Peaceful Easy Feeling

Another Monday, another rock passing, another reappraisal. The death of Glenn Frey, 67, a member of a band widely known for being stronger in the studio than it was on the concert stage (at least until Joe Walsh and Don Felder arrived) brings up two questions. Given the Eagles run of smash hits from 1974 (“Best of My Love”) through the end of that decade, all of which were played literally to death by the radio, can anybody still listen to Eagles records these days? And if so, is that audiophile fave, Hotel California really the band’s creative peak?

On the last question, I’ve always felt like Hotel California is too overripe, too manicured, and ultimately too calculated and soulless for my taste. The departure of Bernie Leadon took away much of the country rock element that made tunes like “My Man” from On The Border the tastiest genuine flavor in the band’s lightweight mix of genres. And then the ascendance of a singing drummer (always a spooky proposition) as the band’s leading voice and songwriter, which significantly reduced the songwriting role of Randy Meisner, made the band a pop act and little else. That arrangement quickly ran aground when the The Long Run, which appeared three years after Hotel California, and turned out to be Hotel California lite, marked the end of the band’s career at least until the two shoulda-stayed-retired duds, 1994’s greatest hits rehash, Hell Freezes Over and the available-only-at Walmart Long Road Out Of Eden. The band’s live record, 1980’s Eagles Live, which inexplicably contains tunes from Joe Walsh’s solo career and ignores most of the band’s pre-Hotel California hits—and yet does contain a great version of Steve Young’s “Seven Bridges Road” which the band had not recorded until then—is for the most part a half-hearted mess.

If you’re looking for the peak, it’s One Of These Nights. No, its sonics are no match for the recording quality present on Hotel California, no argument. But it’s the last band album as opposed to being what sounds like a mashup of Frey, Henley and Walsh solo projects. Produced by Bill Syzmczyk (who replaced Glyn Johns, who’d produced the first two albums and part of On The Border which would be my favorite Eagles record) and featuring a few key guests like David Sanborn and Jim Ed Norman, it’s also the answer to the question about how anyone who was alive during their heyday can still listen. The Steve Miller Band, which had a similar run of radio hits in the 1970s, suffers from the same problem.

The only possible joy left in listening to Fly Like an Eagle, One Of These Nights or Hotel California is to explore the inner, non-single cuts, the deep tracks in satellite radio lingo, that were not beaten into complete and utter annoyances by the radio. For me, the swirly banjo and fiddle (!) instrumental confection “Journey of the Sorcerer” and especially the pedal steel and string ballad, “Hollywood Waltz,” the back-to-back Bernie Leadon cuts on One of These Nights, are exactly that. Ditto Meisner’s “Try and Love Again” on Hotel California. Fame always has its price and for the Eagles, who admittedly took Gram Parson’s vision of country rock and diluted it beyond recognition for fame and profit, the cost was leaving a catalog of albums that became less listenable the more their fame grew. And let’s not even talk about the 29 times platinum Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975), the second largest-selling record album of all time, which plays like aural torture to anyone who lived through the '70s!

COMMENTS
jjljr's picture

... it's almost impossible to take The Eagles seriously.

In the mid-90's, when they launched their first of many comebacks/money-grabs, The Eagles essentially doubled the price of going to a concert. At the time when every-other major act was charging $50-$75, tickets to The Eagles cost $150; pretty-soon, every major rock band was doing the same.

I'm sure Glenn Frey was a good guy, and 67 is way-too-young, but as The Dude says, I really hate the f***ing Eagles.

DaveinSM's picture

This is a pretty shallow comment. Most music lovers would take the Eagles' legacy over some stupid comment in a B-grade movie. Really? Couldn't come up with a better reason not to like their music?

Also, your comment about the Eagles ticket prices is also woefully off the mark. Thanks to iTunes, Pandora, Spotify, and the like, the record labels and the music industry are not even remotely the same anymore. The result is that even fairly major music acts have HAD TO go on the road to generate income. Putting on a live show isn't mainly to support a new record anymore. It's become how they make a living. Concert ticket prices REALLY started to go up after the death of the major record labels, not because of the Eagles. Besides, it's a free market. If people are willing to pay those ticket prices-- and apparently they are-- it's not for you to dictate otherwise, Komrade.

Also, if you're going to blame anyone for ticket price inflation, you're still barking up the wrong tree. Blame The Rolling Stones.

jjljr's picture

I'm not sure of the exact definition of "B-grade movie", but most people would exclude films directed by Best Picture winners and a cast with three Oscar winners. YMMV.

The Eagles' fist "comeback" tour was in 1995, about a decade before iTunes, and almost two decades before Pandora and Spotify.

Other than that, you're spot-on.

DaveinSM's picture

just because the movie was made by directors and actors who have themselves won Oscars doesn't mean that the movie itself an Oscar movie. So how many Oscar nominations did the movie itself receive? Zero. I stand by the fact the the Big Lebowski is a cult movie. To some people, it's like 'Analyze This' was for DeNiro and not 'Godfather II'.

Oh, and the biggest grossing concert tour in 1994-1995-- and the biggest ever up to that time-- was not the Eagles, it was the Rolling Stones' Voodoo Lounge tour: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voodoo_Lounge_Tour

iTunes admittedly started in 2003, but by then ticket prices were already way up for big acts like these, and not just the Eagles. Then iTunes made it much worse.

2_channel_ears's picture

Newman: I hate it when movies [like The Big Lebowski] will make fun of the Eagles, for what they would call "slick" or something. It's such horseshit. If you're good, you're good, and they are really good. It's not easy to do what they make sound easy.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/glenn-frey-an-oral-history-20160128

tonykaz's picture

I saw Henley on Charlie Rose, I thought he'd already passed-on, I went to my own library of recordings to have a listen. Yawn, sort of nice buuuuut it's no longer relevant.
I'm feeling this way about most, if not all, of the Aging Rockers and their Comeback attempts, they're from a past life, I've moved on.
Nat King Cole is still wonderful as are a few others like Joni Mitchell and Dolly Parton.
New releases from aging Rock Stars, I'll pass, thank you.

Tony in Michigan

ps. I do congratulate them for not destroying themselves from Booze and Drugs, perhaps they should visit High-Schools and teach useful things to the youth but I guess they want back under the spotlight or simply need the money.

Grahme Nash wrote a Book worth reading.

DaveinSM's picture

Though I do have to agree with two of the points this article makes, I find it to be a bit harsh.

Yes, the Eagles' big hits have been overplayed on the radio. Yes, the Eagles did seem to run out of ideas after switching from country rock to mainstream rock. I am still amazed at how much of a difference the addition of Joe Walsh (and lesser degree Don Felder) made to the sound of the band. They got a lot slicker, ditched the country tinge altogether, and emphasized electric guitars while losing much of their harmonized vocals.

But Hotel California is one of the greatest rock songs of all time. And the Eagles have already long been justifiably regarded as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. It's pretty remarkable that a band like this could have so many great songs and hits sung by two different members of the band (Frey and Henley), yet still have a cohesive, recognizable sound. Only the Beatles have done something like that to this degree. And no, I do not consider Roger Waters to be a vocalist of the same caliber as Frey, Henley, McCartney, or Lennon...

FDroadrunner's picture

At the end of the day, the Eagles were (and are) overplayed. The best way I've found to appreciate a lot of classic rock, like the Eagles, is to avoid classic rock radio. Believe it or not, I can actually listen to "Sweet Home Alabama" again (having a good vinyl copy helps, too).
But anyway, I have often enjoyed throwing Desperado on. And again, if you don't listen to classic rock radio, you can more easily appreciate the title track, but I'd say the main reason I listen to it is "Doolin-Dalton." "Twenty-One," "Out of Control," "Outlaw Man," and "Bitter Creek" are great tracks, too. As a concept album it holds up better than a lot of others I've heard.

DaveinSM's picture

This is such a big deal because the death of Glenn Frey really does mean-- once and for all-- the end of the Eagles. And for anyone who was alive during the 70's and 80's, that's a very sad thing indeed.

dbtom2's picture

albums in chronological order ending in Hotel California. (Tidal, thank you.) There's no question their sound changed but the voices and songwriting got better, IMO. I didn't think the listen would turn into a nostalgia trip but those songs brought back a lot of images of time and place. The Eagles were pre-MTV so the images were mine and not those from a TV screen. I was never a big fan of Motorhead but I was grateful to hear their music when a member passed away. Anytime an old rocker dies it's time to celebrate the music they made. RIP Glen.

jmsent's picture

their best was their first: Take it Easy...Peaceful Easy Feeling...Train Leaves Here Tomorrow, etc.

hackmartian's picture

Unless your drummer is named Levon Helm or Teddy Pendergrass.

fozzie's picture

Or Dave Grohl and Phil Collins.

DaveinSM's picture

Dave Grohl didn't sing when he played drums for Nirvana. When he sings for the Foo Fighters, he isn't drumming, but he does play guitar.

DaveinSM's picture

Non-musicians have NO IDEA how hard it is to sing and play drums at the same time. I'd bet that nobody here could do it competently, let alone at the level that Don Henley did it. Hell, even playing guitar and singing at the same time is still hard for me, and Glenn Frey made it look easy and sound good.

Maybe not from a strictly songwriting viewpoint-- but from an overall musical/vocal standpoint-- I'd take Don Henley over Levon Helm ANYDAY.

Anton's picture

"Hey, Glenn Frey died, I think I will kick his ass a little."

Maybe you could go with, "Glenn Frey, lyricist of the song most played at every Hi Fi industry show since 1994, for all those people who are done listening to the Eagles."

;-D

Anon2's picture

For a lower-rez, but free, and awesome tribute the immortal Glenn Frey, listen to the program transmitted this morning on "Como Lo Oyes," Radio 3, Radio Nacional de Espana.

They also had great tributes to Natalie Cole and David Bowie recently. This program is my favorite. It gets me in to work at 6:00 am each day.

Long live Glenn Frey and the Eagles:

http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/audios/como-lo-oyes/como-oyes-glen-frey-lider-eagles-muerto-19-01-16/3448986/

fozzie's picture

...about the future of their hobby. Here we have the death of one of the founders and lead songwriters of the Eagles - the biggest selling American band of all time, with around 150 million units sold. And Stereophile, arguably our hobby's flagship publication - publishes a hit piece on him.

Unbelievable, and completely lacking in class. Great, Baird. We get that you prefer fey, artsy, androgynous acts like Bowie, whom you lionized last week. But Frey was every bit the songwriter and singer that Bowie was. Although perhaps in a more masculine milieu - country and rock - than you are comfortable with.

RIP Glenn Frey

Anton's picture

I'm trying to imagine what Robert Baird will say if Elton John dies. Perhaps something like, "If I have to listen to that infernal Bennie and the Jets one more time, the next obit you read will be mine."

After reading that hit piece of an obit, I think Robert is right, it is time for a reappraisal, but not of Glenn Frey.

hackmartian's picture

I'm not at all an Eagles fan but I agree that it's a classless move to use the occasion of an artist's death to denigrate that artist's work. Why piss on the man's grave? Use the space to turn us on to something great rather than take a dig at a band that, pro or con, we've all pretty much made up minds about.

tonykaz's picture

Today, folks have the Ability to voice their feelings, to the World.
I remember Frey when he played for Ronstadt, so I'm old too.
I enjoyed the Eagles recordings and still have them in my iTunes Collection.
All these old Rockers (including me) are heading to Oakwood Cemetery, can't be helped.
Still, these Rock Stars were never "our" friends or loyal employees, they were competing to entertain us, nothing more, we paid em well!
I'll be sad with you if you feel sadness.

Tony in Michigan

GiddyUp's picture

I'm not sure I understand the point of this article at all. A man dies and you feel it appropriate to write a piece about how much you dislike his music. Not the time or place. You're trolling a dead man. I'm actually shocked this piece made it to the site. Does anyone review this stuff? Surely someone should have pointed this out. This article provided nothing of substance other then a negative view on a persons work who just died. Everyones entitled to their opinion on music and what they like and what they don't but the timing of this piece is deplorable.

This type of critique would be far more appropriate on a equipment review. However, I won't hold my breath as I'm aware who pays you.

tiduba's picture

I'm not an Eagles fan, but this article is in poor taste. I agree with other comments that the timing is deplorable. Mr. Baird, rest assured that I shall never subscribe to this publication again.

moviebluedog's picture

Robert, normally I enjoy reading your equipment reviews, but I'm surprised with your column about Glen Frey. Certainly I can go without hearing "Hotel California" ever again. I can go without ever hearing a solo Glen Frey song from the 1980s (with exception of "Part of Me" from the "Thelma and Louise" soundtrack in 1991). And yes, classic rock radio has played The Eagles far too much.

But to nit pick about his overall Eagles career is nonsense. I'm younger than you are, but grew up listening to The Eagles when they released new albums during the 1970s. My parents, Baby Boomers, didn't buy much music during the hey day of rock then. But they did buy The Eagles' Greatest Hits. I spent countless hours listening to that album. I didn't care if it was commercial country-rock. Glen Frey and The Eagles connected with me.

When my parents got their first luxury car, it had a cassette deck! A huge deal! And one of the few albums they let me listen to on long car trips was "The Long Run," which I thought was superior to "Hotel California."

Glen Frey was an amazingly accomplished musician. When he opens "Hell Freezes Over," an excellent album, hearing him open up with "Tequila Sunrise" still gives me chills.

When I listen to The Eagles, I don't think of all of the line up changes. I hear excellent music across their catalog from 1971 through 1994. And Glen Frey was a huge part of that.

JoeinNC's picture

So why did you bother, Robert?

We get it. You're far too cool to like the Eagles. That might have earned you some hipster points forty years ago. Now it's just... boring.

germay0653's picture

Yes, the Eagles were over played but that didn't make their music bad. I don't like certain genres of music, over played or not, but that doesn't make them bad.

You are entitled to your opinion but as others have indicated, you could have presented your perspective with a little more class. Would you have said this directly to his wife and children's faces?

junker's picture

They did the same thing with an abysmal piece on the death and legacy of Dave Brubeck. I just received my next to last issue of Stereophile and the publication is largely more irrelevant than what this article says about the music of the Eagles relying primarily on shallow new product reviews and audiophile carni show coverage with the occasional hit obit. Needless to say I will not be renewing my sub.

Anon2's picture

I did not want to get into this discussion, except to recommend a link to hear the work of Glenn Frey.

But this writer raises a concern that I am going to echo, and not necessarily because the of content of this article.

"Relying [on].... and audiophile carni show coverage."

Stereophile, at least the on-line edition, is treading closer to a trade publication, rather than an enthusiast magazine. I expressed my opinion on this when some 2015 show was being covered; my concerns were kindly brushed aside.

I know that audio company reps work hard for shows. It is a lot of manual work, scheduling, and travel. Often the work is probably for an iffy financial payback. Still, we are here to read about the products, not the cajoling and back-slapping that goes on behind the scenes.

Other hi-fi publications have even gotten to the point of video reviews of key products. Here we are getting more of the "social pages" of audio.

Stereophile needs to do what it needs to do. I'll continue to read Stereophile. I do, however, skip the increasingly frequent coverage of how the "who's who" of audio consorts and socializes at shows.

zapy8675309's picture

This article is absolutely ridiculous! Been a fan of this website for years and just signed up to specifically call you out on your disrespect and inability to have any CLASS whatsoever Mr. Baird. Many of us here on these forums are Eagles fans and would agree that they are arguably one of the most successful American bands of all time, but even if they weren't.., What the **** were you thinking to write an article like this when a founding member that influenced many of us JUST passed away. Your sick man get a grip!

pkf2's picture

WTF Robert. I am no fan of the Eagles but, the guy passes on and you kick his ass for being the on the radio. What a hater you are.
Stereophile why did put this BS on your web site?

JUNO-106's picture

...I mean, I agree with him that it's hard to listen to some songs because they have been so overplayed. I skip past "Stairway To Heaven" every time I listen to Led Zeppelin 4 and I have zero desire to hear "Hotel California" again. But how strange to make this point in an "obituary" piece.
I'm not an Eagles fan but I can acknowledge their importance in rock and roll history.
Their formula worked because they were making real music for real people. That role now belongs to "country" music but I'd rather hear the Eagles than what passes for country music these days.

Mr. Baird would have had a great idea for an article here about overplayed music but to editorialize in an obituary like this is very very strange.

calloway's picture

smash hits...'played literally to death'....you might want to look up the definition of 'literally'.. 'hits' aren't alive.As for the put down of the Eagles...who the ---- are you to put down what has been one of the most successful bands in American history..The article does not speak well of the editorial staff of Stereophile..

Anton's picture

This is over simplified, or course.....

Gram Parsons, The Byrds, (& Willie, Waylon, Merle) ----> Eagles.

Eagles ----> Alt Country. Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Son Volt, Lucinda Williams, about a zillion country artists.

At various times, Clint Black, Vince Gill, Trisha Yearwood, Lucinda, and even Sheryl Crow have named The Eagles as their MAIN musical influence of the that time.

I'd call The Eagles more important to the modern Alt Country movement than they were to rock!

I glimpsed past the "literally" part, that was funny.

The coda of the piece was laugh out loud angry funny: "took Gram Parson’s vision of country rock and diluted it beyond recognition for fame and profit, the cost was leaving a catalog of albums that became less listenable the more their fame grew. And let’s not even talk about the 29 times platinum Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975), the second largest-selling record album of all time, which plays like aural torture to anyone who lived through the '70s!"

If that isn't a prefect example of a guy falling to pieces over a first world problem, I don't know what is.

GiddyUp's picture

I have read this article a number of times now, hoping that maybe I missed something that would have it read a little nicer. It doesn't. I think you could conclude that Mr. Baird doesn't really think the death of Glenn Frey is a bad thing. I can't figure out what would posses someone to write this at this particular time. Did the love of your life breakup with you during an Eagles song? Did Glenn Frey snub you for an autograph? It really does look like a troll piece for page views. In which case, you and Stereophile should be ashamed. I will not be renewing my subscription as a result.

"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" This is clearly practised when it comes to equipment reviews on this site. Maybe it should be the case as well on this site when it comes to people.

zapy8675309's picture

Agreed!! This website and forum is dead to me after this unbelievable article.

PredatorZ's picture

no renewal for this crap, classless moves

DaveinSM's picture

I have a theory as to why the Eagles get bashed so much, even posthumously in this case... and this is in addition to the "those who cannot do what real artists do become critics" theory.

Back in the day, the Eagles were unbelievably successful, talented, rich, and good-looking young guys. They wrote great, catchy songs and got more A$$ than a toilet seat. Some people-- namely, some other guys-- can't handle seing all that in other guys. It doesn't allow them to be relatable to them. It's too much of a blow to their own paltry existence, so they go on the attack. Notice you don't find any women bashing the Eagles?

The fact of the matter is, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Glenn Frey-- if he were alive-- wouldn't give a rat's ass what this reviewer thinks. They've seen it all before. They would take this whole critique as sour grapes, and you know what-- I'm starting to think that it is.

christopher3393's picture

R.I.P., Glenn. This piece reads like the ruminations of a sniveling cockroach. All writers have bad days. Better to delete this and start over than submit it for publication. perhaps the editor was asleep as well? For this and other reasons mentioned by junker above, no more Stereophile subscription for me.

Ayre conditioned's picture

That was lower than whale ----.

dmineard HT's picture

I have not problems in someone writing a negative review on an artist but doing it immediately after the death of that artist. Such poor taste. Totally agree with the comments....WHY? This forum just sunk to the lowest level I have ever seen. Stereophile should be ashamed for publishing it.

Osgood Crinkly III's picture

First Bowie, androgynous druggie queen of 70s glam, and now Frey, tacky, commercial, country-rock hack: the media, like a loud drunk with bad breath, never tires of praising the lowest common denominator, even in death.

The Eagles were tiresome, FM album, country rock, mavens of the money highway. We should consider it a blessing that we no longer have to suffer their drek on mass media. The true originators of country rock, Gram Parsons, Flying Burrito Brothers, Byrds (Sweetheart of the Rodeo), Emmylou Harris, Delbert McClinton, Grateful Dead, Little Feat, Tracy Nelson, et al., are never ever noticed by the loud drunks.

Personally, I hate L.A. pop music, excepting Joni Mitchell, who's a Canadian, and a few others. I've often wished L.A. was buried under 3 feet of snow (I live in northern CA).

Have the loud drunks ever heard of Bakersfield? I'd lock them up in a room for 24 hours and make them listen to not only Buck Owens, but Stacey Collins.

Good riddance to Bowie and Frey, both mourned by the Philistines, meh.

GiddyUp's picture

Well done Baird/Stereophile! You have now attracted the trolls (see above post) who find happiness with anyone passing away.

Osgood Crinkly III's picture

Philistines congregate en mass to chatter away about Frey and Bowie, but not a word on the Stereophile site when someone like Duke Jordan dies, who, btw, had more talent than a hundred Bowies and Freys. Meh.

Anton's picture

Awesome post. Now Robert can contextualize his obit by way of looking at your supportive and classy post!

He knows who to look amongst to count as friends.

christopher3393's picture

you win the Rabid Chihuahua award!

DaveinSM's picture

ummm... pssst... Bernie Leadon was IN the Flying Burrito Brothers. And there's a reason why he was glad to join the Eagles, at least initially. It's because the Eagles were and are unarguably much, MUCH, MUCH more successful. Any past or present member of the Flying Burrito Brothers would sell his mother for a chance to join the Eagles.

I'm not saying that the Flying Burrito Brothers, Little Feat, Graham Parsons, etc., weren't'/aren't significant bands. But if you're going to make a futile attempt at being a music snob, get your facts straight. Just because the Eagles were more successful than those bands will ever, EVER dream of, it doesn't make their music inferior. And while the Grateful Dead were the only band you mentioned who could come even close the Eagles' success, you must be high if you think that Jerry Garcia was a tenth the vocalist that Henley or Frey are/were. The Grateful Dead succeeded in spite of his voice, not because of it. Please don't confirm that you have a tin ear by implying that Bob Dylan and Tom Waits are also superior singers.

Osgood Crinkly III's picture

Why? Because tasteless retards are the majority.

kursten's picture

I couldn't agree more. I've always thought the Eagles were a great band for people who really don't like music and just want something pretty playing in the background. I don't know any honest music fans who listen to the Eagles. However, Adam Jones of Tool has said the talk box portion of Vicarious on 10,000 Days was inspired by Joe Walsh, so at least they influenced some good music.

Osgood Crinkly III's picture

I love Walsh's A Life of Illusion.

zapy8675309's picture

O come on man surely you don't mean that comment.

zapy8675309's picture

how can you say you don't know any honest music fans that listen to the eagles? I can't fathom this

JoeinNC's picture

Maybe they're not as "honest" as he thinks, and they actually are listening to the Eagles. Maybe HE's not being honest about the "honest music fans" he knows. Maybe he doesn't know many people, therefore few of them music fans, and fewer still of those fans are "honest" ones.

Hmmm. More likely is that, much like Robert Baird, he's taking the position that anyone who disagrees with him is not "an honest music fan." (Whatever the f#*k that even is.)

DaveinSM's picture

wow, you mention Tool and the Eagles in the same sentence, yet somehow still manage to musically bash the wrong group.

And your knowledge of music history is pretty shallow if you think that Joe Walsh's talkbox guitar work's sole influence was on an obscure Tool song that nobody knows nor cares about.

You were right about Walsh being the first to use the device. But the only thing that 99.999% of music fans care about is the fact that it influenced Peter Frampton to use it on Frampton Comes Alive.

DaveinSM's picture

... and that other .001% care about the Scorpions' 'The Zoo'.

Nellomilanese's picture

Having just watched a 5hr long documentary marathon on Eagles here's some interesting takes fromt the interviews:
They were getting tired by Glyn Johns way of producing/mixing/mastering their tracks. They complained to him....suggesting that he'd cool down with the use of his "signature" echo. He told'em to basically f**ck off: "it's my echo and i'm keeping it"...a phrase he confirms in the interview.
It was a rupture point...Eagles left UK (where they were recording) then flew back to US and hired Bill Syzmczyk who didn't have ANY experience as a producer but did have 6 yrs of experience just working in the studios with mike placements and other tasks. He was trained in the Army as sonar operator looking for russian submarines at the height of the Cold War. B4 they could start recording with Bill he personally called Glyn asking for his permission to record with them as the Eagles were still under contract. He replied he didn't give a damn'..I'm through with them. So yeah, thank you Bill for recording what is problably the best guitar solo in rock...2 mins long. and thk you eagles for standing up the "echo" overuse :D

tonykaz's picture

Geez, Stereophile's 70,000 readers are finally commenting, maybe beginning to catch up with Head-Fi.

Where have all y'all been? Where's your voice been all this time.

There's plenty to discuss concerning High-End stuff and the evolving Consumer Audio.

We are allowed to speak out, even shout out, comes to that.

People's thoughts are what makes this hobby interesting, it's ok to share.

Only one ( not Baird ) of the Stereophile folks is an Acid Spitter, no need to be afraid.

Tony in Michigan

New Media's picture

Isn't "Fly Like An Eagle" a Steve Miller record? If you're going to dance on a man's grave, you should at least get his discography correct.

Mikeymort's picture

As a teenager in the 70's I listened to The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Bros, Steve Miller and the other staples of F.M. radio. I bought a good stereo system so I could hear them better. Then, a friend gave me George Benson's "Breezin" (a commercial album to be sure, but different from what I listened to) My tastes in music matured, eventually including jazz and classical music. The F.M. station switched to an oldies format, playing the same stuff they did in the seventies and it left me cold. (I once heard a D.J. introduce "Hotel California" with, "Just in case anyone missed this in the last 30 years...) If you're into your fifth, sixth, or seventieth decade and you still listen to this stuff I feel sorry for you. These bands were they aural equivalent of junk food. (Fleetwood Mac was even called "The Big Mac" back then) Only Linda Ronstadt branched out into other genres and her legacy is better for it. Baird wasn't wrong for posting this now. It took Frey's death to get people even talking about The Eagles again.

DaveinSM's picture

you lost me at "my tastes in music matured". Anyone who is callow enough to even imply that their own own imprimatur is the absolute authority on the relative value of different music genres doesn't really understand music.

There are classical music snobs who think that George Benson's music and jazz in general is immature. By your reasoning, they are also correct.

Stephen Mejias's picture

Interesting comments. I read (and greatly enjoyed) Robert's piece, thinking, "yeah, maybe this isn't the best time to knock an artist's work," but, then again, I also have the pleasure of knowing Robert personally. I know that he is a music lover like few others, and I sympathize with the music lover's tendency to evaluate an artist's work upon the artist's death -- just as we might upon the release of a new album, a birthday, or some other grand occasion. Isn't it human to do so?

I suspect that if Robert had written about his passionate love for the Eagles, we wouldn't be having this conversation. The fact that our responses to the article are so strong is, to me, evidence of our own passion for music, but also evidence of fine writing -- art inspired by art.

As I mentioned above, I enjoyed the piece (thank you, Robert) and it has inspired me to do something I thought I'd never do, which is to listen to the Eagles. Weird, huh?

Stephen Mejias
AudioQuest

christopher3393's picture

for you, I would recommend Eagles...of Death Metal. Start with "Silverlake (K.S.O.F.M.)" from Zipper Down. ;)

GiddyUp's picture

"yeah, maybe this isn't the best time to knock an artist's work," Stephen, this is the whole issue with this article!

No one has any issue with "the music lover's tendency to evaluate an artist's work upon the artist's death." Whatever that means. It is natural to evaluate anyone you know upon their death. Good or bad. But if it is bad you might want to bite your tongue immediately after they die. It's like going to a funeral and announcing to everyone that you think the guy who died is an a-hole. Might be true. Not appropriate given the audience and I would question the character of someone who would do that. Isn't it human to do so?

The title of this article is truly morbid after reading. A troll piece that Stereophile should be ashamed of.

I'm interested to know what you "greatly enjoyed" about the article?

Stephen Mejias's picture

"yeah, maybe this isn't the best time to knock an artist's work," Stephen, this is the whole issue with this article!

So, would there still be an issue with the article if Robert had written it last year? Or a year from now?

No one has any issue with "the music lover's tendency to evaluate an artist's work upon the artist's death." Whatever that means.

It means, when an artist dies, we talk about that artist. We reflect on the artist's life and work. For instance, if I were still working at Stereophile, I could easily imagine Robert walking over to my desk and saying, "Did you hear that {blank} died?"

Me: Really? That's terrible.
RB: Yeah.
Me: You know, I don't know too much of his work, but I never really like that one song...
RB: Well, let me tell you...

And so on.

But if it is bad you might want to bite your tongue immediately after they die. It's like going to a funeral and announcing to everyone that you think the guy who died is an a-hole.

Sure, but we're not at anyone's funeral here. And biting one's tongue is certainly not the job of a music critic.

I would question the character of someone who would do that. Isn't it human to do so?

You have every right to question Robert's character. In fact, I would go as far as to say that that's part of your responsibility as a reader. On the other hand, Robert has every right to share his thoughts with Stereophile's readers. He is also responsible for absorbing the blows of criticism when those readers disagree with him or are insulted by his comments. His name is attached to the article, after all.

I'm interested to know what you "greatly enjoyed" about the article?

Thanks to the article, I learned things about The Eagles, the music and artists they were surrounded and influenced by, and Robert.

After reading it, I felt good and inspired.

Ayre conditioned's picture

Nice try. Admit it- he just blew it.

GiddyUp's picture

Thanks for your reply Stephen.

I can understand it is tough to see a former colleague/friend and employeer be criticized in this manner. However, some times this type of criticism is warranted and needed. I don't know the inner workings of Stereophile and how articles come to light on the site but this article getting posted at the time it did is completely tone deaf by Mr Baird and Stereophile. There is something to be said about a brand knowing who their customers are and being sensitive to them. Do they have the right to post what they want when they want? Absolutely. We also have the right not to read it. Would I be ok if this article was posted a year ago or a year from now? More so than I am right now. I would wonder why, given the Eagles haven't done anything in decades. Would Stereophile have posted an Eagles review like this if Glenn Frey didn't die? I'm guessing not, as readers would be wondering why and the relevance.

What would Robert say if?

"Did you hear that {blank} died?"

Me: Really? That's terrible.
RB: Yeah.
Me: You know, THAT GROUP IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVS...
RB: Well, let me tell you...
And so on..

I have a feeling the "and so on.." might go a little different after your response that they are one of your favourite groups. Possibly a little more sensitive. That is the argument being made here by the readers.

"Sure, but we're not at anyone's funeral here. And biting one's tongue is certainly not the job of a music critic."

No we are not at anyones funeral but a lot of Stereophiles readers are in morning and looking to commiserate with fellow fans and readers. Again, not Stereophile's responsibility but shows their lack of understanding about who their readers are.

Here's a hypothetical for you (heaven forbid). Substitute the Eagles and Glenn Freys death with that of a stereo equipment manufacturer. Maybe Audioquest? Glenn Frey = Audioquest Founder, Eagles Albums/Music = Audioquest gear.

You still ok with the article being published? I'm still not.

mvs4000's picture

"...art inspired by art." Hardly. Few things are more trite, formulaic and cliched as the ritual trashing of mass market popularity by the self appointed arbiters of style and taste. Anything that isn't Yoko Ono caterwauling over a droning sitar is immediately dismissed. It's entirely routine and to associate it with art is utter nonsense.

DaveinSM's picture

Dear Stephen,

If Robert truly has a "passionate love" for the Eagles, he sure has a funny way of showing it.

I'd hate to see what he'd have to say about artists that he dislikes. I know you guys are loving all the attention and chatter that this controversial piece is generating, but I agree with a lot of others here that it can be taken as written in a bit of poor taste.

tbrads's picture

If you are going to write a review of the Eagles catalog, do so...but not immediately after a founding member has died. Otherwise your article will be perceived as a sort of obituary...in which case, show some human respect and dignity. Wow! Stereophile just took a huge leap backward in my estimation (which they could care less about, obviously). What's the point here??

Ted_B

partain's picture

Lousy critique.
"Fly Like an Eagle" is a Steve Miller Band album.

Nellomilanese's picture

WhatHiFi forums look really tempting right now.
There's just too much negativity here...from Robert's bad-timming/classless "article" to the angry mob responses.
I try my best to post positive things...so here's another one: can't remember who said it but back in the days there was this sayin' that "People don't just listen to The Eagles...they DO STUFF on The Eagles music"...drivin' coast to coast in a convertible..taking your gf for a spin out into the open...stuff like that.
Their music carries such a positive energy IMO.
I'm writting this as I just finished listening (on vinyl) my fav track: "New Kid In Town"

msee's picture

Your description of Hotel California as, 'too overripe, too manicured, and ultimately too calculated and soulless' is spot on, and the rest of the article is equally perceptive. A good read.

New Media's picture

"The fact that our responses to the article are so strong is, to me, evidence of our own passion for music, but also evidence of fine writing -- art inspired by art."

Uh, no. The strong reactions are from the article being in poor taste.

mns3dhm's picture

I think most of us would agree that people who criticize others publicly while making their apologies in private are jerks. Heaping criticism on the recently deceased is taking it a level normally reserved for the truly misanthropic. Way to go Mr. Baird.

2_channel_ears's picture

I certainly don't agree with all Mr. Baird put forth though there is something else to explore here.

The Eagles never achieved what I would could call audiophile sound. Some of the music to me always sounded too sped up (tracks on Hotel California and On The Border), thin, shrill, etc. The transfer to CDs did not fare well at all for sound quality. Even with remasters, hi-res downloads, etc. it doesn't fix it. Perhaps vinyl originals are the best way to enjoy them.

RIP Glen Frey!

hififofum's picture

"Critics lose their leverage all of a sudden when something gets mass acceptance," said Frey. "They're no longer arbiters of taste."

Critics may have accused the Eagles of being too slick and polished, but the band had the perfect riposte - 16 platinum discs.

GLF's picture

Dear Bobbie Baird,

I can see it in your Lyin’ Eyes…that You Belong To The City. And in this Strange Weather there will be No More Cloudy Days after pulling The Allnighter.

Part Of Me, Part Of You is still Soul Searchin’ but there is No Fun Aloud during After Hours. That Girl, oh that Sexy Girl but I Found Somebody and still She Can’t Let Go. All Those Lies but still you Don’t Give Up your True Love because The One You Love gives you such a Peaceful Easy Feeling.

I know Some Kind Of Blue took over one of your Two Hearts. But if Livin’ Right means Life In The Fast Lane then there will be more Heartache Tonight. And while The Heat Is On he waits for you under your Lover’s Moon. So Take It Easy for tomorrow will be another Tequila Sunrise.

All the best,
New Kid In Town -RIP Glenn Frey

dumbo's picture

I'm kinda surprised that so many exist who claim not to like the Eagles. Personally I fathom how one couldn't like the band. To me, its one of the few bands I can listen to everyday and never get tired of hearing of them. As a matter of fact, I probably listen to their whole catalog at least once a week in the pristine 24/96 format found on HD Tracks.

If anyone who says this music is not good for an audiophile or their audiophile system then I say, you clearly need a better system.

Maybe you should take the responses from this turd you published as a sign to move on yourself. You've clearly worn out your usefulness to this magazine and hobby.

Glotz's picture

I agree that Robert was speaking his mind, and the timing was bad.

I agree that I never want to hear the Eagles on the radio ever again.

I do not agree with the bile and the hate put forth in 'defense' of Glen Frey. If the Eagles put out another anthology release, and he was still alive, there would be complete justification for his stance as a writer- and far less uproar as a result.

The fact this occurred now is inconsiderate and ill-timed.

All of this back and forth does the exact opposite of what Glen wanted- bringing people together in the name of LOVE.

Let's all pretend we know each other and apologize internally to ourselves and others- for ALL of our disrespectful behavior here.

Forgiveness is the GREATEST part of valor.

rscotts's picture

So Mr. Baird,
What songs have you written? How many top ten hits do you have? How many of your fans have been to your concerts and cheered for your music?
Oh, you don't have any of those. I'm not surprised.
RIP Glenn. I'll be listening.

mns3dhm's picture

When you die Baird, nobody will write anything because nobody cares about you personally. That is the difference between you and Glen Frey.

corrective_unconscious's picture

Yet the villagers are gathering their pitchforks.

For a special interest publication connected to a person's work life then I think a frank evaluation of that work is appropriate when the public figure dies.

My own view of the merits is less enthusiastic: I think the degree to which a person likes the music of the "Eagles" varies in direct proportion to either how much John Denver he or she willingly listened to or how much weed he or she smoked back then.

dufferdan's picture

Really? Long time reader, first post here. I don't judge the talent of an artist by how much his music has been played to death. Playing an artist on the radio to death, beyond the 6-18 months of an albums release is more a function of actual popularity than corporate power. The man wrote melodies millions loved. He wrote songs millions would sing along to. The songs reached people. I didn't listen to a lot of radio, however when gathering with brothers and friends in our teenage years, having a few beers, and maybe some other relaxants, it was the Eagles, Beatles, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison and others that came out of our ghetto blasters in the woods as we discussed the future, possibilities, issues of the day. His music reached many, and one may like it or may not like it, that is one man's opinion. but to trash a man's talent at the time of his death, when he clearly reached the hearts of millions, is classless. And petty.

It is a remarkable accomplishment when an artist is able to write and sing a song that thousands will happily sing their lungs out at a concert, in unison. Glen Frey did this. Don't judge music by it's popularity. If you had criticized the structure of the music, the composition, arrangements, with a logic and flow, I could respect that. But this was a petty "he was too popular, so I hate it" trashing and frankly not to the standards I would expect of a publication of Stereophile.

Sal1950's picture

What a Low Class/No Class act you are Baird. It does me little good to try and type out a response as my feelings would never get published. You SUCK

Sal1950's picture

PS, I subscribe to Stereophile when JGH was publishing with no ads and the volume number were still single digits.
BUT I PROMISE this POS magazine has received its final subscription renewal from me. JA, you'll never see another penny of my money.

John Atkinson's picture
Sal1950 wrote:
I subscribe to Stereophile when JGH was publishing with no ads and the volume number were still single digits.

You are one of the original 3000 readers, an exclusive club indeed.

Sal1950 wrote:
BUT I PROMISE this POS magazine has received its final subscription renewal from me. JA, you'll never see another penny of my money.

Sorry to see you leave us, but thank you for reading what we had to offer all these years.

But while I am responding, let me clarify: 1) This opinion piece may have been triggered by the death of Glenn Frey but was not about Glenn Frey; and 2) Robert Baird Baird did not write that the song "Fly Like an Eagle" was by the Eagles. It followed his referring to the Steve Miller Band as, like the Eagles, also having their songs over-played on FM radio.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Sal1950's picture

Are you reading the replies here JA? Baird should be FIRED and you need to issue an apology on behalf of this magazine. What a embarrassment to this magazine and JGHs legacy.

John Atkinson's picture
Sal1950 wrote:
Are you reading the replies here JA?

Indeed I have been. Some raise legitimate concerns; some support Mr. Baird; others seem way over the top in reaction to what seemed to me to be a legitimate discussion about the over-exposure of what we now call "classic-rock" artists. If you feel the timing was inappropriate, then, as Stephen Mejias asks earlier in this thread, what is the appropriate timing? Next day? Next week? Next month? Next year? Never?

Sal1950 wrote:
Baird should be FIRED and you need to issue an apology on behalf of this magazine. What a embarrassment to this magazine and JGH's legacy.

Stereophile has always been a magazine of opinion. If I were to fire a writer when his honestly expressed opinion offended someone, I would very soon have no writers left!

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Sal1950's picture

It was a time to rejoice in the lifetime of pleasure and high quality music Glenn and the Eagles brought to us. Not anything like we got.
What's done is done and since the readers will get no support from you I just hope that many will follow my lead and just rip up their subscription renewal slips when they come..

The word is spreading.
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f8-general-forum/peaceful-easy-feeling-stereophile-obit-glenn-frey-lacking-class-27333/

GiddyUp's picture

"what is the appropriate timing? Next day? Next week? Next month? Next year? Never?"

Hard to really say. However, what I and most of the people who have posted here are saying, is doing it immediately following someone's death is not "appropriate timing". It is disturbing that you or anyone from Stereophile don't get or acknowledge this. It seems like any decent person should understand this. Being a "critic" doesn't exempt you from this in my opinion.

"If I were to fire a writer when his honestly expressed opinion offended someone, I would very soon have no writers left!"

Have you read the responses? At this rate you might not have any readers left. So this might not be a problem you'll have to deal with.

mns3dhm's picture

"...what is the appropriate timing? Next day? Next week? Next month? Next year? Never?"

As the Editor your answer was obviously 'Right Now!" since you went ahead and published Mr. Baird's article as soon after Glen Frey's death as possible. The correct answer would have been to publish something like this when the artist is alive and well and able to defend themselves should they choose to do so. Post mortem, it just seems gutless and cruel.

Trolling the dead is a bad practice John - I'd hope you learned something from this but your reply suggests otherwise. You and Mr. Baird are made for each other.

John Atkinson's picture
mns3dhm wrote:
I'd hope you learned something from this but your reply suggests otherwise. You and Mr. Baird are made for each other.

Thank you for your comment.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

paul.raulerson's picture

I can see, of course, why you must defend what you publish, and certainly why you have to defend your editorial staff. And even to a certain extent, where your logic is coming from.

But wow - if that wasn't a hack piece I have never seen one before. Seriously, you should get a couple other contributors to write up their take and publish them as well. Some of them, at least, are also old enough to remember the 1970s' and will probably have a whole different take on subject.

When it is appropriate to publish something like Mr. Baird's opinion piece? I just do not know. Perhaps never would be the most appropriate choice. Certainly there are better things to fill column inches with, unless your intent was to horrify and aggravate subscribers.

I think I prepaid 3 or 4 years at my last subscription point, but like other's, I think I will seriously have to think about renewing that subscription when the time comes. Anyone who could write that is as far away from the audiophile world most of the rest of us inhabit as it is possible to get.

As for Stephen M. - perhaps it is just as well he moved on, if he can find himself "feeling good" after reading that article. I find that incomprehensible, disturbing, and think it a heartless and unthinking response.

ToeJam's picture

Initially I intended to arrange words to paint Baird poorly. But he already did that himself, and with far greater efficacy than I ever could.

eegreg's picture

Robert Baird has been, and continues to be, the best part of Stereophile for me. I read his last page first each month.

dufferdan's picture

3/4's of the article is about the Eagles and their music being overplayed. This was a follow-on from the first sentence referring to Glenn Grey's passing. Nowhere is a generic statement made of the tiresomeness of overplayed music in a generic sense, other than to bring in the Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle" album. Everyone agrees that one is welcome to their opinions of a persons talent, but upon someone's deathbed, people of taste and character look to what was good and positive about a person and tend to hold off on trashing a person for a respectable amount of time.

If this had been entitled "I hate classic rock that is overplayed and here's why" with an amalgum of many classic rock album covers, your explanation would hold water. But not when the sole album cover is the Eagles "One of these Nights" and Glenn Frey is mentioned in the second sentence by name.

Mr Baird is welcome to his opinion, but his timing of expression shows a complete lack of class and respect, which is what I believe people here are objecting to. In my opinion, an apology isn't needed. People will form their own opinions of the man and the publication based on the article and responses of record.

Mr Frey's and the Eagles melodies may not have been the most sophisticated ever. Their subject matter variable, but reflected the issues/problems of their place and time. They changed over the years. Developed new sounds. Like them or not, their words and melodies reached millions. Touched millions. They created music people were willing to pay to see played for over 45 years.

Mr Baird might get his 15 minutes. In a much smaller universe of notoriety, not fame. There is a difference in what one is remembered by,

baddog's picture

This is so wrong that I just had to create an account to comment on this.

Wow, really guys, have you no decency? What a way to say good bye.

A man just passed along in the world and you use this as an opportunity to trash the band he played in?

This strikes me as a lack of common human decency. Where is the heart, where is the soul? Where is the love? Where is the respect?

Nowhere in either this piece, nor the replies I have seen from either ex-Stereophile members nor John. I have to admit I am beyond disappointed in the way this has played out. Like others have noted, I am done with you guys. You clearly do not have the values that I have, least of which is a modicum of decency and humanity. This is just unjustifiable.

Glenn, long may you run.

GiddyUp's picture

I really wish I could let this article go but I can't. Mr. Baird's article and the response from Stereophile is unacceptable to me personally. They clearly don't value me or their other readers. I'm guessing they value advertisers. So I've decided not to purchase gear adversited on this site. I currently own 2 Audioquest Dragonfly DACs and some entry level Audioquest cables. Tower cables I believe. I enjoy all of this gear and was contemplating the new Dragonfly Red as it looks pretty awesome. I'm no longer contemplating this purchase. Stereophile, Audioquest or other advertisers may not care about my decision but they should.

Sal1950's picture

Be a man JA. Put on your big boy pants, stand up, and issue an apology to the Eagles, Glenn Frey's family, and the Eagles fans/music lovers the world over for this travesty of an article you let Baird publish.

JohnRobert's picture

Wish most Boomer audiophiles were as passionate about exposing young folks to our hobby. Though I'd guess most Millennials would share Mr. Baird's assessment of the Eagle's catalog...

Talos2000's picture

Seriously??? That was all you could write either as an obituary for Glenn Frey or a retrospective for the Eagles? Shame on you as both a man and a professional writer.

OK, I get it - Hotel California has been done to death, but does that doesn't justify your dissing it. That aside, you failed to even mention Desperado. My own opinion (FWIW) is that Desperado (the album) was one of the defining albums of the '70s - and Desperado (the song) was one of the very finest songs ever written by anybody. Not only that, it was actually a pretty special recording. I'm listening to the SACD as I type.

You liked One of those nights, but in my view that was the band's low point. OK, so we have different opinions. I'm inclined to invoke Mark Knopfler's wry observation: "Two men say they're Jesus - one of 'em must be wrong!"

We do agree on the singing drummers thing, though :)

ksquare's picture

Leaving aside Baird's poor grasp of rock history, his toxic tone, his graceless attitude and whatever axe he has to grind (did Frey once deny Baird an interview? did Baird suffer erectile dysfunction while an Eagles track was playing?), this is a small-minded, bitter, solipsistic purge that reads like a stoned argument among college students circa 1977 as to what bands are cool or hip. Oh, and another thing: it deserves editing because the writing itself is execrable.

corrective_unconscious's picture

Just curious. Perhaps you'd like to re write the three you choose as a demonstration....

Anton's picture

Hey, look. Now Paul Kantner has died.

Can we please move on from this Glenn Frey madness and simply let Robert Baird start kicking Kantner's ass and tell us how thoroughly Airplane/Starship and its various permutations sucked all the life out of poor Robert's FM listening joy?

He can blog:

"We Built This City."

"Even before The Eagles ruined popular culture, the seeds of quality rock's demise had been sewn by Paul Kantner and his caterwauling lead singer in Jefferson Airplane, Grace Slick.

White Rabbit has been played to death, and is way too short of a song. A lethal combination that no number of surrealistic pillows over my head could prevent from seeping into my brain and becoming a form of psychologically debilitating aural ear worm that haunts me to this day.

And Starship? Don't even get me started. "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now?" The only reason Kim Cattrall's Mannequin ever came to life was so she could try to get away from that horrible music.

I will leave you with this: I believe you should only speak good of the dead. Paul Kantner is dead. Good."

There, I hope I saved Robert some work!

ksquare's picture

Here goes, for all us pedants who think that professional writers should work to higher standards than Millennial texters:

1) “all of which were played literally to death by the radio”
Where to start with this one? Does Baird know the meaning of literally? Can music, songs or records “literally” die? And were they played “by the radio”? How about “by DJs” or “by CD players” or “by turntables” or, better still “on” the radio?

2) “No, it’s sonics are no match”
Try “its” for possessive. English 101, Class 1, Minute 1.

3) “it’s also the answer to the question about how anyone who was alive during their heyday can still listen.”
Er, listen to what? Or did Baird mean “can still hear”?

4) Baird needs to learn about the usefulness of commas.

5) “Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975), the second largest-selling record album of all time”
“Largest” is an adjective denoting size, e.g. largest shoes, largest apple, largest car; it is not an adjective about quantity. This would have been altered by an editor to “best-selling.”

These may seem like ridiculously minor gaffes, but to those of use who appreciate the English language, they stick out like clicks on an LP. It also demonstrates low personal standards. Compare this to Frey’s fastidiousness with the Eagles’ music.

For Baird, the lesson is: When you rant, take a deep breath and leave it for a while before posting. Then Baird might have realized that this mean-spirited attack on Frey was a sophomoric temper tantrum with no merit.

He also needs to rein in his hero worship of the over-rated Gram Parsons, who – for 40 years – has been credited erroneously with “inventing” country rock. For one thing, Rick Nelson, Mike Nesmith, Gene Pitney, and Johnny Tillotson are among the dozens who beat him to it in the 1960s. For another, the entire notion of a genre called “country rock” is specious, because rock was, is, and always will be an off-shoot of country-meets-R&B: Where does he think Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, and Carl Perkins started? And they played country-imbued music throughout their careers … when Parsons was playing hootenannies.

Mr. Baird, on the strength of his vile attack – which suggests that he is one of those intolerant, Taliban-like cliché rock enthusiasts straight out of High Fidelity, who refuses to allow others to enjoy artists of which he doesn’t approve – needs a vacation.

For this observer, I wouldn't – for a second – dream of chastising people so lacking in personality that they adore, for example, Coldplay, Radiohead or anything to do with Paul Weller.

R.I.P., Mr. Frey. And we’ll never forget you in Miami Vice….

corrective_unconscious's picture

"Execrable" was quite a characterization.

I think your present characterization suffers less from over-dramatization: "These may seem like ridiculously minor gaffes, but to those of use who appreciate the English language, they stick out like clicks on an LP."

ksquare's picture

Fair comment!

Anton's picture

I think that if you wrote a book, I would read it.

ksquare's picture

You may already have....

misterc59's picture

I know which stand my feelings are on, but after reading all comments, one side saying the post is truly offside, and the other from this website declaring all is fine, yet not one single post admits that perhaps they may be WRONG. As Dire Straits wrote, 2 men say they're Jesus, one of them must be wrong... Even a slight concession would be a step in the right direction, one would think, IMHO Thanks for listening.

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