By Paul Thomas

DUALLING guitars, classic country rock and sublime artists had Windsor's Theatre Royal audience dancing in the aisles on Sunday night with one of the best tribute bands I can remember seeing.

The Alter Eagles line danced into town with a set list of over 40 years...but picked just about the best of the wild bunch.

If you are covering hits from the Eagles where do you start?

The six-piece outfit drifted on to stage and comfortably came in with Peaceful Easy Feeling.

Lead vocalist Sam Confrey has an unerrring resemblance to Eagles drummer and lead singer Don Henley with his cadence, gentle rasp and ability to hit high and low notes.

The set was damn good in two halves of 50 minutes each with, I am sure, the hits that most of us wanted to hear.

Take it to the Limit, Take It Easy, New Kid in Town, One of These Nights,Witchy Woman, Life in the Fast Lane and, in encore, a great a cappella of Seven Bridges Road.

This was a great way of spending a Sunday night and I was amazed that the theatre was only two thirds full....most came down from the gods to spend the second half with us in the circle....with the party really getting started.

Frankly, I am astounded that with this quality on stage more people don't relinquish their TVs to get out and have a dance to a brilliant night out....there' so much on a Sunday at the Royal.

There were enough of us to make it a blast but the rest of you should have joined us for a Sunday night spectacular.

Wasted Time and Tequila Sunrise offered huge harmonies, but with Hotel California, Desperado and Heartache Tonight as the last encore pieces, those I talked to in the foyer wanted the gig to go on.

Mike Bradley and Jay Stezaker on guitars were spot on in their renditions of some of the greatest songs known in pop.

When you see a tribute band you are listening to the timing, vocals and notes to hear the songs ingrained in your soul.

These boys don't disappoint. Boy, do they hit it square on.

The drumming by Matt Hobson drove the group. They were tight but relaxed displaying the Calififonian country rock sound so indicative of the Eagles.

Alan Tomkins on keyboards and Rob Beattie on bass locked in the sound.

A favourite from Henley, Boys of Summer, was brilliant as was the take on Life's Been Good from Joe Walsh...too many hits man.

A great way to finish off the weekend...there's so much coming up at the Theatre Royal, you should try going out and enjoying yourself, forget the tellybox, you've got a record button.