[quote=cosec3791;377828]Sorry, I missed this from a previous post. I own a number of bootlegs from the 70s, but because the sound quality is so substandard on most, if not all, of them, I find it difficult to analyze performances against the much better recorded studio versions. For that reason, the versions that I might find as good as the original versions are mostly from legitimate live albums where you can hear all the instruments and vocals well. These mostly mono-sounding audience recordings, while maybe historically significant, are not all that enjoyable of a listen for me. I love the version of "Take It Easy" from the LIVE set because it's got more of a kick than the studio version. I also really like the California Jam version because it's got great sound and the four Eagles really rocked it out, even without Felder.
If some of these bootlegs could've had the quality of those that are circulating nowadays, I'd probably be much more inclined to listen to and enjoy them.
I'm not 100% sure of this, but Felder played it during the 1976 tour on "Midnight Flyer." Bernie was gone by then and Walsh had just joined and took over the slide part and Glenn switched to acoustic. Felder wasn't a virtuoso, but he handled the part well enough. Maybe he had just learned it because there really wasn't much of a need before then.
I got the impression Felder knew how to play Midnight Flyer on banjo, rather than how to play banjo per se, I suspect the same is also true by and large for his bits on the mandolin. That said mind, I wouldn't put it past him to claim it was he who taught Bernie how to play both
I do not believe I did. You made clear your opinions on it, I merely expressed why I hold the HOTE in higher regard than the original (not that that would take much) in reaction to your rebuke of it, namely that I like the harmonies and dislike the original!
Well I think for someone like Felder who is such a master on guitar, learning other stringed insturments is a lot easier. He gets the concepts behind it and the way they are played is almost exactly the same as the guitar. So it would just be a matter of learning the differences of some chord shapes and learning what frets play what notes etc.