Classic Rock Album of the Day... The Eagles - The Long Run (1979) ***
One of most vivid memories of the day I acquired this album late in 1979, is the fact I splurged that same day and bought both this one and Zeppelin's "In Through the Out Door." Funny how tastes changes, because at least a few years, I'd would prefer this one on any day. Now, no comparison. Not a exactly a negative about this one, because on a whole this was (is) the finest album the Eagles ever made. Hotel California had a few better songs, but as far as consistency, this was the one for me.
Yes, 1976-1979, with the tandem of Hotel California and the Long Run, was from my POV , the Eagles at their best. Sure those handful of albums made in the early to mid '70's were huge sellers, and massive hits. I am almost sure everyone I knew at the time had their "Greatest Hits" collection. It made for good truck 8-track fodder, because they were good nice country-rock tunes, and the chicks digged it. But when you look at each of those 4 albums out there on their own merit as a whole, they were "filler-fests".
Well what changed? That change came in the form of Joe Walsh, from James Gang and solo fame, who became "the missing piece" that gave the band that edge to be a great band. His antics and additions were a great add to counter the self-absorption and whine factor of Frey, Henley, and the lesser members of the band. The purist decried this era, but there is no doubt it broadened their audience, and no one can dispute that some of the '70's most enlightened harmonization came from their extensive catalog.
Fun Fact : Did not remember, but Bob Seger actually was given songwriting credit on Heartache Tonight, and also has a backup singing role too.
Side 1-
--------------
The Long Run- Title Track though was a big radio hit, and it is annoying to me. 8
I Can't Tell You Why- Slow rolling ballad that was sung by maybe the worst singer in the band. Schmitt sounds like a whiny bitch. And you all know what my general opinion of ballards are. And this was a freakin' hit too?... Geez 9
In the City- Then it gets great..... Walsh's masterful contribution that power chords its way through a fantastic though hooky pattern of standard chord progressions , with some extremely weighty and classic Walsh slide guitar work. Lyrical angles work nicely too. Way to Go Joe....... 1
The Disco Strangler- Among the strange on the LP, with a very odd meter and sync'ed beat... And pretty much like nothing the Eagles had done before. I love the theme too, and used to love playing it loud disco loving neighbors in the dorm. Disco? Wasn't really a fan.
4
King of Hollywood- Another Ballad, though more competent. Actually some good song based story telling of "the casting couch" way before it was widely known. Frey also does some decent soloing during the piece. 6
Side 2-
--------------
Heartache Tonight- Another massive hit, and a woo hoo clap along romps. Found it so strange that what I thought were among the weakest songs on the album, were also their biggest hits. Shows how screwed up my tastes were. This one is the closest one, that harkens back to their early '70's feel. Except that slide guitar, which is about it's only high point. 7
Those Shoes- Now the album though more obscure on the familiarity front, gets really interesting- Shoes uses a blues based, heavy percussive with a buzz/distort guitar, that works nicely. Always thought this was a song that would have came out better if Frey had sang it instead of Henley, but ..... they didn't ask me. 5
Teenage Jail- Sinister-blues. Yeah, that is how it comes across. Such a great song, and one that is criminally ignored in their discography. Not sure who is doing which, but the solo work on both keyboards and guitar (Walsh and Frey) , it is among at least IMO, some of the best I've heard. 2
The Greeks Don't Want No Freaks.- Okay, okay, okay, I am not immune to a well formulated hooked song, at least if gets me really nodding. Song almost has that '60's Monster Mash organ thing going. Fraternity Chorus at the end? Yeah our era did have Animal House. Woot Woot, get out the togas. 3
The Sad Cafe- Another stinking pointless ballad. Too bad. This album should have ended one song earlier. Henley comes across annoyingly whiny. Sad Cafe? How about a Sad Ending. 10
Originally prepare 23 February 2023.
One of most vivid memories of the day I acquired this album late in 1979, is the fact I splurged that same day and bought both this one and Zeppelin's "In Through the Out Door." Funny how tastes changes, because at least a few years, I'd would prefer this one on any day. Now, no comparison. Not a exactly a negative about this one, because on a whole this was (is) the finest album the Eagles ever made. Hotel California had a few better songs, but as far as consistency, this was the one for me.
Yes, 1976-1979, with the tandem of Hotel California and the Long Run, was from my POV , the Eagles at their best. Sure those handful of albums made in the early to mid '70's were huge sellers, and massive hits. I am almost sure everyone I knew at the time had their "Greatest Hits" collection. It made for good truck 8-track fodder, because they were good nice country-rock tunes, and the chicks digged it. But when you look at each of those 4 albums out there on their own merit as a whole, they were "filler-fests".
Well what changed? That change came in the form of Joe Walsh, from James Gang and solo fame, who became "the missing piece" that gave the band that edge to be a great band. His antics and additions were a great add to counter the self-absorption and whine factor of Frey, Henley, and the lesser members of the band. The purist decried this era, but there is no doubt it broadened their audience, and no one can dispute that some of the '70's most enlightened harmonization came from their extensive catalog.
Fun Fact : Did not remember, but Bob Seger actually was given songwriting credit on Heartache Tonight, and also has a backup singing role too.
Side 1-
--------------
The Long Run- Title Track though was a big radio hit, and it is annoying to me. 8
I Can't Tell You Why- Slow rolling ballad that was sung by maybe the worst singer in the band. Schmitt sounds like a whiny bitch. And you all know what my general opinion of ballards are. And this was a freakin' hit too?... Geez 9
In the City- Then it gets great..... Walsh's masterful contribution that power chords its way through a fantastic though hooky pattern of standard chord progressions , with some extremely weighty and classic Walsh slide guitar work. Lyrical angles work nicely too. Way to Go Joe....... 1
The Disco Strangler- Among the strange on the LP, with a very odd meter and sync'ed beat... And pretty much like nothing the Eagles had done before. I love the theme too, and used to love playing it loud disco loving neighbors in the dorm. Disco? Wasn't really a fan.
4King of Hollywood- Another Ballad, though more competent. Actually some good song based story telling of "the casting couch" way before it was widely known. Frey also does some decent soloing during the piece. 6
Side 2-
--------------
Heartache Tonight- Another massive hit, and a woo hoo clap along romps. Found it so strange that what I thought were among the weakest songs on the album, were also their biggest hits. Shows how screwed up my tastes were. This one is the closest one, that harkens back to their early '70's feel. Except that slide guitar, which is about it's only high point. 7
Those Shoes- Now the album though more obscure on the familiarity front, gets really interesting- Shoes uses a blues based, heavy percussive with a buzz/distort guitar, that works nicely. Always thought this was a song that would have came out better if Frey had sang it instead of Henley, but ..... they didn't ask me. 5
Teenage Jail- Sinister-blues. Yeah, that is how it comes across. Such a great song, and one that is criminally ignored in their discography. Not sure who is doing which, but the solo work on both keyboards and guitar (Walsh and Frey) , it is among at least IMO, some of the best I've heard. 2
The Greeks Don't Want No Freaks.- Okay, okay, okay, I am not immune to a well formulated hooked song, at least if gets me really nodding. Song almost has that '60's Monster Mash organ thing going. Fraternity Chorus at the end? Yeah our era did have Animal House. Woot Woot, get out the togas. 3
The Sad Cafe- Another stinking pointless ballad. Too bad. This album should have ended one song earlier. Henley comes across annoyingly whiny. Sad Cafe? How about a Sad Ending. 10
Originally prepare 23 February 2023.
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