Birmingham 2 Reviews

Mark's Review

Well I remember the Eagles as soft harmonies and great songs and at the age of 16 I picked up my beginners guitar lessons and played the easy version of "Lyin Eyes". It told a story and it was a great piece of music. But I never believed that I would ever see the men who made that music. Tonight I did. I went with my wife ( a belated birthday present for her) she knew all the words and she never believed that she would ever she the band as well. So in a way ,this was making two people's dreams come true. But above everything I got the sense that these were just guys on stage, doing their thing and their thing was to be captives of those songs. Frey says in the programme he'll always be an Eagle. You can take away the band but you can't take away those songs. Tonight the songs lived again. I did start to make a note of the set list but abandoned that when we rushed down to the stage to see the band . Within a few yards, I got caught up in it all., the wonder that these guys can produce such excellent harmonies despite their years. I know the voice changes as one gets older. I marveled at Henley's vocal range, laughed my self stupid at Joe's "Life's Been Good" as he sang "Fan's write in tell me I'm old" and said "What's AAAPP!" from the TV ad. Joe along with his jaunty Fedora hat ,was certainly having a good time, his solos were great. Glenn was the genial host, introducing the songs and was looking uncomfortably like Huey Lewis with a Miami Vice light blue suit on!. He dedicated "Lyin Eyes", "to my ex-wife, the plaintiff". Tim was giving out guitar picks and then their was Don. What a voice this guys got. From the almost low notes on "Desperado " to the soulful high notes on several songs. Steuart Smith performed well and I was impressed with his finesse. They could have left out some of the solo stuff which means zilch in Britain and put in songs like "Old 55" and "Last Resort" but they didn't. Still it's only a minor complaint. It did start as a special concert , but when they played "Lyin' Eyes" and those harmonies hit home it was transformed into something extra-special. I closed my eyes and I was 16 again, stumbling over those chord changes which set me on the road to playing guitar and writing my own songs. You know , some groups can just be entertainment , some can be an inspiration, the Eagles will always be the latter for me and for a great deal of their audience. If they never tour or record again, what an achievement to have made.

Emma's Review

Last night I once again travelled north for what would be my fourth and final encounter with the Eagles for this tour.

As it was the fourth time that I'd seen the show I wasn't expecting anything new and decided to sit back and try to take in as much as I could just in case this was the last time ever.

They opened as usual with Seven Bridges Road. When they got to the part where Don and Timothy sing together I noticed something different to all the other shows. Dare I say that they sounded better. Don and Tim's voices harmonised perfectly. It was at this point that I realised that this was not going to be just another Eagles show.

Anyone who knows me will understand that I have had this thing about the audiences not getting up and dancing until near the end of the show and that it's been annoying the hell out of me since the first Earls Court show. Well, as Don threw himself whole heartedly into The Long Run the front section of the audience leapt to their feet and began clapping and dancing. I was amazed.

The next most noticeable part of the show was Don's performance of Wasted Time. It sounded exactly as it does on the Hotel California album it was brilliant.

The Eagles themselves were in the best spirits that I've ever seen them. Don as usual didn't say much but Glenn and Joe stole the show with their joking and chatting. Timothy surprised me too. He dedicated Love Will Keep Us Alive to a little girl he had just met and said that it was her birthday. He also spent most of the show giving out guitar picks. He made sure that all the kids in the front had one and even got the security guys to bring some of the little audience members up to the stage to get one.

Take It To The Limit also stood out for me. I have often thought that this song would be better suited to Tim's voice but Glenn did a fantastic job of it and for a song that usually passes me by it really made me sit up and take notice.

Joe commented that he had written In The City about Birmingham and what a coincidence it was that they were playing there. Glenn then announced that they were doing one more song before taking a break. Someone in the audience shouted 'One Of These Nights'. Glenn said 'okay'. And they did it.

The second half opened with Witchy Woman. I had been looking forward to hearing this one done live. It was better than I could have imagined it to be, much better than the original.

Walk Away was once again (I do keep on about it) fantastic.

During Dirty Laundry Don jumped up and down which made everyone laugh. He nearly knocked Joe over at one point. This song also got people clapping louder than I'd heard at previous shows. The guitar solos also sounded better and slightly different to the original.

They did three encores. The first of course was Hotel California. They seemed to be off stage for ever between encores but you could see them peeping through the curtain as the crowd was going nuts for them to come back.

During Desperado some guy (yes, I think it was a man) shouted 'I love you Don' and the whole arena erupted into laughter. The audience shouted stuff out a lot come to think of it. At one point Glenn said 'Can't hear ya'. Then they shouted again 'still can't hear ya' says Glenn laughing.

The concert seemed longer than usual and there were longer guitar solos on some of the songs. Some of the songs that may have seemed out of place earlier in the tour seem to gel better now. Sunset Grill for example sounded less noisy than at previous shows.

The atmosphere was for me the best of the tour that I've seen. The band were in great form. Joe wore a hat which looked brilliant on him. Don's voice was better than ever.

Glenn was hilarious as was Joe and Timothy was, well enjoying himself more than the audience I think

But most of all they were very very funny and more entertaining than just a band singing a few songs.

Their personalities shone through the music and for anyone who needed reminding why we all love them as individuals as well as musicians this was the show to be at.

If this is the last time I ever get to see the Eagles, although I left the arena feeling as if it wouldn't be, then I have some great memories of that night and the rest of the tour. I am glad that last night was so good that I left the Eagles to go on their merry way feeling the way I do. More of a fan than ever.

They seemed to enjoy the show and fingers crossed seem to be getting along well.

This past month of following them around the country has been a memorable experience and I can honestly say 'Life's Been Good'.

Ruth's Review

I decided that since the Fastlane had been criticised for having one-sided
reviews and only publishing positive stuff (all lies, we know) I would
start this review by saying that the Eagles 'sleepwalked through the set' (I believe that's one
critic said) and that it was boring and a waste of time.

But, IT'S NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Wow! What can I say - there aren't sufficient adjectives in the English
language to capture last night's concert. This is a quick braindump - when I've
settled down I'll try and write up a more logical review.

I thought the Earls Court shows were brilliant; they were superb at the NIA on
15 June but last night - they were absolutely totally sensational. This was a
totally stunning show. This was 4 friends out to have a good time, jamming,
having a laugh - and boy did they show it.

They started with '7 Bridges Road' (shortened version - but the applause was so
loud they probably decided not to bother with the end). Pretty much the same
set as we've been seeing in the rest of Europe. 'Witchy Woman' opened the
second set, and there were 3 encores: 'Hotel California' for the first, 'Rocky
Mountain Way' for the second and 'Take it Easy' and 'Desperado' the third. At
the end of the second encore Glenn threw a load of plectrums into the audience -
when they came back out for the third, Timothy scrabbled on the floor looking
for a spare one - neat move!

Joe was looking particularly dashing in a cream suit complete with fedora - very
'Our Man in Havana'. Timothy said since he was looking so dapper, we could
expect good things from his this evening. The others dressed pretty much as
they have been throughout the tour. Don was in spectacular form - his vocals
were to die for and he's still drop dead gorgeous (OK - slight bias there!) and
Joe was in very humourous form - and unpredictable. Seeming to make up most of
the lyrics to 'Life's been good' as he went along, Glenn was looking at Don who
completely lost if for a moment : he collapsed in a fit of laughter on the drums
as they just shook their heads at Joe's antics.

They were chatty, they laughed and joked with each other - especially Don and
Joe - yes, my beloved Don - Mr. Serious himself! There was a spectacular moment
in 'Dirty Laundry' where Joe and Don started jumping in time to the music - then
the other two joined in and it got very silly and they just giggled. This was
the Eagles at their very best - a view shared by my other half Brian (who only
became an Eagles fan cos when we married (11 years ago today!) he realised love
me, love the Eagles was the only way to ensure harmony)

In fact Bri commented that they were a lot looser - they ad-libbed the music a
lot more and as such were absolutely stunning. This was so fresh, it was like
the first time all over again. They shook hands with the crowd, Don blew kisses
(probably to me, but heh I don't mind sharing!). Just brilliant.

Glenn commented that having spent 2 months in Europe they had a different
perspective " we think in the United States, we're at the centre of the
universe, which we're not!". He went on to say that it was comforting to know
that a number of us shared a total disregard for George W (the crowd erupted in
spontaneous applause) and said they tried to get Al elected, but then at the end
of the day he could mess up a 2 car funeral too. (We've got the dubious
pleasure of George W's company in the UK at the moment - isn't it a pity we
don't still put people in the tower!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

There was the old 'first wife plaintiff' joke from Glenn pre 'Lyin' Eyes'; TBS
dedicated 'Love will keep us alive' to an 11 year old he'd met earlier called
Nathalie. The crowd called out - Glenn said 'I can't hear you.....' more calls
'Still can't hear you' And it was not surprising - 3 hours 10 minutes of utter
utter bliss - and the crown adored them (who couldn't) I could go on and on and
on - and I can't believe that that's it - no more concerts for me. Bri
frequently reminds me we could have had a two week holiday for what I've spent
on these four guys this year - but heh, it was worth every single penny, and
I'd spend it all over again given the choice.

A bit of a ramble I'm afraid, but I can't tell you how good last night
was............(you probably guess that though!).

And a word to all those critics who clearly don't have an ounce of romance in
their soul - if this was sleepwalking then I hope I'm in all their dreams!

Graham's Review

I got there late, parking is dreadful in B'ham & my trusty Beamer started to
overheat in the traffic! When I finally got in, the first song I heard was
Long Run.. Anyway, to give an overview, the sound was surprisingly clear for
a barn, and our seats were fairly close to the front. The last time I saw
the guys was Wembley '96 and I have to say the energy and performance
tonight blew that performance away.. Joe Walsh was on fire, hitting all the
high notes and playing some blistering solos. He sat back in the first set
but let rip in the second half. He was (as usual) dressed in a wonderful
gaudy jacket (pink, green & yellow swirls I think) and literally ran a lap
of the stage during "Life's Been Good" - That was definitely the best song
of the night for me.. and got the loudest response from the typically
reserved UK audience. Everyone on stage was grinning at Joe's antics, even
Henley behind the drums.. Joe changed lyrics: "They write me letters, tell
me I'm overweight!" etc. which was hilarious, and during the solo he leapt
across the stage and banged the keys of Glenn's Rhoads piano for a laugh..
The energy onstage was great throughout the night, the guys did looked a
little weary at the start, being the end of the tour but still an excellent
show.. Haven't mentioned Don and Glenn much.. Don, as ever sang brilliantly,
but I think his voice is sounding a little tired at the end of this tour..
he still belted out Boys Of Summer great though.. Glenn sang great and
played a lot more lead guitar than I can remember him playing at a show
before.. He also added some humor - dedicating "Already Gone" to George W.
("I see George W's back in Europe making sense again!.. We'll play this for
him in three years time and let's hope he will be already gone!") He also
dedicated "Lyin' Eyes" to "My ex-wife - THE PLANTIFF!"
Also great to hear a few rarities tonight like "Witchy Woman"

All in all a great show, at the end Don thanked the audience for their
support during the last 30 years and said that they're not done yet, the new
album is on the way... Great news..

Oh BTW, haven't mentioned them but Timmy B. was good too, (he even broke a
string during "Rocky Mountain Way") & Stuart is a very capable guitar
player, though I wish he'd break free of Felder's solo lines and improvise a
bit more (perhaps he's not allowed!)

Whilst I do respect D. Felder as a musician, I have to be honest and say I
didn't miss him as much as I thought.. whilst he is a great player, to me
the key irreplaceable Eagles personalities of the last 20 years are Henley,
Frey and Walsh..they lead the show.

Anyway, thanks for listening. I'm looking forward to the new album.

Graham Clews

P.S: The Horn section were great too!

Shelly's Review

Where can i begin? what words could i use to express what i witnessed last
night?

i was not born when the eagles had their (arguably) finest hour with Hotel
California. i was not yet a fan when hell freezed over in '94. in short, a
lot of eagle history has passed me by. this was my first chance to see to
band. i knew i was going to see something pretty spectacular, but i was
(and still am) blown away. i've had a lot of stick from friends and work
mates about liking a 'bunch of O.A.Ps', so i begged i mum to go with me.
More fool them for missing out.

mum and i stayed overnight in birmingham next to the very posh looking,
hyatt hotel - could it be the band stayed there? i think so. a big silver
bus was parked outside, and the hotel had a tunnel link that stretched to
the arena.

at about 3.30pm, mum and i walked over to the arena. as we approached, i
could hear music. to my ears, it sounded like 'take it easy', of course, i
could have been over zealous in hoping that i was hearing an eagle
soundcheck, but you never know....... a barrier was down to stop people
getting to the stage door.

i arrived at the arena 15 minutes before the doors opened. yes, i was very
excited! - and i wanted to make sure i got a t-shirt ;) i then had a 1 and a
half hour wait for the show to start. i filled the time by moaning about
how bad our seats were. thank god for the giant screens!

when the band took to the stage, i thought my heart was going to burst out
of my chest. i had been waiting to see them for so long. as the first
strains of 'seven bridges road' started up with those PERFECT hamonies, i
just lost it. for the next 3 hours, i was singing every word, drumming along
with scott/henley, singing the guitar licks, and dancing.

the second song was 'new kid in town'. it hast to be said, glenn's voice has
not faired as well as the rest of the band's over the years. however, it
did warm up throughout the night. i thought glenn did not do that song
justice. he more than made up for it with 'take it to the limit'. as a bit
of a randy fan, i was apprehensive as to what glenn would sound like. he did
the song proud. hard to believe he never sang the original. the man can
play a mean guitar; i was impressed by his soloing. he should certainly
play more of steuart's parts (more on him, later).

henley was great. HENLEY MADE ME LAUGH!!!!! i've often said henley has all
the personality of a dried up sponge - i was wrong! he kept smiling and
laughing all night, often when joe was being, well, being joe! i think it
was before 'best of my love', henley said 'we recorded this in '74 in
colorado..... with your wife'. nice one. he rocks out with his guitar.
towards the end of the 2nd half, i thought he was going to rival joe for
dancing around. his vocals were superb. 'boys of summer' rocked like a
b'sard! 'desperado'.... what can i say? perfect, absolutely perfect.
whilst henley was singing this, someone at the back of the arena shouted out
'i love you, don!'. don't think he heard this, but it was funny. i sang
along to that song like i was witnessing the second coming of christ!
henley, i love you, too!

tim sang like an angel. note perfect (wasn't everything apart from some
early glenn notes?). 'love will keep us alive' and 'i can't tell you why'.
he dedicated the latter to an 11 year old who was celebrating her birthday.
very sweet. he also reached out and touched the hands of the fans at the
front when coming out and going off during the encores.

joe, hmmmmmmmmm......... THE MAN IS A F**KING GOD! i knew he was good, but
damn it, i didn't know he was THAT good! by god, he can play. he really
came into his own in the 2nd half. loved his solo on 'you belong to the
city'. i wasn't expecting him to be able to sing so well. he's got a good
pair of lungs on him. his vocals on 'pretty maids' were crystal clear. i
am in awe of him after last night. my mum, knowing nothing about joe, said
to me 'he seems like the joker in the pack'. well done mum, exactly right!
last night's 'life's been good..' went like this: ' i lock the doors and say
WASSUP?', complete with tongue sticking out.

steuart can play well but...... he's not felder! he played competently, but
without the heart and soul that felder would have given. sure, 'hotel cal'
sounded great, it just lacked a little something. a good musician who
probably sounds fab when playing his own orginal licks. i would have
prefered to have heard more of glenn's playing showcased.

and now onto the girly stuff: how was the band's hair? what were they
wearing? joe was dressed like a gangsta in a white suit and hat. tim said
'joe's dressed up to the 9's tonight - that means he's gonna do something
special for you'. the hat meant we couldn't see his face very well, so i
missed some of those priceless facial expressions; henley had a black suit
on. his hair was a reddy/brown colour - he's been playing with the hair dye
again!; tim had black jeans, a jacket (which he took off), and a brown top
on. his hair looked very wavy; and finally, my boy, glenn....... what a
beauty! he's a v. v. very sexy man! i kept turning to my mum and saying
'he's gorgeous'. cindy is very lucky. he wore 'that blue suit', thank god
it wasn't the pink one! his hair isn't so short and spikey anymore. he
looked soooo good. still got it after all those years. meeeow, kitty wants a
ball of wool ;)

as you can tell, i loved every minute of it. sure, glenn didn't hit some of
the notes; the sound was a bit fuzzy at the start, but i was humbled by
their talent. they have added a brass section to a lot of the songs, and
re-worked them, and it sounded amazing. we should be in for something
special if they make a new record (and if you're reading this, please do!).
i left the arena knowing i had witnessed true legends and a guitar god
(respect to joe!). there will never be another band that comes close to
them. i couldn't sleep last night. i can't wait to see them again, and
neither can mum, who was clapping, screaming for more, and dancing in the
aisle with me. it was one of the best nights of my life. in closing, all i
can say is thankyou to the band, and long may they continue.

Mike F's Review

The set list was the same as the previous night except due to a late start
because of Friday night traffic congestion/start of the summer school break
they stared 15 mins late and opened with The Long Run.
I spoke with a girl who had gone the previous night and she said the sound
was much better and the band seemed more relaxed and seemed to enjoy the
show more.

Also I heard one guy say it's taken me 30 years to see them and it was worth
every penny and more.
Nuff said.

Collective thoughts in no particular order together with an overview of the
tour and what the future may hold:

The concert started at 8PM and finished at 11-10PM with just over a 20
minute intermission.

You could hear a pin drop when Don sang Wasted Time ; the 'silent'
appreciation from the crowd was amazing.

Joe got the biggest roars (again?!) for his tomfoolery/self effacing Life's
Been Good

Stuart Smith is a very fine guitar player and background vocalist - as a
long time fan (26 years and counting) I thought I might have been somewhat
prejudice towards him

Walk Away was a particular favourite and I hope an official release of sorts
makes it out as this the best version of the song to date (it seems to me!)

Don does definitely NOT (methinks) play the guitar ; well not with the sound
up anyway. He was still strumming while the rest of the band had stopped.
(check Best Of My Love)

I missed Don Felder and his twin - neck Gibson on Hotel California. This is
as much a trademark of the song performed live as the song itself. It's
instrumental (no pun intended) to the intro and the guitar tour de force at
the end with Joe's Fender

For any muso's who couldn't make the shows Glenn played Takimine 6 and 12
string guitars plus Gibson electric's

Tim stuck with his white bass most of the time - not sure of the make

Joe was well Joe - nearly a different guitar for every song. On the acoustic
numbers he played alot of 12 string to fatten the sound out and played
Gibson and Fender guitars and for slide work a black and white Rickenbacker
On Rocky Mountain Way for the talk box solo he switched(from the
Rickenbacker) to a Gibson Les Paul which he de-tuned the top E string to the
audiences amusement via a riff of Hendrix's Purple Haze.

Henley played ?? a light green/white Fender for the electric stuff and a 6
string Takamine cut away for the acoustic numbers

Stuart played almost exclusively Fender electric guitars throughout with a
little acoustic work.He had numerous floor effect pedals as did Joe and
Glenn.

Pre-cursing In The City Joe said he'd been asked to write a song for a
gangster movie. "I said ok because I'd been in a few gangs you know but I
had to be home by 7-30 to practice the clarinet!"

Prior to the encores, one very merry individual made a comment not to
Glenn's liking and he responded (as Henley has done) "Yep I remember my
first beer"

After Tim's I Cant Tell You Why Joe turned to him and said "Thats Sooooooo
pretty Timothy.....and I don't why either"

As a long time fan Id have like to have seen more cuts off the bands studio
albums :

Don doing The Last Resort, On The Border Saturday Night or Doolin- Dalton

Glenn doing Ol 55 After The Thrill Is Gone or Outlaw Man

From the HFO tour I also missed the classic Heart Of The Matter and Joe's
Help Me Thru the Night.

Also this was a band that was far from it's Country Rock roots - no banjos ,
no pedal steel guitars ; lots of Memphis style R and B Soul (as per the Horn
section) which was great. Not a criticism more an observation.
On this point am I the only one to have noticed the most obvious major
omissions to the Selected Works Box Set - where were Bernie's Bitter Creek
and My Man ? I digress..

This was a band in fine form. The Fast Lane (with many thanks from all! -
Give it up for L and M PLEASE !) has collected enough reviews from numerous
and varying sources (albeit fan-biased) to know these shows represent a
genuine turning point for the band. We hope they have inspired Glenn and Don
to write(TOGETHER for the first time since 1979*except Get Over It) and
record again with the current line up for a new studio recording.

I find it some what ironic and flattering that the band should seek to
emulate their former glories(the first 2 & bit albums) by seeking the
inspiration for this new recording in Europe and in particular the UK where
they have played a good percentage of their shows.

Whatever happened in London via Glyn Johns producing and Don & Glenn writing
their first songs together in 1973("probably on a Wednesday") and the
history of this band (they toured in 75/76 prior to going into the studio to
record THAT album) I believe they will be in good form and hopefully will
have found THAT inspiration to put together a new classic Eagles album.

Hopeless romantics here we go again..........?

I write this on a Saturday Night.....tomorrow is the last night of the
Europe 2001 tour in Scotland and I wonder will Glenn sing Wild Mountain
Thyme..... "to pick Wild Mountain Thyme,all around the blooming' heather,
will ye go ? lassie go ?"........if not CAN I have your ticket please !!!!!

Malcolm's Review

Bob and I set off for the Eagles gig at 6:30pm, as the ticket says they’ll be on stage at 7:45 prompt with no support : they did an early start at Wembley five years ago and their set was very long, so we believe them. by 7pm we are at the top of Hagley Road, by the Bass House, but then, presumably because the getting-to-the-Eagles-gig traffic is coinciding with the end-of-the-rush-hour traffic, the huge queue of cars, delivery vans, a wide load sheep transporter, a white stretch limo and buses into Brum city centre crawls the last half-mile to Five Ways, under the underpass and to the NCP car park turnoff in a staggering and frustrating 50 minutes. at Wembley, the Eagles opened with a perfect and hit-’em-right-between-the eyes "Hotel California", so if they’re doing the same setlist, we’ve missed that one, then, I tell Bob, as the clock turns 8pm and we are directed to off-road parking down the back of the canal. Bob parks, we start off on foot along the canal towpath to the NIA and get there twenty minutes late.

the Eagles are on, and we find our seats while they’re into the second verse of "New Kid In Town" : Graham, Vanila, Shirley and Stuart are all there before us. hastily, as I take my cramped plastic seat half way up the wall of the Indoor Arena, I ask Graham what we’ve missed… Graham says they’ve done two songs, the first of which was a super a cappella number, but Graham didn’t recognise either of them (it later transpires that the opener was "7 Bridges" and song 2 was "The Long Run") . phew ! got away with that one then !

the NIA stage is wide and deep, with a sort of illuminated colonnade at the back and a spread-out drum-riser in the middle : Don Henley’s drums, a percussion area and a sax/horn section are on the riser, while a grand piano is on stage left as we look, and a couple of other keyboards are on stage right. the stadium sound is quietish but pretty good – once again, I’m up on the side edge seats and I’m wondering if it’s a good acoustic area to be in – though the bass, as usual, is muffled and there’s little treble, vocal definition. Don Henley is at the mike, looking good in a dark, shiny suit and quite frankly sounding tremendous. Glenn Frey, in a tan jacket, looks the same as he always has, and as for Timmy B Schmit, his long, floppy shirt, white bass and Michael-Bolton-on-a-bad-hair-day coiffure make me wonder whether he didn’t walk off stage at Wembley, through a wormhole and straight onto the NIA stage. Joe Walsh, though, is very dapper in a linen suit and white fedora (natch) : very Dickie Bird / Hannibal Lecter, and with that hat, he’d better watch out if Ben Smith or Pete the Glass are in the room !

"New Kid In Town" sounds great though, and the harmonies are really as tight as a duck’s, and once Bob and I are settled I’m pleased by initial impressions. there is a team of roving cameramen on stage feeding two very good quality projection screens on either side of the stage, so that if you’re at the back (usually) or trapped behind the West Midlands Chapter of the International Tall Bastard Society (usually) you can still see. when (our) opening song ends, we find that we’re sat on a row that has the three fattest founder members of the Eagles Fan Club on the end : vociferous whoopings, whistles, and raucous clapping are forthcoming, following which cries for "come on Joe" are bellowed forth : we’ll get this most of the night. they’re a knowledgeable set of noisy fuckers, though : as the first note of the next song is played, the Eagles Fan Club switch their screaming to "come on Don" and they’re right as Don Henley continues into a super "Wasted Time".

there is an unfamiliar guy stage right – session guitarist and Martin Sheen look-alike Stuart Smith, who’s there to fill in for Don Felder while Mr Felder remains sacked for asking for as much Eagles revenue as Frey and Henley, so it would seem – and he’s an exceptional good and tight musician : during "Wasted Time", and throughout the rest of the evening, it’s clear that he’s done all his homework and his solos and chordwork are note-perfect all night. mind you, the Eagles make him work hard for his fiver-a-note, as he’s prominent, as Felder would have been, on all of the songs… also, for "Wasted Time", a fiddle player appears at the back on the sax/horn area, all black Egyptian dress and Moroccan hat, looking a bit like the Ian Dury of latter years. next, we get Glenn Frey fronting the top harmonies of an excellent "Peaceful Easy Feeling" ("come on Glenn !" scream the fat blokes after the first chord). although it’s true that the most in-song movement they do is to step up, in an oddly regimented line, to do backing harmonies, and then step back again, the Eagles are proving to be as tight as their reputation and my memory would have me believe.

to the orgasmic delight of the Fat Fans next to us, Joe Walsh shuffles towards the stage in the way that he does, and, with a "Hi there, how are ya ? It’s been a long time" he begins "Pretty Maids All In A Row", sounding in great voice too : for the man whose joining of the Eagles took them from semi-pro’s to the First Division of Narcotic Indulgence, he looks, plays and sounds super and I’m so glad he’s bought his personality and idiosyncrasies with him tonight. next, the turn passes to Timmy Schmit (when the big screens zoom in on him I wonder for the n’th time whether that gaunt, vellum-like skin and those ultraviolet-white teeth are really his own) for a schmaltzy and sincere "Love Will Keep Us Alive", after which Henley returns to the mike for a well-delivered "The Boys Of Summer".

next up is "Take It To The Limit", Glenn Frey leading those tremendous harmonies with a frankly stunning vocal delivery, during which the Fat Fan Club next door, who have smuggled a video camera in and have been taping a load of the gig, are picked out by a steward’s torch and told to shut it off. they go all sullen and compliant till the steward goes and then boot it up again. by now, the Eagles are giving us "Best Of My Love", it’s complex harmonies all present and correct and lead effortlessly by Don Henley, and, after telling my party that the Eagles would be wonderful, it’s beginning to look, though they’re visually a pretty static band, as if I was right !

there comes a time in every gig when American artists will pander shamelessly and barefacedly to the audience, and now’s the time. Glenn Frey gives us a bit of the old chat – finding out that the US isn’t the centre of world since arriving here, that sort of thing, and also finding that the UK has the same disregard for George Dubya as the US seems to… "We tried to elect Al", he says. "but Al could screw up a two car funeral." this is a link into the next song, for he dedicates it to Dubya in the hope it’s true by the next US elections : the song ? "Already Gone" ! next up is Joe Walsh’s "In The City", with some nice playing by Joe and Smith the session man, and suddenly, dressed in the same dark Egyptian togs and velvet hats as the Ian Dury lookalike, appear another 3 brass section players with huge saxes and a trumpet : it looks as if Ian Dury has been joined by Paul Bishop, Colonel Gadaffi, and Alfred Marks ! Glenn Frey announces that there’ll be a half-time break soon, and someone from the front audibly calls out "One Of These Nights" : "OK !" says Glenn cheerfully, and the Eagles duly oblige, with Don Henley once more producing some super singing and the dual guitars kicking in splendidly. then they’re off for half-time Sanatogen and I hit the bars for some bottles of expensive lager and cider. when Bob comes back, he’s got the beers in too. Bonus !

after only a bit, the lights go dim again and the Eagles return and kick swiftly off with a well-executed "Witchy Woman" : following which Glenn Frey dedicates the next song to his first wife, "the plaintiff" (!) and a titter runs round the NIA as the familiar start to "Lyin’ Eyes" heralds another super Eagles performance, and there’s even a Jethro Tull-like stage rush (a few blokes at the front amble towards the stage clapping). Joe Walsh’s acoustic 12-string guitar – nearly the only one he’ll play for more than one song all night, looks made of seriously weird wood, with a finish like a veneered wardrobe door that’s been soaked in a bathtub for several years – Graham, Bob and I wonder whether he’s had it made from some driftwood, or something. next up is schmaltz time again with Tim B Schmit singing us "I Can’t Tell You Why" in fine fashion and featuring a top Session Smith guitar solo. following this, out of the darkness and up to the mike strolls Joe Walsh : linen jacket now gone, he’s dressed in an emerald green, tiger-stripe silk t-shirt – what else ? those of us with binoculars also spot that he’s wearing a long-sleeved black t-shirt under the green one – he may be Joe Walsh, but he still has respect for the English climate, it seems. Thus newly attired, Joe plays us "Walk Away" and once again proves jolly nifty on the guitar, with Session Smith supporting him with effortless playing and some lovely harmonies from Timmy Schmit and Don Henley at the drumkit.

Glenn Frey returns to the mike for a mellow and absolutely bang-on "Tequila Sunrise" – all of them were faultless here – after which Don Henley sings his own "The Sunset Grill", featuring some exultant harmonies and, oddly, some up-the-neck bass chordwork by Timmy Schmit that looked intricate but you couldn’t hear at all. then we get Frey’s "You Belong To The City" which features an absolutely top notch Walsh solo, genuinely inventive and passionate, and much of the NIA (not just the Fat Fans next door) rise to their feet to show Joe their appreciation. to our delight, Joe takes the mike whilst still suitably fired up, and says "This one’s in A. A’s a good key when you’ve made a lot of money out of it." : there’s enough time for the good-humoured NIA laughter to die away when Joe bosts off into the familiar riff of "Life’s Been Good" and really treats us to a splendid performance for the next five minutes, all seventies’ soloing and sentiment and well supported by the rest of the Eagles. irony of ironies : as Joe Walsh is clearly the favourite of the noisy Fan Club next to us, Mr Fat Amateur Video Bloke has got his vid ready for this JW classic, but the Steward is back during the song to shine his torch at him and ruin the shot with video warning # 2. hah !

then we get Henley’s ode to the paparazzi, "Dirty Laundry" – they all seemed to sing the "kick ’em when they’re up, kick ’em when they’re down" chorus with a bit more sincerity than normal, maybe ? following this, to the NIA’s delight, Joe Walsh takes lead vocal for the James Gang’s "Funk #49" which is a big NIA crowd-pleaser : mind you, trouble was certainly brewing (ha ha) for somebody, as during this song, two (presumably misbehaving) punters up above us are asked to leave by two stewards - oddly enough, the Fat Fans next door never pull their video out again all night ! the set seems to have stepped up a gear now, as then Joe puts a tuned-for-slide Rickenbacker on and the Eagles launch into a blistering "Heartache Tonight", followed by an equally tremendous "Life In The Fast Lane", after which they all amble off, Timmy B Schmit as ever camply waving as the last to exit, leaving an ecstatic NIA crowd baying for more.

only a short wait in the dark and they’re back on again, with Ian Dury at the back doing a solo trumpet intro. they can’t fool me though with those obvious chords, as they didn’t at the start of the "Hell Freezes Over" live video : I’m right and finally Glenn Frey picks the 12-string intro to "Hotel California". It’s the album version, as well sung by Don Henley and played and harmonised by the rest of them as you could want and in a couple of points improving on the Wembley opener too, thoroughly fabulous, following which they’re off again, returning rapidly to whip us up some more with the Frampton-tube-tastic "Rocky Mountain Way". once again, Joe Walsh is tremendous and has really been the show-stealer tonight : with the song building to a crescendo, Walshy begins a slow, leisurely pogoing while soloing and several of the others join in, and it’s the most the Eagles have moved all night. another quick off-and-on and Glenn Frey leads them in their old classic "Take It Easy" and then he retires to the grand at the back to accompany Don Henley on a tight, splendid and pretty emotional "Desperado". then they’re off again and the house lights signal the mad rush for the t-shirt stands and car parks.

verdict time, then. the Eagles have never been interesting to look at and it would have been unfair to expect them to suddenly turn in a Rolling-Stonesy performance : no – you go to see the Eagles because they are as harmonically tight as a gnat’s chuff, to hear all those great songs, to hear Don Henley and Glenn Frey’s phenomenal quality voices and especially to see Joe Walsh being Joe Walsh. did they let us down ? not a bit of it, matey : the goods were delivered Big Time. I still haven’t decided if the gig was better than the Wembley one but it was pretty damn close : maybe just the fact that poor old Dan Felder wasn’t there at Brum would tip the scales. also, I made that a round thirty songs, and, at an apparently pricey £44 a ticket, that breaks down to £1.46 a song. how much would you pay to have the Eagles come to your house and play you "Hotel California" ??!

Birmingham rocks and so do the Eagles! What a difference from Sheffield a month
earlier. Was it because this was the second night (though third gig) at this venue ? - was the audience more alive ? - was it because they were looking forward to going home ? - was it because it had stopped raining ? - or were they all just happy? Perhaps all of these things but the atmosphere was definitely a lot more relaxed and the boys were genuinely enjoying themselves rather than just playing for a paying audience. Their rapport with the audience was so solid you could cut it with a knife!

As I suspected it might, the show has evolved a little – Denver is in for a real treat at this rate. I didn’t keep notes this time preferring to savour the overall event instead. Seven Bridges Road was dropped tonight for some reason; the basic set remained the same although there was a little more licence and variation with some of the interpretations. Joe who was wearing an amazing technicolour dreamcoat creation in pink and green (lovely colours honest!) was a maniac as both a showman and a picker. I have this TV advert image in my head of the drumming rabbit (my wife thinks cuddly teddy bear is more apt) stuffed with a certain brand of battery to make it outlast all the others. His solo tracks in the second half and the Rocky Mountain Way encore were out of this world; he was in total command of the band for these numbers, he loved it and so did we. References to the WASSUP advert line and frozen poses were all included. The Maserati line in “Life’s Been Good” for tonight’s show became “My Maserati does 185, in reverse” There were lots of other ad lib variations to the words in this song but I couldn’t make them out - I’m sure he makes them up on the night and not even the rest of the band know what to expect!

Don’s voice was superb from the off; normally he seems to need one song to break it in. He was in good humour tonight which was very pleasing and all part of his enigmatic character. Having seen his morose side at Sheffield, my wife wanted to run down to the front with a poster saying ‘Smile Don, it’s nearly your Birthday’ - fortunately she didn’t have to because Don laughed at her shouted greeting (or so she believes!!!). It was Don that invited us to join in with “Desperado” (but most of us were singing from the start of the evening anyway) and Don that did the final 30 year thankyous and the hint of a new album with his famous ‘music sucks (now)’ quote.

Looked for JoeAB (The ‘Meet Timothy Backstage’ Winner) and his party, I assumed they were in the Front Row, but didn’t recognise anyone for sure. Tim’s voice was as pure as ever and I heard his bassline properly this time, after all, they had had two days to get the sound right this time. He threw lots of plectri (is that correct Latin?) or picks (that’s a lot easier to say!) into the audience and one of his guitar strings which broke also followed the same outbound trajectory.

Timothy got us all on our feet towards the end for some of the rockier, hand-clapping numbers but the guards still chased us out of the aisles! Glenn did his Dubya and first wife gags and paid due tribute to Randy Meissner for ‘Take it To the Limit’

The evening was sensational and, no doubt like ten million other concert-goers before us, my party sang Eagles songs in three part harmony with backing tapes all the way home in the car. Boy - were we good!

Even though Don Henley’s ‘Actual Miles’ is playing whilst I type this I feel very flat today knowing that there are no more UK concerts to look forward. Lucky USA ! My son missed yesterday’s concert at the 11th hour with food poisoning – typical student behaviour! - and I’m seriously puzzling if and how I can get him and me tickets to Glasgow at this late stage. (He’s just now arrived by train and we’re off to Glasgow in the morning - that really has to be some form of ‘Take it to the Limit’!)

Either way, I hope I’ll see them again some time in concert but, in case I don’t, thank you Boys of Summer 2001 for some superb memories. I will definitely include Beverley Hills Hotel and THE Sunset Grill in my next LA visit!