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By Larry Coffman
Exclusive for the Acoustic Storm


In the fall of 1979 the Eagles gave us "The Long Run." On October 30, they presented us with "Long Road Out Of Eden."

Between the two album releases we had to endure the long wait.

Starting in 1981 we patiently sat through a 14-year band break-up and, when the Eagles reformed in 1994, they placated us with a 15-song live CD ("Hell Freezes Over") that contained only four new songs.

While they were generous with their concert appearances over the past 12 years, the Eagles still owed us a great studio album. In the 20-song, two CD "Eden" package they have delivered – sort of.

The gregarious group, which did such an awesome job of partying from concert to concert in the 1970s, has matured and mellowed. Ballads, including some fine acoustic numbers, dominate the album.

Let’s remember that two Eagles (Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit) are 60 now, and Joe Walsh will hit the big Six-Oh on Nov. 20. Glenn Frey is turning 59 this month.

The Eagles themselves produced the album for their ERC record label. Bill Szymczyk, whose album productions boosted the band to the top tier of rock record sales in the ‘70s, was relegated to the role of co-producer.

In January 2002 Frey, playing in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic golf tournament, told a national television audience that the Eagles were about to work on a new album. During the next couple of years the band fired guitarist Don Felder and embarked on the lengthy "Farewell I" tour. Henley set sail on two solo tours. Recording new songs began to seem more and more like a low priority. But their song-writing abilities and musicianship have enabled them to get the project done in fine fashion.

To get out of the gate strongly, the Eagles made "How Long" the first single release. Sung by Frey and written by John David Souther, it carries the band back to the early ‘70s, when country-rock was the Eagles’ stock in trade. "How Long" was recorded by its author in 1972 and appeared on his self-titled album that year. The song’s success on country radio earned the Eagles an invitation to perform at this year’s Country Music Association awards ceremony.

The title song, leading off Disc 2 and clocking in at 10:17, is the focus of the album. It is a down-tempo trilogy sung by Henley that speaks of Iraq from an American soldier’s point of view, life here in the U.S. and how the two are intertwined. Present day Iraq likely was the site of the Garden of Eden, hence the title of the album.

I realize Henley has a keen social conscience and presides as the Eagles’ unofficial political statesman. But the messages he put in songs like "Eden" and "Frail Grasp On The Big Picture" are not exactly what I consider entertainment. I’d prefer that he deliver his opinions in another forum.

"Busy Being Fabulous" is destined, I believe, to be another sensation on the country charts. Henley capably takes the lead vocal on that one.

The song that may wind up being the most popular, however, is "Last Good Time In Town." Written and sung by guitarist Walsh, it is a look at his current lifestyle. Walsh has given up the party life and now has "been stayin’ at home, workin’ the crosswords." The song has a great combination of lyrics, melody and guitar work. Walsh’s vocals are crisp in contrast to the mushy singing he has done in concert lately.

Another biographical song that Walsh introduced a couple of years ago, "One Day At A Time," is not on the album. Frey’s "No More Cloudy Days," which has been a staple of Eagles’ concerts over the same span, is on Disc 1.

Walsh’s other number on the double CD is "Guilty Of The Crime," in which he lyrically admits he is "guilty of the crime of loving you, baby."

Two of the ballads are sung by bassist Schmit in his signature style: "I Don’t Want To Hear Any More" and "Do Something." On the latter, Henley helps by singing the bridge. The former was written by British musician Paul Carrack of Ace and Mike & the Mechanics.

"Center Of The Universe" is a great acoustic love song with a fine set of lyrics and a heart-felt Henley vocal.

Another wonderful acoustic ballad is "You Are Not Alone," written and sung by Frey. He has written many songs with the same formula, and they all manage to hit the mark while employing varying lyrics.

The Eagles show off their funky side twice. On "Fast Company" the lyrics declare, "You keep runnin’ with the fast company. You’re going nowhere – nowhere fast." The other is Henley’s "Frail Grasp."

Those who want to hear the Eagles’ famous four-part harmony don’t have to search very far, since "No More Walks In The Wood" leads off Disc 1. Except for a few acoustic strums, the song is sung in a cappella style. It was written by Henley and Steuart Smith and incorporates the poem "An Old Fashioned Song" by John Hollander.

Another of Frey’s ballads, "What Do I Do With My Heart," shows that he can still hit some high notes. As a change-up, Henley sings the last verse with Frey repeating the lines in the background.

The last song on Disc 2 is a number written by Frey and his pal, Jack Tempchin. "It’s Your World Now" gets a fabulous Mexican flavor from acoustic guitar and trumpet and might be considered the instrumental sequel to "New Kid In Town."

Music buyers who like their CDs neatly stored in plastic jewel cases will be chagrined to find "Long Road Out Of Eden" sheathed in a paper sleeve. Then again, what else would you expect from the environmentally-minded Don Henley? However, a 20-page booklet containing all the lyrics and a few sepia photos is included.

The sessions, recorded in California and Texas, saw the Eagles invite their veteran touring musicians to participate in the studio for the first time.

But one thing didn’t change: the Eagles still insisted on perfection in every note.
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Larry Coffman, originally from Chicago and now based in Phoenix, is a regular contributor to AcousticStorm.com.

 
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- Jeff Parets