A strong single CD compilation

The original Eagles (Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, Glen Frey, Don Henley) were former members of Lind Ronstadt's backing group. Linda's career hadn't really got going at that stage but both she and the Eagles achieved greater success after they went their separate ways. Apart from their work with Linda, Bernie had also worked with the Flying Burrito Brothers and (earlier) Dillard and Clark, while Randy had worked with Rick Nelson and also been a member of Poco.



The history of the Eagles, already complex at the time of their formation, became ever more complex as the line-up changed down the years. Don Felder (an additional member), Joe Walsh (a replacement for Bernie Leadon) and Timothy B Schmidt (a replacement for Randy Meisner) all made their presence felt as the group's sound evolved from its early country-rock to a more conventional rock sound without any hint of country. Nevertheless, even country fans and singers appreciate the Eagles' later music, as evidenced by the track selection on the country tribute album (Common thread) released in the nineties.



All the famous songs are here including Desperado, Take it to the limit, Lying eyes, Hotel California, Take it easy Tequila sunrise, New kid in town and Best of my love to name just a few.



If you just want a single CD of Eagles music, this one contains all the essentials.

Should only be bought for sound quality

Its unfair to call this "The Very Best" of because that to me implies tracks which were their very best regardless of whether they were singles or even charted. This album misses so many of their very best such as "Wasted Time" and "The Last Resort"



This compilation fails in other ways too. It ignores Eagles classics including "In the City" and "Already Gone", and instead fills vaulable space with the lesser known and dull "James Dean" and "Doolin-Dalton".



This 1994 CD has since been digitally remastered which is one reason to buy it. It's also an acceptable CD for the casual fan. However, as many have stated, the Eagles "Greatest Hits 71-75" is the one to buy. Even with its minimal 10 track listing, "Greatest Hits 71-75" shows how great the Eagles were pre-Hotel California. By the way, it too has been digitally remastered in recent times. It is also in chronological order unlike this "all over the place" compilation.



My advice is to buy Greatest Hits 71-75, then Hotel California, then The Long Run. You would then have a pretty mean Eagles collection!

Superb, underrated collection

The Eagles recorded many more fine songs, but this 17-song compilation actually delivers on its premise: This is the very best of the Eagles.

The compilers have included almost all the group's singles and album tracks like "Desperado" and "Doolin-Dalton", making as strong a single-disc overview of the Eagles' too-brief career as has ever been assembled.

Terrific!