On eagles wings...
Talon
From the mid-'80s to the late '90s friends Chris Lloyd and Peter Anderson were a very successful singing duo on the variety circuit.
Over a twelve year period Lloyd & Anderson recorded five albums, embarked on cruise tours and made many TV appearances.
But sensing it was time for a change and a new musical challenge, Chris decided forming a tribute band that highlighted their voices and complimentary vocal harmonies was the way forward.
But not just any tribute band...
The Eagles are one of the most popular bands on the planet.
Hugely successful, a ridiculous amount of beautifully crafted classics in their back catalogue and, at last count, worldwide sales of eleventy squillion.
That's a hard act to follow. Or emulate. Or pay tribute to.
But that's just what Chris and Peter did when they formed Talon in 1997.
Rather than become just another tribute band on the circuit, Talon became one of the premier tribute bands in the UK.
And, for my money, Talon are the best Eagles tribute band on either side of the pond (and there's a fair few).
When Talon first extended its claws the band was Chris and Peter (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Simon Millest (drums), Conrad Carpenter (guitars, vocals) and Mark Jones (bass).
They picked up such a strong reputation through word of mouth and positive review that the early pub and club gigs soon became small halls, followed by theatre shows and theatre tours.
By the turn of the century Talon had spread their Eagles wings across the entire country and the band has since become one of the must-see tribute acts.
When Mark Jones decided to leave Talon in 1999 he was replaced by Jonny Miller, while 2003 saw guitarist Tony Vegas join when the band and Conrad Carpenter parted company.
Interestingly, Miller had been considered when the band was being put together back in 1997. Vegas was also approached in that formative year but declined the opportunity to concentrate on his solo career.
Talon
From the mid-'80s to the late '90s friends Chris Lloyd and Peter Anderson were a very successful singing duo on the variety circuit.
Over a twelve year period Lloyd & Anderson recorded five albums, embarked on cruise tours and made many TV appearances.
But sensing it was time for a change and a new musical challenge, Chris decided forming a tribute band that highlighted their voices and complimentary vocal harmonies was the way forward.
But not just any tribute band...
The Eagles are one of the most popular bands on the planet.
Hugely successful, a ridiculous amount of beautifully crafted classics in their back catalogue and, at last count, worldwide sales of eleventy squillion.
That's a hard act to follow. Or emulate. Or pay tribute to.
But that's just what Chris and Peter did when they formed Talon in 1997.
Rather than become just another tribute band on the circuit, Talon became one of the premier tribute bands in the UK.
And, for my money, Talon are the best Eagles tribute band on either side of the pond (and there's a fair few).
When Talon first extended its claws the band was Chris and Peter (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Simon Millest (drums), Conrad Carpenter (guitars, vocals) and Mark Jones (bass).
They picked up such a strong reputation through word of mouth and positive review that the early pub and club gigs soon became small halls, followed by theatre shows and theatre tours.
By the turn of the century Talon had spread their Eagles wings across the entire country and the band has since become one of the must-see tribute acts.
When Mark Jones decided to leave Talon in 1999 he was replaced by Jonny Miller, while 2003 saw guitarist Tony Vegas join when the band and Conrad Carpenter parted company.
Interestingly, Miller had been considered when the band was being put together back in 1997. Vegas was also approached in that formative year but declined the opportunity to concentrate on his solo career.
From Take it Easy, to Eden, Talon are what their backdrop states: The Best of Eagles
I've seen Talon a number of times and without doubt the core of Lloyd, Anderson, Miller and Vegas has produced their strongest line-up to date – and they were a talented bunch in their original form.
I mentioned this to Chris when we got together to talk Talon and he agrees:
"I'm very pleased you said that and you think that, because I believe we have gone from strength to strength as a band. Any change is difficult, but it's always made with the best interests of the group at heart.
No individual is bigger than the band, and that includes Peter and me."
Talon also records Eagles material for CD release and has issued a DVD, but it's not just Eagles material they record or perform.
In 2005 Talon's album of self-penned numbers Better Than Before was released and is a great little album of country rock.
Influences are clear and obvious, but the songs stand on their own merit and are strong in structure and musicianship.
'Town Called Heartbreak' (from Better Than Before)
I've seen Talon a number of times and without doubt the core of Lloyd, Anderson, Miller and Vegas has produced their strongest line-up to date – and they were a talented bunch in their original form.
I mentioned this to Chris when we got together to talk Talon and he agrees:
"I'm very pleased you said that and you think that, because I believe we have gone from strength to strength as a band. Any change is difficult, but it's always made with the best interests of the group at heart.
No individual is bigger than the band, and that includes Peter and me."
Talon also records Eagles material for CD release and has issued a DVD, but it's not just Eagles material they record or perform.
In 2005 Talon's album of self-penned numbers Better Than Before was released and is a great little album of country rock.
Influences are clear and obvious, but the songs stand on their own merit and are strong in structure and musicianship.
'Town Called Heartbreak' (from Better Than Before)
Talon: The Best of Eagles (to give them their full stage name) is perhaps not so much an Eagles tribute band as an Eagles tribute show...
The performances are around two hours, usually with an interval, and as Chris explained each year sees a new slant on the Eagles music performed:
"Each January we sit down and decide what form that year’s spring and autumn tours will take. In the past we've done 'Greatest Hits' shows and we did a tour called 'Hell Freezes Over Revisited.'
Before the 2010 'Hotel California' tour we did the 'Take it Easy to Eden' tour, which covered songs from the first Eagles album right through to Long Road out of Eden. We did six or seven Eden numbers."
I caught the band on the Hotel California tour and it was a Muirsical highlight of 2010.
That absolute classic every-home-should-have-one album was performed in its entirety, the meat in the sandwich between other Eagles favourites that included ‘One of These Nights,’ ‘Take it Easy,’ ‘Witchy Woman’ and ‘Heartache Tonight.’
Vocally, the Talon singers each take on the role of a specific Eagles voice:
Lloyd (who is also a great pop-crooner) is Don Henley in range and emotive delivery while Anderson takes the Glenn Frey leads (and his bass-baritone vocal brings warmth and depth to the harmonies).
Tony Vegas covers the Joe Walsh (and Randy Meisner) material and Jonny Miller's soft vocal deliveries complement the ballads associated with Timothy B Schmit extraordinarily well.
The vocal roles described above are not an exact science however.
Dependant on song and set-list there can be exchange of material.
And the Talon quartet are not vocal mimics – they don't have the same tonalities as their Eagles counterparts, nor do they try and force that sound.
They are very much their own vocalists, paying homage to those instantly recognisable and renowned Eagles voices while delivering the lyrics with fondness and respect – the very definition of "musical tribute."
The band are not too shabby as musicians, either.
Talon produces a tight, collective sound but there are also some great individual performances such as Tony Vegas cutting loose on 'Life in the Fast Lane' or ‘Rocky Mountain Way.’
The band is augmented on stage with resident guest musicians, adding to the whole Talon experience.
Craig Wainwright (guitars, keyboards, percussion) has appeared with Talon since 2006 and Keith Buck (assorted guitars, keyboards, vocals) joined the live show in 2008. Charlie Kenny became the resident drummer in 2010 when Simon Millest retired from touring after over twelve years of service.
As well as Eagles material, Talon also performs songs by other singer songwriters on acoustic shows. Artists covered include Crosby Stills & Nash, Simon & Garfunkel and James Taylor.
There have been a number of highlights in Talon's career, but without doubt the most gratifying – and telling – took place in April 2010.
In late 2009 Chris received an email asking if he knew who Jack Tempchin was and would he be interested in a professional association with him when Jack was in the UK.
Chris most certainly knew who Jack Tempchin was and, for those who don't, he's an American singer songwriter and the man responsible for the Eagles classics ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ and ‘Already Gone.’
Tempchin also has a couple of writing credits on Long Road out of Eden.
Chris' first thoughts weren't to be taken aback, but to believe he was being taken for a ride:
"I get a lot of emails in connection with Talon but I honestly thought this one was a wind-up. I followed it up though and it turned out to be true. I flew over to California that December and had dinner with Jack and we discussed plans.
In April 2010 he flew into the UK and performed as special guest with Talon on three shows. It was a great week and a dream come true."
The performances are around two hours, usually with an interval, and as Chris explained each year sees a new slant on the Eagles music performed:
"Each January we sit down and decide what form that year’s spring and autumn tours will take. In the past we've done 'Greatest Hits' shows and we did a tour called 'Hell Freezes Over Revisited.'
Before the 2010 'Hotel California' tour we did the 'Take it Easy to Eden' tour, which covered songs from the first Eagles album right through to Long Road out of Eden. We did six or seven Eden numbers."
I caught the band on the Hotel California tour and it was a Muirsical highlight of 2010.
That absolute classic every-home-should-have-one album was performed in its entirety, the meat in the sandwich between other Eagles favourites that included ‘One of These Nights,’ ‘Take it Easy,’ ‘Witchy Woman’ and ‘Heartache Tonight.’
Vocally, the Talon singers each take on the role of a specific Eagles voice:
Lloyd (who is also a great pop-crooner) is Don Henley in range and emotive delivery while Anderson takes the Glenn Frey leads (and his bass-baritone vocal brings warmth and depth to the harmonies).
Tony Vegas covers the Joe Walsh (and Randy Meisner) material and Jonny Miller's soft vocal deliveries complement the ballads associated with Timothy B Schmit extraordinarily well.
The vocal roles described above are not an exact science however.
Dependant on song and set-list there can be exchange of material.
And the Talon quartet are not vocal mimics – they don't have the same tonalities as their Eagles counterparts, nor do they try and force that sound.
They are very much their own vocalists, paying homage to those instantly recognisable and renowned Eagles voices while delivering the lyrics with fondness and respect – the very definition of "musical tribute."
The band are not too shabby as musicians, either.
Talon produces a tight, collective sound but there are also some great individual performances such as Tony Vegas cutting loose on 'Life in the Fast Lane' or ‘Rocky Mountain Way.’
The band is augmented on stage with resident guest musicians, adding to the whole Talon experience.
Craig Wainwright (guitars, keyboards, percussion) has appeared with Talon since 2006 and Keith Buck (assorted guitars, keyboards, vocals) joined the live show in 2008. Charlie Kenny became the resident drummer in 2010 when Simon Millest retired from touring after over twelve years of service.
As well as Eagles material, Talon also performs songs by other singer songwriters on acoustic shows. Artists covered include Crosby Stills & Nash, Simon & Garfunkel and James Taylor.
There have been a number of highlights in Talon's career, but without doubt the most gratifying – and telling – took place in April 2010.
In late 2009 Chris received an email asking if he knew who Jack Tempchin was and would he be interested in a professional association with him when Jack was in the UK.
Chris most certainly knew who Jack Tempchin was and, for those who don't, he's an American singer songwriter and the man responsible for the Eagles classics ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ and ‘Already Gone.’
Tempchin also has a couple of writing credits on Long Road out of Eden.
Chris' first thoughts weren't to be taken aback, but to believe he was being taken for a ride:
"I get a lot of emails in connection with Talon but I honestly thought this one was a wind-up. I followed it up though and it turned out to be true. I flew over to California that December and had dinner with Jack and we discussed plans.
In April 2010 he flew into the UK and performed as special guest with Talon on three shows. It was a great week and a dream come true."
Jack Tempchin (second from right) guesting on stage with Talon, April 2010
It's not just notables like Jack Tempchin who endorse Talon.
Planet Rock Radio, the UK's leading digital rock music station, partnered and promoted Talon's 2010 tour and will be doing the same in 2011.
The success of the Hotel California tour (sold-out theatres across the country), the Planet Rock partnership and Jack Tempchin all made 2010 a hard year to follow. But follow it they will, as Chris confirmed:
“We have a ten-date acoustic tour in February before we start our 2011 spring tour. For those shows we’re going to perform sets based on the Eagles 'Farewell 1' concerts of 2004, which will include a horn section at selected venues.
The Eagles performed in suits on that tour and we'll do the same. We might come out for the second half of the shows in casual gear though."
For those that have never seen the Eagles or simply can't or won't pay the ticket prices their shows now command, you could do worse than check out Talon's tribute to that legendary band’s career.
Long may they soar on Eagles wings.
And their own.
Ross Muir
January 2011
The Talon website offers a comprehensive guide to the group, featuring band and tour news, merchandise, audio samples, video clips and a detailed history of Talon: http://www.talonmusic.co.uk/
Audio track presented to accompany the article by kind permission of Chris Lloyd.
Photo Credits: Jason Sheldon (band), Les Linyard (band and Jack Tempchin)
It's not just notables like Jack Tempchin who endorse Talon.
Planet Rock Radio, the UK's leading digital rock music station, partnered and promoted Talon's 2010 tour and will be doing the same in 2011.
The success of the Hotel California tour (sold-out theatres across the country), the Planet Rock partnership and Jack Tempchin all made 2010 a hard year to follow. But follow it they will, as Chris confirmed:
“We have a ten-date acoustic tour in February before we start our 2011 spring tour. For those shows we’re going to perform sets based on the Eagles 'Farewell 1' concerts of 2004, which will include a horn section at selected venues.
The Eagles performed in suits on that tour and we'll do the same. We might come out for the second half of the shows in casual gear though."
For those that have never seen the Eagles or simply can't or won't pay the ticket prices their shows now command, you could do worse than check out Talon's tribute to that legendary band’s career.
Long may they soar on Eagles wings.
And their own.
Ross Muir
January 2011
The Talon website offers a comprehensive guide to the group, featuring band and tour news, merchandise, audio samples, video clips and a detailed history of Talon: http://www.talonmusic.co.uk/
Audio track presented to accompany the article by kind permission of Chris Lloyd.
Photo Credits: Jason Sheldon (band), Les Linyard (band and Jack Tempchin)
