Hotel California [40th Anniversary Edition]

Hotel California [40th Anniversary Edition]

by EaglesEagles

Overview

The Eagles took 18 months between their fourth and fifth albums, reportedly spending eight months in the studio recording Hotel California. The album was also their first to be made without Bernie Leadon, who had given the band much of its country flavor, and with rock guitarist Joe Walsh. As a result, the album marks a major leap for the Eagles from their earlier work, as well as a stylistic shift toward mainstream rock. An even more important aspect, however, is the emergence of Don Henley as the band's dominant voice, both as a singer and a lyricist. On the six songs to which he contributes, Henley sketches a thematic statement that begins by using California as a metaphor for a dark, surreal world of dissipation; comments on the ephemeral nature of success and the attraction of excess; branches out into romantic disappointment; and finally sketches a broad, pessimistic history of America that borders on nihilism. Of course, the lyrics kick in some time after one has appreciated the album's music, which marks a peak in the Eagles' playing. Early on, the group couldn't rock convincingly, but the rhythm section of Henley and Meisner has finally solidified, and the electric guitar work of Don Felder and Joe Walsh has arena-rock heft. In the early part of their career, the Eagles never seemed to get a sound big enough for their ambitions; after changes in producer and personnel, as well as a noticeable growth in creativity, Hotel California unveiled what seemed almost like a whole new band. It was a band that could be bombastic, but also one that made music worthy of the later tag of "classic rock," music appropriate for the arenas and stadiums the band was playing. The result was the Eagles' biggest-selling regular album release, and one of the most successful rock albums ever. [A remastered 40th Anniversary Edition of Hotel California was released in 2017. The set included a 16-page booklet.]

Product Details

Release Date: 11/24/2017
Label: Elektra / Wea
UPC: 0081227933210
catalogNumber: 103
Rank: 1259

Tracks

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Eagles   Primary Artist
Don Henley   Synthesizer,Percussion,Drums,Vocals,Group Member
Randy Meisner   Bass,Vocals,Guitarron,Group Member
Joe Walsh   Organ,Synthesizer,Guitar,Piano,Keyboards,Electric Piano,Vocals,Slide Guitar,Soloist,Group Member
Don Felder   Guitar,Electric Guitar,Vocals,Slide Guitar,Soloist,Group Member
Glenn Frey   Synthesizer,Guitar,Piano,Keyboards,Vocals,Clavinet,Group Member
Jim Ed Norman   Conductor
Sid Sharp   Concert Master

Technical Credits

Don Henley   Composer,Art Direction
Randy Meisner   Composer
Joe Walsh   Composer
Don Felder   Composer
Joe Vitale   Composer
Richard Aaron   Reissue Photography
Allan Blazek   Engineer
Glenn Frey   Composer
Bruce Hensal   Engineer
Bill Inglot   Reissue Producer
Ed Mashal   Engineer
Jim Ed Norman   Composer,String Arrangements
Jim Shea   Reissue Photography
J.D. Souther   Composer
Bill Szymczyk   Producer,Engineer
Norman Seeff   Poster Design,Reissue Photography
Kosh   Art Direction
Neil Zlozower   Reissue Photography
Jeffrey Mayer   Reissue Photography
Michael Putland   Reissue Photography
David Alexander   Cover Photo,Reissue Photography
Steve Woolard   Reissue Producer
Jason Day   Reissue Producer
Roger Ressmeyer   Reissue Photography
Peter Sherman   Reissue Photography
Brad Elterman   Reissue Photography
Hasse Persson   Reissue Photography
Bob Jenkins   Reissue Photography

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