Don Henley, Glen Frey, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit took the stage around 8:25 p.m., delighting an audience that included Gov. Jesse Ventura, who sat nine rows from the stage with his wife, first lady Terry Ventura, and a pair of security guards.

Without a word, the Eagles broke into "Seven Bridges Road," starting off the night with an a cappella introduction to what amounted to a live run-through of the band's best-known songs.

The first set was marked by a bevy of ballads, among them "Wasted Time," "New Kid in Town" and "Love Will Keep Us Alive." The first hour of the show was a stroll through the world of lite rock, as the middle-aged crowd swayed along to their favorite easy-listening selections.

The Eagles, all of them in their mid-50s, looked their age at times, especially during some of the slower numbers. But just when the audience started to fidget, the group would kick into a faster song like "The Long Run," pepping up the crowd and pulling fannies from the comfortable Xcel Center seats.

Henley's vocals have never sounded better, especially in hitting the high notes on "One of These Nights," which closed the first set to wild applause.

Don Felder was not part of this tour, as the long-time guitarist had a nasty split with the Eagles last year over money issues. But guitarist Stuert Smith, part of a large backing band that included a horn section and two keyboard players, filled in admirably, nailing all of Felder's solos and adding punch to the stage show.

The Eagles stretched out their wings during the show's second half, letting Smith and Walsh take longer guitar solos, much to the crowd's delight. Walsh, in particular, was dazzling, his body scrunched over his guitar, his hands flying and head waggling as the audience screamed for more.

The stage and light set-up were fairly simple, a step made necessary because the band had sold virtually every seat in the arena, including those behind the stage.

As the show went late into the night, the spirit of the evening could be summed up by a scene from Henley's solo hit, "Dirty Laundry." There was Walsh, blasting his way through the song's signature solo, leaving a row of 50-something men jumping up and down like high-school kids jamming in their garage. Less than 15 seconds later, everyone was standing around again, but the point had been made — the Eagles can still rock.

BYLINE: Jon Bream
CREDITLINE: Star Tribune
HEADLINE: Review: Past glory days, Eagles still no featherweights


Going to see the Eagles on Wednesday at the sold-out Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul was sort of like going to your 30th high-school reunion.

Gee, those guys looked great (for their age, mid-50s). Boy, those guys sounded great (their harmonies are still splendid after all these years).

But those guys really wanted to live in the past. The show was totally nostalgic -- it was about living in the past, all about those glory days.

So what are you doing now? What have you done lately? Are you sort of semi-retired living off your portfolio (i.e. royalties)? Did you spend the last year getting in shape for the reunion?

Actually, this is the Eagles' 30th anniversary, as singer/songwriter Glenn Frey explained early in the evening. But the thing is, the band has been apart for nearly 20 of those years.

After breaking up in 1980, they reunited (they use the terms "resumed" or "reformed") for a 1994-95 tour and live album. The group then reformed again last year for a European tour; this year, they're touring North America and then recording a new album, their first studio effort since 1979.

But they had no new songs Wednesday. The opening hourl ong set sounded terrific, but it was so California soft-rock -- pretty, proficient but with little passion or spontaneity. The harmonies were wonderful, from the opening a cappella beginning of "Seven Bridges Road" to Don Henley's falsetto on the closing "One of the These Nights".

But when the Eagles rocked, as on "Already Gone," it was rock that did not make you sweat. The only standout performer in the first half was guest guitarist Steuart Smith.

In the first set, it did seem like the 17,785 fans were having more fun than the musicians. It made a baby boomer think of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's March concert in Minneapolis when they had so much spirit and camaraderie that one couldn't help but get caught up in the evening, even on the subpar new songs.

However, after intermission, the Eagles -- a band with four lead singers -- decided to unleash their uncrowned star. Guitarist/singer Joe Walsh let his hair down on his solo hits "Walk Away" and the rollicking, playful "Life's Been Good," and finally the rest of the Eagles loosened up too.
Henley tore it up on "Dirty Laundry," and Walsh upped the ante with the James Gang's "Funk #49," which featured his expressive, rockin' guitar.

Frey responded with a rambunctious reading of the Eagles' "Heartache Tonight." He pointed to Walsh, who pointed back, and suddenly it felt like these guys were a band, not just a bunch of musicians re-creating hit records onstage. The whole band scorched on "Life in the Fast Lane," a reminder of our misspent yuppie days.

"Hotel California" reminded boomers of dreams unfulfilled, a typical feeling at high-school reunions. But these guys, who provided a soundtrack for white middle-class Americans in the 1970s, then urged today's faithful to just "Take It Easy."

Sue V.

Went to my fifth Eagles concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul last night—what a blast! Show opened about 8:25 (pretty much standard Eagles start time) and followed the set list to the letter—including opening with Seven Bridges Road. To be honest, I thought the sound wasn’t the greatest through most of the first half and was disappointed for the folks that were hearing them for the first time as I knew they normally sounded better. Whether it was just me or whether something was actually done I don’t know but I definitely thought it improved after the intermission.

The crowd was into the concert right from the beginning and was so appreciative of everything that went on that it was a pleasure to be one of them. I continue to be amazed at just how much the Eagles really ROCK in the second half of the show! Especially enjoyed the substitution of “…standing on the corner in St. Paul, Minnesota…” instead of Winslow, Arizona in Take it Easy!

Talking with folks afterwards I heard comments such as “best concert I’ve ever been to” and general regard for how versatile they all are and how their voices, after all these years, continue to be so strong. What can I say? I love them too!

I actually live in Dallas but commute to the Twin Cities for business, which is why I could see them last night. A couple of weeks ago I had a great small world story as I was sitting having a beer in the Twin Cities airport waiting for my plane to take off and generally minding my own business. A guy came up next to me and ordered a drink as well—bartender tried to convince him to order a shot to go with it and the guy said…No can do as I’m on my way to Salt Lake tonight to see the Eagles concert and I need to keep my wits about me! Needless to say that caught my attention and I started talking to him about the show and that I was going to see them myself when they were in St. Paul. At that point the guy who had been sitting on the other side of me chimed in to the conversation and said that he had tickets to go see them in Tulsa. We all ended up chatting away about the Eagles and how awesome we thought they were….I was in heaven.

Since I live in Dallas, I’m fortunate to be going again on June 29 to see them in Oklahoma City…can’t wait after what I saw last night. Hope you all get an opportunity to see them as well!

Jeff's Review