Desperado

Description

The Eagles excellent debut indicated that they were quickly on their way to becoming one of Americas leading country-rock acts. DESPERADO, their second release, ostensibly a concept album about an outlaw figure of the Old West, furthered their claim. Recorded in London under the aegis of Glyn Johns, the set was marked by the quartets highly measured playing, distinctive, high-flown harmonies, and accessible folk and country-flavoured pop-rock. DEPERADO may not be as cohesive as its predecessor, but the different styles it encompasses mirror the Eagles many strengths. Twenty-one is Flying Burrito Brothers-style country-rock, Out of Control is amped-up blues-rock, whereas the title track is a plaintive, melancholic piano ballad (abetted by a string section). Don Henley plays a bigger part on DESPERADO, lending vocals and co-writing much of the material, including the opener Doolin Dalton and the lazy, beautiful Tequila Sunrise, the records single. The Eagles sophomore album showed them developing their signature style, and achieving the radio-friendly sheen they would refine over the next two albums, then perfect on 1976s HOTEL CALIFORNIA.