Fans applaud solo hits and Eagles' classics
Tulsa World March 4th

Thanks to Grammy Award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Don Henley, Saturday morning's arctic blast was followed that night by an artistic blast.

The renowned storyteller entertained an enthusiastic and sold- out crowd at the Brady Theater with more than 20 songs, spanning his four-album solo career and his record-setting stint with 1970s supergroup the Eagles.

Henley early on thanked the crowd for enduring temperatures in the teens and a half foot of snow, and hardly any empty seats were seen.

The critically acclaimed balladeer and social commentator opened with the biting "Dirty Laundry" from his first solo album, 1982's "I Can't Stand Still." Tulsa kicked off a one-week, small-venue tour in support of his 2000 disc "Inside Job" with stops in Lubbock, Texas (scheduled for Sunday); Robinsonville, Miss.; Shreveport, La.; and Tyler, Texas.

Henley and his seven-piece backup band wound up the night with "I Will Not Go Quietly" off his third album, 1989's "End of the Innocence."

In between, the audience gave its loudest approval to classics from his Eagles' career, such as "Life in the Fast Lane," "Desperado," and "Hotel California."

He also received excited feedback for his multiple hits off his 1984 album "Building the Perfect Beast."

Henley told the crowd the Eagles are back in the studio recording original tunes scheduled to be released next year.

Henley warmed up the crowd during the first half of his set with tales of his Tulsa connections. He said entertainer and former Tulsa resident Mary Kay Place, for example, is godmother to his son Will. Also, he praised his Friday meal at Brownie's Hamburger Stand, especially the French Fries.

"It's the mom-and-pop businesses that make America great," said Henley, committedly green politically and a staunch foe of all things corporate.

Perhaps unaware of Tulsa's voting history, Henley added "Big corporations are going to destroy this country."

From the audience came a playful reply, "But unions are worse!"

If only real politics could be so agreeable.

Thereafter, the night focused on solid musicianship and Henley's showmanship.

Mindful of mood throughout his one hour and 45-minute set, Henley balanced his songs of indignation at social injustice with tunes of interplay between the sexes.

Now in his mid-50s, the former Eagles drummer still showed top-notch vocal control, noticeably missing a note only once.

The night started with a brief, one-woman show from Jill Sobule, who coaxed applause and laughter from her appreciative crowd with solid vocals and delightful wit.