As The Eagles get ready to kick off their New Zealand shows, I figured it was high time that I found a moment to look back at their Sydney gig last Monday. Before I started to write I thought I should look back on the review I wrote of their 2010 gig. I remarked on some of the same things I found myself marvelling at four years later: the effortless harmonies, the timeless quality of the songs, and the way that age has not wearied these talented musicians.
You might expect that without a new studio album release since 2007, the show would be pretty much the same as it was years ago. However, the History of the Eagles moniker gave it a new complexion which I really loved. I’ve always believed that the real beauty of a live show is the opportunity to learn more about the songs and to hear the stories of the artist. If I just wanted to hear the songs, I’d stay home and listen to a CD. While some hecklers didn’t seem to warm to The Eagles’ ruminations, I lapped up every minute of the coolest history lesson of my life. The show started out with just Glenn Frey and Don Henley, the way the band began, playing “Saturday Night” on acoustic guitars. This was just one of the lesser known tracks that made sense in this concert format.
Before long Glenn and Don were joined by founding member Bernie Leadon (who wasn’t present last tour), Timothy B. Schmidt, and Joe Walsh. The simple acoustic numbers gradually gave way to stirring electric full band performances, and songs from the vault gave way to radio staples. I was raised on The Eagles, so I knew most of the songs and was thrilled to hear the ones I never expected. “Doolin’-Dalton” and the reprise of “Desperado” were great surprises, although that’s to take nothing away from the songs I’d suspected would make the list. The Eagles have so many songs that you can never take anything for granted after all. “Already Gone” had me punching my fists in the air, Timothy B. Schmidt’s vocals in “I Can’t Tell You Why” blew me away all over again, and “Life in the Fast Lane” really rocked.
I did miss the solo Henley and Frey songs we were treated to last time, but when a band of 60-year-olds play until 11:30 it’s hard to be too critical. The decision to keep Joe Walsh’s solo shining moment, “Rocky Mountain Way,” in the second encore was enough to make amends. I couldn’t help but rise to my feet in appreciation when they closed with “Desperado.”
I loved the Eagles last time, but in sharing their history the Eagles created a show that was even more appealing this time around. I have no idea how long guys in their mid-60s can keep on doing this, but I’ll keep on fronting up so long as they do!
Image source: Wikimedia
