Eagles – The Long Run

I’m not sure where my head was at when “The Long Run,” by The Eagles hit the record shelves in 1979, sandwiched between “Hotel California” [which was released nearly three years previously] and “The Eagles Live” [which would be released the following year], I do know that the release spawned three top ten hits in quick succession, and felt like it was an extension of “Hotel California” in many ways, but with a bit more of an edge ... like someone had stepped on the gas and revved up that “peaceful easy feeling.”

Perhaps it was all the airplay and recognition that the album achieved, or perhaps it was the New Wave and Punk sounds that were sky rocketing to the surface of the music scene, or maybe I just hadn’t gotten over all of the mellow sounds from Fleetwood Mac that caused me to ignore this release ... in any event, it was not until sometime in the mid 1980’s that I was finally able to sit down and devote the time necessary to establishing this album’s place in the time line of my musical history.

This is a blistering piece of near perfect music, one that for all of its efforts should be held in more regard then it actually is ... but time will make that assessment, an I believe that time and the fans will be very kind to this particular body of work. People were so taken by “Hotel California” and hungry for more, that the nearly three year wait seemed a disappointment to many ... but as I said, with the new music scene and the high expectations, which only grew with each passing year, made it all but impossible for The Eagles to measure up to anyone’s expectations. Yet this album has more then stood the test of time both lyrically, vocally, and musically.

There was a tenor to the voices of Glen Frey and Don Henley, that was unexpected, and I found it to be quite well done, strong and assured. The same can be said of the harmonies, which I thought were brilliant, yet understated, blending with the slide guitar played by Joe Walsh. Perhaps most unexpected were the synthesizer solos, or the addition of Alto Saxophone, played by guest David Sanborn.

Take this record for what it is, a smooth, tight, and very introspective album. There are no jagged edges, or memorable hooks that sit in your head demanding to be heard ... yet when this album is played, everything floats back like the touch and feel of a long lost lover ... nothing to prove, just the pleasure of being together.

Review by Jenell Kesler