Eagles Hotel California CD

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.
The Eagles took 18 months between their fourth and fifth albums, reportedly spending eight months in the studio recording Hotel California. The album was also their first to be made without Bernie Leadon, who had given the band much of its country flavor, and with rock guitarist Joe Walsh. As a result, the album marks a major leap for the Eagles from their earlier work, as well as a stylistic shift toward mainstream rock. An even more important aspect, however, is the emergence of Don Henley as the band's dominant voice, both as a singer and a lyricist. On the six songs to which he contributes, Henley sketches a thematic statement that begins by using California as a metaphor for a dark, surreal world of dissipation; comments on the ephemeral nature of success and the attraction of excess; branches out into romantic disappointment; and finally sketches a broad, pessimistic history of America that borders on nihilism. Of course, the lyrics kick in some time after one has appreciated the album's music, which marks a peak in the Eagles' playing. Early on, the group couldn't rock convincingly, but the rhythm section of Henley and Meisner has finally solidified, and the electric guitar work of Don Felder and Joe Walsh has arena-rock heft. In the early part of their career, the Eagles never seemed to get a sound big enough for their ambitions; after changes in producer and personnel, as well as a noticeable growth in creativity, Hotel California unveiled what seemed almost like a whole new band. It was a band that could be bombastic, but also one that made music worthy of the later tag of "classic rock," music appropriate for the arenas and stadiums the band was playing. The result was the Eagles' biggest-selling regular album release, and one of the most successful rock albums ever. ~ William Ruhlmann
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."