(American documentary about the rock band The Eagles;
directed by Alison Ellwood and co-produced by Alex Gibney)
by Live Music Head
Not sure why I ever question my level of fandom for The Eagles.
I grew up listening to AM/FM radio in the 1970s
and the songs of The Eagles, like it or not,
became completely and 100% embedded in my dna.
And I assure you, I liked it more than not.
Yet, they are not a band that ever comes to mind
when making a list of favourites.
I Can’t Tell You Why...
funnily enough, is my favorite Eagles song.
Timothy B. Schmit sings that one, oh-so perfectly.
After seeing this documentary,
my level of appreciation for this Southern California band
increased a hundred-fold.
From the get-go.
Seeing the concert footage from Washington 1977,
including audience shots,
reminded me not only of how I used to look back then,
and Levi's jeans,
but how things were when I first heard these songs.
The times.
And hearing the songs again,
the stunning harmonies,
and just how superbly crafted all of ‘em are,
and perfectly executed live on stage,
stuck an emotional chord.
And just when I thought I’d heard these songs enough already.... no!
No, no, no, no, nooooooooooo!
Best bits: Glenn Frey reminiscing about his early years in Detroit,
and meeting Bob Seger for the first time;
Frey and JD Souther’s story about
living in the same Echo Park house
with Jackson Browne and his whistling teapot;
Frey and Don Henley becoming Linda Ronstadt’s back-up band
by way of Doug Weston’s Troubadour Club in L.A.;
and Joe Walsh’s honesty in the telling of why he’s such a madman.
Who doesn’t love Joe Walsh?
And then there's the glorious voice that is Henley's.
This is a doc that goes in depth,
chronologically,
exactly the way I like my docs.
And I would rate it as one of the best rock and roll documentaries
I’ve ever seen.
The trailer for The History of The Eagles...
