Longbranch Pennywhistle's only album is mostly of interest to collectors and intense
Eagles fans, as it features
Glenn Frey and
J.D. Souther collaborating before either had risen to fame. It's more low-key and less slick than
the Eagles -- than even the early
Eagles records, in fact -- but undeniably also lacks the pop hooks that made
the Eagles successful stars from the git-go. Sometimes there's a rollicking boogie or bar band rock flavor that works against the pair's primary strengths, which were their easygoing country-rock harmonies. It's best on the folkiest ballads, the standout number being "Mister, Mister." The most famous song on this minor early country-rock LP, however, is "Kite Woman," which
Souther would do again for his early-'70s solo debut album. ~ Richie Unterberger