Actual Miles: Henley's Greatest Hits

"The Boys Of Summer" and "The End Of The Innocence" are two of Don's biggest and best hits that are of course included here. In fact, every top 40 Don solo song that is not a part of a duet is here. In addition, none of the three new tracks are really ballads--interesting since Don has had so many great slower hits.

I take exception to those who think "I Will Not Go Quietly" should not be here. That is a great hard-rocking track that rock radio played a lot of in the summer of 1989. To me, it helps to show the diversity that does in fact make up Don Henley's great solo music.

For sure, you can't go wrong if you are a fan of the Eagles and/or Don with this collection. While some of his hits are much better than others, this collection provides just what a greatest hits collection should provide--all the biggest hits along with some great album tracks and interesting new material. Definitely a recommended purchase.


Don's most memorable songs   April 2, 2000
21 out of 23 found this review helpful

Don Henley is one of my favorite male singers of all time, with or without the Eagles (which, behind Fleetwood Mac, is my favorite band), and a truly great songwriter, littering his lyrics with wit and wisdom. "The Boys of Summer" is my all-time favortie song of any genre... the sound is the perfect soundtrack for driving the California coast! And "The End of the Innocence" is so true... an absolutely gorgeous masterpiece that manages to include an important message. The collection only falters in that it nearly draws exclusively from 2 albums, with "Dirty Laundry" the sole representative from his first solo effort. In my opinion, "Johnny Can't Read" should have been inluded over "I Will Not Go Quietly". The "new" songs offer little new, and pale next to the classics. So... If you are just a casual fan, this collection will probably suit you and works well as an intro to Don's amazing talent. It leaves you craving more, however. Therefore I suggest buying the 3 proper CD's, which ususally are bargain priced anyway. Can't wait for the latest Don Henley release coming next month!


One of my favorite CDs   July 6, 2000
Elizabeth S. (High Point, NC USA)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful

This collection, without a doubt, is one of my favorite CDs I own. It is always in my car- the CD cover has even begun to fade. I'm not exactly sure why certain songs such as "I Will Not Go Quietly" or "Not Enough Love In The World" are considered greatest hits, but I enjoy hearing them anyway. Of the three newer songs, "Garden of Allah" is far and away the best.


All He Wants to Do is Prance........ ;)   June 3, 2008
Metamorpho (Budd Lake, N.J.)
17 out of 24 found this review helpful

Well, my dragon escaped. Yes he did. This is what happens when your Metamorpho is called away to do publicity shots. I tell ya, that David Hemmings sure knows his way around a camera. Anyway, when I arrived home from London, I went to feed the dragon and found that he wasn't there. To my total chagrin, I realized he had pulled a Shawshank Redemption stunt on me. The evidence was there. Looks like he breathed fire on the stone to weaken it, and used his claws to create an escape hatch. Of course, I did not suspect anything. But what a clever dragon! Hiding the hole with a big poster of Playdragon of the Month over it!

Anyway, I had a private investigator get on his tail immediately. I found out that he took the chunnel to France. From there, he puchased a used car from a salesman that looked like Don Henley. The authorities then contacted me and said they had him cornered in the Cave of Lascaux. Of course, by this time, the car salesman was looking for him too. I guess he didn't like being paid in Drachmas. But, I ask you folks, what other currency would a dragon carry?

Anyway, on my trip through the Chunnel to fetch that snakey, surreptitious serpent (3 X fast people!), I started on this review of Don Henley's Greatest Hits called "Actual Miles". I wonder where that idea came from? Mental note to self: massive mental meditation (3 X fast again) needed.

Mr. Henley, as we know, is no stranger to the pop-rock arena. And with all the hooks he employs here, he solidifies his status as a true craftsman. Well, what do you want people? If I had been an Eagle instead of a Seer, you'd be buying my music instead of me giving away free reviews! So have some respect, please!

But, back to the point, this is a fine collection of music. Mind you, it is not perfect, but for the most part, it is well done. Most of the tunes here are taken from his first 3 solo albums, with the bulk of the material coming from "The End of the Innocence". As with Henley, and a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you'll get. He can give you social commentary with the looping organ parade in "Dirty Laundry", the mild suggestion of reconnection in "The Last Worthless Evening", the somber and sobering reality of "New York Minute". But, take heart! He also gives you many deadhead stickers on a cadillac (I have one!)in his megahit "The Boys of Summer" (listen for that almost imperceptible echo of the word "Crazy" on this). Also, a camraderie of good feelings down at the "Sunset Grill".

The thing about his music is how effectively he marries the mood with the message. The hop-jump sound of "All She Wants to Do is Dance", totally makes sense, even as they drive poor Mr. Henley out of town. The semi-sweet piano of Bruce Hornsby is perfect for the breaking of fragile glass reality in "The End of the Innocence." Digging even deeper in the dust, Henley pulls out the crown jewel of all his songs with "The Heart of the Matter." What makes this such a remarkable achievement is that he sheds off all the illusionary garb that we all possess, and goes not only into the heart, but the soul of the matter. Knowing his own imperfection, and his own part in the matter, he reveals what is essential for any human failing. Forgiveness. But, not necessarily for her, but himself. That is the true value and insight this song brings to people who need to hear it.

Unfortunately, I could have thought of a lot of other, worthy songs to fill out this c.d. He includes 3 new recordings, which, although interesting, somehow don't seem to gel. I am sure some social commentary is behind "The Garden of Allah", but it has never intrigued me enough to find out just what. The sarcasm and bitterness of his composition "You Don't Know Me At All", and the defeatism of Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows" is just too blunt and doesn't let you leave with a good feeling.
Henley's forte is to write a balance between wit, irony, lyrics and music to make the journey worthwhile, or somewhat relevant on many levels. For me, unfortunately, the songs sound dark and whining.

In conclusion, a fine collection with a few drawbacks - thus the 4 star rating. Now, I better get back to business here. I am now outside the cave with the Henley look alike. He is lurking, leering, lambasting me (3 X fast people!) as I am trying to lure the dragon out of the cave. He's not happy, I'm not happy, and the dragon's not happy. But, be honest people. You're happy because I finally wrote this review! Don't be shy - admit it!

Stop dragon my heart of the matter around --------- Metamorpho ;)


Don Henley's biggest hits   January 3, 2001
retrowens (Alabama, USA)
15 out of 19 found this review helpful

I was impressed for the most part with this album. It really is Don Henley's best songs. The first time you listen to Actual Miles, you'll notice the big hits such as "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill," "The End of the Innocence," "The Last Worthless Evening," "The Heart of the Matter," "All She Wants to Do is dance," and one of my favorite songs of all time, "The Boys of Summer." I liked all the biggest hits on this cd, but the songs that weren't real big hits i wasn't that crazy about except for "New York Minute," whose message couldn't be more true. I wasn't impressed with some of the songs such as "The Garden of Allah" and "I Will Not Go Quietly" at all. My other complaint is that the song "Love Just Ain't Enough" should've been included on here because it was a good duet and a big hit.

It's easy to tell that Don Henley took a lot of his skills that he had with The Eagles and incorporated them into his solo career. Not only is he still a great singer, but when you listen to these songs you'll see that they have well crafted and intelligent lyrics and most of the songs have a good beat to them along with a great melodic sound. Overall, I should give Actual Miles 3 stars because I only really liked the biggest hits, but since it has some of my favorite songs and because I bought it over a week ago and haven't been able to quit playing some of the songs yet, I'm gonna give it 4 stars. If you're a Don Henley or Eagles fan and you don't already have all of Don Henley's cd's, I'd recommend getting Actual Miles to add to your collection. The actual miles that you travel down the road and the actual time you spend listening to this album will probably be pretty high.