BEST ROCK HARMONIES: Joe Walsh Wrote a Book, Too, But He Lost It, Man!

Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder has just published a book, Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001). Felder is sort of the Mick Taylor of that band; neither an original nor current member, his contributions were nonetheless important. The co-author of "Hotel California," Felder provided graceful-yet-muscular lead guitar that toughened the group's sound without surrendering beauty or subtlety. As for his book's title, I assume being present at the recording of something as badass as "Victim of Love" is filed under "Heaven," while listening to Don Henley's lectures on recycling fits squarely under "Hell."

Seeing Felder's book on the shelf inspired this week's topic: Best Rock Vocal Harmonies. What better way to begin than with the Eagles? It is not, and has never been, hip to be an Eagles fan. It's also frustrating to hear the same dozen songs being flogged to death on classic rock radio. But any group that writes so many top-notch tunes, plays so flawlessly, and harmonizes so effortlessly has to have something going on, even if it's ironically name-checked by Steely Dan.

The tastiest slice of the group's harmony singing is "Seven Bridges Road," a track from Eagles Live. Though not an original, the song is almost perfectly suited for the band's unique (but always familiar and comforting) vocal blend. Just listen to how all five voices stay in unison until, at the end of "like some lonesome child," they break apart, leaving Henley's poignant wail briefly alone. As singers, it's their masterpiece.

Like all Eagles live recordings, this one was heavily overdubbed and perfected in the studio. I know I've broken some hearts just now, but you shouldn't really care. What we're left with is so gorgeous, it doesn't matter if it was completed via FedEx because the members could no longer stand to be in the same studio space at the same time. Wow, with all that juicy band tension, it's amazing somebody didn't write a book sooner.

TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION: "Seven Bridges Road" by Eagles
AVAILABLE ON: Eagles Live; iTunes