The Eagles really have had an amazing career. I’ve been a fan of the band ever since hearing their first album and soaring harmonies of Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Then they merged rock and roll with that cool southern California progressive country sound on their Desperado album, which is one of my favorites still today. Hotel California is the other album that just had one great song after another, plus it featured their new band member Joe Walsh.

Then as all great bands do, they had problems and disbanded. The record company issued the usual greatest hits albums, volumes one and two. And as most classic rock bands go, they also reformed after a long absence, did the usual tour, recorded a live album of mostly old material with a few new songs, and then hell froze over. A DVD followed. We all heard…”Thank you, and goodbye.”

Then we got the farewell tour, followed by another DVD. Sometime later the record company decided another generation needed to hear about the group, and we got selected works in a box set. More of the same ‘ol songs in a new package, but this is a retrospective, not a greatest hits collection.

So it was really cool to see the band come out with a new album of twenty new studio recordings. It was weird to see it as an exclusive new release at Wal-Mart. How could a classic rock band that commands thousands of dollars for concert tickets and VIP tour packages strike an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart? Don’t get me wrong, a new album of songs is great. At least they haven’t lost their sound that hooked me in the first place.

Anyway, the Eagles are back on tour taking the Long Road Out Of Eden to the stage. It’s great to see one of my favorite classic rock bands back in action. Not so great to see bad reviews of the shows so far. Maybe it’s just mixed reaction because some shows are sold out, plus we’ve all heard our share from the music critics.

I can’t tell if the tour photos look like they’re either straining to hit the right notes, or are they just going through the motions? C’mon guys, where’s the smiles and passionate looks when you know the band is really in the groove and hitting it’s mark with your fans?