By David O’Neill
Some bands are intricately entwined in your lifetime of musical listening. In my case this could be many of the artists I grew up listening to in the early ‘70s such, as Queen, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd and the West Coast rock sound of The Eagles: ‘One Of These Nights’ is still one of my favourite guitar sounds. With a long history in the latter, Don Felder’s ‘The Vault – Fifty Years Of Music’ is both a retrospective and a celebration, capturing the full arc of his storied career from his early days as a session musician to his pivotal years with the Eagles and beyond. The album compiles newly recorded versions of songs spanning five decades, some of which never made it past the demo stage until now. It’s a testament to Felder’s enduring musicianship and his often-underappreciated role in shaping the sound of West Coast rock.
Felder’s tenure with the Eagles is legendary, if complicated. While his vocal presence in the band was limited – his only lead vocal was on ‘Visions’ from the ‘One Of These Nights’ album – his guitar work was transformative. Felder’s solos and slide guitar, particularly on tracks like ‘One Of These Nights’ and the iconic ‘Hotel California,’ helped steer the Eagles from their country-rock roots toward a more rock-oriented sound. His approach to guitar solos was always melodic and deliberate, as evidenced by his ‘One Of These Nights’ solo, which he modelled after alto saxophone phrasing, bringing a lyrical, almost vocal quality to his playing. This sensitivity to melody and texture is a hallmark of his style, setting him apart from more flamboyant guitarists.
On ‘The Vault’, Felder’s vocals are more assured but remain understated. His delivery, as on the lead single ‘Free At Last,’ is intimate and processed, more a vehicle for emotion than for vocal fireworks with an intimate, sometimes fragile quality that contrasts with the powerhouse delivery of his former bandmates. This is consistent with his history; even in the Eagles, his voice was never the centrepiece, often overshadowed by the powerhouse vocals of Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Yet, on this album, Felder’s vocals feel more assured, if still modest, serving the songs rather than dominating them.
His voice on tracks like ‘Free At Last’ is characterized by a soft, almost confidential tone, shifting into an intimate chorus that feels more personal and reflective than his earlier work. This weathered, frayed vocal delivery is less about technical prowess and more about conveying emotion and experience – his vocals now carry the weight of decades, described as ‘more message than melody,’ with a palpable sense of history and vulnerability in every line.
Stylistically, Felder’s singing on ‘The Vault’ can be compared to Bryan Adams, suggesting a raspy, earnest quality that suits the album’s blend of classic rock and introspective balladry. The production often frames his voice with lush arrangements and harmonies, but unlike his time with the Eagles, Felder’s vocals are now front and centre, no longer relegated to the background.
In summary, while Felder’s vocal style with the Eagles was limited and overshadowed by stronger singers, ‘The Vault’ finds him embracing his vocal identity—weathered, understated, and emotionally resonant. The album’s songs benefit from this lived-in quality, offering listeners a more personal connection to Felder’s music than was possible during his years with the Eagles
The album’s production is lush and polished, with contributions from rock luminaries like Steve Lukather, David Paich, Greg Phillinaganes, and Brian Tichy adding depth and sheen.
Tracks like ‘Hollywood Victim’ and ‘Move On’ showcase Felder’s signature guitar tone – warm, slightly gritty and always melodic. The re-recording of ‘Heavy Metal’ preserves the song’s original energy while updating its sound for a modern audience.
The surprise addition was the softer ‘Let Me Down Easy’ sung by Nina Winter, a very pleasant track that demonstrated Felder’s virtuosity as a songwriter.
While ‘The Vault’ may not break new ground, it is a fitting tribute to a musician whose guitar work has been central to some of rock’s most enduring songs. For fans of Felder’s time with the Eagles, the album offers a satisfying blend of nostalgia and fresh perspective, highlighting both his strengths as a guitarist and his growth as a songwriter and solo artist.
- ‘The Vault’ is out now.