Eagles - Eagles - Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975

All LP Versions

There isn't much I can add to the other reviews in terms of this legendary group, inducted into the R&R Hall Of Fame in 1998. However, for those who are conditioned by the term "greatest hits" meaning those renditions that made it to the Billboard Pop Hot 100, be advised that these are all LP cuts.

For example, while the hit single version of Witchy Woman, which came out on Asylum 11008 in 1972 (# 9) is 3:53 in length, the version presented here is 4:14. Likewise with Lyin' Eyes, a # 2 in 1975 on Asylum 45279 at 3:58, whereas the cut here is 6:24.

For those seeking the single versions, and even those not overly concerned with such things, I would still recommended looking around for recent compilations which present upwards of 20 to 25 cuts, complete with informative liner notes and discographies. This has nothing in either regard.

Also how, exactly, does Desperado fit within the term "greatest hits" - LP cut or not? That not only never made any singles charts, it wasn't even the B-side to one of their charted singles. June 22, 2008

Number of all time for a good reason

My first car had a stereo radio and tape deck and one of the first songs to get my attention on it was "Lyin' Eyes" because of the beautiful five-part harmonies on the song. It inspired me to buy the album and later to buy "Hotel California" and others, including "Hell Freezes Over" and "Long Road To Eden." Some of these I own in both CD and LP.

These guys have the bestselling album of all time for good reason - it's great music flawlessly performed. And even with the changes in personnel over the years (including Don Felder's "firing"), they remain a must-hear act and if anything, they are keep getting better. February 10, 2008

A Fairly True "Greatest"

I wasn't the biggest Eagles fan, for sure, and I'm normally not fond of "Greatest Hits" compilation albums.

However, this album gets a strong 4 stars from this reviewer, primarily because the music IS really good. Of course, if you hate the Eagles, you can't stand a country music influence, or if you're just biased by the fact that you've simply heard these songs too many times over the past 30-some years, then you will surely give this album a poor rating.

People continue to buy this compilation because it truly represents the best of this band's first four releases, with one possible exception. Go ahead and listen to The Eagles (1972), Desperado (1973), On the Border (1974), and One of These Nights (1975); IF you like The Eagles' music, I predict with almost-absolute certainty that the listening enjoyment from playing this one CD will FAR EXCEED what you will get out of any of those single albums, each of which contains some very non-memorable tracks.

I happen to have a fondness for their sophomore release "Desperado," with its old-west, outlaw theme. However, it's NOT like I can point to any particular songs on that album and claim that they were unjustly excluded from the Greatest Hits (the closest candidates might be "Outlaw Man" and "Bitter Creek").

So what's the exception I alluded to above? In my opinion, the title track from "On the Border" was the ONE best "pre-Hotel" Eagles song that was for some reason not included on this album. It could have easily replaced what I feel was the SAPPIEST song on the Greatest Hits, that being "Best of My Love," which even this reviewer has a hard time listening to today.

One more interesting note (forgive me if this has been brought up in one of the many reviews which preceded mine): back in the early 70's FM radio was just being born, and these Eagles songs predominantly became "hits" AFTER (and because of) the release of this Greatest Hits album! In other words, these songs were NOT popular AM radio hits when this album came out. This is very much unlike MOST greatest/best-of releases, which I tend to avoid because they are for the most part comprised of a bands most POPULAR tunes (instead of their truly BEST songs).

Thus, these songs were not chosen for this album because of their popularity, which sets THIS Greatest Hits compilation apart from most others. These songs WERE the best Eagles songs from that era, and that is why this album continues to sell so well. If you like (liked) The Eagles, this is the only pre-Hotel album you really need to own. February 1, 2008

Eagles- Their Greatest Hits

ESSENTIAL ALBUM!!! This album, along with Michael Jackson's Thriller, flip-flop as the number one selling album of all-time. There are ten timeless classics here from the pre-Joe Walsh era of the Eagles. All but one of these songs charted & the one that didn't should have. There are a few omissions but they're minor ones.

The album opens with "Take It Easy" which peaked at #12, Jackson Browne was a co-writer on this song. Next is "Witchy Woman" with it's American Indian sounding intro, it peaked at #9. "Lyin' Eyes" was one of the first songs from a pop artist that crossed over into the country charts. It went to #3 on Adult Contemporary, #8 Country & #2 Pop Singles. "Already Gone", one of their best rock songs went to #32. "Desperado" didn't chart but I consider it to be in my 50 greatest songs ever. "One of These Nights" was a #1 hit. "Tequila Sunrise" only made it to #64 but I consider it to be one of their best songs. "Take It to the Limit" was written & sung by bassist Randy Meisner, it went to #4 Adult Contemporary & #4 Pop Singles. "Peaceful Easy Feeling" went to #22. The final song on the album, "The Best of My Love" has a world-weary sounding vocal by Don Henley, another great song by the Eagles; it went to #1Pop singles & #1 Adult Contemporary.

This is an outstanding compilation, good reasons for it being one of the two best selling albums of all-time. December 3, 2007

I can see why this album is the best selling album of all time here in America!!!

The Eagles' album Their Greatest Hits 1971-75 was released in February of 1976.
The album was released as a holdover until the next studio album but it would sell so consistently that it would hit #1 immediately in the US and stayed there for five weeks, get the first Platinum album award just introduced earlier in 1976 by the RIAA for a million copies sold and to date is the best selling album of all time here in the US alone with 29 million copies sold. It would overtake Michael Jackson's Thriller in 1999 once and for all as US album sales champ and it is because The Eagles were about the music whilst Mr Jackson's personal and legal troubles would banish him from popularity in the US and his music and image has been blacklisted/tarnished whilst The Eagles continue to thrive, even now in 2007.
This album consists of ten tracks from the first four albums.
The 1972 self-titled debut is represented by the Top 20 hits "Take it Easy", "Witchy Woman" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling".
1973's Desperado is represented by its title cut and "Tequila Sunrise", both classics.
1974's On the Border is represented by the rocker "Already Gone" and the band's first #1 "Best of My Love".
1975's chart-topper One of These Nights is represented by the #1 title cut and the Top 5 smashes "Lyin' Eyes" and "Take it To the Limit".
Drummer Don Henley, guitarist Glenn Frey, guitarist Bernie Leadon and bass player Randy Meisner plus late arrival guitarist Don Felder on these highlights from The Eagles' first four albums created timeless classics that are still getting airplay on classic rock and/or album rock radio.
Their Greatest Hits 1971-75 is a great greatest hits and a good overview but if you want to go for the throat get 2003's Very Best of The Eagles 2-disc set for a superb Eagles overview.
Highly recommended November 9, 2007

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