Customer Reviews

Mtv Unplugged

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Many Americans seem to think Shakira is a pop singer, and her revealing, suggestive, and even lewd music videos don't help that image. But if that is the only Shakira you know, you are missing out. Shakira is one of the most passionate, emotional, skilled, talented, and powerful singer/songwriters in the world. The poetry of her lyrics does not translate well to English and much of the beauty and depth comes across as shallowness or sexual aggression - the truth of it is, Spanish is a Romantic language, and Shakira writes in Spanish. She has something of a flirty stage presence, but do not mistake this for Britney Speaks-like slut pop a la "Oops! I Did It Again," etc. Shakira's performances are raw and passionate, just like her music. If you were turned off by the drum machines and dance-club rhythms of her studio releases, you should conisder this MTV Unplugged performance. Her band is fantastic, and she herself is a very skilled musician.

I can't believe no one reviewed this CD. I LOVE this album, and I think people should listen to it, so they can write a review! All the songs on here are awesome, especially No Creo, Octavio Dia, and Tu. They sound so much better live, you have to listen to this album!

I have to admit, I think Shakira is a gorgeous woman, but that has no bearing on my review of this album. I like a few of her drum machine dancehall songs, but for the most part they aren't particularly memorable. However, when she gets a REAL band behind her, she knocks it out of the park. With the ability to focus more on her voice and less on the beats, you can hear the overwhelming emotion. Everytime I listen to this album I am moved. When people say that all art aspires to be music, they are referring to works like this. This really IS a masterpiece.

MTV Unplugged is an essential album for any Shakira fan. It is her first live album, and WHAT a live album! Shakira's talent is showcased very well, and there is a reason this CD won her a Grammy. Her voice is raw and amazing, the instrumentation is unique, and the energy in that room can be felt even when listening to the album.

Spanish is my second language and I'm not all that great at it yet. But I can understand a lot of what these songs are about. This is possibly the best live recording I've ever heard; I would say these live versions are better than the originals on Dónde Están los Ladrones.

"Ciega, Sordomuda" is hands down my favorite song on the album. It has a real Mexican sound with music by the mariachi band "Mora Arriaga". Tú is excellent and No Creo has a different arrangement with a real reggae feel to it. All of the songs are great.

I think you would have to be crazy not to buy this, even if you don't speak Spanish very well. This blows away Shakira's pop music

This CD has always been hailed as a great live performance CD. Indeed, Shakira's MTV Unplugged performance is a classic and a very succesful one. For one record, it was the first ever Unplugged to be aired totally in a non-English language medium. Another is, it is by far the only MTV Unplugged to have won a Grammy Award, a proof of its ingenuity and its high-caliber quality. The songs were given refreshingly beautiful versions by Shakira and each one exudes with emotions and sincerity. Though I do not understand many words in the songs, I can still feel the spirit of the music. Truly, as Shakira always says, music speaks a universal language and her own music does cross many international barriers!

Mainly I have to agree with the other positive reviews. While Shakira has continued to evolve, this unplugged performance captured an incredibly entertaining period of her career that, personally, I hope she returns to someday. Note that there are subtitles to all of the songs in both Spanish and English. If you're not fluent in Spanish, the English subs make the experience far richer. Some of the lyrics are (intentionally) hilarious.

All but one or two of the songs are in the "come back/don't leave, I can't live without you" genre, and while it seems just a bit obsessive, they are all very well done. Guess this is why she got the "Colombian Alanis Morrisette" label prior to the release of Laundry Service (after which, no one would connect the two!).

I actually bought this to replace one I gave away. I also have the DVD, but needed this for the car, etc! In this concert, not only is the music great, but Shakira really seems to be enjoying herself. Since then it seems more like it's for show, although in interviews, etc, she still seems much more personable than other superstars.

I saw Shakira uplugged on TV and just had to get that CD. She has a great voice and it is a pure joy to see her perform. Hope I will be able to visit her live some time.