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Sunday, October 24, 2021

October 23, 2021: Welcome (back) to the Hotel California

San Francisco, CA
Chase Center

 

Two years and four days. That's what I was thinking all day Saturday -- it had been exactly two years and four days since my last concert. I can't quite remember when I'd gone that long between shows, but it's probably at least 25 years ago. After having all my shows canceled last year due to the pandemic, I was hopeful that this year would go a bit better. Alas, we're still grappling with COVID-19 and what is and isn't open still in flux. 

Granted, things have been a bit more open this year than last -- especially since mid June here in California. There were a few other shows that I considered attending in recent months but either the combination of poor scheduling (e.g. a Tuesday night) or at a venue I know to be cramped as a normal process kept me from buying any tickets. Even before 2020, I never really liked club/general admission shows as I felt my personal space was too invaded most times, so avoiding those now was an easy call.

This Eagles show was originally scheduled for last year and I considered buying tickets when the shows were announced, but that was around March 2020, so I decided to wait until closer to the show date to make a call since things were shutting down and shows were getting canceled left and right. I then completely forgot about it.

Last week I was reading the newspaper and there was a mention of the upcoming Eagles concerts, so I hopped on line to see if I could snag a ticket. Two shows on Friday and Saturday nights -- perfect. I grabbed a great seat for Saturday night and breathed a sigh of relief -- I wasn't going to go another entire year with out a show.

The Chase Center is the new Golden State Warriors arena and opened in September 2019. I was able to get there once to see Elton John that month. It was still in an almost-but-not-quite ready to go state, so I was looking forward to seeing what it would be like after it had been opened for awhile (though with out people in attendance for much of it's life span thus far.) COVID protocols in place for the venue required all attendees over 12 to be fully vaccinated and masks worn indoors at all times. That was another factor in my decision to go. I've been to a few big events in recent months, so getting more accustomed to being in big crowds again, but after 18 months of caution it's still a big leap.

I took CalTrain up to the city, and since trains run on limited service on the weekends, I decided to head up early and grab something to eat near the arena. I wound up going in to the arena and grabbing a chicken sandwich there as the line at Gott's was huge and the seating limited especially as our first rain in ages started coming in and the outdoor seating was uncovered. That meant I was sitting in my seat a full hour before the show was due to start, but I killed the time enjoying the pre-show music piped in through the PA and chatting with a couple of folks sitting nearby.

This tour, the Eagles are playing their classic album Hotel California in its entirety to open the show, and it was a great production. My seat was at the side of the stage, so I couldn't really see the neon sign at the front of the stage curtain with the Hotel California album lettering, which was a little bit of a bummer. The show started with a fellow who looked like an aging butler coming up on the stage and walking across carrying a copy of the Hotel Calilfornia album. Once he got across the stage, he took the album out of its sleeve and placed it on a turntable at the front of the stage. The crowd roars. He picks up the needle to place it on the spinning album, and the crackle of vinyl sounds. Curtain drops, and the band launches in to the title track.

There's a reason Hotel California is the Eagles most iconic album. It's consistently good from track to track, so listening to the band play it in full was a huge treat. Glenn Frey's role in the band has been handed to his son Deacon and Vince Gill since his death in 2016, and both did a great job filling those shoes. Vince took the lead on "New Kid in Town" and sounded amazing. Side one of Hotel California ends with my favorite track "Wasted Time" and for this an orchestral string section came up on the risers behind the drum kit to play the key melody. Incredible and Don Henley's vocals were in prime condition and he sounded absolutely amazing. Perhaps even the best I've ever heard him.

At the end of the song, everyone on the stage paused as a young woman dressed in Mexican/Spanish style dress crossed the stage in the same manner as the "butler" in the opening. Once she arrived at the turntable, she turned the album over and the string section launched into the "Wasted Time (Reprise)" instrumental. Amazing.

The band wrapped up the album with the string section appearing again for "The Last Resort", this time joined by a choir. Another amazing moment. When they finished, Don Henley introduced these musicians as the "San Francisco Freeway Orchestra" and the choir having been from San Francisco State (my alma mater for better or worse!) All local musicians who did an amazing job.

The band took a break for "a smoke and a pancake" which allowed me time to discover Perry Pal Liz was also at the show and seated one section over from me in the same row! We managed to connect and chat briefly between the sets and it was so great to see her after who knows how many years.

Deacon Frey playing Peaceful Easy Feeling
The band came back out about half an hour later, and kicked off the set with their gorgeous harmonies on "Seven Bridges Road." Then it was hit after hit after hit. So many good songs. This was my first time seeing the band since Glenn died and wow did Vince Gill and Deacon Frey do an amazing job covering his various lead vocals. One of the highlights was Deacon singing "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and looking so much like his dad at the time Hotel California was released right down to the mustache. As the song ended a family photo of Deacon and Glenn popped up on the video screen where Deacon looked to be about 4 or 5. HUGE lump in my throat.

Glenn Frey, circa 1976
Vince Gill took most of the Glenn Frey parts though and just nailed them. I remember seeing him years ago at an ARF benefit and really enjoying his set and his great comment that he would have been a rocker "if I weren't so fat." He definitely was able to rock out -- I was especially impressed with some of his guitar playing. He and Joe Walsh went toe-to-toe during "Rocky Mountain Way" and it was great.

Throughout the show, there were moments I just teared up -- it was so good to be at a concert again and that feel of live music. I've missed it so much. The show was too consistently good to pick one single highlight, but as always the encore of "Desperado" was a favorite. It's my favorite Eagles song and as I said above, Don Henley was in great voice last night so it sounded so so good. They brought the orchestra up for that song too making it sound amazing.

I left the show grinning behind my mask (which stayed on through most of the show until the encore. I've gotten used to wearing a mask for 8-hours on days when I'm in the office, but whew, it was tough for a 3-hour concert!) The rain had gotten heavier while the show went on, so it was a bit of a clog at the exits as people pulled out their umbrellas, but I had opted to not bring one, so just put up the hood of my jacket and squeezed my way out and was able to hop on the first Muni car to the CalTrain station. Muni was packed with people, but I happened to notice a couple of young people standing next to me who had instrument cases on their backs. I tapped the shoulder of one of them and asked if she had been part of the orchestra. She said she was, and I told her how much I enjoyed their contribution to the show -- it was a really great enhancement to all the songs they played. I asked how much rehearsal they'd had for the show and she told me "None." Wow! That made the performance even more incredible. 

It was 1:00 by the time I got home with that tired and wired feeling after so many concerts, but god did I miss that feeling. Right now, I don't have any other shows on the calendar until May, but I definitely got my much needed fix and should be able to make it another seven months if needed. We'll see what else comes up between now and then.

Set list:

Hotel California
New Kid in Town
Life in the Fast Lane
Wasted Time (w/ orchestra)
Wasted Time (Reprise) (orchestra)
Victim of Love
Pretty Maids All in a Row
Try and Love Again
The Last Resort (w/ orchestra & choir)

--intermission--

Seven Bridges Road
Take It Easy
One of These Nights
Take It to the Limit (w/ orchestra)
Lyin' Eyes
Witchy Woman
In the City
I Can't Tell You Why
Peaceful Easy Feeling (Deacon Frey lead)
Tequila Sunrise (w/ orchestra)
Those Shoes
Life's Been Good
Already Gone (Deacon Frey lead)
Funk #49
Heartache Tonight

Encore:
Rocky Mountain Way
Desperado (w/ orchestra)
The Boys of Summer
Best of My Love