"'One of These Nights', the Eagles' fourth album, racked up a lot of firsts for the increasingly popular band. It's their first LP to reach No. 1. "Take It to the Limit" was their first gold-selling single. And it's the first (and only) time that guitarist Don Felder sang lead on an Eagles song ("Visions").
It's also the band's last album with co-founding guitarist Bernie Leadon, who left the group after the tour in support of 'One of These Nights'. But that small bump in no way comes close to the list of achievements that mark the Eagles' fourth album. Before 'One of These Nights', they were a country-rock group that occasionally stretched its limits to middling results; after 'One of These Nights', the Eagles were one of the biggest rock bands in the world...
The songs they came up with were more substantial than anything since their self-titled 1972 debut. And it was way more adventurous. From the monster disco-bottomed opener "One of These Nights" (featuring Henley's best vocal up to that point) to "Lyin' Eyes" (a six-minute country-jukebox tune sung by Frey and showcasing the group's stellar harmonies) to "Take It to the Limit" (with Meisner at his all-time best), the album signaled both the beginning and the end of Eagles eras.
Leadon – who came from the Flying Burrito Brothers and played banjo, mandolin and pedal steel in addition to guitar – helped define the Eagles' sound early on. He gave them their twang and roots. But as the group headed into more worldly directions, and as Frey and Henley pretty much assumed leadership, he was beginning to be left out musically more and more.
By the time the Eagles' next album, the world-conquering 'Hotel California', rolled around, Leadon was gone, as was most of the band's country leanings. 'One of These Nights' was the firing shot toward that route. There were still traces – "Lyin' Eyes," the excellent "After the Thrill Is Gone" – but the overall takeaway here is that the Eagles were ready for the next level. They reached it and more. The album stayed at No. 1 for five weeks, selling more than four million copies over the years and spawning three Top 5 singles: "One of These Nights," which made it to No. 1, "Lyin' Eyes" (No. 2) and "Take It to the Limit" (No. 4)." - Ultimate Classic Rock
Compact Disc
Tracklisting:
1. One Of These Nights
2. Too Many Hands
3. Hollywood Waltz
4. Journey Of The Sorcerer
5. Lyin' Eyes
6. Take It To The Limit
7. Visions
8. After The Thrill Is Gone
9. I Wish You Peace
