The Eagles: Farewell Tour 1 - Live in Melbourne HD (Live Music)

The Eagles: Farewell Tour 1 - Live in Melbourne (HDDVD)

Before I knew who the Eagles were, I knew what "Hotel California" was. Looking back now, the well-known lyrical desert ballad whines along with a strange desperation that seems to mirror the tone of the on-again, off-again relationship of the band itself over the decades. Breaking up and reuniting more times than simple ego clashes can account for, the Eagles were a driving force in the 1970s rock-splosion in Southern California. Four of their six albums landed at the top of the charts (consecutively no less) and the band's popularity over the decades has hardly suffered from their inability to communicate with each other.

The title of their latest live concert, 'Eagles Farewell Tour I,' winks at the fans of other aging rockers who are constantly trying to cash in and keep the dream alive. Happily, the performance captured here is largely free of consumerism and seems to genuinely showcase a reunited band that had simply missed doing what they do best. Recorded in high definition in Melbourne, Australia, the concert lasts nearly three hours and packs a punch around every corner. Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Timothy Schmit sit on the stage like old friends, effortlessly pouring out their souls through their music. Unlike their previous recorded live performances, the band members actually look like they're having a good time in front of their audience, embracing the music rather than their fame.

And the songs? The 30 set choices won't disappoint -- infectious hits like "Desperado," "Take It to the Limit," "One of These Nights," "Already Gone," "Sunset Grill," "Dirty Laundry," "Tequila Sunrise," "Take It Easy," and the aforementioned "Hotel California" all make a richly textured appearance. Rounding out the rest of the concert, are notable performances of "The Long Run," "New Kid in Town," "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Wasted Time," "I Can't Tell You Why," "Lying Eyes," "Heartache Tonight," "Funk '49," "Life's Been Good," "The Boys of Summer," "Walk Away," "You Belong to the City," "In the City," "Life in the Fast Lane," "Silent Spring," "Love Will Keep Us Alive," "No More Cloudy Days," "All She Wants to do is Dance," "Life in the Fast Lane," and "Rocky Mountain Way."