THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 20, 1996 TAG: 9606200468
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Music Review
SOURCE: BY CRAIG SHAPIRO
LENGTH: 55 lines
Just as his band mates were sliding into the bridge to ``Peaceful Easy Feeling,'' Glenn Frey turned to the audience and posed a question.
``Who in Virginia Beach likes country music?''
Everybody.
Then, everyone in the near-sell-out crowd in the Virginia Beach Amphitheater liked - make that ``loved'' - everything The Eagles pulled from their grab bag.
``Lying Eyes'' got a standing ovation. ``One of These Nights'' got a standing ovation. The five songs from ``Hotel California'' that opened the show got a standing ovation.
Easily one of the most anticipated concerts of the season, The Eagles delivered on every count. The musicianship was tight and the harmonies were flawless, but the evening soared on the strength of the songs, as timely in 1996 as they were two decades ago.
On a night of highlights, picking one is near impossible. Here are a few candidates:
Don Henley's gravel-and-honey vocals on ``Victim of Love'' and ``Wasted Time.''
Frey's impassioned ``New Kid in Town,'' with its prophetic refrain, ``will never forget you until somebody new comes along.''
Timothy B. Schmit's pristine tenor on the jazzy ``I Can't Tell You Why'' and ``Love Will Keep Us Alive,'' off 1994's ``Hell Freezes Over.''
Don Felder's and Joe Walsh's searing guitars on ``Hotel California.''
That 1976 touchstone was a fitting start to the evening. Playing against a post-apocalyptic background of rusted beams and stone columns, the band - clearly in a fun-loving mood - cooked through a 10-song electric set.
After a quick intermission, they changed pace, taking stools for unplugged takes on ``Tequila Sunrise,'' another nominee for highlight of the evening, and ``The Heart of the Matter.''
Turning to their solo careers, Henley's ``Boys of Summer'' and Walsh's ``Rocky Mountain Way'' brought the crowd back to its feet.
``Life in the Fast Lane'' brought the house down.
Given the Eagles' bitter breakup 16 years ago, their spotty solo work and the second-guessing when they reunited in 1994 - Was it for the music or the money? - the band's place in pop history is sometimes forgotten.
Some dance to remember.
Some dance to forget.
Wednesday night, they danced to remember. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Reunited two years ago, The Eagles thrilled the Virginia Beach
Amphitheater on Wednesday night, getting standing ovations from the
get-go when they opened with ``Hotel California.''
KEYWORDS: CONCERT by CNB