I’ve been doing this song in one form or another since 1975.  “The Eagles” had a #1 hit with it in March of that year, so I insisted on performing that exact arrangement with a variety of musicians and singers for the next 25 years.  It was a great ballad contrast in the disco years, an interesting aside when I played with a jazz band in the 80’s (that’s a torrid story for another time), a popular slow dance for the country club and cruise ship patrons of the 90’s, and it finally served us well when I teamed up with Karen after the turn of the century.  Apparently, this song has lasting power – as well it should.

But the Eagles didn’t record it first.  Oh, sure…. it was written by Glenn Fry and Don Henley (with considerable help from J.D. Souther).  However, it was first released in 1974 by one John Lees… ever heard of “Barclay James Harvest”?  I didn’t think so (google it).  When I first heard this arrangement I realized I had been doing it wrong all these years.  John Lees’ version is even more mellow with ethereal guitars, electric piano, and just brushes on the drums.  This is the sequence we use now – after a lot of work in the studio trying to replicate his style and polish up the tracks.

You’ll notice the title of this post has a #2 attached.  #1 is the Eagles version, so if you want to do that go to the Pop/Rock list and download that one.  If you’re feeling adventuresome,  download the #2 version and do it like we do.  I used a sax for the lead (trk. 4), so take that out if you’re a solo performer.  Tracks 5 and 7 are the harmony vocals so, depending on the number of backup singers that you have, mute those tracks accordingly.  Sounds complicated, but it’s worth the effort.  This arrangement is top-notch.