|  | Review about Seven Bridges Road
------Performed by Eagles | 07/09/2007 11:00:00 AM
Many Versions by Many Pretenders: But We Only Remember the Best One..
The Eagles' cover of Country Rock pioneer Steve Young's "Seven Bridges Road" on their 1980 "Eagles Live" album, sung A Capella in the beginning of the song by all band members, is a clear example of why the Eagles' harmonizing sound has remained on the charts and in popular culture since they formed in the 70's. "Seven Bridges Road" went to #1 on BillBoard's Hot 100 chart.
The "Seven Bridges Road", according to Hank Williams, Jr. in his autobiography, refers to the highway that leads to the Oakwood Annex Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama,where his father's grave is. To get there, one must cross over 7 bridges.
"Seven Bridges Road" has been covered by many, from Joan Baez, to Dolly Parton, Ricochet and Alan Jackson, on the Jackson/Buffet/Strait "Live at Texas Stadium" album, one of the better versions to be released post-Eagles Live, as it is essentially a cover of a cover. It's also not the first song in which Alan Jackson has either written or covered that had a direct or indirect reference to Hank Williams gravesite. However, despite the many versions out there, it is the "Eagles Live" version that we remember and tend to favor.
Why is that? After thinking about it, I realized that listening to the harmonizing vocals on this particular version of the song literally makes your spirit feel like you're soaring with Eagles (the feathered kind...)and no matter what mood you're in, you'll be feeling better after listening to it. I've never gotten a similar response or feeling from listening to any other version.
The Eagles released "Seven Bridges Road" as a live cut b/w "The Long Run", also live. It was never recorded as a studio track - but then again, why would they ever have wanted to? You don't mess with perfection.
On the Eagles' DVD release of "Hell Freezes Over", there's a great outtake of the band rehearsing "Seven Bridges Road" A Capella. If you've never seen it, do. It's less than a minute, but well worth it.
Thanks to John R.V. Jones for submitting the review. |  |
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