Hey Eagle fans this is Monstertone (self appointed) reporting from the sultry Midwest. I have to tell you that if you did not get a chance to see  Eagles play this summer you missed a great opportunity.

I had been curious as to why the band did not schedule any outdoor concerts but understand the hassle's and problems weather can create. After hearing the quality sound and intimacy that the arenas provide it was immediately obvious that the indoor shows were the way to go.

I have seen the band five times now. 76 in Omaha, 78 outdoors in Kansas City, 95 in Minneapolis and last February in LA with artists rights. This tour was by far the best I have seen. The musicianship was flawless, the vocals were very good. I admit Glenn is not as strong as he was 20 years ago but neither are we. Glenn did however manipulate the band through the night with his leadership and presence. He is the catalysis.

You have all seen the set list so I will only provide highlights. There were many. The sound levels were off at the beginning of The Long Run but the boardman had them right before the song was over. Peaceful Easy Feeling was arranged quite well. Stuart Smith absolutely nailed the guitar solo on this number. You would have thought Bernie Leadon was up there. Stu had the box ringing. Joe Walsh is obviously a gifted musician. I have been reading how some feel he carries the show but that is not really fair. All four guys do a great job. Pretty Maids All in a Row was as touching as it was on Hell Freezes Over. The vocal harmonizing behind Joe's classic guitar work as the song winds down was bonechilling. Wasted Time was also very well done. The pause after "you can get on with your search baby" allowed a girl on the right side to yell I love you, which caused Don Henley to motion with his index finger for her to come up on stage (hope this doesn't get Don into trouble at home),! which caused a huge roar and further pause for about a minute. Don glanced back over his shoulder at Glenn with a wry smile, turned back to the crowd and completed "and I can get on with mine", could have been the pinnacle of my music listening career. We took our 10 and 13 year old daughters to the show. It was incredible watching them sing along with these tunes. Already Gone almost took the roof along with it. Glenn was ON! One of These Nights was a little shallow on the sound but Don's vocal was great. The harmonizing was as good as the LP version.

Second half opened with Witchy Woman. I USED to hate this song. The band achieved a haunting early 70's sound for this one. They looked like a garage band hammering it out. "Witchy" was a highlight. Funk 49 caused a small eruption. This is one very tight band. I am not talking about Mick Jaggers pants. The band is committed to excellence. They never miss a beat or note. We didn't come to see solo material but there were some cool moments. The boys were able to recreate the sounds of the recordings perfectly. I have been amazed at how some of Don's solo work includes background vocals that work well or even better for Glenn. I seem to always hear him back there....probably wishful thinking. Boys of Summer was good, All She Wants to Do is Dance was rockin the house and Glenn. I couldn't see the foot work but it looked like he was hard at it. The entire band came together well on this one. Hotel California is always a gas to see live. Guitar work is fabulous I love hearing that! acoustic 12 string throughout. I thought MY kids were going to bring the house down during Take it Easy. The band played it like it was a brand new hit. They even looked a little giddy. Desperado is pretty mellow for a show ender but also rather fitting. Let us down softly. They ended with an all acoustic Best of My Love in 76. My 10 year old was cashed and it was time to go. One of the best shows I have ever seen.

I was particularly pleased that Glenn was wearing one of the ice cream outfits. Classic black on black, red shirt. Black T shirt for the second half. Still rather see him in the faded, patched up jeans and a wild T-shirt, stash down to his chin, but it really was not that kind of night. The band as well as the old fans out here have completed the full circle. We have lost and regained our innocence. Joe Walsh's pants (black and white striped prison garb) may not have contributed to it but it was obvious that Eagles and their fans are rather conscious.

Colorado road trip in September anyone? You will never forget it.

Mike's Review

The thing that struck me the most was how much BETTER the Eagles were last
night than they were 7 years ago during the HFO tour. I worried that the
loss of Felder would hurt, but it seems to have done just the opposite. The
biggest change is with Henley. He's much more relaxed and into it and
really seems to be enjoying himself and his bandmates more than he every
has. I don't know if having children has given him are happier outlook on
things, but for my money he's the MVP of the show. And his voice just keeps
getting better. "Wasted Time" was perfect, all because of his vocals, and
it was one of the many highlights of the night.

We sat in the 2nd row, dead center, so we got a great view of everything
(except for when Glenn went to the piano, he was hidden from us). Timothy
B. Schmitt goes out of his way to make eye contact with everyone, and Joe
Walsh is still, well, Joe Walsh, ever the clown prince of rock and roll.

Biggest surprises (I mean, we all know the tour's setlist by heart, but
here's what surprised me even though I knew the songs were coming):

Take It To The Limit: This was the one song I was the most leary about,
because I always though Timothy should be the one to sing the lead on it
instead of Frey. But Glenn really nailed it, and this one really got the
crowd into it in a big way. Glenn made a nice mention about "Randy Meisner,
who's from Nebraska". The harmonies as always were just perfect and this
was a nice treat.

Love Will Keep Us Alive: I guess I always just considered this to be
"throwing Timothy a bone" if you will so he'd have more than one song to
sing lead on. But this really give him a chance to shine and standout. He
got to address the audience before, identifying the song as being from Hell
Freezes Over. And he still looks like he's 30 years old!

Walk Away: What a killer tune! The vibe at the show was pretty electric
through the whole show, and this one really kicked it up even more.

Witchy Woman: I had never heard this song done live before, and it was
another great Henley treat.

Yes, they look a lot older (except for Timothy), but they've also never
sounded better or looked like they had a better time on stage. I can't wait
for the new album, and I can't wait to go to another show. Don Henley was
asked last year what birthday wish he had for Bob Dylan. "Keep going" is
all he replied. Well boys, KEEP GOING! And get back to Nebraska next year.