The Eagles Solo

Last week I posted a book review about Eagles FAQ by Andrew Vaughn. The author didn't care for the solo work from the Eagles. I get it that the author's purpose was to tell all the good about the Eagles. He did like Don Henley's solo work.

I enjoyed Glen Frey's solo work more. I like Don Henley's song "Dirty Laundry." I do wonder why he used a drum machine. He was a drummer. People had the same thoughts about Phil Collins solo work. You think drummers so the solo albums would be a version of "Teen Beat," "Moby Dick" or "Wipe Out." They didn't.

I saw a CNN special on the Eagles and Glen Frey that he had fun as a solo artist. We the listeners of a band don't often realize that a band is a business. They make business cards when they start out. Glen Frey had to handle accountants, listen to managers, arrange tour spots, and work out album spots. Should Fielder's song be here or Walsh's? His own work had to be voted on. Those days of living in the same apartment building as Jackson Browne and listening to music through the walls were over. The Eagles ended in a fury of fights, and jealousy, and ego. Once he was solo, Glen Frey did what he liked. Frey did blue-eyed soul, jazz, pop, rock. He didn't stay with the Eagles' formula. Andrew Vaughn and I are going to disagree here, but I loved the Allnighter album.

While I liked his first solo outings, Don Henley became static. He also always seemed grumpy. According to that CNN special, Henley didn't want to go solo. He wanted someone else to do the business. Maybe that's why he comes across like he's grumpy. Even though Andrew Vaughn didn't like "Building the Perfect Beast," I liked it. Sunset Grill, Month of Sundays, All She Wants to Do is Dance- all phenomenal songs.

I still very much recommend Andrew Vaughn's book on the Eagles. It it very thorough and goes into every facet of their careers.