EAGLES “Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975” /LP/

The fifth full-length studio album by legendary American Rock band.
The band's first album with guitarist Joe Walsh, who had replaced founding member Bernie Leadon, who had given the band much of its country flavour, and the last to feature founding bassist Randy Meisner. The album cover features a photograph of the Beverly Hills Hotel, taken by David Alexander.
The Eagles took 18 months between their fourth and fifth albums, reportedly spending eight months in the studio recording "Hotel California". 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 band 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.
"Hotel California" was an immediate critical and commercial success, topping the US Billboard 200 chart. At the 20th Grammy Awards, the title track won Record of the Year, and "New Kid in Town" won Best Arrangement for Voices. The album was also nominated for Album of the Year but lost to Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" (1977). Three Singles were released from the album, with the title track and "New Kid in Town" topping the Billboard Hot 100 and "Life in the Fast Lane" reaching No. 11.
"Hotel California" is one of the best-selling albums of all time. It has been certified 26× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the US, and has sold over 32 million units worldwide, making it the band's second best-selling album after "Their Greatest Hits" (1971–1975) (1976). Ranked by various publications as one of the greatest albums of all time, it was placed at number 37 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" in 2003 and 2012, re-positioned to number 118 in the 2020 edition. The band played the album in its entirety during the Hotel California 2020 Tour.
Gatefold LP contains 3-panel 11"x11" Poster.
Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch Records, a Division of Warner Communications, 1976 (6E-103). Made in USA. First press. OIS. Used (cover/poster/OIS/disc): EX+/NM/NM/EX+.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Hotel California 6:30
2. New Kid in Town 5:04
3. Life in the Fast Lane 4:46
4. Wasted Time 4:55

Side Two
5. Wasted Time (Reprise) 1:22
6. Victim of Love 4:11
7. Pretty Maids All in a Row 4:05
8. Try and Love Again 5:10
9. The Last Resort 7:25
 

The fifth full-length studio album by legendary American Rock band.
The band's first album with guitarist Joe Walsh, who had replaced founding member Bernie Leadon, who had given the band much of its country flavour, and the last to feature founding bassist Randy Meisner. The album cover features a photograph of the Beverly Hills Hotel, taken by David Alexander.
The Eagles took 18 months between their fourth and fifth albums, reportedly spending eight months in the studio recording "Hotel California". 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 band 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.
"Hotel California" was an immediate critical and commercial success, topping the US Billboard 200 chart. At the 20th Grammy Awards, the title track won Record of the Year, and "New Kid in Town" won Best Arrangement for Voices. The album was also nominated for Album of the Year but lost to Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" (1977). Three Singles were released from the album, with the title track and "New Kid in Town" topping the Billboard Hot 100 and "Life in the Fast Lane" reaching No. 11.
"Hotel California" is one of the best-selling albums of all time. It has been certified 26× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the US, and has sold over 32 million units worldwide, making it the band's second best-selling album after "Their Greatest Hits" (1971–1975) (1976). Ranked by various publications as one of the greatest albums of all time, it was placed at number 37 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" in 2003 and 2012, re-positioned to number 118 in the 2020 edition. The band played the album in its entirety during the Hotel California 2020 Tour.
Gatefold LP contains 3-panel 11"x11" Poster.
Elektra/Asylum/Nonesuch Records, a Division of Warner Communications/WEA Music GmbH, 1976/1980 (AS 53 051 (7E-1084)). Made in Germany. First press. OIS. Used (cover/poster/OIS/disc): EX+/M/EX+/EX+.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Hotel California 6:30
2. New Kid in Town 5:04
3. Life in the Fast Lane 4:46
4. Wasted Time 4:55

Side Two
5. Wasted Time (Reprise) 1:22
6. Victim of Love 4:11
7. Pretty Maids All in a Row 4:05
8. Try and Love Again 5:10
9. The Last Resort 7:25