The Eagles - Eagles Live (1980)

"Eagles Live" is the first live album by the American rock band Eagles, a two-LP set released in 1980. The Eagles unofficially disbanded on July 31, 1980 after their concert at Long Beach. However, the band still owed Elektra/Asylum a live record from the tour. "Eagles Live" was mixed by Glenn Frey and Don Henley on opposite coasts - the two decided they could not stand to be in the same state, let alone the same studio, and as Bill Szymczyk put it, the record's perfect three-part harmonies were fixed "courtesy of Federal Express." "Seven Bridges Road" was released as a single and would become a top-40 hit. The song was a showcase for the band's close harmony singing; the first and last verses feature all five Eagles singing in five-part harmony. Although "Eagles Live" includes four tracks recorded in the fall of 1976 (thus allowing for the inclusion of departed singer Randy Meisner on "Take It to the Limit"), the bulk of the album comes from the end of the Eagles' 1980 tour, just before they broke up, and it reflects their late concert repertoire, largely drawn from "Hotel California" and "The Long Run". The occasional early song such as "Desperado" and "Take It Easy" turn up, also such curiosities as two extended selections from Joe Walsh's solo career, "Life's Been Good" and "All Night Long." At least Walsh introduces some live variations to his material; the rest of the Eagles seem determined to re-create the studio versions of their songs in concert, which may work for them live but almost makes a live recording superfluous. The previously unrecorded rendition of Steve Young's "Seven Bridges Road" is welcome, and the album would have benefited from more surprises as well as a livelier approach to a live recording.

Side one

1. "Hotel California" (Felder, Henley, Frey)  - 6:55

     Recorded July 29, 1980, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

2. "Heartache Tonight" (Henley, Frey, Bob Seger, Souther)  - 4:35

     Recorded July 27, 1980, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

3  "I Can't Tell You Why" (Schmit, Henley, Frey)  - 5:24

     Recorded July 28, 1980, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

Side two

1. "The Long Run" (Henley, Frey)  - 5:35

     Recorded July 27, 1980, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

2. "New Kid in Town" (Henley, Frey, J. D. Souther)  - 5:45

     Recorded October 22, 1976, The Forum, L.A.

3. "Life's Been Good" (Walsh)  - 9:38

     Recorded July 29, 1980, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

Side three

1. "Seven Bridges Road" (Steve Young)  - 3:05

     Recorded July 28, 1980, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

2. "Wasted Time" (Henley, Frey)  - 5:40

     Recorded October 22, 1976, The Forum, L.A.

3. "Take It to the Limit" (Henley, Frey, Meisner)  - 5:20

     Recorded October 20, 1976, The Forum, L.A.

4. "Doolin-Dalton (Reprise II)" (Henley, Frey, Jim Ed Norman)  - 0:44

     Recorded October 21, 1976, The Forum, L.A.

5. "Desperado" (Henley, Frey)  - 4:04

     Recorded October 21, 1976, The Forum, L.A.

Side four

1. "Saturday Night" (Meisner, Henley, Frey, Bernie Leadon)  - 3:55

     Recorded July 28, 1980, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

2. "All Night Long" (Walsh)  - 5:40

     Recorded July 27, 1980, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

3. "Life in the Fast Lane" (Henley, Frey, Walsh)  - 5:10

     Recorded July 31, 1980, Long Beach Arena

4. "Take It Easy" (Jackson Browne, Frey)  - 5:20

     Recorded July 27, 1980, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

Released:  November 7, 1980

Recorded:  October 20, 1976 - July 31, 1980

Genre:  Country Rock, Live

Length:  77:10

Label:  Asylum

Producer:  Bill Szymczyk

Personnel

Glenn Frey - Guitars, keyboards, vocals

Don Henley - Drums, percussion, vocals

Don Felder - Guitars, vocals

Joe Walsh - Guitars, keyboards, vocals

Randy Meisner - Bass guitar, vocals

Timothy B. Schmit - Bass guitar, vocals

Jage Jackson - Guitars, percussion

Phil Kenzie - Saxophones

Vince Melamed - Keyboards, electric piano

The Monstertones - Backing vocals

Albhy Galuten - Synthetizers

J.D. Souther - Guitars, piano

Joe Vitale - Drums, percussion, keyboards, electric piano, organ

Jim Ed Norman - Piano, conductor, arrangements