Track Listing

1. Doolin Dalton
2. Twenty One
3. Out Of Control
4. Tequila Sunrise
5. Desperado
6. Certain Kind Of Fool
7. Outlaw Man
8. Saturday Night
9. Bitter Creek

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8357 in Music
• Released on: 1987-02-23
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
If ever a group of musicians had a clear vision of where they wanted to go and how to get there, it was these southern California boys who built a steady rolling FM hit factory on basic tenets of Gram Parsons's invention of country-rock. For their second album, the group decided concept was most important and set out to portray themselves as keepers of the old West--their outlaw image a natural for those born unto rock and roll soil. The hits are lazy, decadent and unrepentant; "Tequila Sunrise" and the title track feature the flawless harmonies and strong vocals of Glenn Frey and Don Henley. --Rob O'Connor

CD Description
The Eagles' excellent debut indicated that they were quickly on their way to becoming one of America's leading country-rock acts. DESPERADO, their second release, ostensibly a concept album about an outlaw figure of the Old West, furtheredtheir claim. Recorded in London under the aegis of Glyn Johns, the set was marked by the quartet's 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 record's 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 1976's HOTEL CALIFORNIA.

Customer Reviews

4½ stars. A powerful concept album
The songs on "Desperado" sometimes sounds as though they were written for two or three different albums. Bernie Leadon's "Twenty-One" is a traditional country-work out, banjos and everything. Henley's and Frey's "Out Of Control" is a hard-rocking, guitar-driven slice of seventies rock n' roll. And "Desperado" is a gentle, string-laden ballad.
But somehow the Eagles make it work, even when the banjo-picking on "Twenty-One" bleeds into Glenn Frey's opening power chords on "Out Of Control".
"Doolin-Dalton" is one of the Eagles' best songs, an acoustic ballad which should really have been used for the soundtrack of a western movie. Glenn Frey and Don Henley trade lead vocals, and Bernie Leadon plays a great harmonica, invoking just the right sense of lonesome praerie!
"Tequila Sunrise" is a classic as well, and one of the singles off the album. Glenn Frey strums the instantly recognizable rhythm guitar pattern, and Bernie Leadon plays great slide dobro fills.

"Desperado" was never released as a single, yet it is one of the Eagles' best-known songs, and one of Don Henley's best vocal performances.
Randy Meisner sings "Certain Kind Of Fool", a folkish country song which rocks pretty well, and the Eagles then cover David Blue's "Outlaw Man" with fine results.

"Saturday Night" is a charming ballad with a lovely mandolin solo, and another great lead vocal from Don Henley. Bernie Leadon then takes the lead on his own "Bitter Creek", a slow, acoustic ballad which is somehow neither country nor folk, but a little of each.

And finally the highlight of the entire album : The Eagles reprise "Doolin-Dalton" and "Desperado", adding an extra verse to both, and doing some of the greatest and most melodious vocal performances I have ever heard. Don Henley sings the lead vocals, and trades off lines with the other three Eagles in beautiful harmony.

This album is very different from the Eagles' multi-million seller "Hotel California", and a much more traditional one, but a great one none the less.

This is the best of the Eagles albums
This album is one of those that tells a story from the first to the last. Every song seamlessly integrates to the other and they're all top notch tunes. Each one sets it's own mood. I'm not sure if this was ever used as a soundtrack to a film, if it wasn't it should have been. It's a brilliant album that you'll want to play from start to finish each time. Recommended!

A fantastic second album from a very influential band
This album is fantastic! If you like fairly mellow concept albums with something to say, this is a must buy. If however you just like good, western country music, this is still a must buy. You won't be disappointed!