though I love The Long Run). At this point in overfamiliarity with the Eagle's discography, the deep cuts I most revisit are "Pretty Maids All in a Row", "In The City", and "Those Shoes"... Eagles were always sonically pleasing, and Felder and Walsh never disappointed. Ah, those guitars.... Fantastic review. Cheers from Japan. 🙏
In 1977 my older sister's boyfriend worked for Pace productions in Houston. Outdoor shows required local roadie helpers, I was one at the Eagles show at Jeppison Stadium U of Houston football stadium. After Thursday evening to Friday 5am, school from 8am to 3pm , Friday night 7pm till 4pm Saturday, building scaffolding, grab this, tote that, shut up and pretend to work...... we were off until the show ended at 1130p.m. I watched the show from the scaffold above the stage, (nothing like it before or since, hearing the sound that Eagles heard), the P.A. system was two cases 5' high with Marantz amps, and enough current to murder 500 humans. I AM TELLING THE TRUTH,........ FANTASTIC SHOW AND MEMORY. Kind regards Scott Rowland
Given their small discography, such rankings are typically predictable. I'm very pleased to see in your case you have not followed the "formula". Putting Desperado at the top is absolutely valid. It happens to be my favourite by the band, and although not a commercial high mark, it certainly is musically. In the pre Joe Walsh years Desperado is the kind of music they did best. Thanks for doing this.
As always great breakdown and analysis of the albums. My own ranking: 1. Desperado 2. Hotel California 3. On the Border 4. One of these Nights 5. Eagles 6. The Long Run 7. Long Road out of Eden
Agree totally - and I am shocked. Nice to see Hotel California isn't the ubiquitous number one, though 'The Last Resort' is probably my favourite song of theirs.
I like The Long Run better than most people do, but I think that is because I purchased the LP as a young kid. Living in a house with a dad and two older brothers all competing for spins on our one turntable, I tended to overplay albums that grabbed my attention.
I love that you put Desperado first. It's my favorite too. All the songs fit the theme. Great musicianship and great song writing. A Certain Kind of Food and Bitter Creek are such great gems. And how the album opens with Dooling Dalton and closes with the Doolin Dalton/Desperado reprise is pure beauty even though it's not a happy ending.
I rank their albums exactly the same. Desperado is the only album I still play from start to end, a great record. I wish they had gone further down that road. I agree that they was not a great rock band but had wonderful vocal harmonies and wrote some fine songs.
Love the ranking !! In fact ranking the Eagles' albums is no easy task since they're all so good and so different from each other !! I wonder if anyone has ever realised the fact that each album stands on its own and bears no comparison whatsoever with any other. When you look at most bands, there is a thread of continuity from one album to the next, very recogniseable, whereas the Eagles seemed to start from scratch on each and every album they recorded. You could make the case that Long Road, the last one, clusters all the different styles of the previous albums as well as their solo careers' endeavours onto one piece of work, which is a great way to wrap it all up. It's anyone's guess what a hypothetical album of theirs might have sounded like if they hadn't broken up after The Long Run, but perhaps the best half of Henley's Building the Perfect Beast LP along with some Frey solo hits (The Heat is on, You Belong to the City, The One You Love...) as well as Walsh's Life of Illusion and The Confessor might have been yet another legendary album !!
Thanks for doing this, a perfect tonic on a cold, Scottish January evening. Desperado is number one for sure. I was 21 when this album came out and to this day Henley's vocal on Desperado (Reprise) still sends a shiver down my spine; and we were spoiled for choice back then. Your channel is a musical antidote to the tedious mediocrity of the modern auto-tuned yodel. Keep up the good work.
I grew up with this band; Life in the Fast Lane was a fave and I’ll never forget the first time I heard Hotel California. But overplaying on the radio burned me out until very recently. So I just got a ‘best of’ compilation. Guilty pleasure perhaps but I must say that their music is really fun to sing along to. Thanks for your input and I’m sorry I overlooked them for so long. 👍
#1- Hotel California #2- One of These Nights #3- Desperado #4- On the Border #5- The Long Run #6- Eagles The only ones I have or want is these six from the seventies.
Agree 100% with your list, Barry. Desperado has always been my favourite of theirs whilst most/many seemed to plum for Hotel California. Can still remember their concert back in the day on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Btw I love their acoustic version of Hotel California, just brilliant
As always, great ranking plus mini-reviews. I love your channel! I appreciate how you didn't bow down to the typical Eagles ranking that %95 of the "reviewers" out there would have gone with. Bucking against the trend was a good idea in which you backed up your decision superbly with many valid arguments. Even considering this great band's low output of material and the huge number of years separating some of their albums.
Thank you, I so rarely find anyone that seems to appreciate the completeness and perfection of Desperado, it's far and away my favourite eagles album with not a single weak track.
Ha! I’ve been listening to you for a couple of years and just got the humor in the closing salvo. “More important than staying safe and well, keep listening though in danger and wounded!” Love the list. Desperado is also my number 1. My only departure from your list is I do like the Long Run a bit more than the self titled. Perhaps because I was 15 when it came out and I, too, was in a bit of a dark place. It resonated. Always enjoy your insights! Stay safe and well but, more importantly, keep making these videos!
I guess I like grim sermons from the edges of the abyss. 😎 Seriously, I never thought I'd be commenting on The Eagles, but hey, they were a decent part of my childhood in the 70s, and I did enjoy a good chunk of it (esp. tracks like "One of These Nights," "Victim of Love," "On The Border," "Take it To The Limit," etc.) so it only feels right that I say something about this, and maybe defend a record that seems to take it up the arse a bit too much. I bought THE LONG RUN new in the great year of '79, and was pretty much instantly pleased with the number of 'more meaty than usual' Eagles songs; most especially the badass, voice box laden "THOSE SHOES," but also several others. Actually, I dig all of the first seven tracks of this album. All of them displaying quite strong, disparate qualities. Only the last three are meh for me. I'm certainly not put off by coke fueled dark themes though. Heh! I grew up a young rock loving kid in the 70s, and that particular pot smoke hazed aesthetic was all around us. Dark, more cerebral, introspective themes, salacious content, along with a wry sense of intelligent humor was all a huge part of why it was so excellent (in both films and music) I mean, who wants cleaned up, happy shiny Aerosmith, Bowie, Alice Cooper or The Stones. We all know how those went once all sobered up (esp Aerosmith and Alice -- I'm hard pressed to think of "much at all" that either of those previous greats produced post early 80s, that I ever really want to listen to) Point is, sometimes great artists produce really good material when going through difficult and/or dark times. And I personally like it when The Eagles are a bit "dirtied up" so to speak. I mean, there's the Time-Life version of the Eagles, and that kinda bores everyone to tears. And then there's the Showtime documentary version of The Eagles (the reality of The Eagles), and that's where they're interesting and nefarious, borderline evil. Heh! Say what you will, but that makes 'em a better ROCK band anyway. Mainly though, I guess I'm just here to stick up a bit for those first 7 tracks of "THE LONG RUN," which, for me, stand up very well with most of the earlier catalog. Not to mention that the album, as a whole, does fit in pretty well with the overall vibe and effectiveness of all the other good records of a very distinctive place called "1979" i.e. You could make a compilation album of great 1979 "rock 'n roll," and some of this Long Run material (eg, In The City, Disco Strangler, King of Hollywood and esp. Those Shoes) would fit in nicely with it. Can't normally say that about The Eagles, right? Previously you could fit them in if it was a mellow FM Cali affair, or obviously country tinged stuff, but not if it was straight pop/Rock. Certain songs yes, but in general, not so much. Finally, the only song in this record that is "depressing or durge like"...whatever, is "Teenage Jail" (never cared for that one) So, if the whole album was more like that, I could see the overall criticism very clearly. But, other than the ominous, but very good "King of Hollywood" or the regretful, slow tempo "Sad Cafe," it's just not. Maybe it's just that most people need their music to be sunshiny and constantly positive. I don't. I'm in it for the music. Good lyrics are very important, but the icing on the cake for me. So whether it's upbeat/positive, silly and humorous or dark and moody, I only care that the music moves me, first. "Those Shoes" certainly does. Too bad that it's about a desperate, drug enhanced lady of the night. God forbid such salacious lyrical content for a rock n roll song. Ha. ⚡
Great ranking! Mine is similar: 1. Desperado 2. One of These Nights 3. Eagles 4. Hotel California 5. On the Border 6. The Long Run 7. Long Road Out of Edan
Barry another ten. Your insight and lyric are exact and in harmony with mine . I’ve enjoyed this Band since day one. At times their music is brilliant but how frequently they are Silly and Sad. Your top two are my top two too.
Another great list. From an American perspective and being a fan of the band from about 1975, you could not live in American and not be overwhelmed by the ever present EAGLES THIER GREATEST HITS 71 - 75. Released a year before HOTEL CALIFORNIA, AOR just ate the best of up. The release was often played in it's entirety on weekend evening on AOR stations across America. I vividly remember seeing copies of Their Greatest Hits on sale in convince stores and gas stations on 8Track. A feat normally reserved for 30 year old public domain releases and Elvis Greatest Hits releases. Having seen both the Hotel California tour and The Long Run tour....one felt almost dangerous...the other resolutely commercial and quite a bit boring. Only Felder and Walsh really gave outstanding performances each show.
Well done, good Sir. I have no problem with your list except that I'd slide "One of These Nights" down two notches and put it below "On the Border." (Leadon's extended instrumental is a bit much.) Placing "Desperado" at the top tells me you listen with a very discerning ear. It's the LP wherein their immense talent blossomed into greatness.
The Eagles are my favorite band ever and I've had the great opportunity to see them 3 times (November 2013, April 2018 and February 2022). Here's my ranking: 7. Long Road Out of Eden 2007 6. Eagles 1972 5. The Long Run 1979 4. On the Border 1974 3. Desperado 1973 2. One of These Nights 1975 1. Hotel California 1976
Pleased you ranked Desperado at 1. Very underrated album by most music critics but one of those few albums with no filler. Whilst not a studio album, Hell Freezes Over was a marvellous return to form by the band after a decade or more of silence.
I agree wholeheartedly that Long Road Out Of Eden is a slog but it does contain one of Henley’s best ever songs, “ Waiting In The Weeds “ , it perfectly evokes nostalgia much in same vein that Springsteen did with “ Girls In Their Summer Clothes “ . A gem .
Agree about “ Waiting In The Weeds “. It is the only song from "Long Road Out of Eden" that deserves to be included in the pantheon of Eagles classics.
I totally agree with you regarding Desperado. It's The Eagles best album in my opinion and it's the album they SHOULD be remembered for instead of Hotel California. I also have a soft spot for Desperado because it was released the day after I was born - April 17th 1973.
My List: 1. Desperado 2. Hotel California 3. One of These Nights 4. The Long Run 5. The Eagles 6. Hell Freezes Over 7. On the Border 8. Long Road Out of Eden
Brilliantly done. I disagree with the ranking, but that's not the point. Your delivery and synopsis of each album is excellent Concise, literate and professionally done. I really enjoyed this video. Well done. My ranking for the record: 1. Hotel California 2. One of These Nights 3. The Long Run 4. On the Border 5. Desperado 6. Eagles 7. Long Road Out of Eden
Very enjoyable video! My list if I may - 1. Hotel California 2. Desperado 3. One of These Nights 4. Long Road Out of Eden 5. On the Border 6. Eagles 7. The Long Run
A follow up comment as I was in a rush the other day when I wrote my list. I mostly wanted to add that I particularly enjoyed your thoughts on the `Desperado` album. I have read several positive reviews of this album through the years but I don`t think anyone has described and praised to quite the level that you did. For me your review caught the essence of the feel of this album perfectly and it was very good to hear. I also wanted to touch on my placing of `Long Road Out of Eden` at number four. I have found that it is an album I come back to quite often, partly I`d say because being a double there is quite a lot of music to (in my case)enjoy. As brilliant as some of the very early hits by the Eagles are, I have heard them so many times that it has gotten to the stage where that can count against them. Not the songs fault of course but there we are. LROOE is certainly not perfect but I feel there are just enough quality songs to give it the edge over some earlier albums if only through sheer quantity. I`d heard a rumour of a new Eagles album before it was released and one day I was browsing in a music shop and heard the track `Do Something` sung by Timothy B.Schmit. I instantly recognised it as an Eagle track of course and I liked it very much from that first listen. I love the opening track `No More Walks in the Woods` which lets you know straight off that the Eagles have lost none of their vocal harmonizing skills through the years. Whilst saying all of that I would not say no to the album being re-recorded one day with some Don Felder guitar playing added! Best wishes.
Desperado as number 1 is valid. I'd still put Hotel California as 1 and Desperado as 2. I think they are clearly the best two albums (HC is the first album I bought, so nostalgia pushes it up over Desperado which was the 2nd one I bought). One of These Nights is #3 for me. It has a couple of clunker songs for me (I Wish You Peace). I think Long Road Out of Eden would have been better as a single album. I agree that it's got some great songs on it, but they're buried under the sheer number of songs.
Long road out of eden suffers from Don Felder missing,some good songs. One of these nights or Hotel California are my favourites but can never decide which one I like better. Great review as usual
Desperado is my favorite as well. As stated elsewhere, all tracks work well together. It has a feel of the time and place. Bernie's Bitter Creek is the highlight for me. What a great track. It works for my surroundings in the Australian bush, great lyrics.
I would have ranked these exactly the same. 'Desperado' is my absolute favourite, just edging out 'One of these nights'. Although it could not be included here as it is a compilation, 'Their Greatest Hits 1971-75' is in a class of its own. The quality of the song selection speaks volumes as to its record breaking sales.
I can't argue with your logic, and the lines between albums in this discography are thin and nebulous. But I reorder the top two, and bottom two, with a caveat. Desperado was my instant favorite, and stayed that way for a long time. But One of These Nights has grown on me over the decades to the point tthat it is the one Eagles album I reach for most often. And if you let me consider Eden as a single album, skipping the fluff as I often do, it is definitely more enjoyable that the lifeless collection that is Long Run. But again, 1 and 2 are so close, as are 6 and 7, that I can't fault your choices. As far as a 50th Desperado, I'd LOVE to hear a remix with less reverb, as the band wanted!
I certainly agree with the bottom two albums, despite their occasional high points aren’t a patch on their previous albums. The first five albums I think are all fantastic but trying to rank them is difficult. I think my favourite would probably depend on which type of mood I’m in.
Spot on geezer - i also like the fact you resist the temptation to put HC at number 1 (still a brilliant record), but the Eagles' are underrated for their complexity and depth in both lyrics and their music. Great vid.
Great reviews. Thanks. Happy 2023. My personal ranking would be Hotel California Desperado On the Border One of These Nights The Eagles The Long Run (Never bought anything after The Long Run
To answer your question, and to my surprise, it turns out the Eagles only have two songs with the word “Easy” in the title and both appear on their first record “Take it Easy” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling”
A good ranking . Here's mine in order of preference : On the Border ( with great deep tracks like the title song and A Good Day in Hell ) One of These Nights Desperado Hotel California The Eagles The Long Run Long Road Out of Eden Thanks !
That was cool.😎👍 Dry wit, keen insight, and some choice quotes, all hallmarks of CAR. My Worst to Best: (Can't rate Long Road... never listened to it) 6) The Long Run 5) On the Border 4) Desperado 3) Eagles 2) One of these nights 1) Hotel California I've never seen the band play live. I did see three of them on solo tours. Don Henley at the Cal Expo with supporting act Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. Joe Walsh at the Oakland Coliseum Arena (think it was for 'ordinary average guy'.) and at the Raddison ballroom in Sacramento. Definitely the most spirited performer. Glenn Frey in Oakland as well opening for Fleetwood Mac. The best sounding song I've ever heard at a arena show was Glenn Frey singing Lyin' Eyes in Oakland. His sound technician was really on point that night. (Oh, it was 'There goes the Neighborhood' that Joe was touring for the 1st time I saw him.)
I think the fact that the Long Run is a single album is the fact that whist there was enough material, not much of it was written by Henley and Frey (Walsh and Felder wrote two number, Told you So, and Rivers, that ended up on his solo albums). Long Run Leftovers hints at other tracks we'll probably never hear.
Desperado is 1 for me too.. although I have to disagree about Journey of the Sorcerer i think its one of the best songs of eagles. 1. Desperado 2. Eagles 3. Hotel California 4. The Long Run 5. One of these nights 6. On The Border 7. Long road out of eden
My list is only 3 albums I can stomach from this band. Rankings is in order. *1)* Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 *2)* Hotel California (songs *Wasted Time* & *New Kid in Town* only reason this album is listed) *3)* Hell Freezes Over (love the "acoustic" version of *Hotel California* on this album) Two Deep Cuts from other LP's *1)* Thrill is Gone from *One of These Nights.* *2)* In the City from *The Long Run.* I prefer Joe Walsh's solo version on *The Warriors* movie soundtrack then The Eagles rerecorded version on *The Long Run.* You can have the rest of The Eagles catalogue. Especially that travesty 2 disc Walmart special *Long Road Out of Eden* set. Not one song spoke to me at all.
Cool video ... no right answer as everone will have their favourites ... personally I really do enjoy all the uptempo numbers on the Long Road Out of Eden (plus the awesome title track) and treat a combo playlist of those tune as a "pseudo" studio album in its own right which, for me, comes in at #2 after Hotel California ... Eagles could have tried harder to enable Long Road to have had more impact as there really are some fabulous tracks on it ... and, had they done so, a follow up could have been perceived to be worthwhile ... the album needed more soak time ... thereafter, although I have all the CDs, I just go for the greatest hits and also the live 2xDVD Farewell Tour(clearly not!) set to listen to. Saw them at Murrayfield in 1996 and again in Glasgow about 4 years ago (with Vince and Deacon and Steuart - great player) ... good night, great set, well played ... clear highlight of the night was Joe Walsh who was just majestic (especially on his In The City track ... absolutely superb) ... the LA Forum DVD show, same set and word perfect between song banter, has a disappointingly muddy sound and is therefore not a "go to" listen ... thanks again ... CMcG, Aberdeen, Scotland
While it has been a long while since I heard Long Road Out Of Eden, I do consider it to be a more worthy final album than The Long Run which I was so disappointed with. The title track sounds like a theme to some goofy 1980s TV sitcom comedy. It was not a terrible album but I was expecting something more especially after Hotel California. One song I do like is King of Hollywood which tells a even darker side of California. It would be a theme song for Harvey Weinstein. Good ranking you did for The Eagles albums.
Congratulation for your opinion. You should be hired by Rolling Stone magazine who need desperately people with knowledge. In my case, I will put Hotel California 1 simply because it was the soundtrack of the life of many young North Americans of this area, like for the older one had Dark Side of the Moon or Led Zep 4. Maybe you should do one day a list of albums who has a big impact on people!
For me, the Eagles were never an albums band, but if I have to choose their best album (and I do) then I'm afraid that Hotel California wins the day. It may be the safe and boring choice, but it's the band's only album that's more or less perfect from start to finish. Only "Pretty Maids All in a Row" lets it down somewhat (it's boring) but that's not a bad song by any means. And in a distinguished second place is Desperado. I don't think its a great album, but the title track alone raises it above the rest of the band's discography, which is pretty much interchangeable, in my opinion.
Very good Long road out of Eden though it's touch and go with me some of the songs on there are so great it could have been a fantastic single album but then amongst the killer there's so much filler it almost sounds like a solo shot from each person bringing something to the table that they didn't put on their albums. I mean the title track is mesmerizing a lot of people were shitting all over the place because Stewart was in the band for many years and not Don F. But it is what it is it's a decent album for the most part but there are some songs I tend to skip over on both CDs. 1. Desperado 2. On the border 3. Hotel California 4. The debut eagles self-titled 5. Long road out of Eden 6. One of these nights 7. The long run 8. Hell freezes over if you include it
"Remortgaging my house to go and see" sadly reflects on the big cash cow alot of old bands are doing now.Lets face it by compare its nostalgia.A mk1 ford two door base escort car is worth thousands at the moment because of guys of a certain age.These band tickets are just the same.Problem is you cant revisit your youth sadly.
I put Hotel California 1, Desperado 2, otherwise agree with the rankings, but Out Of Eden needed about half of the songs cut to make it bearable. Or, you could just get the greatest hits compilations and be satisfied
Lester Bangs critisized the Eagles a lot. They were one of many reasons for Punkrock, along with CSN and sloppy liveperformances by Led Zeppelin. Country Rock can be to smooth. But Joe Walsh is the Eaglesguy everbody has to love.
on the "On The Border" album, the guitar solos, especially on "You Never Cry Like A Lover", are mixed louder than the rest of the song and that sounds really odd to me. The British band Be Bop Deluxe did the same thing on their album "Sunburst Finish" but it sounds good on their album, at least to me.
Only one change ... Eagles (1972) trade places with OtB. Glyn John was right. James Dean and Already Gone are the worst (Worked better live). So no rock songs on One of These Nights. But Joe Walsh showed them how to rock. Long live Bernie Leadon.
LROOE's problem is that it's too long. It wouldve been a great album had it been edited to a single disc. I felt Frey's material was the weakest of the lot and sounded more like his weakest cuts from his solo albums. That being said, it has the wonderful 'Waiting In The Weeds", the resurrected "How Long", "Being Fabulous", "What Do I Do With My Heart" and "Fast Company"
Thanks again.. another doozie. For me, the bottom two are given. The Long Run and Long Road Out of Eden… both dreary and dull and each saved from total pointlessness by a single track: The Sad Cafe and Waiting in the Weeds respectively. The debut album is as good as most debuts are but the only real standouts are Take It Easy, Witchy Woman and Peaceful Easy Feeling. It gets more interesting from here. One of These Nights would be next.. some excellent songs and it took them from being almost a cult band in the UK to stardom. At number 3 I’d have Hotel California.. topped and tailed by magnificence but possibly overrated as a complete album. On the Border at 2… Consistently good and proper electric guitar music. And yes indeed, Desperado at Number 1. Not only my favourite by the Eagles but one of my all time favourites, right up there with Late for the Sky, Court & Spark, Close to the Edge, Who’s Next, Highway 61 Revisited, After Bathing at Baxters, Good Old Boys, Foxtrot, L A Woman. (Beatles and Stones not included… different level). G
Soooo… at risk of outstaying my welcome, might I please make so bold as to suggest a few worthy candidates for a 10 best albums listing? In no particular order (and with apologies if any have already been covered and I’ve missed them); Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship and spin-offs, The Byrds, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, CSNY together and alone… possibly Mr Young’ll need his own list, The Kinks, Beatles solo works, Warren Zevon, Laughing Lenny Cohen, Skynyrd!, Rod and the Faces together and apart, Santana, Beach Boys, Fairport Convention/Sandy Denny/Richard Thompson… hopefully one or two might make the cut. In any event, please keep up the excellent work. Mike
'Desperado' has always been my favourite Eagles album, followed by the self-titled, which fit well among Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Poco, America and others who advanced the whole singer/songwriter genre between '70 and '72 (when Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Uriah Heep were more my thing). I think that by 'One of These Nights' the band were struggling for a new direction, which they realized most fully on 'Hotel California'. 'Desperado' might have been an unusual purchase for me in the summer of '73, as I was fully into prog at the time. Then again I just need to recall my favourite albums from that year - Lark's Tongues in Aspic, DSOTM, Twice Removed From Yesterday, Brain Salad Surgery, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Future Days, Quadrophenia, Houses of The Holy, Aladdin Sane (+ Pin Ups), The Captain and Me, Hard Nose The Highway, Journey (Kingdom Come), Welcome, Passion Play, Goats Head Soup, ELO II, Countdown to Ecstasy, Grand Hotel, Queen, Brothers and Sisters, Fandangos in Space, Out of Our Hands, Space Ritual, Band on The Run, Wishbone Four, For Your Pleasure, Shoot Out at The Fantasy Factory, The Smoker You Drink The Player You Get, Billion Dollar Babies, Selling England By The Pound, Bursting at The Seams, Atem, Hat Trick, Photos of Ghosts, Berlin, Six Wives of Henry VIII, etc... Well, my tastes are already all over the map. I was an 18 year-old factory worker and darkroom technician in '73, and what didn't go to rent and cigarettes mostly went to music - a kind of food anyway...
"... disco, which the Eagles despised ...". Cue "Heartache Tonight", which is about as disco as it gets for these white country crossover rock dudes. So, I have my doubts.
Well, the «formula» in this case would be more than justified, taken that Hotel California is a monster of an album, a masterpiece. And I'm not a fan of «americana» music. But for me, The Eagles are a one album band.
As as I’m concerned.. All of The Eagles Albums SUCK. only 2 great songs Desperado , and Victim of Love with Joe Walsh.. Everything else was Mediocre at Best ..
My own rediscovery of the Eagles has been quite a trip. I grew up listening to their hits endlessly on the radio, but I've since mostly forgotten them.
For someone outside the USA, I could see why you would like them!
Solid ranking (though I love The Long Run). At this point in overfamiliarity with the Eagle's discography, the deep cuts I most revisit are "Pretty Maids All in a Row", "In The City", and "Those Shoes"... Eagles were always sonically pleasing, and Felder and Walsh never disappointed. Ah, those guitars....
Fantastic review. Cheers from Japan. 🙏
In 1977 my older sister's boyfriend worked for Pace productions in Houston. Outdoor shows required local roadie helpers, I was one at the Eagles show at Jeppison Stadium U of Houston football stadium. After Thursday evening to Friday 5am, school from 8am to 3pm , Friday night 7pm till 4pm Saturday, building scaffolding, grab this, tote that, shut up and pretend to work...... we were off until the show ended at 1130p.m. I watched the show from the scaffold above the stage, (nothing like it before or since, hearing the sound that Eagles heard), the P.A. system was two cases 5' high with Marantz amps, and enough current to murder 500 humans. I AM TELLING THE TRUTH,........ FANTASTIC SHOW AND MEMORY. Kind regards Scott Rowland
Given their small discography, such rankings are typically predictable. I'm very pleased to see in your case you have not followed the "formula". Putting Desperado at the top is absolutely valid. It happens to be my favourite by the band, and although not a commercial high mark, it certainly is musically. In the pre Joe Walsh years Desperado is the kind of music they did best. Thanks for doing this.
My pleasure.
1. Hotel
2. Nights
3. Long Road
4. Desperado
5. Long Run
6. On the Border
7. The Eagles
As always great breakdown and analysis of the albums. My own ranking:
1. Desperado
2. Hotel California
3. On the Border
4. One of these Nights
5. Eagles
6. The Long Run
7. Long Road out of Eden
Agree totally - and I am shocked. Nice to see Hotel California isn't the ubiquitous number one, though 'The Last Resort' is probably my favourite song of theirs.
I like The Long Run better than most people do, but I think that is because I purchased the LP as a young kid. Living in a house with a dad and two older brothers all competing for spins on our one turntable, I tended to overplay albums that grabbed my attention.
I love that you put Desperado first. It's my favorite too. All the songs fit the theme. Great musicianship and great song writing. A Certain Kind of Food and Bitter Creek are such great gems. And how the album opens with Dooling Dalton and closes with the Doolin Dalton/Desperado reprise is pure beauty even though it's not a happy ending.
I rank their albums exactly the same. Desperado is the only album I still play from start to end, a great record. I wish they had gone further down that road. I agree that they was not a great rock band but had wonderful vocal harmonies and wrote some fine songs.
1- one of these nights
2- desperado
3-long run
4- hotel california
Love the ranking !! In fact ranking the Eagles' albums is no easy task since they're all so good and so different from each other !! I wonder if anyone has ever realised the fact that each album stands on its own and bears no comparison whatsoever with any other. When you look at most bands, there is a thread of continuity from one album to the next, very recogniseable, whereas the Eagles seemed to start from scratch on each and every album they recorded. You could make the case that Long Road, the last one, clusters all the different styles of the previous albums as well as their solo careers' endeavours onto one piece of work, which is a great way to wrap it all up. It's anyone's guess what a hypothetical album of theirs might have sounded like if they hadn't broken up after The Long Run, but perhaps the best half of Henley's Building the Perfect Beast LP along with some Frey solo hits (The Heat is on, You Belong to the City, The One You Love...) as well as Walsh's Life of Illusion and The Confessor might have been yet another legendary album !!
My ranking
1. On The Border
2. Hotel California
3. Long Road Out of Eden
4. One of These Nights
5. Desperado
6. Eagles s/t
7. The long Run
Thanks for doing this, a perfect tonic on a cold, Scottish January evening. Desperado is number one for sure. I was 21 when this album came out and to this day Henley's vocal on Desperado (Reprise) still sends a shiver down my spine; and we were spoiled for choice back then.
Your channel is a musical antidote to the tedious mediocrity of the modern auto-tuned yodel. Keep up the good work.
Thanks
I grew up with this band; Life in the Fast Lane was a fave and I’ll never forget the first time I heard Hotel California. But overplaying on the radio burned me out until very recently. So I just got a ‘best of’ compilation. Guilty pleasure perhaps but I must say that their music is really fun to sing along to. Thanks for your input and I’m sorry I overlooked them for so long. 👍
7 The Wrong Run
6 Wrong Road Out Of Eden
5 Beagles
4 One Of These Nights
3 On The Border
2 Desperado
1 Hotel California
#1- Hotel California
#2- One of These Nights
#3- Desperado
#4- On the Border
#5- The Long Run
#6- Eagles
The only ones I have or want is these six from the seventies.
Agree 100% with your list, Barry. Desperado has always been my favourite of theirs whilst most/many seemed to plum for Hotel California. Can still remember their concert back in the day on The Old Grey Whistle Test. Btw I love their acoustic version of Hotel California, just brilliant
As always, great ranking plus mini-reviews. I love your channel! I appreciate how you didn't bow down to the typical Eagles ranking that %95 of the "reviewers" out there would have gone with. Bucking against the trend was a good idea in which you backed up your decision superbly with many valid arguments. Even considering this great band's low output of material and the huge number of years separating some of their albums.
Thank you, I so rarely find anyone that seems to appreciate the completeness and perfection of Desperado, it's far and away my favourite eagles album with not a single weak track.
Ha! I’ve been listening to you for a couple of years and just got the humor in the closing salvo. “More important than staying safe and well, keep listening though in danger and wounded!”
Love the list. Desperado is also my number 1. My only departure from your list is I do like the Long Run a bit more than the self titled. Perhaps because I was 15 when it came out and I, too, was in a bit of a dark place. It resonated. Always enjoy your insights! Stay safe and well but, more importantly, keep making these videos!
I will do... happy new year to you
@@classicalbum happy new year Barry!
Ditto 👍
I guess I like grim sermons from the edges of the abyss. 😎
Seriously, I never thought I'd be commenting on The Eagles, but hey, they were a decent part of my childhood in the 70s, and I did enjoy a good chunk of it (esp. tracks like "One of These Nights," "Victim of Love," "On The Border," "Take it To The Limit," etc.) so it only feels right that I say something about this, and maybe defend a record that seems to take it up the arse a bit too much.
I bought THE LONG RUN new in the great year of '79, and was pretty much instantly pleased with the number of 'more meaty than usual' Eagles songs; most especially the badass, voice box laden "THOSE SHOES," but also several others. Actually, I dig all of the first seven tracks of this album. All of them displaying quite strong, disparate qualities. Only the last three are meh for me.
I'm certainly not put off by coke fueled dark themes though. Heh! I grew up a young rock loving kid in the 70s, and that particular pot smoke hazed aesthetic was all around us. Dark, more cerebral, introspective themes, salacious content, along with a wry sense of intelligent humor was all a huge part of why it was so excellent (in both films and music)
I mean, who wants cleaned up, happy shiny Aerosmith, Bowie, Alice Cooper or The Stones. We all know how those went once all sobered up (esp Aerosmith and Alice -- I'm hard pressed to think of "much at all" that either of those previous greats produced post early 80s, that I ever really want to listen to)
Point is, sometimes great artists produce really good material when going through difficult and/or dark times.
And I personally like it when The Eagles are a bit "dirtied up" so to speak. I mean, there's the Time-Life version of the Eagles, and that kinda bores everyone to tears. And then there's the Showtime documentary version of The Eagles (the reality of The Eagles), and that's where they're interesting and nefarious, borderline evil. Heh! Say what you will, but that makes 'em a better ROCK band anyway.
Mainly though, I guess I'm just here to stick up a bit for those first 7 tracks of "THE LONG RUN," which, for me, stand up very well with most of the earlier catalog.
Not to mention that the album, as a whole, does fit in pretty well with the overall vibe and effectiveness of all the other good records of a very distinctive place called "1979"
i.e. You could make a compilation album of great 1979 "rock 'n roll," and some of this Long Run material (eg, In The City, Disco Strangler, King of Hollywood and esp. Those Shoes) would fit in nicely with it. Can't normally say that about The Eagles, right? Previously you could fit them in if it was a mellow FM Cali affair, or obviously country tinged stuff, but not if it was straight pop/Rock. Certain songs yes, but in general, not so much.
Finally, the only song in this record that is "depressing or durge like"...whatever, is "Teenage Jail" (never cared for that one) So, if the whole album was more like that, I could see the overall criticism very clearly. But, other than the ominous, but very good "King of Hollywood" or the regretful, slow tempo "Sad Cafe," it's just not.
Maybe it's just that most people need their music to be sunshiny and constantly positive. I don't. I'm in it for the music. Good lyrics are very important, but the icing on the cake for me. So whether it's upbeat/positive, silly and humorous or dark and moody, I only care that the music moves me, first.
"Those Shoes" certainly does. Too bad that it's about a desperate, drug enhanced lady of the night. God forbid such salacious lyrical content for a rock n roll song. Ha.
⚡
Great ranking! Mine is similar:
1. Desperado
2. One of These Nights
3. Eagles
4. Hotel California
5. On the Border
6. The Long Run
7. Long Road Out of Edan
Barry another ten. Your insight and lyric are exact and in harmony with mine . I’ve enjoyed this Band since day one. At times their music is brilliant but how frequently they are Silly and Sad. Your top two are my top two too.
Another great list. From an American perspective and being a fan of the band from about 1975, you could not live in American and not be overwhelmed by the ever present EAGLES THIER GREATEST HITS 71 - 75. Released a year before HOTEL CALIFORNIA, AOR just ate the best of up. The release was often played in it's entirety on weekend evening on AOR stations across America. I vividly remember seeing copies of Their Greatest Hits on sale in convince stores and gas stations on 8Track. A feat normally reserved for 30 year old public domain releases and Elvis Greatest Hits releases. Having seen both the Hotel California tour and The Long Run tour....one felt almost dangerous...the other resolutely commercial and quite a bit boring. Only Felder and Walsh really gave outstanding performances each show.
Well done, good Sir. I have no problem with your list except that I'd slide "One of These Nights" down two notches and put it below "On the Border." (Leadon's extended instrumental is a bit much.) Placing "Desperado" at the top tells me you listen with a very discerning ear. It's the LP wherein their immense talent blossomed into greatness.
Fair enough!
The Eagles are my favorite band ever and I've had the great opportunity to see them 3 times (November 2013, April 2018 and February 2022). Here's my ranking:
7. Long Road Out of Eden 2007
6. Eagles 1972
5. The Long Run 1979
4. On the Border 1974
3. Desperado 1973
2. One of These Nights 1975
1. Hotel California 1976
The Eagles make me admire their ability without making me care. Perhaps they are in good company. I feel the same way about Jane Austen.
Pleased you ranked Desperado at 1. Very underrated album by most music critics but one of those few albums with no filler. Whilst not a studio album, Hell Freezes Over was a marvellous return to form by the band after a decade or more of silence.
I agree wholeheartedly that Long Road Out Of Eden is a slog but it does contain one of Henley’s best ever songs, “ Waiting In The Weeds “ , it perfectly evokes nostalgia much in same vein that Springsteen did with “ Girls In Their Summer Clothes “ . A gem .
Agree about “ Waiting In The Weeds “. It is the only song from "Long Road Out of Eden" that deserves to be included in the pantheon of Eagles classics.
I totally agree with you regarding Desperado. It's The Eagles best album in my opinion and it's the album they SHOULD be remembered for instead of Hotel California. I also have a soft spot for Desperado because it was released the day after I was born - April 17th 1973.
My List:
1. Desperado
2. Hotel California
3. One of These Nights
4. The Long Run
5. The Eagles
6. Hell Freezes Over
7. On the Border
8. Long Road Out of Eden
Brilliantly done. I disagree with the ranking, but that's not the point. Your delivery and synopsis of each album is excellent Concise, literate and professionally done. I really enjoyed this video. Well done.
My ranking for the record:
1. Hotel California
2. One of These Nights
3. The Long Run
4. On the Border
5. Desperado
6. Eagles
7. Long Road Out of Eden
Desperado on top. No Felder, but arguably their most cohesive musical work.
The Desperado album is my favorite! It is cinematic and always reminds me of my home on the eastern escarpment of the Sierra.
This album turns 50 this year.
Very enjoyable video! My list if I may -
1. Hotel California
2. Desperado
3. One of These Nights
4. Long Road Out of Eden
5. On the Border
6. Eagles
7. The Long Run
A follow up comment as I was in a rush the other day when I wrote my list. I mostly wanted to add that I particularly enjoyed your thoughts on the `Desperado` album. I have read several positive reviews of this album through the years but I don`t think anyone has described and praised to quite the level that you did. For me your review caught the essence of the feel of this album perfectly and it was very good to hear.
I also wanted to touch on my placing of `Long Road Out of Eden` at number four. I have found that it is an album I come back to quite often, partly I`d say because being a double there is quite a lot of music to (in my case)enjoy. As brilliant as some of the very early hits by the Eagles are, I have heard them so many times that it has gotten to the stage where that can count against them. Not the songs fault of course but there we are. LROOE is certainly not perfect but I feel there are just enough quality songs to give it the edge over some earlier albums if only through sheer quantity. I`d heard a rumour of a new Eagles album before it was released and one day I was browsing in a music shop and heard the track `Do Something` sung by Timothy B.Schmit. I instantly recognised it as an Eagle track of course and I liked it very much from that first listen. I love the opening track `No More Walks in the Woods` which lets you know straight off that the Eagles have lost none of their vocal harmonizing skills through the years. Whilst saying all of that I would not say no to the album being re-recorded one day with some Don Felder guitar playing added! Best wishes.
Desperado as number 1 is valid. I'd still put Hotel California as 1 and Desperado as 2. I think they are clearly the best two albums (HC is the first album I bought, so nostalgia pushes it up over Desperado which was the 2nd one I bought). One of These Nights is #3 for me. It has a couple of clunker songs for me (I Wish You Peace). I think Long Road Out of Eden would have been better as a single album. I agree that it's got some great songs on it, but they're buried under the sheer number of songs.
One of these nights for me. Love every song on the album.
Long road out of eden suffers from Don Felder missing,some good songs. One of these nights or Hotel California are my favourites but can never decide which one I like better. Great review as usual
Thanks for listening
"No 'The'. Just 'Eagles' ". - Glenn Frey
A very astute, and well described ranking of Eagles' catalog.
Desperado is my favorite as well. As stated elsewhere, all tracks work well together. It has a feel of the time and place. Bernie's Bitter Creek is the highlight for me. What a great track. It works for my surroundings in the Australian bush, great lyrics.
No love for "Hell Freezes Over"? One of my favourites!
I would have ranked these exactly the same. 'Desperado' is my absolute favourite, just edging out 'One of these nights'. Although it could not be included here as it is a compilation, 'Their Greatest Hits 1971-75' is in a class of its own. The quality of the song selection speaks volumes as to its record breaking sales.
I can't argue with your logic, and the lines between albums in this discography are thin and nebulous. But I reorder the top two, and bottom two, with a caveat.
Desperado was my instant favorite, and stayed that way for a long time. But One of These Nights has grown on me over the decades to the point tthat it is the one Eagles album I reach for most often. And if you let me consider Eden as a single album, skipping the fluff as I often do, it is definitely more enjoyable that the lifeless collection that is Long Run.
But again, 1 and 2 are so close, as are 6 and 7, that I can't fault your choices. As far as a 50th Desperado, I'd LOVE to hear a remix with less reverb, as the band wanted!
I certainly agree with the bottom two albums, despite their occasional high points aren’t a patch on their previous albums. The first five albums I think are all fantastic but trying to rank them is difficult. I think my favourite would probably depend on which type of mood I’m in.
7. One of these nights 6. On the border 5. Eagles 4. The long run 3. Desperado 2. Long road out of eden 1. Hotel California
Spot on geezer - i also like the fact you resist the temptation to put HC at number 1 (still a brilliant record), but the Eagles' are underrated for their complexity and depth in both lyrics and their music. Great vid.
👌good to see these getting some attention
Very good ranking video. I have an idea. For your next worst to best video, you could do Split Enz, what do you think?
Great reviews. Thanks. Happy 2023.
My personal ranking would be
Hotel California
Desperado
On the Border
One of These Nights
The Eagles
The Long Run
(Never bought anything after The Long Run
Been exploring the less known Eagles back catalogue myself recently...
I like the T-shirt since I am a FZ fan :)
To answer your question, and to my surprise, it turns out the Eagles only have two songs with the word “Easy” in the title and both appear on their first record “Take it Easy” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling”
A good ranking .
Here's mine in order of preference :
On the Border ( with great deep tracks like the title song and A Good Day in Hell )
One of These Nights
Desperado
Hotel California
The Eagles
The Long Run
Long Road Out of Eden
Thanks !
That was cool.😎👍
Dry wit, keen insight, and some choice quotes, all hallmarks of CAR.
My Worst to Best:
(Can't rate Long Road...
never listened to it)
6) The Long Run
5) On the Border
4) Desperado
3) Eagles
2) One of these nights
1) Hotel California
I've never seen the band play live.
I did see three of them on solo tours.
Don Henley at the Cal Expo with supporting act Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians.
Joe Walsh at the Oakland Coliseum Arena (think it was for 'ordinary average guy'.) and at the Raddison ballroom in Sacramento. Definitely the most spirited performer.
Glenn Frey in Oakland as well opening for Fleetwood Mac.
The best sounding song I've ever heard at a arena show was Glenn Frey singing Lyin' Eyes in Oakland.
His sound technician was really on point that night.
(Oh, it was 'There goes the Neighborhood' that Joe was touring for the 1st time I saw him.)
I think the fact that the Long Run is a single album is the fact that whist there was enough material, not much of it was written by Henley and Frey (Walsh and Felder wrote two number, Told you So, and Rivers, that ended up on his solo albums). Long Run Leftovers hints at other tracks we'll probably never hear.
i was inroduced to the Eagles via the "Desperado' album - a massive album/their best (and also a great album cover).
Desperado is 1 for me too.. although I have to disagree about Journey of the Sorcerer i think its one of the best songs of eagles.
1. Desperado
2. Eagles
3. Hotel California
4. The Long Run
5. One of these nights
6. On The Border
7. Long road out of eden
i have always felt that Desperado was their best!
Totally agree...although The Long Run would be bottom of the pile...
The David Blue song 'Outlaw Man' sounds like pure Neil Young.
My list is only 3 albums I can stomach from this band. Rankings is in order.
*1)* Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975
*2)* Hotel California (songs *Wasted Time* & *New Kid in Town* only reason this album is listed)
*3)* Hell Freezes Over (love the "acoustic" version of *Hotel California* on this album)
Two Deep Cuts from other LP's
*1)* Thrill is Gone from *One of These Nights.*
*2)* In the City from *The Long Run.* I prefer Joe Walsh's solo version on *The Warriors* movie soundtrack then The Eagles rerecorded version on *The Long Run.*
You can have the rest of The Eagles catalogue. Especially that travesty 2 disc Walmart special *Long Road Out of Eden* set. Not one song spoke to me at all.
Cool video ... no right answer as everone will have their favourites ... personally I really do enjoy all the uptempo numbers on the Long Road Out of Eden (plus the awesome title track) and treat a combo playlist of those tune as a "pseudo" studio album in its own right which, for me, comes in at #2 after Hotel California ... Eagles could have tried harder to enable Long Road to have had more impact as there really are some fabulous tracks on it ... and, had they done so, a follow up could have been perceived to be worthwhile ... the album needed more soak time ... thereafter, although I have all the CDs, I just go for the greatest hits and also the live 2xDVD Farewell Tour(clearly not!) set to listen to. Saw them at Murrayfield in 1996 and again in Glasgow about 4 years ago (with Vince and Deacon and Steuart - great player) ... good night, great set, well played ... clear highlight of the night was Joe Walsh who was just majestic (especially on his In The City track ... absolutely superb) ... the LA Forum DVD show, same set and word perfect between song banter, has a disappointingly muddy sound and is therefore not a "go to" listen ... thanks again ... CMcG, Aberdeen, Scotland
Don Henley mentioned the Nixon connection to the On The Border song in an old interview long before Wikipedia was invented.
Hotel California is my favourite . I'll leave it there !
While it has been a long while since I heard Long Road Out Of Eden, I do consider it to be a more worthy final album than The Long Run which I was so disappointed with. The title track sounds like a theme to some goofy 1980s TV sitcom comedy. It was not a terrible album but I was expecting something more especially after Hotel California. One song I do like is King of Hollywood which tells a even darker side of California. It would be a theme song for Harvey Weinstein. Good ranking you did for The Eagles albums.
Apparently Henley wanted Long Road out of Eden to be a single album not a double, but he was outvoted.
Congratulation for your opinion. You should be hired by Rolling Stone magazine who need desperately people with knowledge. In my case, I will put Hotel California 1 simply because it was the soundtrack of the life of many young North Americans of this area, like for the older one had Dark Side of the Moon or Led Zep 4. Maybe you should do one day a list of albums who has a big impact on people!
Well said
They'd be so lucky
For me, the Eagles were never an albums band, but if I have to choose their best album (and I do) then I'm afraid that Hotel California wins the day.
It may be the safe and boring choice, but it's the band's only album that's more or less perfect from start to finish.
Only "Pretty Maids All in a Row" lets it down somewhat (it's boring) but that's not a bad song by any means.
And in a distinguished second place is Desperado. I don't think its a great album, but the title track alone raises it above the rest of the band's discography,
which is pretty much interchangeable, in my opinion.
Very good
Long road out of Eden though it's touch and go with me some of the songs on there are so great it could have been a fantastic single album but then amongst the killer there's so much filler it almost sounds like a solo shot from each person bringing something to the table that they didn't put on their albums.
I mean the title track is mesmerizing a lot of people were shitting all over the place because Stewart was in the band for many years and not Don F.
But it is what it is it's a decent album for the most part but there are some songs I tend to skip over on both CDs.
1. Desperado
2. On the border
3. Hotel California
4. The debut eagles self-titled
5. Long road out of Eden
6. One of these nights
7. The long run
8. Hell freezes over if you include it
"Long Road to Eden" should have been a single album.
"Remortgaging my house to go and see" sadly reflects on the big cash cow alot of old bands are doing now.Lets face it by compare its nostalgia.A mk1 ford two door base escort car is worth thousands at the moment because of guys of a certain age.These band tickets are just the same.Problem is you cant revisit your youth sadly.
I put Hotel California 1, Desperado 2, otherwise agree with the rankings, but Out Of Eden needed about half of the songs cut to make it bearable. Or, you could just get the greatest hits compilations and be satisfied
Desperado is one of the best albums of all time.
Dead right. Desperado is the best thing they ever did
Lester Bangs critisized the Eagles a lot. They were one of many reasons for Punkrock, along with CSN and sloppy liveperformances by Led Zeppelin. Country Rock can be to smooth. But Joe Walsh is the Eaglesguy everbody has to love.
100% my ratings too. Great minds think alike or fools seldom differ? Who knows. 😂
i love "Long Run"
Long Road out of Eden is absolutely fantastic. But I guess the production is too slick for snobby critics.
Not a massive fan but enjoyed the review none the less
on the "On The Border" album, the guitar solos, especially on "You Never Cry Like A Lover", are mixed louder than the rest of the song and that sounds really odd to me. The British band Be Bop Deluxe did the same thing on their album "Sunburst Finish" but it sounds good on their album, at least to me.
Is it possible to do a review of a live album. Neil Diamond 1972 Hot August Night
My favorite tune from LROOE is "Waiting in the Weeds". I really like that song. But overall, I agree that LROOE is their weakest album.
Only one change ... Eagles (1972) trade places with OtB. Glyn John was right.
James Dean and Already Gone are the worst (Worked better live).
So no rock songs on One of These Nights. But Joe Walsh showed them how to rock. Long live Bernie Leadon.
LROOE's problem is that it's too long. It wouldve been a great album had it been edited to a single disc. I felt Frey's material was the weakest of the lot and sounded more like his weakest cuts from his solo albums. That being said, it has the wonderful 'Waiting In The Weeds", the resurrected "How Long", "Being Fabulous", "What Do I Do With My Heart" and "Fast Company"
7 great albums top stuff
Thanks again.. another doozie. For me, the bottom two are given. The Long Run and Long Road Out of Eden… both dreary and dull and each saved from total pointlessness by a single track: The Sad Cafe and Waiting in the Weeds respectively. The debut album is as good as most debuts are but the only real standouts are Take It Easy, Witchy Woman and Peaceful Easy Feeling. It gets more interesting from here. One of These Nights would be next.. some excellent songs and it took them from being almost a cult band in the UK to stardom. At number 3 I’d have Hotel California.. topped and tailed by magnificence but possibly overrated as a complete album. On the Border at 2… Consistently good and proper electric guitar music. And yes indeed, Desperado at Number 1. Not only my favourite by the Eagles but one of my all time favourites, right up there with Late for the Sky, Court & Spark, Close to the Edge, Who’s Next, Highway 61 Revisited, After Bathing at Baxters, Good Old Boys, Foxtrot, L A Woman. (Beatles and Stones not included… different level).
G
Soooo… at risk of outstaying my welcome, might I please make so bold as to suggest a few worthy candidates for a 10 best albums listing? In no particular order (and with apologies if any have already been covered and I’ve missed them); Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship and spin-offs, The Byrds, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, CSNY together and alone… possibly Mr Young’ll need his own list, The Kinks, Beatles solo works, Warren Zevon, Laughing Lenny Cohen, Skynyrd!, Rod and the Faces together and apart, Santana, Beach Boys, Fairport Convention/Sandy Denny/Richard Thompson… hopefully one or two might make the cut. In any event, please keep up the excellent work. Mike
'Desperado' has always been my favourite Eagles album, followed by the self-titled, which fit well among Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Poco, America and others who advanced the whole singer/songwriter genre between '70 and '72 (when Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Uriah Heep were more my thing). I think that by 'One of These Nights' the band were struggling for a new direction, which they realized most fully on 'Hotel California'. 'Desperado' might have been an unusual purchase for me in the summer of '73, as I was fully into prog at the time. Then again I just need to recall my favourite albums from that year - Lark's Tongues in Aspic, DSOTM, Twice Removed From Yesterday, Brain Salad Surgery, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Future Days, Quadrophenia, Houses of The Holy, Aladdin Sane (+ Pin Ups), The Captain and Me, Hard Nose The Highway, Journey (Kingdom Come), Welcome, Passion Play, Goats Head Soup, ELO II, Countdown to Ecstasy, Grand Hotel, Queen, Brothers and Sisters, Fandangos in Space, Out of Our Hands, Space Ritual, Band on The Run, Wishbone Four, For Your Pleasure, Shoot Out at The Fantasy Factory, The Smoker You Drink The Player You Get, Billion Dollar Babies, Selling England By The Pound, Bursting at The Seams, Atem, Hat Trick, Photos of Ghosts, Berlin, Six Wives of Henry VIII, etc... Well, my tastes are already all over the map. I was an 18 year-old factory worker and darkroom technician in '73, and what didn't go to rent and cigarettes mostly went to music - a kind of food anyway...
Is just me or did he forget about the hell freezes over album in his ranking
Just studio albums. Although this has some studio tracks, it is a live album
Tbh i really think that the eagles are overatted the first 3 albums are very good after that i lost interest prefer the Doobies or little feat
Hotel Cali tour was fantastic. Steuart Smith deserves recognition for his work
"... disco, which the Eagles despised ...". Cue "Heartache Tonight", which is about as disco as it gets for these white country crossover rock dudes. So, I have my doubts.
Lol really? Considering it was their last top single, and not only that, it was up against Highway To Hell, which was a far superior song!😂😂😂😂😂
Well, the «formula» in this case would be more than justified, taken that Hotel California is a monster of an album, a masterpiece. And I'm not a fan of «americana» music. But for me, The Eagles are a one album band.
Just wish you would mention the songs rather than the poetry
Frankly Barry, I'm surprised you like this band.
My taste is pretty eclectic
@@classicalbum Mitchell, Neil Young, Poco all enjoyable...but Henley and Frey Inc. not so much.
I like a lot of the tracks on LROOE but I think there’s a lot of filler on it.
I suppose someone has to like Witchy Woman 🤷
Hotel
Long roard
Nights
Desporado
On the border
Eagles
Long run
As as I’m concerned.. All of The Eagles Albums SUCK. only 2 great songs Desperado , and Victim of Love with Joe Walsh.. Everything else was Mediocre at Best ..
2 times.