FELDER’S Rock
Over the winter break, I played the acoustic version of “Hotel California” for my 19-year-old son. He hadn’t heard the Hell Freezes Over track before. His reaction to it was so strong that it inspired him to assemble an acoustic playlist of popular rock songs for his college radio show the following week. What is remarkable about this song in particular is its versatility. It can bend and move about effortlessly, quietly establishing itself as a power to be reckoned with while doing so without fanfare or theatrics. In a way, it’s very much like its creator, Don Felder.
Don Felder is among the most amiable of rock legends. He is quick to throw credit and praise to his peers and continues to exude a genuine sense of wonder about rock and the life it has afforded him. Don is one of the good guys, armed with a talent that could afford him to operate with much more ego. But music is something that he holds in too high a regard to do isn’t about peaceful easy feelings. With Slash, Joe Satriani, Chad Smith, Sammy Hagar, Peter Frampton and others, Don Felder has recorded a real modern-day rock record. The album moves along like a great ride on a fast motor bike.
