Hotel California

Performer: Eagles
Producer: Bill Szymcyzk
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: The Eagles: Glenn Frey (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Don Felder (vocals, electric & slide guitars); Joe Walsh (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Randy Meisner (vocals, guitarron, bass); Don Henley (vocals, drums, percussion). Engineers include: Bill Szymczyk, Allan Blazek, Ed Marshal. Recorded at Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida and the Record Plant, Los Angeles, California from March to October 1976. Given the extraordinary amount of airplay HOTEL CALIFORNIA garnered in the mid-70s and early '80s, it comes as quite a surprise to hear how fresh this recording sounds on DCC's 24k gold disc version. Familiar tracks benefit from the enhanced soundstage and control room-clarity of this exceptional digital remastering, revealing something of the actual recording studio room sound on many tracks. A steady growth suddenly mushroomed into a monster as the Eagles, along with Fleetwood Mac, epitomized AOR in the early 70s. This record is supposedly a concept album but most of the purchasers merely enjoyed the accessible songs while driving down to the coast in their Volkswagen Caravanettes with 2.4 children. Joe Walsh was added to give gutsy guitar in the wake of the country flavour of Bernie Leaden, while Randy Meisner grew in stature as a writer with 'Try And Love Again' and 'New Kid In Town'. The title track still bites as Henley's voice blends with Walsh's epic solo.

Rolling Stone (12/11/03, p.108) - Ranked #37 in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" - "...The highlight is the title track, a monument to the rock-aristocrat decadence of the day and a feast of triple-guitar interplay..." Q (Magazine) (p.111) - "Recorded with new guitarist Joe Walsh, these autobiographical tales of druggy hedonism and angst comprised their strongest suite."

Throughout the 1970s, the Eagles couldn't lose. Each record was bigger than the last; each single seemed to play all summer long. At the forefront of the country-rock movement, the Eagles also typified so-called soft-rock and album rock. Their masterpiece, HOTEL CALIFORNIA, effectively captured the decadence of drug-crazed '70s L.A., wrapped in hook-filled, easily digestible tunes. The members parted ways in the early '80s, and Don Henley and Glen Frey went on to high-profile solo careers. They reformed in the '90s for the inevitable, hugely successful reunion tour.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25