Customer Reviews

KT Tunstall's Acoustic Extravaganza (CD+DVD)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Previously only available through KT's website, "Acoustic Extravaganza" has finally gotten a commercial release. All in all this is certainly a good buy for any fan of KT who has been following her up until now. But having said that, I cannot give this the full 5 stars for the reason that IMO neither the CD nor the DVD quite measure up to her other material.

The CD: Basically a collection of b-sides and other rarities. Die-hard fans will already own a few of these songs..."Girl & The Ghost" makes an appearance as a b-side on her "Suddenly I See" single, "Boo Hoo" can be found as a bonus track on the Japanese import version of Eye to the Telescope, and "Throw Me A Rope" can be found on her "False Alarm" EP. And it's beyond me why "Universe & U" and "Miniature Disasters" are here. But "Ashes," "One Day," "Golden Age," "Gone to the Dogs" and "Change" are the real treats here.

The DVD: Unfortunately, it won't offer any profound insight into the world of KT Tunstall. There are a couple of intimate performances by KT, some outtakes, a "making of the album" featurette and a photo gallery. A little ho-hum if you ask me. I would have liked to see a much more in-depth exploration of KT's music here. Instead, it feels like something put together at the very last minute without much substance.

If you're a long-time fan of KT, by all means get this. Having these rare songs is definitely nice. But if you're new to KT's music, start by getting her Eye to the Telescope album, or better yet, invest the extra cash and get the recently released CD/DVD deluxe edition of Eye to the Telescope. "Acoustic Extravaganza," while solid, is more suited towards KT completists and die-hards.

Earlier this year, KT Tunstall released one of the best pop albums in recent memory with Eye to the Telescope even garnering a rare 5 Stars. A couple months after that album, Tunstall released Acoustic Extravaganza, a collection of songs that was recorded in one day, through her website. But now it's getting a proper release along with an accompanying DVD which includes a making of the album documentary. Don't expect an acoustic rendering of the big hit Black Horse and the Cherry Tree or even the follow up single Suddenly I See.

Instead, the album is comprises mostly of material that didn't make the first album and work as acoustics songs instead of converting her hits like a poor version of MTV Unplugged. The last three tracks though are from the album, Miniature Disaster, Universe & U, as well as Throw Me a Rope, which was on the British release of the album but got cut from the Yankee release. But the newer tracks are the real gems most notably the opening track Ashes that bounces along like a country track and is also the song that gets the album its Parental Advisory sticker so be warned. Then One Day could have fit perfectly somewhere on her first album is polished up a little.

As Eye to the Telescope was close to pop perfection, Acoustic Extravaganza fall short of its predecessor thanks in part to the theme of the album. Acoustic songs lend themselves to be mellower than there plugged in counterparts which lead to a lull of too many mellow songs in the middle of the album. Add to that the holdovers from the first album just are not as good as the originals. But with that said, had this had been album that was released first; it would be up there as one of the best of the year.

Take KT Tunstall's hit CD "Eye to the Telescope" and make it less "pop" and more "folk" and you've got "Acoustic Extravaganza". In fact, "Acoustic Extravaganza" even includes alternate acoustic arrangements of a couple of the songs from "Eye to the Telescope". Of course, it also contains several songs that were not on "Eye to the Telescope". Recorded in a guy's living room, with just a small group of acoustic musicians, the songs on this CD have an authenticity and intimacy to them that just can't be reproduced in a slick, modern recording studio. If you like KT Tunstall, you'll love "Acoustic Extravaganza". In fact, if you like good acoustic music at all, you'll love this CD. I fell in love with it from the moment I first played it.

I will warn you that there is some strong language in the first song on the CD ("Ashes"); so if that sort of thing offends you, please use your own discretion. However, language notwithstanding, I must say that "Ashes" is probably the best song on the CD, with a really catchy tune and some powerful lyrics. (It's a song about a couple having a fight; so the profanity is part of the heated exchange between the two.)

This version of the "Acoustic Extravaganza" CD comes with a DVD documenting the recording session and giving a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at KT and the band setting up and rehearsing for an appearance at a music festival. There is even a brief feature on the DVD demonstrating the loop pedal that KT is famous for using in her live performances.

If you like good music, I believe you'll be very impressed with this CD / DVD combo.

....you'll love this acoustic collection from KT Tunstall. The bonus disc is great, too. Definitely one of the more promising female artists out there today.

My journey into the musical world of KT Tunstall began only recently, but I have come to like her music quite well. Her songwriting abilities are well-honed and her music charming, but its her voice that really draws me in. Some have compared it to Joni Mitchell and others to Bjork. But I don't hear either. What I hear in Tunstall's vocals is at times the seductive innocence of Shivaree's Ambrosia Parsley, at others the fire and grit of Bonnie Raitt, and at others still the sweet vulnerability of Paatos' Petronella Nettermalm.
I didn't even know this had been released until I saw it "on sale" at a local big box book and music store. So I looked it up here, found it at an even better price and ordered it. When I first heard it, I was very pleased. The title truly says it all. Acoustic Extravaganza is stripped down and raw. On this bargain CD/DVD package, Tunstall shows that she has both the skills and the stage presence to have some staying power in a world of so many one-shot wonders.
You get about forty-five minutes of mostly excellent songs on the CD and an entertaining DVD that shows her on the road both to record and to perform. While you may not watch the DVD more than a couple times, it contains enough music and insights that add value to this package. As for the CD, my favorites are Ashes, Boo Hoo, and Miniature Disasters. The parental advisory sticker warns of explicit lyrics. If you were to pay attention to the product description here on amazon, you would think that every song was laced with profanity. They are not, and on the one song where profanity is used, it fits.
The industry is having a hard time classifying Tunstall's music. Some say folk, others country. Although her music contains elements of both, I would prefer to classify it under adult alternative. I suppose what you would call it is up to the individual listener. If you like intelligent lyrics put to appealing music, you will like Acoustic Extravaganza no matter where you find it classified.

I really liked Eye to the Telescope, but I play this CD non-stop. The dvd is really interesting and K.T. is a true talent. She is very real. She let's you see her without all the glitz and glamour and then gives you some of that as well. The songs are great and the opening song that earned it a explicit lyrics warning (for what?!?!) is one of the most brilliant pieces of songwriting I have ever heard. Way to go, K.T. Can't wait to hear your next recording!

I bought this CD after her 2nd one came out. I absolutely LOVE both CD's and will be buying her new one soon. There wasn't one song on either of the first 2 CD's that I didn't like.

I bought this CD after feeling absorbed by KT's "Eye to the Telescope", and I must say it was an excellent option...it's simply great music by a talented woman -which it's always enjoyable-
I highly recommend to keep track of this artist, it seems we'll have excellent music from her in years to come. I already pre-ordered her next CD "Drastic Fantastic".

Listen to 'Miniature Disasters' live here. Exhilarating, forceful, fun!

Compare with the version on 'Eye To The Telescope' and you will know what I mean.

If it werent for KT I would have thought that good music stopped being made by 85. This is so good, get this album and become a KT fan if you're not yet because you're missing out.