MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 [Live]

Lauryn Hill | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 7, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000065625
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (286 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,536 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Intro

2. Mr. Intentional

3. Adam Lives In Theory

4. Interlude 1

5. Oh Jerusalem

6. Interlude 2

7. Freedom Time

8. Interlude 3

9. I Find It Hard To Say (Rebel)

10. Just Like Water

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Interlude 5

2. Mystery Of Iniquity

3. Interlude 6

4. I Get Out

5. Interlude 7

6. I Remember

7. So Much Things To Say

8. The Conquering Lion

9. Outro

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Lauryn Hill has loudly (and justifiably) been declared a brilliant artist already in her young career, and MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 will do nothing to dissuade anyone. This double-CD acoustic set contains snippets from her debut album, but most of it is new material that Hill performs with raw, shockingly honest intensity. Coming on the heels of a well-publicized period of depression and unhappiness for the ex-Fugees singer, Hill's reenergized outlook is plainly evident in this stripped-down performance--it's basically just Hill and her unplugged guitar--as well as the highly spiritual nature of the material. Cutting across musical styles from bossa nova ("Just Like Water") to Marley-esque rebel songs ("Oh Jerusalem," "The Conquering Lion," "Freedom Time"), the singer's voice is throaty and rough throughout, giving the performance an earthy, heartfelt pull. It's a deeply personal performance, filled with blistering social commentary and the evils of self-delusion while detailing her ongoing attempt to escape from the public persona her fame has created. In destroying her old artistry, she discovers a new creative force, yielding a mesmerizing and enchanting classic. --Jake Barnes

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I feel Ya Lauryn! May 19, 2002

By K. Kimbrough

Format:Audio CD

I LOVE this CD. Ms. Hill walks us through her spiritual journey. If you don't want to go, get off this train now. She won't mind 'cause as she reiterates time and time again she is doing her own thing. Ms. Hill feels no pressure from the industry and it shows. This cd is absolutely nothing like Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. This cd is, as she states on her cd,"a tub that stands on its own bottom."

She is a poet. Her track "Just Like Water" is awesome. The metaphorical references to water and relationships blew me away the first time I heard it. Not only does she work her magic with an acoustic guitar and her distinctive voice, she works your soul with her spiritual revelations. As a listner you are required to become reflective. Even if you do not like the music you WILL walk away with an understanding of self. And if not with an understanding, than surely with questions.

This CD is inspiring, revealing, honest, healing, thoughtful, insightful, gritty yet delightful. In case you don't know it yet, I am vibin' this in a Big way.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A path from social purgatory July 23, 2002

By [e-mail]

Format:Audio CD

"I know the view is that I am emotionally unstable, which is reality, like you aren't," states Lauryn Hill. Her new live double CD "Lauryn Hill Unplugged 2.0" is an amalgamation of her inner thoughts and personal demons. Her debut album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" was a surprise crossover hit that wowed critics and fans alike, selling 12 million copies, and garnering five Grammys, but it appears success was a pyrrhic victory for Hill. Hill talks about being held hostage by a public persona created by her success. "Fantasy is what people want, but reality is what they need," professes Hill and reality is what she attempts to deliver to her listeners with her new album. The raspy voice singer blends lyrics of the heart with acoustic sounds from the soul. On one of the lyrical gems titled "Adam Lives in Theory" (They can't even entertain the solution in a brain filled with vain information and pollution) Hill sings metaphorically of the antediluvian Adam and Eve of society. Far from perfection, Hill botches lyrics and strains her voice to unreachable heights, sometimes erroneously strumming away at chords, but yet this album is a gem for being refreshingly intimate and painstakingly honest. Hill pulls at our heartstrings with "Just Like Water" (Moving down the streams of my lifetime/pools of fascination in my sleep/cooling off the fire of my longing) and "I Just Want You Around" (You keep my feet on the ground/ I hope that you can hear me because I know it's not profound/ I just want you around) the two love songs on the album. She shines on "I Gotta Find Peace of Mind" (Please don't be mad with me I have no identity/All that I've known is gone) pouring out her heart and soul to the audience for over nine minutes before Hill becoming emotionally unglued and crying her heart out.... Hill is a musical chameleon that does a complete 180 on "Unplugged" returning as a "hip-hop folk singer". It is a diamond in the rough of an arena, filled with pre-packaged commercially acceptable drivel. An album of socially astute thought, it requires a second listen before it can be truly effective and pleasing to the listener. Read more ›

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars MLK's lovely daughter February 16, 2005

By Hector Lasala VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

This CD is the most politically/spiritually charged music I've heard in quite a while. The theme is freedom in ALL of its ramifications, from the personal to the political. Although stylistically different, the synthesis is not unlike that of Bob Dylan's best work.

I must confess that I was unfamiliar with Lauryn's music until my son shared with me a song from this CD: The Mystery of Iniquity. What can I say, it blew me away.

Her phrases are short and sharp and delivered with a force that can only be fueled by lived-conviction; the better to penetrate one's delusions and complacency, while energizing one's resolve to live free!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Stunning June 1, 2002

By Anthony Humphrey

Format:Audio CD

If time is what she needed to find herself, then she can take all the time she needs. Instead of promoting the evil that constantly surrounds the world today, former Fugee, Lauryn Hill strikes back against the system and delivers an amazing two disc set. Four years ago when Hill released The Miseducation, nobody could have imagined what an inspirational musical genius she would grow to be in the coming years. With a little hiatus between albums, Hill returned with a show stopping live performance that's composed of 13 brand new tracks and 9 spoken word interludes. On stage with nothing more then an acoustic guitar, Hill performs the songs for the first time to the delight of the crowd and the listener.

Hill, who is still developing her guitar skills (has clearly heard on the album), has written a collection of Bob Marley influenced rebellious songs, and sweet love songs. On "Mr. Intentional" the album's opening song, she address a love relationship gone wrong. With metaphors and spiritual inferences present, Hill breezes into "Adam Live in Theory", and the gospel number "Oh Jerusalem". But it's the rebellious songs that allow Hill to shine her brightest. On tracks like "I Find it Hard To Say", "Peace of Mind", "The Mystery of Iniquity", "I Get Out", and the album's best track "The Conquering Lion", Lauryn straight up attacks the "democracy" in which we live in today from the political evil, straight through to the injustices of the courts that are supposed to serve and protect us.

Through the spoken word interludes, Lauryn is able to break down the metaphors and explain them to those who wouldn't understand her material so they are not left in the dark. You can't help but to respect her for the effort that she has put into her new material that easily outshines anything she has done to date.... Even though this won't change the world, it can change the views of numerous ignorant people, and those who just accept the bad times without doing anything about them. Hill who says that she was snatched away by god and shown the light, has benefited from it in more then one way. She has benefited from it spiritually, because it has brought her closer to god, and because it has helped shape her life and has helped her develop a new musical approach that will take her away from the rest of the people.

As far as comparisons go, nobody can touch Lauryn now. She has stepped above and behind her roles as an artist and has set the bar for what other artists should try and achieve. Just like Marvin Gaye and other artists before her, her music delivers a deeper message then just sex, drugs, money and luxury and though its not appreciated at its time, in the future it will be considered a masterpiece because they have realized the tragedy's before the others who were to shallow to do so. The only downfall to be found on the album, is Lauryn's guitar skills, which need a lot of work. She struggles as she learns new chords and how to change chords. Overall though the lyrics, which are so stunning, will take your attention away from the music and make you focus on what she is saying. Read more ›