Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975

by Eagles

Overview

On their first four albums, the Eagles were at pains to demonstrate that they were a group of at least near-equals, each getting a share of the songwriting credits and lead vocals. But this compilation drawn from those albums, comprising the group's nine Top 40 hits plus "Desperado," demonstrates that this evenhandedness did not extend to singles -- as far as those go, the Eagles belong to Glenn Frey and Don Henley. The tunes are melodic, and the arrangements -- full of strummed acoustic guitars over a rock rhythm section often playing a shuffle beat, topped by tenor-dominated harmonies -- are immediately engaging. There is also a lyrical consistency to the songs, which often concern romantic uncertainties in an atmosphere soaked in intoxicants. The narrators of the songs usually seem exhausted, if not satiated, and the loping rhythms are appropriate to these impressions. All of which means that, unlike the albums from which they come, these songs make up a collection consistent in mood and identity, which may help explain why Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) works so much better than the band's previous discs and practically makes them redundant. No wonder it was such a big hit out of the box, topping the charts and becoming the first album ever certified platinum. Still, there must be more to it, since the album wasn't just a big hit, but one of the biggest ever, becoming one of the very few discs to cross the threshold of 20 million copies and competing for the title of best-selling album of all time. There may be no explaining that, really, except to note that this was the pervasive music of the first half of the 1970s, and somehow it never went away. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	02/08/2011
Label:	Elektra / Rhino
UPC:	0081227979379
Rank:	338

Tracks

1. Take It Easy
2. Witchy Woman
3. Lyin' Eyes
4. Already Gone
5. Desperado
6. One of These Nights
7. Tequila Sunrise
8. Take It To the Limit
9. Peaceful Easy Feeling
10. The Best of My Love

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Eagles   Primary Artist
Bernie Leadon   Banjo,Guitar
Don Henley   Drums,Vocals
David Sanborn   Sax (Alto)
Randy Meisner   Guitar (Bass)
Glenn Frey   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Don Felder   Organ,Guitar

Technical Credits

Bernie Leadon   Composer
Bob Seger   Composer
Bill Szymczyk   Producer
Duke Ellington   Composer
J.D. Souther   Composer
Jack Tempchin   Composer
Jackson Browne   Composer
Don Henley   Composer
Mad Lion   Composer
Jim Ed Norman   Arranger
Randy Meisner   Composer
Robb Strandlund   Composer
Glenn Frey   Composer
Don Felder   Composer
Joe Walsh   Composer
Glyn Johns   Producer