Hit after Hit: Don Henley

Don Henley
Chateau Ste Michelle, Woodinville, WA
07.20.16

In stark contrast to the torrential rain during the last show I saw here, the sun is beaming brightly as Don Henley takes to the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery stage for his second sold out show here. With his six-piece band and three back up singers all wearing sunglasses to protect them from the direct glare of the sun, they open the show with an a cappella version of “Seven Bridges,” before taking to their instruments to kick it up a notch with the classic “Dirty Laundry.”

Just before the classic “Sunset Grill,” a huge part of the audience yells out “Happy Birthday Don,” and before you know it, the audience stops the show to sing “Happy Birthday.”  As Henley patiently waits for them to finish, he declares how much he hates that song, and that his birthday isn’t till Friday (July 22), but he laughs and thanks everyone.

He also jokes, “It isn’t very profitable for me having brought a 15-piece band but that was the only way to recreate the over four decades of music we were going to perform. I have two hours of music ahead, so if you don’t hear what you want, hang in there it will be coming.”

The entire evening is literally hit after hit that has defined his career from the Eagles and as a solo artist. Henley also plays several songs off his 2015 solo album, Cass County, his first new release of music in 15 years. Tonight’s soundtrack is nearly every song that has been a part of our lives for over 40 years. Which in turn has much of the audience on their feet and dancing well before the encore.

Sure enough it is quite an encore, including “Fastlane” into “Hotel California” before the band walks off stage only to return with “All She Wants To Do Is Dance” and closes the evening with “Deperado.”

What a great night of classic songs from an iconic performer whose music has been a soundtrack of our lives.

Don Henley Set List
Seven Bridges
Dirty Laundry
That Old Flame
Sunset Grill

Witchy Woman
Words Can Break Your Heart
NY Minute

When I Stop Dreaming
One Of These Nights
Shangri-La

Bramble Rose
It Don’t Matter To The Sun
-Into Singers-
I Don’t Want To Hear Anymore

End Of Innocence
The Last Resort
Train In The Distance
Heart Of The Matter
-Band Intro-

How Bad Do You Want It
Rule The World
Boys Of Summer

ENCORE
Fastlane
Hotel California
All She Wants To Do Is Dance
Desperado

Review and photos by Neil Lim Sang

Don Henley