Don Henley - Actual Miles: Henley's Greatest Hits

Just as Don Henley's work with the Eagles in the 1970s chronicled a culture that was rapidly spinning out of control, his '80s output cataloged and criticized a decade of greed, cruelty, and prurient interest in the misfortune of others. But this is music, not journalism, and despite the overt seriousness of such songs as "Dirty Laundry," "All She Wants to Do Is Dance," "The Boys of Summer," and especially the somber, elegiac "The End of the Innocence," Henley's field reports were tuneful in the extreme. The two new tracks on Actual Miles--"The Garden of Allah" and "You Don't Know Me at All"--didn't quite click, but otherwise this greatest-hits package couldn't be more solid. --Daniel Durchholz Amazon.com

Wonderful singing, wonderful music

I'm not sure which is better - the music on this album or the picture on the front of it. Don Henley is not exactly known for having a sense of humor, so it's kind of nice to see that he was willing to do sort of a self-deprecating photo on the front cover. But of course the real star here is Henley's fine musical abilities. He shows why he became the voice of the Eagles and why he had the most successful solo career. For so long my favorite song was "Boys of Summer", with its wistful regret of days long past. But I made a new discovery with "Dirty Laundry", a song ahead of its time, considering how today's media behave. And then there are the two most haunting tunes "End of the Innocence" and "Heart of the Matter." Each of these contain lyrics that are clearly drawn on Henley's more mature perspective on life. When all is said and done, the majority of songs will withstand the test of time and Don Henley will long be remembered as one of the great singer/songwriters of this generation and many to come. September 3, 2008

AOR Henley

Although it is drawn from only three albums (with only one track, "Dirty Laundry," from I Can't Stand Still), Actual Miles was a well-chosen best-of from an artist who had enjoyed just enough hits to justify one. Five tracks each came from Building the Perfect Beast and The End of the Innocence, and they included all of Don Henley's Top 40 hits. The album was filled out with a cover of Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows" and two new tracks, among them the ambitious "The Garden of Allah," which seemed to be an attempt to create a new allegorical masterpiece along the lines of "Hotel California," but managed to be only pretentious. Still, the bulk of this album was the sound of AOR radio in the mid-'80s. That, of course, was the catch -- this album should have come out about four years before it did, and probably would have if Henley hadn't been suing Geffen Records. Though destined to be a successful catalog item, in 1995 it was more a historical artifact than a major release.
August 13, 2008

recent purchase

I was very pleased with the cd I purchased. It was used, but in very good condition. I can't see spending a large price for a new cd when I can purchase the same cd used and in real good condition. I think that it is great that I can buy used cd's from Amazon.com at a very reasonable price. July 10, 2008

All He Wants to Do is Prance........ ;)

Well, my dragon escaped. Yes he did. This is what happens when your Metamorpho is called away to do publicity shots. I tell ya, that David Hemmings sure knows his way around a camera. Anyway, when I arrived home from London, I went to feed the dragon and found that he wasn't there. To my total chagrin, I realized he had pulled a Shawshank Redemption stunt on me. The evidence was there. Looks like he breathed fire on the stone to weaken it, and used his claws to create an escape hatch. Of course, I did not suspect anything. But what a clever dragon! Hiding the hole with a big poster of Playdragon of the Month over it!

Anyway, I had a private investigator get on his tail immediately. I found out that he took the chunnel to France. From there, he puchased a used car from a salesman that looked like Don Henley. The authorities then contacted me and said they had him cornered in the Cave of Lascaux. Of course, by this time, the car salesman was looking for him too. I guess he didn't like being paid in Drachmas. But, I ask you folks, what other currency would a dragon carry?

Anyway, on my trip through the Chunnel to fetch that snakey, surreptitious serpent (3 X fast people!), I started on this review of Don Henley's Greatest Hits called "Actual Miles". I wonder where that idea came from? Mental note to self: massive mental meditation (3 X fast again) needed.

Mr. Henley, as we know, is no stranger to the pop-rock arena. And with all the hooks he employs here, he solidifies his status as a true craftsman. Well, what do you want people? If I had been an Eagle instead of a Seer, you'd be buying my music instead of me giving away free reviews! So have some respect, please!

But, back to the point, this is a fine collection of music. Mind you, it is not perfect, but for the most part, it is well done. Most of the tunes here are taken from his first 3 solo albums, with the bulk of the material coming from "The End of the Innocence". As with Henley, and a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you'll get. He can give you social commentary with the looping organ parade in "Dirty Laundry", the mild suggestion of reconnection in "The Last Worthless Evening", the somber and sobering reality of "New York Minute". But, take heart! He also gives you many deadhead stickers on a cadillac (I have one!)in his megahit "The Boys of Summer" (listen for that almost imperceptible echo of the word "Crazy" on this). Also, a camraderie of good feelings down at the "Sunset Grill".

The thing about his music is how effectively he marries the mood with the message. The hop-jump sound of "All She Wants to Do is Dance", totally makes sense, even as they drive poor Mr. Henley out of town. The semi-sweet piano of Bruce Hornsby is perfect for the breaking of fragile glass reality in "The End of the Innocence." Digging even deeper in the dust, Henley pulls out the crown jewel of all his songs with "The Heart of the Matter." What makes this such a remarkable achievement is that he sheds off all the illusionary garb that we all possess, and goes not only into the heart, but the soul of the matter. Knowing his own imperfection, and his own part in the matter, he reveals what is essential for any human failing. Forgiveness. But, not necessarily for her, but himself. That is the true value and insight this song brings to people who need to hear it.

Unfortunately, I could have thought of a lot of other, worthy songs to fill out this c.d. He includes 3 new recordings, which, although interesting, somehow don't seem to gel. I am sure some social commentary is behind "The Garden of Allah", but it has never intrigued me enough to find out just what. The sarcasm and bitterness of his composition "You Don't Know Me At All", and the defeatism of Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows" is just too blunt and doesn't let you leave with a good feeling.
Henley's forte is to write a balance between wit, irony, lyrics and music to make the journey worthwhile, or somewhat relevant on many levels. For me, unfortunately, the songs sound dark and whining.

In conclusion, a fine collection with a few drawbacks - thus the 4 star rating. Now, I better get back to business here. I am now outside the cave with the Henley look alike. He is lurking, leering, lambasting me (3 X fast people!) as I am trying to lure the dragon out of the cave. He's not happy, I'm not happy, and the dragon's not happy. But, be honest people. You're happy because I finally wrote this review! Don't be shy - admit it!

Stop dragon my heart of the matter around --------- Metamorpho ;) June 3, 2008

Strange cover, good music

It surprises me when record labels let graphics departments (and recording artists) come up with bizarre covers for what is supposed to be a greatest hits album. But anyhoo, this is still surprisingly heartfelt music. Don Henley's solo career has been full of,lyrical, insightful music. Compare this music with the solo career of Don's Eagles writing partner, Glenn Frey and you'll see that Don is the better lyricist.
This collection is disappointing in that it leaves out two tasty soundtrack tunes- "Sit down your rocking the boat" from LEAP OF FAITH, and "Love Rules" from FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH. Also left off are Henley's duets with Stevie Nicks and Patty Smyth.
May 9, 2008

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