Building the Perfect Beast

by Don Henley

Overview

After experimenting with synthesizers and a pop sound on his solo debut, Don Henley hits the mark on his sophomore release, Building the Perfect Beast. This album established Henley as an artist in his own right after many successful years with the Eagles, as it spawned numerous hits. While the songs seem crafted for pop radio, it's hard to fault him for choosing arrangements that would get his messages to the masses. Unlike most pop in the 1980s, however, Henley had deep intellectual themes layered beneath the synthesizer sounds and crisp production. In the opening song "Boys of Summer," he talks about trying to recapture the past while knowing that things will never be the same. Henley has a gift for writing about the heart and soul of America and for mixing his love for the country and small-town life ("Sunset Grill") with cynicism about government ("All She Wants to Do Is Dance") and modernization ("Month of Sundays"). Although the politics and the sound of the album make the decade of release easy to place, Henley's earnest delivery and universal messages give many of the tracks a timeless feel, which is no small feat. This is Henley's most consistent album, and it is the place to start for those wanting to sample his solo work.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/25/1990
Label:	Geffen Records
UPC:	0720642402627
catalogNumber:	24026
Rank:	4062

Tracks

1. The Boys of Summer
2. You Can't Make Love
3. Man With A Mission
4. You're Not Drinking Enough
5. Not Enough Love In The World
6. Building The Perfect Beast
7. All She Wants To Do Is Dance
8. A Month Of Sundays
9. Sunset Grill
10. Drivin' With Your Eyes Closed
11. Land Of The Living

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Don Henley   Primary Artist,Percussion,Drums,Keyboards,Vocals,Chant,Vocal Harmony
Lindsey Buckingham   Guitar,Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Belinda Carlisle   Vocals,Vocal Harmony
Randy Newman   Synthesizer
Charlie Sexton   Guitar
Mike Campbell   Synthesizer,Guitar,Percussion
Martha Davis   Vocals,Chant,Vocal Harmony
Jim Keltner   Drums
Carla Olson   Vocals,Chant
Patty Smyth   Vocals,Chant,Vocal Harmony
Albhy Galuten   Synthesizer,Synclavier
Benmont Tench   Synthesizer,Piano,Keyboards
Michael Boddicker   Synthesizer,Emulator
Bill Cuomo   Synthesizer,Percussion
Tim Drummond   Bass
Marie Pascale Elfman   Vocals,Ensemble
Jerry Hey   Horn,Alto Horn
Larry Klein   Bass
Danny Kortchmar   Organ,Synthesizer,Bass,Guitar,Percussion,Keyboards,Synthesizer Guitar,Chant,Omnichord
Dominique Mancinelli   Vocals,Ensemble
Kevin McCormick   Drums,African Drums
Michael O'Donahue   Vocals,Chant
David Paich   Synthesizer,Piano,Keyboards
Pino Palladino   Bass
Steve Porcaro   Synthesizer
J.D. Souther   Vocals,Chant
Waddy Wachtel   Vocals,Chant
Ian Wallace   Drums
Sam Moore   Vocals,Vocal Harmony

Technical Credits

Don Henley   Producer,Art Direction,Synthesizer Arrangements
Randy Newman   Synthesizer Arrangements
Mike Campbell   Producer
Benmont Tench   Synthesizer Arrangements
Michael Boddicker   Programming,Synthesizer Arrangements
Niko Bolas   Engineer
Bill Cuomo   Programming,Percussion Programming
Jerry Hey   Horn Arrangements
Maren Jensen   Art Direction
Tom Knox   Engineer
Danny Kortchmar   Producer,Synthesizer Arrangements,Percussion Arrangement
Greg Ladanyi   Producer,Engineer
David Paich   Synthesizer Arrangements
Steve Porcaro   Programming
Allen Sides   Engineer
Richard Bosworth   Engineer
Jeri McManus   Art Direction