Disco de Eagles: “Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)”

Having sold well over 14 million copies to date, this is now the biggest selling record of all time. Not bad for a band of talented but unknown musicians who were originally gathered together by a record producer to be Linda Ronstadt's back-up band.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the "Greatest Hits" album concept, because they tend to be superficial selections of what got radio play, and often don't represent the artist's best work. Never has that been less true than it is here, though. This is a great greatest hits package because it also is representive of the best work the Eagles did between 1971 and 1975.

The Eagles recorded a total of only six studio albums before disbanding to pursue solo projects after the release of 1979's THE LONG RUN. This album draws from what is commonly noted as being the pre-Joe Walsh era--the first four albums, including THE EAGLES, DESPERADO, ON THE BORDER, and ONE OF THESE NIGHTS.

Originally, banjo/mandolin player and founding member Bernie Leadon was crucial to the band's sound. However, with the addition of Don Felder on guitar, the band moved toward a more mainstream California rock sound.

All of the songs on this collection are strong, particularly TAKE IT EASY, LYIN' EYES, DESPERADO, and the rare Eagles song from this period that doesn't feature lead vocals by either Don Henley or Glen Frey, the bassist Randy Meisner sung TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT.

I've had this album in one format or another since I was 12 years old, and I keep coming back to it for whatever you listen to music for.

The Eagles have a reputation that would seem to put them into the same class as the greats of rock. This reputation comes in spite of the fact that The Eagles released but seven albums in their two incarnations, six of which were released between 1972 and 1979. The last album was "Hell Freezes Over", an orphan released in 1994.

The first four Eagles albums provided enough material for the first of six collections, titled "Their Greatest Hits". This album covers The Eagles from 1972 to 1975, the pre-Joe Walsh years. In general, their music during these years had a country flavor, but was well balanced with rock influences. I consider The Eagles of these first four albums to be one of the first true country-rock bands. I also think that Don Henley and Glen Frey brought to this genre a style and talent that reminds me of The Beatles in their middle years.

This album captures quite a range. "Desperado" is probably the most overtly country in styling. "Witchy Woman" has a rhythm that can only be described as based on Native American music, and thus is not true country, but has enough country elements to be considered either country or pop/rock. Other songs move further away from country, but still show their country influences, such as "Already Gone" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling".

While the country influence is there, you can also detect elements of The Eagles that would be more strongly manifested in "Hotel California" and "The Long Run". "Witchy Woman" has a strong electric guitar lead. "Already Gone" also has a dominant lead guitar, which at that time was more associated with rock. The latter song could have gone on "The Long Run", an album that moved The Eagles away from a country flavor.

I think The Eagles are highly regarded because of the quality of the songs created by the group, and perhaps because of the influence they had on other country-rock groups. They showed others that country and rock could be successfully married and people would buy such music when it was performed well. They also showed others that the same group could create a song that would be considered rock, and on the same record have a song with strong country influences. Along with a number of other groups in the 60s and 70s, The Eagles were groundbreaking in their own way.

It's easy to look back on this music and put it down because 30 years later it is no longer fresh, new, or original. There have been hundreds of imitators of The Eagles. However, The Eagles were one of the first, and in many ways, were the first. Those who came later imitated The Eagles and performed similar music so many times that after a while the impact of The Eagles appears to have been diluted. In truth, that impact occurred when these songs were released, and are part of the continuing evolution of music. Try to put yourself back in the early 70s when this music was released. It was great then, new, fresh, innovative, and young. The jungle beat of disco, techno-pop, the discordant chords of Nine Inch Nails were all yet to be, and The Beatles had only broken up recently. I will always remember this music for how unique it was when released.

If you like what you hear on the radio of The Eagles, then you will enjoy this CD. I prefer the albums to this collection, because I think the albums have music equal to the music on this CD, but this collection is a good introduction to the early Eagles. Enjoy!

With the new double-disc Eagles compilation out, "Their Greatest Hits 1971-75" may be pushed into the background a little bit, but it is still a great introduction to the pre-Hotel California Eagles.

The first record ever to be certified platinum, and the all-time best selling album in the US, "Their Greatest Hits" gathers the cream of the crop from the band's first four albums. The tunes are superbly melodic, and the arrangements - full of strummed acoustic guitars playing over a rock rhythm section - are immediately engaging.

Sure, "The Very Best Of The Eagles" is much more comprehensive, but this compilation pulled off a nifty trick by concentrating on big hits and substituting album track "Desperado" for "Outlaw Man", a single that didn't go anywhere, thus providing a compulsively enjoyable listen. And if you get this album and its sister volume "Their Greatest Hits vol. II", you'll have an Eagles retrospective which includes virtually all of their very best songs, and not a single weak track.

The serious Eagles fan will need to own all of the group's original albums, of course, and "Their Greatest Hits" certainly doesn't include every good song the Eagles recorded between 1971 and 1975, but their two original compilation albums remain the best purchase for the casual fan, as well as providing a terrific introduction for the curious.

I don't wanna re-hash what's been already stated, but The "Eagles Greatest Hits 1971-1975" has sold more copies than any other album in the United States. Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is still the best-seller worldwide, and you could make a case for it having the title in America as well because that was a straight-formard album, whereas "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" is a compilation of previously released material.

Regardless both of these albums are remarkable, and the people who love "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" but bash "Thriller" need to broaden their musical horizons. Another pet peeve is those who say Quote: "Anyone with Good tastes knows Fleetwood Mac's "Rumors" is a better album than "Thriller". Needless to say these folks are pseudo-elitists whom I have no use for.

Please forgive my excursion, I just felt that had to be said.

I bought this album on vinyl used for 33 Cents, talk about a bargain! The cover is on my list of all-time favorites. The bird's skull over a sky blue background with the bands name in unique lettering. A classic in it's own right.

The Eagles "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" paints a near-perfect picture of what this band was all about. It embodies elements of Country, Rock and Folk. They had many great tunes that didn't catch on as hits, but "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" is a plentiful helping.

A twanging acoustic guitar and laid-back feel propel the opener "Take it Easy". "Already gone" tells the tale of breaking up a relationship and feeling happy about it, bolstered by a soaring chorus, and a superb Glenn Frey solo.

The Piano-driven "Desperado" perfectly showcases Don Henley's golden voice. And speaking of Vocals, I always thought the harmonies to "One of these Nights" sounded like the BeeGees.

On the B-Side there is less Rocking out, but the tremedous songs display their lighter side. Stand-outs include the acoustic "Tequila Sunrise", the country-western tinged "Peaceful Easy Feeling", and the sentimental, heartfelt fare of "Take it to the limit and the closer, "Best of My Love".

I'd encourage the curious to dig a little deeper, maybe seek out the albums "On the border", "Hotel California" and "Greatest Hits Volume 2". But casual fans can't go wrong with "Greatest Hits 1971-1975". I promise you won't be disappointed.

The eagles were one of the top bands of the seventies. No other band could blend country and rock like the Eagles. this CD contains many of theigraetest songs. Most of the songs were written by Don Henley and Glen Frye. The songs vary from the driving rock melodies of "One of these nights" to the mellow country ballads of "Peaceful easy feeling". One song , Lying Eyes, is played frequently on country stations. It is a song about a wealthy woman who tries to have an affair. Peaceful easy feeling has to be one of the Eagles prettiest ballads. Songs like "Desperado" and "take it easy" combines both rock and country.