JOHN LAWSON Close your eyes in the presence of Talon and you're swept back to the West Coast of the 1970s as the unique sounds of arguably the greatest country rock outfit fill your senses.

JOHN LAWSON

Close your eyes in the presence of Talon and you're swept back to the West Coast of the 1970s as the unique sounds of arguably the greatest country rock outfit fill your senses.

Open them again and revel in the fantastic musicianship and instrumental versatility of Talon – a six-piece who take the term 'tribute band' to a new dimension.

Their performance is simply sensational as lead vocals and lead guitar work are shared around as hit after hit, classic after classic, are re-created – enhanced even – in a performance never anything short of musical excellence.

Opening at the Norwich Playhouse with an unplugged version of the ultimate Eagles track, Hotel California, indicated what was to come.

Desperado, Lyin' Eyes, Take It Easy, Life in the Fast Lane and Tequila Sunrise were all there – each with their share of wonderful guitar work from Peter Anderson and Conrad Carpenter, spine-tingling pedal steel playing from regular 'guest' member Tracy Neale, or driving percussion from Simon Millest.

Then there were the harmonies – the Eagles' trademark – five-part multi-layered chords to thrill the soul, topped off by some scintillating upper-register stuff from Chris Lloyd – at their best in One of These Nights and Witchy Woman.

There were the unexpected treats too – later numbers from the solo careers of Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Joe Walsh, as well as a quite magical performance at the keyboard by bass player Jonathan Miller of Love Will Keep Us Alive.

I saw the Eagles during their One of These Nights tour in 1975. Now I know I can have them back again.