Unplugged Brilliance (Very Best Of Mtv Unplugged 3)

Member Name: kelr101

Product:	Very Best Of Mtv Unplugged 3
Date:	15/01/06 (762 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Acoustic mix of talented artists - Bonus DVD featuring live performances

Disadvantages: Few weak tracks

The very best of MTV Unplugged 3 was released in 2004 by Universal International Music B.V. It's a compilation CD following on from the previous two releases by MTV, and contains a large selection of fantastic emotional acoustic music tracks. The majority of the artists in this compilation are well known, but it's the combination of these talented artists that make this so enjoyable.

The album brings together famed artists such as Sting, Eric Clapton, Bryan Adams, Elton John, and The Corrs, whilst also including rarer tracks from Page & Plant. There are a total of 10 tracks out of the 17 on the CD that have previously been unreleased, as well as a bonus DVD featuring all the performances of the tracks which are available on this CD live from the MTV Unplugged Show.

The DVD can be played either through your PC, if your have the appropriate software, or through a DVD player. The tracks can either be selected individually or they can be chosen to be played consecutively. Each track is taken from a live recording of the MTV Unplugged shows (each different), and you have the chance to appreciate the different instrumental pieces and the band (and often vocalist) are using.

The insert is brief, covering the release dates of each track, and pictures of the album covers from which certain songs have been taken from.

The album commences with the famous "Message in a Bottle" by Sting, followed by the popular Eric Clapton's "Nobody knows you when you're down and out" and R.E.M with "It's the End of the World as we know it". Following on from the success of these 3 opening tracks is Alanis Morissette with "Head over Feet". I've always been inspired by Alanis's uniquely throaty sound and acoustically she sounds even better. Lyrics such as "You are the bearer of unconditional things, you held your breath and the door for me" are threaded with the emotion you expect from Alanis, and when accompanied by the backing drum beats and guitar become almost perfect.

Page & Plant (Jimmy Page and Robert Plant) open track 5 with a previously unreleased version of "Battle of Evermore". This track certainly stands away from the rest with its instrumental backing and inclusion of mandolins. It's not just the duet with a female singer but the lyrics that are so creative and imaginative, with verses such as "At last the sun is shining, the clouds of blue roll by, with flames from the dragon of darkness, and the sunlight blinds his eyes". This track is also the longest on the album at over 6 ½ minutes.

Track 6 is by Paul Simon, with a previously unreleased version of "Bridge Over troubled Water", followed by Sheryl Crow's hearty version of "Leaving Las Vegas" where the strumming guitar and country and western inflicted vocals will have you singing along. K.D.Lang commences track 8 with her unreleased version of "Crying". The echoing sound of her voice carries clearly as she opens the song, and each note is held to perfection alongside the guitar being played gently in the background. Crying is about the despair of a woman who realises her crying over the one she loves is unrequited, and the melodic low toned song enhances these lyrics.

"Blue Hotel" by Chris Isaak opening sound reminded me of an Elvis track but then it kicked into a guitar rhythm with an almost Spanish essence about it. No additional instruments but higher pitched vocals gave me this impression. The guitar solo in the middle is very catchy and has you tapping your feet and drumming your fingers along. The Corrs "runaway" seemed to be the "newest" track on this MTV volume, which implies the more modern music isn't as everlasting, and is a pure Irish lilted song of falling in love. "Cause I am falling in love with you, no never I'm never gonna stop, falling in love with you". Each girl is in perfectly harmony with the other, whilst the longer notes are held beautifully, alongside the piano accompaniment.

Track 11, an older style rock song, is by Kiss, with "Sure know something" followed by the upbeat and lively Bryan Adams singing "The only thing that looks good on me is you". The opening drum beat and guitar sets the tone of the track, whilst Adams sexy voice describes exactly what looks good on him with creative and unique lyrics "I don't look good in no Armani Suits, No Gucci shoes - or designer boots, I've tried the latest lines from A to Z, but there's just one thing that looks good on me". Throughout the song the symbols and bass of the drum can be heard whilst the guitar's riff is expertly played throughout.

Elton John contributes to MTV's 3 volume with "Benny and the Jets", another previously unreleased track, with its piano accompaniment. Following on from this is Hootie & The Blowfish with "Hold my Hand" which has a violin opening instrumental, and quiet vocal. 50 seconds in and the track livens up with the introduction of guitar and drums and a more upbeat vocalist effort. Track 15 is The Cure with "Boys don't cry" whereby the opening lively guitar rift betrays the heartfelt lyrics. "I would break down at your feet, and beg forgiveness, plead with you, but I know that it's too late, and now there's nothing I can do". The song is consistent with its fast guitar rift which I thought didn't compare to the lyrics which would have been suited to a more melodic rhythm and pace of song.

The final two songs on the album are Alice in Chains with "Would?" and Live "I Alone" both of which are previously unreleased versions. "Would?" has a great deep bass guitar rift opening the song, and a smattering of symbols before the heady vocals begin, whereas "I Alone" is a more modern approach with a lighter bass rift, however both vocalists enter the main area of the song with much enthusiasm and emotion. "I Alone" is actually one of my personal great songs, although I had never heard this version before and actually sounds very similar to The Calling. "I alone love you, I alone tempt you, I alone love you, fear is not the end of this!"

The very best of MTV Unplugged 3 is an excellent compilation album covering some of the greatest tracks in an acoustic setting. The inclusion of the bonus CD showing the live performances allows this to be far exceeded in its value, especially considering over half of the tracks are previously unreleased versions. I'd recommend this album even if you have never heard of the artists before, as this will be a fantastic introduction into a different level of sound, especially with bands such as "Live", "R.E.M", "Kiss" and "Alanis Morissette"


Album running time is 1hr 16 minutes, the longest running at 6 ½ minutes.


The very best of MTV Unplugged 3 can be purchased from most good music retail outlets, and generally has a RRP of £10, although of courses prices vary considerably in different shops.

Summary: An acoustic mix of popular and lesser know artists