Eagles put a spell on Edmonton
What a minute! How did Vince Gill wind up doing so much heavy lifting as the newest member of the Eagles in Edmonton on Tuesday night?
No offense to Vince Gill. He’s a great guitarist and songwriter. One of country music’s finest. Helluva singer, too. Got that high, lonesome voice. But is he worthy to be an actual Eagle?
Like so many things in classic rockdom, it’s a long story.
Glenn Frey died in 2016 – leaving his son Deacon to fill his shoes on stage. “Our hearts are full that we have Deacon with us,” Don Henley told a crowd of 10,000 Boomers at Rogers Place, adding that Glenn would’ve been a “proud papa.” A family band can have touching impact on the fans while conferring longevity to the brand of the band. One day, some of the great classic rock bands will consist only of the sons (and daughters) of the departed rock stars. Deacon did a fine job; he closed his eyes while he sang, a good sign he’s getting into it – but he’s clearly not ready to carry the main load of vocals for this legendary vocal band.
You could say that of all the times the Eagles have been to Edmonton – from the 1994 “Hell Freezes Over” tour where people bitched about the outrageous ticket prices ($75!) – this was their most cohesive performance yet. Even if it was often rendered with such cold, clinical precision. Made it look easy, they did. Too easy.
Former guitarist Don Felder, meanwhile, had been one of the core members of The Eagles until he was “let go” in 2001.
So they needed a guy – someone strong enough to be a real Eagle, like Vince Gill. And here he was.
For those keeping score, for the original Eagles, that leaves Henley the drummer and quirky songwriter; the rocker Joe Walsh, still in top form; and bassist Timothy B. Schmit, who sat on a stool with his recently sprained ankle propped up. They still all have very high voices. Got it?
Schmit, with Vince as the recruited wingman, was largely responsible for leading the band through its trademark light rock nostalgia that made Joe Walsh look like Ozzy Osbourne.
A lot of the show was heavy on light rock: songs that expressed what the Eagles are all about: Not politics. Not rebellion. Not even beach parties. It was all about general peaceful, easy feelings – including such songs as Tequila Sunrise, Take It Easy and of course Peaceful Easy Feeling, plus the inevitable Hotel California. Spasms of pleasure and incontinent humming rippled through the crowd at regular intervals. Sometimes the people stood. It takes a lot to get Baby Boomers to stand.
The mind tends to wander in the face of such malignant mellowosity: Noting that the energy from the crowd was quite a lot more than what seemed to be coming off the stage; seeing a roadie near the rear of the stage visibly pack up a steel guitar that had been brought out for just one song; or wondering why they need five guitarists for a country ballad.
Happily, however, the Eagles’ diabolical sleeping spell would be broken here and there – and it would be Joe Walsh who would ultimately redeem them as a real rock band. He’s 70 years old, can still hit his notes, play his solos, and mess around with them, and he’s got a great guitar face. That’s always a good sign.
Vince Gill turned out to be a secret weapon, too – quite possibly the best musician on stage (and there were lots aside from the Eagles members proper). Of course Gill’s high voice fit right in with the other guys – sounding like a country rock barbershop quintet most of the time, mesmerizing, hypnotic, almost too many lovely harmonies. From a role of background and low-key lead on a few of the band’s most laid back numbers, Gill was let loose and given his own song – Next Big Thing, his own raucous hit from 2003.
Coincidence? That song mentions diamond rings and limousines – sort of like Joe Walsh’s iconic Life’s Been Good, an anthem of a spoiled rock star behaviour that was a late-show highlight. Hey, write what you know, kids!
It’s amazing how many people relate to that song, considering how few of us are spoiled rock stars. We’re just paying the price for one night with the Eagles.
REMINDER: When Fleetwood Mac comes to town in November, it’ll be Neil Finn from Crowded House instead of Lindsey Buckingham. That’s a long story, too.
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