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Holds up better than you might think

David A. Bede | Singapore | 08/10/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As rumors abound of the first all-new Eagles album since 1979, I got to wondering if the original six albums by one of my favorite bands from high school are still as good as I remember them. After listening to the debut album again, I am reminded that it wasn't among my favorites back then, but if anything, I appreciate it more now.



I have always heard Glen Frey and Don Henley were not very fond of this album, due to its being "too mellow." To my ear, though, it's only a bit more mellow than most of the other albums. "Chug All Night," "Tryin'," and "Nightingale" rock just as assuredly as anything else in their catalog, and they also lack the polish that rubbed a lot of critics the wrong way on some of their more famous songs. "Take the Devil" also has its moments.



It is true that there are several mellower moments here as well, most notably "Train Leaves Here This Morning," but that is true to varying degrees of all their albums. If there is a fundamental difference from the later albums, it is that their brand of country-rock is heavier on the country than the rock here. "Earlybird" is one of their most countrified tracks ever. That one might be a bit much if you only like their last couple of albums, but fans of "Lyin' Eyes" and "Already Gone" will love it. Last but not least, this set includes their first three hits, "Take it Easy," "Witchy Woman," and "Peaceful Easy Feeling." I don't address these only because odds are you've heard them all on the radio hundreds of times. They do fit in well with the less famous songs here.



Not a bad first effort at all."

Don't Pass Up on the Early EAGLES

Richard Thompson | El Paso, Texas | 10/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For starters, I consider myself just a casual fan of the Eagles. I, like many other millions of Americans, grew up listening to the famous Eagles Greatest Hits 1971-75 album. Everybody had it. All the songs were played on the radio too. Because of this, I never bought the early Eagles albums, and I did not know the other songs that were on them.



Since the remastered versions of the Eagles cd's came out around 2000, I decided to buy them and skip the greatest hits version this time. Wow, what a pleasent surprise. The Eagles debut is a very enjoyable listen. Of course we're all familiar with the hits Witchy Woman, Peaceful Easy Feeling, and Take It Easy, but some of the other tracks are just as good. I especially like Take the Devil. If you were like me, and did not ever own or listen to the early Eagles albums, do yourself a favor and check them out. You won't be sorry. Even if you only consider yourself a casual fan.



Desperado, One of These Nights, and On the Border are also recommended.

"

The debut of arguably the greatest American rock band ever s

Terrence J. Reardon | Lake Worth (a west Palm Beach suburb), FL | 11/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It was in June of 1972 that classic rock legends The Eagles released their self-titled debut album, which was a great blend of pop, rock and country.

Drummer Don Henley, bass player Randy Meisner, guitarist Bernie Leadon and guitarist/keyboard player Glenn Frey would finally have the chance to prove to the world that they were musical geniuses whom not only could play well but sing so well with harmonies that were flawless after first playing together in legendary country/rock/pop singer Linda Ronstadt's backing band and after they finished the tour with Linda she blessed the guys to break out on their own and the band didn't forget her and she subsequently signed to Asylum thanks to The Eagles' success.

The band has since this debut became the best-selling American band of all time, and is also one of the Top 4 ahead of Pink Floyd and behind only Led Zeppelin and The Beatles.

This debut album was produced and engineered by Glyn Johns, the same man responsible for engineering albums by The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Faces and The Beatles among others.

The heavily country-influenced "Take It Easy" opens this stellar album and was a great intro to The Eagles. The rock classic "Witchy Woman" follows and was the world's intro to Henley's voice which would become more dominant in later albums (he would also sing the rocking Nightingale). The rocking "Chug All Night" follows and has superb vocals from Glenn. Randy steps out in front for the ballad "Most of Us Are Sad" which is a great song. The aforementioned "Nightingale" follows and is a great rocker.

The second half kicks off with guitarist Bernie's country tinged "Train Leaves Here This Morning" and is a great song. The countryish-rocker "Take The Devil" is chilling with a great Meisner vocal. The country-ish "Earlybird" follows and has Bernie on vocals and just is a great number. The slower but still excellent tune "Peaceful Easy Feeling" follows and was the album's other hit single. The album closes with the rocker "Tryin'" which was one of Randy's best vocal performances.

This album has held up well and this was the last Eagles album I bought in 1991 when I was 15 on cassette and regretted not acquiring it earlier as I thought the album would stink aside from the three singles which are on the various best ofs (Take it Easy, Witchy Woman and Peaceful Easy Feeling).

This album is a classic and is highly recommended!"