No offense to the wildly talented Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmitt, but in my opinion this was the Eagles most talented line up and it only lasted about one year during "One of These Nights" and leading up to, and mostly causing "Hotel California."

OK, yes a few of the songs on "OOTN" were weak. The Bernie Leadon/Patti Davis dross "I Wish You Peace" sucked with the titanic suction of the reverse energy from a billion hot suns. It sucked so much it hastened the departure of Leadon from the band.

As I have learned from reading about the Stones, David Crosby, Eagles, Felder, Clapton and Steve Martin, the momentum for a great album takes at least a year to build. This was the lineup that caused 90% of "Hotel California." Yes, Joe Walsh laid down that incredible riff on "Life in the Fast Lane" but besides that these were the guys up there.

And we know how "The Long Run" turned out by comparison. Moderately OK album at best. "Desperado" takes "The Long Run" out in the alley behind the bar and knocks most of its teeth out before making it its bitch.

OK, that was a little harsh, but . . .

"Desperado" cost a fraction of and took way less time to make than "The Long Run." Why? The egos weren't as out-of-control and the talent was bigger. You don't think cocaine had a negative impact on the late Seventies, early Eighties L.A. music scene? Listen to all of "Desperado" than try to listen to all of "The Long Run." And I'll give you a pass on "Disco Strangler." Nobody should have to listen to that steaming pile of buzzard heave.

On "Hotel California" never was a huge fan of "New Kid In Town" by Frey and Souther. Meisner's "Try and Love Again" kicks its ass six ways from Sunday. What the hell does that six-ways-from-Sunday thing mean, anyway?

Steaming pile of buzzard heave? Lex, you silver tongued devil, you . . .