On the Border

Eagles | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1974
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002GXO
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,748 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

On their third album, the Eagles finally produced a No. 1 hit with "The Best of My Love," but most of On the Border is marked by tough rockers, not sweet ballads. "Already Gone" is a brusque kiss-off and "Midnight Flyer" a bluegrass kicker, while "James Dean" recalls the '50s rebel icon, and the title track reflects on paranoia and creeping Big Brotherism. The Eagles also cover a Tom Waits tune, "Ol' 55," and pay tribute to alt-country godfather Gram Parsons on "My Man." The album title is prophetic in the sense that the band that made this record (bolstered by the addition of guitarist Don Felder) was on the verge of greatness, but not quite there yet. --Daniel Durchholz

Product Description

Limited edition 'Vinyl Replica Series' released by WEA/Asia to coincide with their Autumn 2004 tour there. The album package is specially redesigned to resemble the original vinyl packaging. Originally released in 1974. Digitally Remastered. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ON THE BORDER--and going across it..., August 17, 2001

By 

Erik North (San Gabriel, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: On the Border (Audio CD)

The Eagles' third studio album, the 1974 release ON THE BORDER, was meant in many ways to rectify the unjustified commercial failure of DESPERADO, and give this band a harder edge than before. To this end, they ousted Glyn Johns as their producer after just two tracks were recorded, bought in Bill Szymczyk to replace him, and added Don Felder on lead guitar.

But ON THE BORDER is the best of both worlds--yes, the band gained a harder edge but it also retained some of the more country elements of before. "Midnight Flyer" is an impressive bluegrass-style breakdown with Bernie Leadon zipping away on banjo; and Leadon's "My Man", a tribute to the departed Gram Parsons, features his handy steel guitar work. A lot of great cuts are to be had here. Ironically, one of the two songs Glyn Johns produced, "The Best Of My Love", would become the group's first #1 hit in early 1975; and in yet another ironic twist, they would hit #1 with this single just two weeks after their former employer Linda Ronstadt got her #1 single "You're No Good."

I admit to being a very devout Eagles/Linda Ronstadt fan, being as I am from the Los Angeles area. But they remain the standard by which many rock and country acts are measured. And as long as there are faux "boy bands" like 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys, there will always be a need for the Eagles.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album, February 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: On the Border (Audio CD)

Besides Hotel California, this is the Eagles best album. This is an album rich in both rock and country. From the hard rocking On the Border and James Dean, to the countryish sounds of the Bernie Leadon sung My Man and Ol' 55, this is one terrific album. Only Good Day in Hell is a throwaway. Another standout song is the Randy Meisner sung Is it True.

This album was made during the Leadon-Meisner years of the band. Frey, Henley, and Walsh get all the notoriety in the Eagles, but Meisner was the nerve center of the band with his bass and quality vocals, both as a lead and as a harmonizer (listen to his harmonies on Ol' 55). The Eagles are a better band with Meisner as opposed to Tim Schmitt, as On the Border will proves.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every song is great, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: On the Border (Audio CD)

I didn't realize until the other day that "Ol' 55" is a Tom Waits composition. Every song on here is different, and every song is great. "You Never Cry Like A Lover" - can't understand why this one isn't played more - tender and intense! "Good Day In Hell" flat out smokes. The harmonies are flawless (as usual) and the instrumentation is superb. Add this one to your collection for sure.