Eagles (album)

Last updated
Eagles
The Eagles - The Eagles.jpeg
Studio album by
the Eagles
ReleasedJune 1, 1972
RecordedFebruary 1972
Studio Olympic, London; "Nightingale" recorded at Wally Heider Recording, Hollywood, Los Angeles [1]
Genre
Length37:19
Label Asylum
Producer Glyn Johns
The Eagles chronology
Eagles
(1972)		 Desperado
(1973)
Singles from Eagles
  1. "Take It Easy"
    Released: May 1, 1972
  2. "Witchy Woman"
    Released: August 1, 1972
  3. "Peaceful Easy Feeling"
    Released: December 1, 1972

Eagles is the debut studio album by American rock band the Eagles. The album was recorded at London's Olympic Studios with producer Glyn Johns and released on June 1, 1972, by Asylum Records. It was an immediate success for the then-new band, reaching No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and achieving a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Three singles were released from the album, each reaching the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100: "Take It Easy" (number 12), "Witchy Woman" (number 9), and "Peaceful Easy Feeling" (number 22). The band, starting with this album, played a major role in popularizing the country rock sound. [2]

Contents

The album was ranked number 368 in the 2012 edition of Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", [3] and at number 207 in the 2020 reboot of the list. [4] The single "Take It Easy" is part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll". [5]

Background

In 1971, the band had just been formed and signed by David Geffen, who then sent them to Aspen, Colorado, to develop as a band. For their first album, Glenn Frey wanted Glyn Johns to be the producer as they liked a number of rock albums engineered by Johns, including albums by the Rolling Stones, the Who, and Led Zeppelin. Johns was invited by Geffen to see the band perform at a club called Tulagi in Boulder, Colorado, in December 1971. [6] [7] Johns, however, was not impressed by the band's live performance, thinking that it sounded confused and lacking in cohesion –Frey wanted it to be a rock & roll band while Bernie Leadon wanted a country feel –so Johns declined to produce the album. [8] [9]

Johns was persuaded by Geffen to have a second listen in a rehearsal setting in Los Angeles, but Johns did not change his opinion of the band until all four started singing harmonies with acoustic guitar on a ballad written by bassist Randy Meisner, "Take the Devil". [10] Johns was impressed by their harmony singing, and later said: "There it was, the sound. Extraordinary blend of voices, wonderful harmony sound, just stunning." [8] In the albums he produced for the Eagles, Johns emphasized the vocal blend of the band, and he has been credited with shaping the band into "the country-rock band with those high-flyin' harmonies." [11]

Recording

The band went to London, where they spent two weeks recording the album at the Olympic Studios. The album cost $125,000 to produce. [12] Johns tried to introduce a more acoustic sound in the recording, and concentrated on the vocal blend and arrangements. [10] There were however frequent disagreements over the sound of the band between the producer and Frey and Don Henley during the making of the album. [12] Frey and Henley wanted a rougher rock and roll sound, while Johns was interested in using Bernie Leadon's banjo and Randy Meisner's bass to create a more country sound. [12] Frey later admitted, "[Johns] was the key to our success in a lot of ways", but added: "We just didn’t want to make another limp-wristed L.A. country-rock record." [11] Johns also instituted a no-drug and no-alcohol rule that Frey, but not Henley, was unhappy about. [12] [13]

Three of the songs recorded in London feature Frey on lead vocals, another three with Meisner and two with Leadon. The chirping sound at the start of the song by Leadon and Meisner, "Earlybird", was taken from a sound effect library. [14] On "Take It Easy", Johns convinced Leadon to play double-time banjo on the song, a touch that Johns felt made the song different. [10]

Originally, Henley co-wrote and sang one song on the album, "Witchy Woman". Later, a further track, "Nightingale", was recorded in Los Angeles after Geffen and manager Elliot Roberts listened to the tape of the album and decided that it needed another song with Henley on lead vocals. [15] Johns had previously recorded a few takes of the song in London, but abandoned it as he felt it did not work. Geffen tried to get the song recorded with another production team, [16] and Johns, angered by the attempt to record "Nightingale" behind his back, then re-recorded the song with the band at Wally Heider's Studio 3 in Hollywood. Even though Johns judged this recording unsatisfactory, it was included in the album. [1]

The album was slated for Quadraphonic release and even given a Quadraphonic catalog number but it was never released in that format.[ citation needed ]

Artwork

The album artwork was created by album cover artist Gary Burden with photography by Henry Diltz. The album was initially designed as a gatefold album that would further open up into a poster; however Geffen thought it would be confusing, and glued it together so that it would not open, and the gatefold image of the band members at Joshua Tree then became orientated the wrong side up. [17] In the documentary History of the Eagles , Glenn Frey revealed that the band were all on peyote when the gatefold picture of the band members was shot in Joshua Tree National Park. [18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [19]
Christgau's Record Guide B [20]
Disc Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [21]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [22]
The Great Rock Discography 5/10 [23]
MusicHound 2.5/5 [24]
Rolling Stone favorable [25]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [26]
Sputnikmusic 4/5 [27]

Reviewing in 1972, Bud Scoppa of Rolling Stone believed the Eagles had "distinguished" country-rock backgrounds, and said the album is "right behind Jackson Browne's record as the best first album this year. And I could be persuaded to remove the word 'first' from that statement". [28] In Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981), Robert Christgau felt that the band wrote good songs, but he was unsure about the authenticity of their country roots so what they produced was "suave and synthetic-brilliant, but false". [20]

Allmusic's William Ruhlmann, in his retrospective review, sums up the album as balanced in terms of songwriting, but noting that the three hit singles were sung by Frey and Henley, who would later go on to dominate the band. [29] Rolling Stone listed it as number 368 on their 2012 edition of the 500 greatest albums of all time list with the comment that the album "created a new template for laid-back L.A. country-rock style". [3] It rose to number 207 in the 2020 edition of the list. [4] It was included in Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die . [30]

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Sterling Whitaker rated the non-single album track "Most of Us Are Sad" as being among the Eagles' 10 most underrated songs. [31]

Commercial performance

The album debuted on the US Billboard 200 chart at number 102 in its first week of release, [32] rising at number 22 in its sixth week on the chart. [33] The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on March 20, 2001 for shipment of 1 million copies in the United States. [34]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Take It Easy"
Frey3:34
2."Witchy Woman"
Henley4:10
3."Chug All Night"FreyFrey3:18
4."Most of Us Are Sad"Frey Randy Meisner 3:38
5."Nightingale"BrowneHenley4:08
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Train Leaves Here This Morning"
Leadon4:13
2."Take the Devil"MeisnerMeisner4:04
3."Earlybird"
  • Leadon
  • Meisner
Leadon3:03
4."Peaceful Easy Feeling" Jack Tempchin Frey4:20
5."Tryin'"MeisnerMeisner2:54

Personnel

Eagles

Production [35]

Charts

Chart (1972)Peak
position
Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [36] 13
US Billboard 200 [37] 22

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [38] Gold50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [39] Silver60,000^
United States (RIAA) [34] Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eagles (band)</span> American rock band (formed 1971)

The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1971. With five number-one singles, six number-one albums, six Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s in North America and are one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold more than 200 million records worldwide, including 100 million sold in the US alone. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and were ranked number 75 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Founding members Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner had all been recruited by Linda Ronstadt as band members, some touring with her, and all playing on her self-titled third solo studio album (1972), before venturing out on their own as the Eagles on David Geffen's new Asylum Records label.

<i>Hotel California</i> (album) 1976 studio album by the Eagles

Hotel California is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Eagles, released on December 8, 1976, by Asylum Records. Recorded by the band and produced by Bill Szymczyk at the Criteria and Record Plant studios between March and October 1976, it was the band's first album with guitarist Joe Walsh, who had replaced founding member Bernie Leadon, and the last to feature founding bassist Randy Meisner. The album cover features a photograph of the Beverly Hills Hotel, taken by David Alexander.

<i>The Long Run</i> (album) 1979 studio album by the Eagles

The Long Run is the sixth studio album by American rock group the Eagles. It was released in 1979 by Asylum Records in the United States and the United Kingdom. This was the first Eagles album to feature bassist Timothy B. Schmit, who had replaced founding member Randy Meisner, and the last full studio album to feature Don Felder before his termination from the band in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Henley</span> American musician (born 1947)

Donald Hugh Henley is an American musician who is a founding member of the rock band Eagles, for whom he is the drummer and co-lead vocalist, as well as the sole continuous member of the band. Henley sang the lead vocals on Eagles songs such as "Witchy Woman", "Desperado", "Best of My Love", "One of These Nights", "Hotel California", "Life in the Fast Lane", "Victim of Love", "The Last Resort", "The Long Run", and "Get Over It".

<i>Desperado</i> (Eagles album) 1973 studio album by the Eagles

Desperado is the second studio album by the American rock band the Eagles, released on April 17, 1973, by Asylum Records. The album was produced by Glyn Johns and was recorded at Island Studios in London, England. The songs on Desperado are based on the themes of the Old West. The band members are featured on the album's cover dressed like an outlaw gang; Desperado remains the only Eagles album where the band members appear on the front cover.

<i>On the Border</i> 1974 studio album by the Eagles

On the Border is the third studio album by American rock band the Eagles, released on March 22, 1974. Apart from two songs produced by Glyn Johns, it was produced by Bill Szymczyk because the group wanted a more rock‑oriented sound instead of the country-rock feel of the first two albums. It is the first Eagles album to feature guitarist Don Felder. On the Border reached number 17 on the Billboard album chart and has sold two million copies.

<i>One of These Nights</i> 1975 studio album by the Eagles

One of These Nights is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Eagles, released on June 10, 1975. The album was the band's commercial breakthrough, transforming them into international superstars. In July that year, the record became the Eagles' first number one album on Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart, yielding three Top 10 singles: "One of These Nights", "Lyin' Eyes" and "Take It to the Limit". Its title song is the group's second number one single on the Billboard Hot 100. The album sold four million copies and received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. A single from the album, "Lyin' Eyes", was also nominated for Record of the Year, and won the Eagles' first Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 18th Annual Grammy Awards in 1976. The band embarked on the worldwide One of These Nights tour to promote the album.

<i>Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)</i> 1976 compilation album by the Eagles

Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) is the first compilation album by the American rock band the Eagles, released by Asylum Records on February 17, 1976. It contains a selection of songs from the band's first four albums, which were released from 1972 to 1975. On the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, the album reached number one, where it stayed for five weeks.

<i>So What</i> (Joe Walsh album) 1974 studio album by Joe Walsh

So What is the third studio album by the American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Walsh. It was released in late 1974 on ABC-Dunhill Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernie Leadon</span> American musician (b. 1947)

Bernard Matthew Leadon III is an American singer, musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Eagles, for which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Prior to the Eagles, he was a member of three country rock bands: Hearts & Flowers, Dillard & Clark, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. He is a multi-instrumentalist coming from a bluegrass background. He introduced elements of this music to a mainstream audience during his tenure with the Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Meisner</span> American musician (1946–2023)

Randall Herman Meisner was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and founding member of the Eagles. Throughout his professional musical career, Meisner's main role was that of bassist and backing high-harmony vocalist as a group member and session musician. He co-wrote and provided lead vocals on the Eagles hit song "Take It to the Limit".

"Desperado" is a soft rock ballad by the American rock band the Eagles. The track was written by Glenn Frey and Don Henley, and appeared on the band's second studio album Desperado (1973) as well as numerous compilation albums. Although it was never released as a single, it became one of Eagles' best-known songs. It ranked No. 494 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Best of My Love (Eagles song)</span> 1974 single by the Eagles

"Best of My Love" is a song written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and JD Souther. It was originally recorded by the Eagles, and included on their 1974 album On the Border. The song was released as the third single from the album, and it became the band's first Billboard Hot 100 number 1 single in March 1975. The song also topped the easy listening chart for one week a month earlier. Billboard ranked it as the number 12 song for 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One of These Nights (Eagles song)</span> 1975 single by Eagles

"One of These Nights" is a song by the American rock band Eagles, written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey. The title track from their 1975 One of These Nights album, the song became their second single to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart after "Best of My Love" and also helped propel the album to number one. The single version was shortened from the album version of the song, removing most of the song's intro and most of its fade-out, as well. Henley is lead vocalist on the verses, while Randy Meisner sings high harmony on the refrain. The song features a guitar solo by Don Felder that is "composed of blues-based licks and sustained string bends using an unusually meaty distortion tone."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take It Easy</span> 1972 single by the Eagles

"Take It Easy" is the debut single by the American rock band Eagles, written by Jackson Browne and Eagles band member Glenn Frey, who also provides lead vocals. It was released on May 1, 1972, and peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on July 22, 1972. It was also the opening track of the band's eponymous debut album and has become one of their signature songs, included on all of their live and compilation albums. It is listed as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lyin' Eyes</span> 1975 song by the Eagles

"Lyin' Eyes" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey and recorded in 1975 by the American rock band Eagles, with Frey singing lead vocals. It was the second single from their album One of These Nights, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Country chart. It remained their only top 40 country hit until "How Long" in 2007–2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Dean (song)</span> 1974 single by Eagles

"James Dean" is a song written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Jackson Browne, and JD Souther, and recorded by the American rock band Eagles for their 1974 album On the Border. It was the second single released from this album, reaching number 77 on the U.S. pop singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take It to the Limit (Eagles song)</span> 1975 single by Eagles

"Take It to the Limit" is a song by Eagles from their fourth album One of These Nights from which it was issued as the last third single on November 15, 1975. It reached No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and was also Eagles' greatest success to that point in the United Kingdom, going to No. 12 on the charts. Billboard ranked it as the No. 25 song for 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outlaw Man</span> 1973 single by Eagles

"Outlaw Man" is a song written by David Blue and recorded by the American rock band Eagles. The song was chosen by the Eagles for their second album Desperado as the song fits the theme of a Western outlaw gang of the album. It is the second single released from Desperado after "Tequila Sunrise", and the eighth track on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Already Gone (Eagles song)</span> 1974 single by Eagles

"Already Gone" is a song recorded by the American rock band the Eagles for their 1974 album On the Border. It was written by Jack Tempchin and Robb Strandlund and produced by Bill Szymczyk.

References

  1. 1 2 Johns, Glyn (November 13, 2014). "The Eagles, 1971". Sound Man: A Life Recording Hits with The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Faces. Plume. ISBN   978-1-101-61465-5.
  2. ↑ Michael Ray, ed. (December 1, 2012). Disco, Punk, New Wave, Heavy Metal, and More: Music in the 1970s and 1980s. Britannica Educational Publishing. p. 61. ISBN   978-1-61530-912-2.
  3. 1 2 "500 Greatest Albums: The Eagles – The Eagles | Rolling Stone Music | Lists". Rolling Stone. 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. 2020-09-22. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  5. ↑ "Experience The Music: One Hit Wonders and The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  6. ↑ Brown, George (June 1, 2004). Colorado Rocks!: A Half-century of Music in Colorado. Pruett Publishing Co. ISBN   978-0-87108-930-4.
  7. ↑ Matt Sebastian (January 19, 2016). "Glenn Frey and the Eagles a storied part of Boulder's music history". Daily Camera.
  8. 1 2 History of the Eagles. 2013. Event occurs at 34:50–36:55.
  9. ↑ Eliot, Marc (2004). To The Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles. Da Capo Press. pp. 72–73. ISBN   978-0-306-81398-6.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. 1 2 3 "Glyn Johns – Album by Album". Uncut.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  11. 1 2 Cameron Crowe (September 25, 1975). "Rolling Stone #196: The Eagles". The Uncool.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Eliot, Marc (2004). To The Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles. Da Capo Press. pp. 74–75. ISBN   978-0-306-81398-6.[ permanent dead link ]
  13. ↑ History of the Eagles. 2013. Event occurs at 37:15–39:00.
  14. ↑ Browne, David (June 10, 2016). "Eagles' Complete Discography: Don Henley Looks Back". Rolling Stone.
  15. ↑ Eliot, Marc (2004). To The Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles. Da Capo Press. p. 76. ISBN   978-0-306-81398-6.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ Bill Halverson. "Unreleased Eagles Music".
  17. ↑ History of the Eagles. 2013. Event occurs at 47:20–48:00.
  18. ↑ The Eagles' Greatest Hit Grantland, August 14, 2013.
  19. ↑ Ruhlmann, William. "Eagles". Allmusic. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  20. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: E". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies . Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   089919026X . Retrieved February 24, 2019– via robertchristgau.com.
  21. ↑ RB (August 12, 1972). "Eagles: Eagles" (PDF). Disc . p. 17. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  22. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). "Eagles". Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN   9780857125958 – via Google Books.
  23. ↑ Strong, Martin C. (2004). "Eagles". The Great Rock Discography (7 ed.). Canongate Books. p.  467-468. ISBN   1-84195-615-5.
  24. ↑ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). "The Eagles". MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. p.  371-372. ISBN   1-57859-061-2.
  25. ↑ Scoppa, Bud (June 22, 1972). "Eagles: Eagles". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  26. ↑ Kot, Greg (2004). "The Eagles". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p.  267. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  27. ↑ Dave de Sylvia (June 26, 2006). "Review: Eagles – Eagles". Sputnikmusic . Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  28. ↑ Scoppa, Bud (June 22, 1972). "The Eagles – The Eagles". Billboard.
  29. ↑ William Ruhlmann (2011). "Eagles – Eagles | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011. by Frey and Henley.
  30. ↑ "1001 Albums You Must Hear – 2008 Edition". rocklistmusic.co.uk. 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011. Eagles
  31. ↑ Whitaker, Sterling (January 18, 2016). "Top 10 Underrated Eagles Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  32. ↑ "Billboard 200". Billboard. June 24, 1972.
  33. ↑ "Billboard 200". Billboard. August 5, 1972.
  34. 1 2 "American album certifications – Eagles – Eagles". Recording Industry Association of America.
  35. ↑ "Eagles – Eagles". Discogs.
  36. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4170". RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  37. ↑ "Eagles Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  38. ↑ "Warner /Elektra /Atlantic Sets Canada's AII- Time,12 -Month Sales Record - 44 Gold and Platinum Albums:Gold-Album" (PDF). Billboard . October 2, 1976. p. 63. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
  39. ↑ "British album certifications – Eagles – Eagles". British Phonographic Industry.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.