Customer Reviews

Maxwell: MTV Unplugged

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's a bold, and often potentially misguided, step to release a live disc with only one album in your catalogue, but Maxwell pulls it off with his "Unplugged" set. Stripped of all the cliches associated with live discs, "Unplugged" is soulful, down-to-earth, and undeniably funky. This 7 track CD features a handful of album tracks and a Kate Bush cover, leading right up to the rousing finale ("Gotta Get: Closer") which segues into an uplifting gospel number that effectively works the crowd. His live recording of "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" is the crowning moment, as his molasses-smooth voice soars during this winning love jam. If I have a flaw to pick with "Unplugged," it has to be its brevity. At 34 minutes, it doesn't offer a dish filling enough to completely satisfy, and just as you're ready to sink your teeth into Maxwell's groove, the disc is over. But for what the EP is, it succeeds in its goal and is just an essential record as any of his studio albums.

Riding the wave of young turks delving into old-school soul that includes D'Angelo, Eryka Badu and Adriana Evans, Maxwell's URBAN HANG SUITE heralded the arrival of a balladeer who combined Al Green's seductiveness with Prince's sensuality. MTV UNPLUGGED shows off the live side of this young free spirit whose musical roots reach through the Quiet Storm into some pretty unlikely places. Throughout this EP, the arrangements are lush, the horns caress every groove and Maxwell's creamy falsetto ducks and feints through his own "Whenever Wherever Whatever" and "The Lady Suite." He also takes time to give props to Kate Bush with a crystalline reading of "This Woman's Work." Showing off a knack for the unorthodox, Maxwell closes out the festivities with a completely transformed cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" that moves from a jazz/funk workout to a gospel feel.

This young soulful man brings back the true spirit of love, soul, spirituality, and what kinds of passions are inspired by life, love and its lessons. I recommend everything that this man has come out withthus far. He has a flare that no other of this day so far as touched. There are artists out there now, that beginning to feel the SOUL from within. And think that Maxwell has paved a way for those so that they wont have to be afraid of being unique and yet learn from the pioneers of soul.

Of the three Maxwell albums that I bought, I always keep coming back to this one. As a matter of fact, I was playing THIS particular album so much that I ended up tossing out the other two. Don't get me wrong here. Urban Hang Suite and Embrya are good in their own right, but there was something positively soul-stirring about Maxwell's Unplugged performance that I found especially intriging. Maybe it was the smooth live playing of the band meshed with Maxwell's geniunely soulful voice, as they were on the showstopping covers of Kate Bush's This Woman's Work and Trent Reznor's Gotta Get: Closer, the latter containing a gospel-influenced chord change that's nothing less than electrifying. Or maybe it was the interaction between performer and audience that eventually got to my senses. Whatever the reason, I found this album to be a revelation of Maxwell's abilities as a true professional to his craft. For those of you unfamiliar with this artist, I would definitely recommend picking up this album first before moving on to his more studio-conceived work. Certainly one of the best live albums released this past decade.

I have every CD that Maxwell has released. He can groove with the best. He has the ability to soothe you or light you up!!!.

I need a Maxwell fix every day.

I have attended two of his concerts and I was more than pleasantly surprised that he improved on the sound of his CD. The boy is BAD. He is a showman and he leaves you with no regrets. But, leaves you wanting more.

Listen, relax and groove. He is all THAT!!!

1. Suite Urban Theme (The Hush)
2. Mello: Sumthin (The Hush)
3. The Lady Suite
4. This Woman's Work
5. Whenever, Wherever, Whatever
6. Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)
7. Gotta Get: Closer

This is an incredible CD, but when I tried to listen to the selection with Windows Media, I heard a Latin American album instead. Go to some of Maxwell's other CD's to hear most of the songs.

I bought this EP in 1997 when it was first released and I'm amazed by how long it took people to catch onto this masterpiece. Maxwell's vocals are inspiring, the arrangement of the music is astounding, the band is tight, and the crowd is feeling Max's mellow/cool. Standout tracks are "This Woman's Work", "The Suite Theme (THE HUSH)", "Suitelady" "Gotta Get:Closer" and My personal favorite of the set "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" which showcases Maxwell's inspiring vocal range. If you do not own this CD you should be shot! No seriously purchase it ASAP, you will not be dissappointed.

Maxwell is only one of a handful of singers who actually sound increadible when they sing live. Maxwell has an incredible voice and it is showcased beautifully on this MTV live album. Here he covers some songs from his first album such as "Ascension," and "Whenever, Wherever, Whaterver," as well as new songs such as "Mello: Sumthin'," and "Gotta Get: Closer." He also masterfully covers Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work." This song can be heard in the movie "Love and Basketball." The only disappointed with the album is the length. There are only seven tracks, but each one is great.

Maxwell is unbelievable. I have every CD Maxwell has put out,and I have to admit when you think Max has outdone himself, he amazes you yet again. I love the Unplugged CD because it contains renditions of some of his classics. It is eclectic, soothing, and will keep you begging for more. I totally recommend this one.