| Their back-catalogue is studded with impeccably crafted country-rock gems, so virtually any Eagles greatest hits compilation is guaranteed not only to be chock-full of killer songs but also to have left off a fistful of personal favourites. In many ways, though, this 17-track compilation provides a more consistently enjoyable alternative resumé of their career than the recent four-CD box set, Selected Works. Country rock was invented, depending on whom you ask, by The Byrds, The Everly Brothers or Rick Nelson, but it was The Eagles who transformed it into a multi-platinum business and ultimately spawned the Nashville hat act syndrome. It's hard to hold even that against them though when the fresh Southern California breeze blows through "Take It Easy", when the New Mexico sunset is perfectly evoked by the opening arpeggios of "Hotel California" or when the four-part vocal harmonies kick in on the ultimate cheating song, "Lyin' Eyes". Throw in "One of These Nights", "Take It To The Limit" and "Tequila Sunrise", and it's more like a history of the entire genre than a single artist compilation. --Johnny Black |
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