Concert Review
Eagles
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, NY
Thursday April 21, 2022
Review: Joseph Suto
Photos: Joseph Suto
Thursday evening the Eagles brought their Hotel California tour to KeyBank Center much to the delight of the robust crowd. The first set featured the Hotel California album played in its entirety. Drummer/vocalist Don Henley proclaimed “we will come back out and play you everything we know.” That they did as the band went past the 11 pm curfew by 6 minutes.
It was refreshing to hear some of the lost or lesser known songs from Hotel California such as “Try and Love Again” and “Pretty Maids All In A Row”. The song that really stood out was “The Last Resort” a rare track that is clearly in the upper echelon of the bands greatest songs.
The second set featured many of bands bigger hits as well as some familiar songs from some of the members solo careers. Highlights covered such golden nuggets as “Take It Easy”, “Take It To The Limit” “I Can’t Tell You Why” and “One Of These Nights”. It was also during a few selections that featured an orchestra as well as Buffalo’s own Westminster Presbyterian Church Choir to enhance several of the songs. The majority of the orchestra were local musicians.
It was simply amazing to see Henley perform this long of a set at 74 years old. Not only did he drum for at least half the tracks he also took many turns at the front of the stage with a guitar in hand. Henley’s voice is still as strong as it has ever been as evident by songs such as “Life In The Fast Lane” and the aforementioned “The Last Resort”.
The Clown Prince of Rock, Joe Walsh was up to his usual antics and drew a healthy applause from the crowd during what many call his ultimate theme song “Life’s Been Good”. Another pair of highlights were the guitar driven James Gang number “Funk #49” and the Walsh solo song “Rocky Mountain Way” which began as the first song of the encore.
There are a very few select artists who could step into the situation this band faced when they lost Glenn Frey. Vince Gill seems to be the perfect fit as every song he sang he served them justice and was the underrated performer of the show. Not to discount any other members as the band is surrounded and complimented by a very talented backing group which featured Scott Crago on drums and percussion, Will Hollis on keys and Michael Thompson on keys and piano.
You had to be at KeyBank center to really take in the performance. Not only was the sound pristine but the band was clearly having a fantastic time playing for the audience. Just about the lone blemish on the night was not including one of the band’s biggest hits and best songs “The Long Run”. Other than that it was a show that delivered the iconic Hotel California album and almost every song the band knows. Let’s hope the band will make it back in the near future as they are nowhere near ready to call it a day.
Set List
Hotel California (Full Album)
Hotel California
New Kid in Town
Life in the Fast Lane
Wasted Time
Wasted Time (Reprise)
Victim of Love
Pretty Maids All in a Row
Try and Love Again
The Last Resort
Greatest Hits Set
Seven Bridges Road
Take It Easy
One of These Nights
Take It to the Limit
Peaceful Easy Feeling
Tequila Sunrise
Witchy Woman
In the City (Joe Walsh Song)
I Can’t Tell You Why
Lyin’ Eyes
Those Shoes
Life’s Been Good (Joe Walsh Song)
Already Gone
Funk #49 (James Gang Song)
Heartache Tonight
Encore
Rocky Mountain Way (Joe Walsh Song)
Desperado
The Boys of Summer (Don Henley Song)
Best of My Love
