THE EAGLES – EARLS COURT, LONDON.  June 9th

And so to England, where the audience can be reserved and (dare I say unlike US concerts) will only get really excited if there’s something to applaud. My first impression was my fellow paying guests were going to take a while to warm up. I was in the fourth row, so may have missed the atmosphere behind me but had the advantage of being able to see all the facial expressions of the band and small comments between them.

Starting with ‘Seven Bridges’ (which is brave, as it is fairly unheard of here) the harmonies were spot on. The guys dressed pretty much as described by previous reviewers, all in blacks and greys. The set list order was a slight variation on previous starts and, as noted before was a little too quiet for the first 6 or so songs.

After a great ‘Pretty Maids’ from Joe, Glenn stepped forward to describe how the first 2 albums were recorded here in London and a “tip of the hat” to Glynn Johns (the producer of those 2 LPs) who was in the audience somewhere.

Also in the audience was Paul Carrack, “One of our best white, soul & blues singers who wrote the next song” – Timothy steps forward for ‘Love Will Keep Us Alive’.

Don Henley was the master of chic cool throughout. On ‘Boys of Summer’ he strafes the guitar strings as a rhythm instrument… as Steuart Smith takes the lead. In my opinion they should move this song to a later slot, as the sound mix (particularly of the 2 lead guitarists) is much improved in the second half and at 7^th song in, the quality is muffled. It does at least get the crowd going for once and followed by the classics of ‘Take it to the limit’ and ‘Best of my love’ starts to really set the evening alive as the sound improves.

Steuart Smith plays great session versions of Don Felder’s parts throughout – all perfect but no personality – but really comes to life in first half closer ‘One of these Nights’. He seems to suddenly think he can be his own man and let’s rip with a cracking solo.

Second half and Hotel California gets the first mass standing ovation and roars of approval. The final solos are superb.

I’m surprised by the quality of Joe’s ‘Walk Away’… it sits in the Eagles set perfectly. However for ‘average Eagles fans’ the set is probably a little solo-work heavy… ‘Sunset Grill’ for me is too Henley and ‘You belong to the City’ is easily the worst song of the night. Don’t get me wrong, I love the song itself, but it doesn’t work in the set and Glenn struggles to find a pitch, with half the song in quiet Falsetto. Drop it now guys.

During the ‘Sunset Grill’ guitar solos, which Joe and Steuart were sharing…I spotted Don - facing Glenn centre stage, with a huge “Look, I’m a guitar hero” grin on his face. Was Glenn smiling or laughing at him ?

Dirty Laundry was moved up the set a little and was an absolute stormer. My favourite of the night and how well this sits as an Eagles song too.

By now the audience realise that Joe’s a complete fruitcake and his humour shows through on ‘Life’s been good’ with little twists like “I’ve got a mansion, Glenn tells me it’s nice”! and  “Even Don says, ‘Maybe I’ll call’”!

Great finale’s and I was pleased that the whole band do play on Desperado.

All in all a great night. Not sure the set list works – it’s all a bit up & down, fast then slow. Whereas the Hell tour seemed to build and build. But then again, after 30 years we’re still seeing the Eagles and this time it seemed real. A great band performance… and that bodes well for September!

Marc Bird

James' Review

The show started with an unusual subtlety with Seven Bridges Road, several well polished acoustic numbers followed.  Henley sung a pristine Wasted Time, Joe Walsh sung the cleanest versions of Pretty Maids and Glen Frey reproduced Take it to the Limit in a refreshing manor and style one could not have imagined possible after Meisner. 

The second half began with an interestingly different intro to Hotel California, but I feel the guitar duo was undermined by Felders absence.  It was like the first anniversary of a lost loved one, something was missing, and it was very poignant.

Joe did a blinding Walk Away, if ever I could wish to hear a replay of an old song performed live that would be the one, closely followed by Funk 49.

Towards the end of the show I felt one or two numbers were over performed with the addition of the brass section, I would have preferred to hear Life’s Been Good among others as raw Rock songs.

Joe could not of captivated the audience more with Rocky Mountain Way, what a showman.

The final part of the show was a great climax leading into the legendary finish with Desperado.

The entire band gave an A1 performance, they can all still sing fantastically note perfect which could be seen by the audience by their intense facial expression to take it seriously and professionally, to deliver what they; let alone the audience expect.

The show was in all a fantastic experience, I have been an Eagles fan since the age of 12 (1978), I never thought I would get to see the band perform together again. After Wembley this Tour is an added bonus.  I look forward to a new studio album.

The Show was fantastic, my wife Nicola said there was not one song she did not recognise including all the solo numbers.  The only negative point was that the audience lacked emotion.  I have been to concerts with a more responsive crowd, were some of them asleep, if so what a dam fine show they missed.

James Doran – Egham – Surrey – London – UK

Tom's Review

Nearly missed this gig due to domestic crisis (as I did with the Travis London gig last week)). But I made it. My mate Andy and our wives Chris and Cathy took pride of place dead centre front row and said "ok over the hill millionaires ENTERTAIN ME".

And did they ? well a resounding yes. I wont give you the set list as doubtless that will be available elsewhere. I would rather just give my PERSONAL impressions.

Mr.. Stueart was awesome and any fears on that score were soon calmed. the boys themselves were on fine form ,their jovial manner complimented the low key stage and subtle lightning.

I was pleased that Hotel California was restored to mid set as I felt it would be wasted/lost at the start, 7 bridges rd I believe is a fine opener the sort of song that reminds us of their roots.

On the whole the choice of songs was fine, there is always gonna be some you'll miss when a band has such a fine back catalogue. I also felt the balance of solo songs was ok.

And considering they played for about 2 and half hours I've got little complaints.

Highlights for me are too many to mention, but I'll try anyway - Desperado,  Hotel California and I Cant Tell You Why, the latter is in my opinion a blue eyed soul classic.

I also loved the way the boys interacted and played in huddles now and again reminded me somewhat of little feat.

it was also nice the way Joe picked out the little girl next to me and made sure she got one of his picks as souvenir (gawd i was jealous)

I hope it came across just as well right at the back. a great show in all only two others in recent months pipped it Paul Simon at Hammersmith Apollo and the great legendary Teenage Fanclub at the Underworld Camden.

Neil's Review

They entered the arena to rapturous applause & launched straight into a 30 second harmony, which sent, shivers down my spine – Powerful voices & supremely in tune

Long run, new kid in town, went down well (although the sound set wasn’t particularly good @ this point & Timothy was gesturing to the technicians to up something)

Wasted time blew the audience away

Peaceful easy feeling (still having problems with sound) sounded like it had been over mixed in a karaoke machine

Pretty maids was excellent Joe was starting to enjoy himself

Love will keep us alive Tims voice was smooth & rapturously applauded by everyone. He thanked the audience & looks tooooooo bloody good @ 53 years old

Boys of Summer My Favorite so im biased Awesome & there was a buzz throughout the arena

Take it to the limit Dons & the boys harmonies were “ deep & crisp & even “ brilliant

Best of my love As above

Already gone is still ringing in my mind

In the city great lighting for this darting all over the set, added something to this strong song

One of these nights finished the first set & everyone seemed to leave the arena on an absolute high

Just enough time for a quick beer & the Eagles “landed once more”

Hotel California what can I say “all time classic” audience went wild (not as good a version as HFO) lacked the intro but couldn’t believe people were still returning to their seats half way through this classic.  Disgraceful.

Lyin eyes Guy sitting next to me sang this word for word in my ear & should join the band, I thought Don had crept down & sat next to me. What I heard of it was good

I cant tell you why Tim's voice reigned supreme once more & in my mind he should have also been given a solo slot to do “Shadow” or anything else from his excellent      “feed the fire Cd”

Walk away & tequila sunrise were very good & people really wanted to stand & participate but not allowed to by security

Sunset grill one of my many favorites of Dons & my only disappointment was that with the boys joining the chorus I couldn’t hear Dons crooning so well, but hey im not complaining. Brilliant!

You Belong to the city was excellent with Glenn aggressively attacking every lyric, my personal favorite of his solo songs

Funk 49 was totally awesome with every member really playing their hearts out. The crowd’s reaction said it all

Dirty laundry put don back in the spotlight once more & did he enjoy it, id say so, “kick em when there up kick em when there down” he just gestured to every line of the chorus & inter-acted with the audience.

Heartache tonight the point of no return the people spoke, up on their feet for the first time “sod the security” lets dance & “did they”

Life’s been good Joe was joking with the audience about his masserati “had he got one” he couldn’t remember ?????? Fever pitch sums this one up & in my opinion received the best response form the audience. Surprised but deserved

Life in the fast lane Closing song & oh boy did they belt it out, they then had the audacity to say thank you & goodnight

Not getting away that easily, the crowd stomped & screamed for their return

Rocky mountain high Confession time id never heard this song before & cannot for the life of me understand why.  Outstanding & brought the house down. Joe on his voice box etc was on another planet & so was I (I think)

All she wants to do is dance another don classic & another standing ovation

Off they went again

Only to return a minute later

Take it easy brought the audience out of their seats to fill the front of the stadium in preparation for the penultimate

Desperado don up front & extremely personal in the spotlight & enjoying every lyric to the full

I missed my train home to see this & would not change it for the world

The best concert I have ever had the privilege to attend & I hope it is not the last

Now Looking forward to the new cd & reflecting back on what can only be described as 3 hours of pure bliss

Foot note: - must say the roadies were superb, nearly every song was preceded by instrumental changes which were carried out too the book

Set was simple, lighting fantastic & sound after initial problems crystal clear

Stuart smith did a superb job!

The Harmony, which opened the concert, will haunt me for the rest of my life

Only wish I knew what it was if indeed it had a title.

Long may they remain together & in harmony!

Kop Kid's Review

Only had the opportunity (or should I say finances!) to attend one Eagles concert this time round and I can't help but think it may have been the worst of the 4 nights at London's Earls Court Arena.

This was in no way any fault of the band. The boys played an awesome set from start to finish, but the sound was the worst that I have witnessed at a concert for a long while. Not only was the sound too tinny as the bass could barely be heard, but the sound as a whole seemed a total blur. The horns, keyboards, percussion just seemed to be lost in what I can only describe as noisy haze. Timothy would might as well of left his bass backstage as it was almost non-existant! We saw the band twice at Wembley Stadium, London back in 1996 where the sound was pitch perfect and outdoor gigs are supposed to be more difficult to perfect the sound.

My girlfriend and I attend approx 10 concerts a year and we've never heard anything quite as bad as this for a long time. I thought that a huge band like the Eagles would get it right. Perhaps they should shoot the Soundman?!! I'm sure that this must have been a one-off as we all know how much of a perfectionist Monsieur Henley is (see Hell Freezes Over video!!!!) because if every night is like this he's be bald by now by tearing his hair out!!

Don't get me wrong, as I said earlier the band played great, the set they chose couldn't of been better (well, they could have played The Heat Is On!!!), and this has no way put me off going to another Eagles show.........just spend more time on the soundcheck tonight guys!!!

Paul's Review

I thought I would drop you an e-mail as I saw the Eagles play at Earls Court on 12 June 2001. I have been a big fan for the last seven years - ever since Hell Freezes Over. I couldn't believe the price of the tickets £45, £50 or £55. As this was the first time for me to see the band I thought that this is one of those once in a lifetime gigs I would see.

I have never been to Earls Court to see a band before. Wow, what a venue. Two great TV screens at side of stage. I arrived at the right time - the eagles were just about to take to the stage. The atmosphere was tremendous (at times a bit over bearing as the screams and shrills drowned out the band).

What can I say about the band, well, the Eagles were superb. To be honest I went to the gig on the off chance that they might do "Already Gone" - they did. The new recruit on guitar did a wonderful job - by no means a flash player -more a textured player which suits the bands style. I thought the stand out solo performance came from Joe Walsh, Walk Away and Life's Been Good were outstanding.

I only felt let down about two things - the band played more solo stuff than Eagles stuff (probably the only way the band would stay together - oddly enough every one played solo material except Timothy B Schmit) and the front of house sound. Every gig I go to, I am probably picky about the sound. The biggest let down for me at any venue is the bass - it always gets lost. It did at Earls Court. Everything else through, the drums, guitars, keys (Glenn Frey's piano a bit too low), the vocals, but not the bass. It was disappointing because this makes so much difference to any bands sound - it's they key to a band being solid in performance.

All in all a good show, bit pricey, would like to see them play again in a smaller venue - something like a thousand seater with good acoustics.