Producers: Don Henley, Danny Kortchmar, Greg Ladanyi, Mike Campbell.

Recorded at Record One, Sherman Oaks, California; Bill Schnee Studio, Universal City, California; The Villa, North Hollywood, California.

Personnel: Don Henley (vocals, chant, keyboards, drums, percussion); J.D. Souther, Michael O'Donahue, Martha Davis, Patty Smyth, Carla Olson (vocals, chant); Lindsey Buckingham (vocals, guitar); Richard Wachtel, Marie Pascale Elfman, Dominique Mancinelli, Samuel Moore, Belinda Carlisle (vocals); Danny Kortchmar (chant, guitar, organ, omnichord, keyboards, synthesizer, guitar synthesizer, percussion); Waddy Wachtel (chant); Mike Campbell (guitar, synthesizer, percussion); Charlie Sexton (guitar); Jerry Hey (horns, alto horn); David Paich, Benmont Tench (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Albhy Galuten (synthesizer, Synclavier); Bill Cuomo (synthesizer, percussion, programming, percussion programming); Michael Boddicker, Steve Porcaro (synthesizer, programming); Randy Newman (synthesizer); Jim Keltner, Kevin McCormick, Ian Wallace (drums).

Audio Mixers: Greg Ladanyi; Niko Bolas.

Recording information: Bill Schnee Studio, Universal City, CA; Ocean Way Recording Studios; Record One, Sherman Oaks, CA; The Villa, North Hollywood, CA.

Ensembles: Marie Pascale Elfman; Dominique Mancinelli.

Photographer: Herb Ritts.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Danny Kortchmar; Don Henley; Marie Pascale Elfman; Dominique Mancinelli; Patty Smyth.

Although the 1980s production values sound a bit dated, Don Henley's BUILDING THE PERFECT BEAST is made up of 11 smartly written songs that stand the test of time. Henley's second solo endeavor, the release shows the various faces of the singer/songwriter, surrounded here by an excellent group of musicians, including longtime partner Danny Kortchmar. From the rocking "Man with a Mission" to the folk narrative "Month of Sundays" to the country ballad "You're Not Drinking Enough," BUILDING THE PERFECT BEAST is a record built upon variety. Two Henley hits are also found on this album, namely the steamy "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" and the reflective, bittersweet "The Boys of Summer," the latter of which features some of the artist's finest lyrics, along with music by Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell.