Eagles to give away tracks from upcoming box set

The Eagles have unveiled plans to release a 4-CD box set on Nov. 14, according to band representatives. The package, titled "The Eagles: Selected Works 1972-1999," will include one disc of 12 previously unreleased live tracks that the band also plans to offer for free over the Internet.

The 53 tracks featured on the set's four CDs are grouped according to specific band-eras and musical styles. The first disc is titled "The Early Years" and includes "Take It Easy" and "Already Gone." The second disc, titled "The Ballads," features "Desperado," "Wasted Time" and "Take It to the Limit." The third, titled "The Fast Lane," groups hits such as "One of These Nights," "Hotel California" and the disc's namesake, "Life in the Fast Lane."

The fourth disc in the set is titled "The Millennium Concert," and features songs recorded during the band's 1999 New Year's Eve concert in Los Angeles. Those 12 tracks--which include "Hotel California," "Please Come Home for Christmas" and singer-drummer Don Henley's solo tune "Dirty Laundry"--will also be offered as free downloads over a number of retail websites, according to the band's announcement.

Sites where the live tracks will be available include Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, TWEC.com, CDNow.com, Borders.com, Checkout.com, Tower Records.com, and Musicland.com. Internet users will be able to download the songs beginning Nov. 14, the same day the box set is scheduled to hit stores.

Band representatives note that since the Eagles are not currently signed to a label, the live downloads will remain free of legal interference that forced acts including Beastie Boys and Tom Petty to curtail download offerings in recent years.

In addition to songs featured on the track listing, the discs will also feature two "hidden tracks," according to a press release. The disc's packaging, meanwhile, will include a 40-page booklet that will feature rare photos of the band and will contain an essay about the band written by Rolling Stone journalist David Wild, the release said.

The band plans to kick off several promotions to coincide with the release of the box set, including and online charity auction that will offer rare band memorabilia, autographed guitars and box sets.

One of the Eagles' previous hits compilations--"Their Greatest Hits: 1971-1975"--is the best-selling album of all time. The album has sold over 27 million copies since its release.