The MTV Unplugged shows have become giant promotional productions where there sometimes are more musicians onstage than there are on the performers
usual sets. Rarely do artists perform in the early "bare bones"
format, with microphones instead of cables. Today "Unplugged"
is basically a huge show with acoustic instruments actually plugged in, and sometimes even electric instruments
guest in, such as in Babyface's Unplugged , where Eric Clapton appeared with his Fender Stratocaster. I miss the old days, and
that's why I enjoyed this album.
Paul McCartney participated in the early days of the program, in 1991. He played acoustic guitar and was backed
by his usual touring band then, which included his late
wife, Linda.
It was a great show. McCartney kicks off with a tribute to Gene Vincent via "Be Bop A Lula", the late rocker's
greatest hit. He then moves on and shows us his first composition,written even before The Beatles,
when he was 14, "I Lost My Little Girl". The rest of the programme is basically composed of Paul McCartney early solo
material plus Beatles favorites and songs he is fond of. A highlight is
"Aint no Sunshine" sung by Hamish Stuart with drums played by Paul and all other musicians
(except Linda) playing different instruments. Another great moment in Jesse Fuller's "San Francisco Bay", which preceded Eric
Clapton's Unplugged version by a year.
A great record not only for McCartney fans but for people who appreciate
good music.
Links
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Paul McCartney's Official Homepage
