Album Description
From the original master tapes on 24 karat Gold disc. Booklet includes complete original artwork. Standard jewel case.
Amazon.com essential recording
Its no accident that The Eagles Greatest Hits might one day pass Michael Jacksons Thriller as the best-selling album of all time-- the Eagles made great singles. By contrast, their albums could be spotty and strained by self-conscious artistry. Hotel California was arguably the bands best single album--it was certainly the Eagles biggest original disc-- and it also underscored the bands need to make a big statement. The title tune reflected the albums theme of paradise lost in California, painting this picture with a musical arrangement that punctuated strumming guitars with dramatic drums, and perhaps the bands most famous lyric: "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." "New Kid in Town" was an equally fine albeit much more traditional Eagles ballad. "Life in the Fast Lane" aspired to hard rock but largely gunned its engine without taking off. The rest is okay, but nothing more than secondary Eagles songs that happened to be nestled into the album that came to define the 70s supergroup. --John Milward
Rate Points :4.5
Binding :Audio CD
Label :Elektra / Wea
Manufacturer :Elektra / Wea
MPN :103
ProductGroup :Music
Studio :Elektra / Wea
Publisher :Elektra / Wea
UPC :075596050920
EAN :0075596050920
Price :$18.98USD
Lowest Price :$7.75USD
Customer ReviewsDont be a critic if you cant Hear
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :1
I Am Mainly Writing a review on this not just because of the fact that this album in any format has the best sound quality , performance , production and writing of any album in the analog era! . but it sets the standard of other recordings of all time .
I cant believe anyone would say that this is a waste of time to listen to this album .
Also the use of surround sound is also fantastic here .
Henleys drums are Back Beat to the true dynamics of what cds and other high resolution formats should sound like .
Out with the old....
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
The departure of Bernie Leadon, and his replacement by Joe Walsh in the mid-seventies completed a new dynamic for the Eagles, which had been started by the addition of Don Felder on "One of These Nights". It was more hard-edged, less traditional country and decried the excesses of the Southern California lifestyle of the time.
The introduction to the title track (originally written in B, but Henley wouldnt sing it in that key) made hair stand up on the back of my neck, something that hadnt happened since the first time I had heard Bloodrocks "D.O.A.". I remember picking the song apart, especially the outre, to see if I could tell which parts were being played by Walsh, and which by Felder.
The quintet had obviously learned well the lessons taught to them by Mr. Leadon, the harmonies and the orchestrations of the various tracks showing that the Eagles had finally come into their own as a musical force to be reckoned with.
"New Kid in Town" and "Wasted Time", are more homages to their previous works, but "Victim of Love", and "Life in the Fast Lane", in which Walsh is allowed to let it hang out a bit, were indicative of the harder edge that they were taking on. His guitar rings true in that song, and harkens back to his James Gang days.
Glenn Frey had once said that "The Last Resort" was the best song that Don Henley had ever penned, and that might not be far from the truth.We, as a race or culture, tend to spoil any place we consider a "paradise", as is chronicled in the song. The track "Try and Love Again", sung by Randy Meisner, has a unique Gretsch guitar sound by Walsh that would show up about the same time in Pocos "Indian Summer". And Walshs own "Pretty Maids All in a Row" chronicles our growing up.
All in all, its a very satisfying album, which the follow up, "The Long Run" didnt quite equal. If youre a fan of 70s music, this has to be in your collection.
Masterpiece
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
Im not going to compare Hotel California to any other album. This is simply their greatest album. Nearly flawless but, like the subject, not quite perfect.
I love the concept of California being heaven and hell. I bought this album in December 1976, and then left for California right after Christmas. That trip was planned, by the way, not a result of listening to the album. I believed in the concept of California as heaven on earth. Everything about SoCal was so great in 1977. It was the place to be. But of couse it really wasnt. I saw it in awe, with eyes wide open, and missed or overlooked some things. And thats the concept of this album, almost a warning that things arent all theyre cracked up to be.
I can easily see the direct connection to the "California Concept" in most of these songs. Wasted Time, Victim of Love and Try and Love Again, maybe not so direct. There was so much radio airplay on the first three songs of side one but they really delivered the message. Maybe the more casual fans didnt realize what else they were missing. At that time there were plenty of radio stations that played deep album tracks and even the entire album. So there was ample opportunity to hear the other songs, and I think some people missed out on great music by not hearing the rest of the album.
To this day I think that The Last Resort is the best song the Eagles ever released. Glenn Frey supposedly said that this song is Don Henleys best work. I think this song speaks volumes about the virtues and promises of California, and how it was ruined by greed. I mean, to be in Southern California at that time was fantastic beyond words. It was where I wanted to be. It was, to me, paradise. A few years ago, a friend of mine said, "LA isnt what it used to be. Know what I mean?", and I did. I did know what he meant. Its sad, because I guess I just have this fond remembrance of what things were like in LA when Hotel California was a new release.
Ive always liked Victim of Love better than Life In The Fast Lane. Its recorded live in the studio. On the record, theres even an inscription in the vinyl around the label that reads, "V.O.L. is five piece live". Its refreshing to hear something so raw when everything else on the album is so polished. But polished is good, too. Wasted Time is so soulful and heartbreaking, and may be my second favorite song of the album. Its lush and polished and it works. Even the brief Wasted Time Reprise (which seemed way out of place the first time I listened) works on this album.
New Kid In Town is also great because its all about "What have you done for me lately?", which was so LA at the time and even more so now. Its delivered so smoothly that it shows how subtle the change is from being on top of the world one day to being a nobody the next. Of the singles released from the album New Kid In Town has to be the most pop-oriented song. Its really more like their previous singles than Hotel California and Life In The Fast Lane. To this day I like New Kid In Town better than those other 2 songs.
Another reviewer said this was a rather dark themed album for the late 70s. Thats probably true because the late 70s were all about doing anything you could get away with just to have the right amount of fun. Hotel California as a whole was saying that a good time wouldnt last forever, were gonna run out of land and resources and it will be too expensive to enjoy. Maybe it was too dark, but that lifestyle got out of control and further ruined Paradise On Earth.
I still love visiting, especially Southern California. This will sound goofy, but it truly does give me energy that I dont get anywhere else. But, for me, it really isnt the same as it was. Thats what Hotel California was saying way back when.
This is not Remastered as advertised
Rating Point :3 Helpful Point :0
This CD has not been remastered. Its an analog rip and has no polishing done like "One of These Nights" or "Eagles" releases.
If it says its remastered then it should be remastered. Plus, theres no dynamic range to this Hotel California release "none" these people going on about "Henleys drums" really dont get it or have a good set of headphones.
I love the Eagles and always will. But, be prepared to crank up the volume with this weak audio (un)mastered release.
HOTEL CA - is OK...
Rating Point :4 Helpful Point :0
nothing to say, but its OK... good tunes - fond memories and my kids like it. "classics to live by"
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