The Very Best of the Eagles is the fifth compilation album by the Eagles. It was originally released in Europe, Australia and New Zealand on July 11, 1994, by Elektra Records.
Europe and New Zealand received a standard release whereas in Australia it was also available as a numbered, limited edition Australian tour version that was pressed on a Gold CD.
The album was remastered and reissued in May 2001 with all the same songs that were on the original release but in a different sequence.
The compilation album was not released in the United States, although it was successful in other parts of the world, appearing in the top 10 of the albums charts in nine countries and becoming certified gold in seven countries and platinum in three.
Compilation and artwork The Very Best of the Eagles is composed of seventeen songs, fifteen of which were released as singles and two songs—"Desperado" and "Doolin-Dalton"—that were album tracks from Desperado. The 2001 reissue's track listing is more loosely compiled.
Both issues of the album feature desert-themed photography. The first release featured art direction and design by Gabrielle Raumberger. The reissue had its art direction handled by Jeri Heiden with design by Barrie Goshko, who also did photo manipulation for the release.
Both the original and the reissue erroneously credit Glyn Johns as producer on the track "James Dean" from the On the Border album. It was produced by Bill Szymczyk.
Track listing
Original release
2001 reissue
Personnel Glenn Frey – guitars, keyboards, vocals Don Henley – drums, percussion, guitars, vocals Bernie Leadon – guitars, banjo, vocals Randy Meisner – bass, vocals Don Felder – guitars, vocals Joe Walsh – guitars, keyboards, vocals Timothy B. Schmit – bass, vocals
Production
Glyn Johns – producer, engineer Jim Ed Norman – string arrangements, piano Bill Szymczyk – producer, engineer
Charts
Album charts Chart (1994)PeakpositionAustralian Top 50 Albums2Canadian Top Albums28New Zealand Top 50 Albums3Swiss Top 100 Albums9UK Albums Chart4 Chart (1995)PeakpositionBelgium (Wallonia) 100 Albums28 Chart (1996)PeakpositionSwedish Top 60 Albums7 Chart (1999)PeakpositionFrench Compilations Find "The EAGLES" under the drop-down menu to see statistics.15 Chart (2001)PeakpositionBelgium (Flanders) 100 Albums12Danish Top 40 Albums10Finnish Top 50 Albums4German Albums20Italian Top 20 Albums18Netherlands Top 100 Albums9Norwegian Top 40 Albums4UK Albums Chart3
Certifications and sales
References