#207 Eagles, 'Eagles' (1972)

Previously #368

The album that launched one of the biggest-selling bands of all time, Eagles’ self-titled debut record married the sounds of Folk Rock, Country and straight Rock ‘n Roll to create a new laid back sound that would become synonymous with L.A. The album opens with ‘Take It Easy,’ a song co-written by Glenn Frey and Jackson Browne, the latter would release it the following year as the lead track of his second album. Second track, ‘Witchy Woman’ is led by drummer, Don Henley, my favourite vocalist in a band of amazing vocalists. Similar to Crosby, Stills & Nash, and The Beach Boys, Eagles’ harmonies is a trademark sound of the group. Their vocal harmonies are just angelic.

The only other song that Henley sings on the record is ‘Nightingale,’ a song solely written by Jackson Browne. Knowing how much he sang throughout their career, I was actually surprised that it was only two songs on this record. Similarly, Frey only sings 3 songs. It’s actually a very collaborative record, with a relatively equal spread on the vocals, with Randy Meisner taking lead on 3 and Bernie Leadon on 2. Producer, Glyn Johns, was originally invited by David Geffen to see the band. He declined to produce as he felt the band wasn’t sure whether they were a Country band or a Rock ‘n Roll band. Geffen invited him to see them again as Frey really wanted him to produce. Hearing the vocal harmonies on the Meisner track, ‘Take The Devil’ is what convinced him. Johns would emphasise the harmonies on the production as he identified that to be the key sound of the band. Johns enforced a “No Drug Or Alcohol” policy, which Frey and Henley weren’t happy about. There were often disagreements between the two and Johns on the sound they wanted on the record. Ultimately, Johns managed to get the unique sound that the band has no come to be known for and launched a phenomenal career of one of music’s most successful acts.

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