Don Henley Inside Job CD

The former Eagle's first solo album in more than a decade doesn't sound much like the Eagles. Musically, the album is a melange of folk rock, mild funk, blues, and piano driven New Age balladry reminiscent of Bruce Hornsby. Lyrically, the songs continue in the vein of Henley's last recorded original outing, the 1994 Eagles reunion single "Get Over It."

The years seem to have mellowed Henley enough that he sees the irony of a rock star addressing important issues like ecology ("Goodbye to a River") or class warfare. Other notable tracks here include "Taking You Home," a lush romantic ballad, and "Nobody Else in the World But You," featuring some deft keyboards by guest Stevie Wonder. "Damn it, Rose," is a genuinely poignant song, from the perspective of a single father whose wife has committed suicide. The most ambitious track, however, is "They're Not Here, They're Not Coming," which is not only the album's best rocker, but a hilarious dissection of UFO mania as "a sorry substitution for a spiritual life."

INSIDE JOB was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. "Taking You Home" was nominated for the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and "Workin' It" was nominated for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

Personnel: Stevie Wonder (keyboards, background vocals); Luther Waters, Darryl Phinnessee, Pat Lennon, Dorian Holley, Kipp Lennon, Michael Mishaw, Jana Anderson, Joseph Powell, Julia Waters, Mark Lennon, Maxine Willard Waters, Mervyn Warren, Michael Lennon, Monalisa Young, Oren Waters, Terry Young, Valerie Carter, Kevin Dorsey , Carmen Twillie (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Rob Jacobs.

Recording information: ASC Sumet Studios, Garland, TX; Jai Winding Studios, Santa Monica, CA; Le Mobile, Dallas, TX; Record Plant, Hollywood, CA; Royaltone, North Hollywood, CA; Samain Sound, Malibu, CA.

Personnel includes: Don Henley (vocals); Randy Newman (conductor); Stevie Wonder (keyboards, background vocals); Dorian Holley, Darryl Phinnessee, Mervyn Warren, Josef Powell, Carmen Twillie, Julia Waters, Luther Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, Monalisa Young, Terry Young, Kevin Dorsey, Michael Mishaw, Mervyn Warren, Kip Lennon, Mark Lennon, Michael Lennon, Pat Lennon, Jana Anderson, Valerie Carter (background vocals); Michael Fisher, Glenn Frey, Randy Jackson, Danny Kortchmar, Stan Lynch, Jai Winding, Stuart Brawley, Don Felder, David Paich, Dean Parks, Benmont Tench, Mike Campbell, Scott F. Crago, Timothy Drury, Gregg Bissonette, Frank Simes, Jebin Bruni, Lance Morrison, Steve Gurr, Larry Klein, Jimmie Vaughan, John Corey.

Rolling Stone (1/4/01, p.110) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Top 50 Albums of 2000".
Rolling Stone (6/8/00, p.126) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...A sonic marvel....each song finds its own atmospheric sound....Henley's extraordinary vooice...drenches the arrangements with powerful feeling....work that easily ranks among the finest of his career."
Q (6/00, p.106) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Provides loads more leverage for tastefully executed self-flagellation and finger-pointing....The upside of mature, adult rock."
Mojo (Publisher) (6/00, p.100) - "...The man is undeniably a pro and...he delivers an impeccably played and produced album full of songs demonstrating his concern about ecology, politics, big business and more..."