Back to Academic Index
Voices Down the Corridor: An Artist's Statement on "Hotel California"
Part I: Checking In
Part II: Enjoying Your Stay?
Part III: No Way Out
The Process
Recommended Listening
Links
The Process
Sketch
I start with a sheet of Vellum bristol paper cut to 11" x 7", and sketch out the composition with a 2H pencil. Where possible, I map out shapes that will be filled in with black in later stages.
You're probably wondering, "Why don't you start by sketching it out in a sketchbook?" Call me crazy, I just don't believe in sketchbooks. I feel if I have a good enough idea, it'll stick with me long enough for me to put it on paper. Besides, it never comes out the way you imagine it anyway, right? And if you're lucky enough to get it just right in the sketchbook, that kind of kills any chance of getting it right in the final product.
Inking, Stage 1
I begin going over the mapped-out areas, tracing them with a Sharpie Ultra Fine Point permanent marker. This is a matter of significant delicacy, as one botched line could throw off the entire picture from then on. In this case, it's even harder given the number of straight(ish) lines in the composition. (Apologies for the incomplete scan)
Inking, Stage 2
Section by section, I start filling in the mapped-out black spaces. First I fill in all the tight corners with the Sharpie Ultra Fine, in order to give myself breathing room for the larger tips. Based on the size of the area being colored in, I switch between a Sharpie Fine Point and a Sharpie Chisel Tip for larger spaces. Here, I sometimes allow myself to go outside the previously established lines and add or substract white space from the picture. This too requires delicacy, as I can't take out what I put in.
Inking, Stage 3
Switching between all three markers again, I finish filling in the black spaces, and with the Ultra Fine point I begin making some texture effects. If necessary, I also return to using the 2H pencil to map out areas to be defined in the next stage.
Shading
Now we get to have some fun! This is the stage where I give dimension to the picture. In white areas, I use a 557-4B Soft charcoal pencil, and in black areas I use a 558 white charcoal pencil. For shading in tight areas, I use a blending stump, and over larger areas I fold a paper towel and roll a corner of it into a sort of blunt stump, then I erase and re-blend when needed. This is the part that usually takes the longest, and it's often as frustrating as it is involving. As you can see, I've also gone back with the markers and filled in a few more areas.
After this stage, it takes only a few more finishing touches and...Voila! A finished panel.
Recommended Listening
For your listening pleasure, I've collected various versions of the song "Hotel California", including versions by the Eagles and covers by other artists. Samples of each song can be heard by clicking on the album artwork (Quicktime plugin required). Special thanks to my father Ronn for his assistance in compiling these selections.
DISCLAIMER: Album covers and songs are property of their respective creators. Samples are provided solely to represent the musicians' work and are not intended for illegally distribution. No copyright infringement is intended. In fact, I'm providing these guys with some free publicity, so what do they have to complain about? Sue me and prepare to be checked into the Smackdown Hotel.
The Eagles
Hotel California (1976, Asylum Records)
The original recording of the song. This was the Eagles' first album without founding member Bernie Leadon, and the first with guitarist Joe Walsh, and the last with bassist/vocalist Randy Meisner. Additional recommended tracks: "Wasted Time" and "Life in the Fast Lane".
Hell Freezes Over (1994, Geffen Records)
The Eagles' long-awaited, long thought inconceivable reunion album following their breakup in 1980 (or as Glenn Frey put it, "a fourteen-year vacation"). This version is a live acoustic arrangement performed with 8 guitars total. It has a lighter, less ominous feel than the original recording. "Hell Freezes Over" refers to a comment Don Henley made regarding the conditions necessary for the band to reunite.
Farewell I Tour: Live From Melbourne (2005, Warner Vision, DVD)
My favorite live version of the song comes from this three-hour concert, the title of which is a sly, tongue-in-cheek hint at a possible Farewell II Tour somewhere down the line. It begins with an incredible trumpet solo that leads seamlessly into the opening chords of the song. As Don Felder was removed from the group in 2001, lead guitar is performed by Steuart Smith.
Other Artists
A3, La Peste (2000, One Little Indian/Geffen Records)
Removing the guitar-rock elements of the song almost entirely, A3 produced this cover with a techno/hip-hop beat and throaty, filtered vocal tracks for a decidedly more urban approach to the song. A3 is better known for the song "Woke Up This Mornin'", the theme of the HBO series "The Sopranos".
Big Daddy, What Really Happened to the Band of '59 (1983, Rhino, vinyl)
Big Daddy was a 1980s novelty band that specialized in covering contemporary songs with a 50s spin, performing in the styles of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and any number of musical icons of the era. The Hotel California that Big Daddy sings of sounds like the kind of song playing in the background during a wild beach party. The album also features 50s twists on "Super Freak", "Eye of the Tiger", and the "Star Wars" theme.
Gipsy Kings, Volare! The Very Best of the Gipsy Kings (2000, Elektra)
This lively Spanish-language version was featured in the film "The Big Lebowski". It probably bears the least resemblence to the original Eagles recording, taking its own direction at nearly every turn save for the singing of the chorus. The Gipsy Kings are better known for their very fun song "Bamboleo".
The Nashville Superpickers, Pickin' on the Eagles (1994, CMH Records)
This fully instrumental variation is just as the cover advertises; a country/bluegrass style take on the Eagles. Banjo and fiddle lead with a quickened pace and dynamic string work that gives me arthritis just listening to it. Other installments in the Nashville Superpickers' "Pickin' On" series includes takes on The Beatles, 50s music, and even Christmas albums.
Raleigh Ringers (2000, The Orchard)
This version adheres strictly to the pattern laid down by the original song, but it's unique in that it is performed entirely with bells, from the opening chords to the concluding solo. An interesting novelty, but with a song the length of "Hotel California", it kind of gets old after a while. The album contains mostly classical music, but there are a few other classic rock selections like "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Stairway to Heaven". (Warning: The sample is very soft.)
And for those of you wondering why I haven't included the William Hung version...No. Wrong. Several hundred varieties of wrong. Nuts to you for even thinking of that. Ugh.
Links
Official Websites
The Eagles
Official band website
Don Henley
Founding member; lead vocalist, guitar, drums, percussion
Joe Walsh
Vocals, guitar, slide guitar, organs
Timothy B. Schmit
Vocals, bass guitar
Bernie Leadon
Founding member
Unofficial Websites
Glenn Frey
Founding member; vocals, guitar, keyboards
Don Felder
Former band member; vocals, guitar
Analyses
Locked into the Hotel California
Meaning of Lyrics from Songs of the 70s
The Octopus' Garden: Interpreting the lyrics to the Eagles hit
Snopes.com: Urban Legends References Pages
The Straight Dope: What does "colitas" mean?
PREVIOUS: The Hotel California series
