The Unplugged Collection, Volume One

The Unplugged Collection, Volume One is a compilation of performances taken from MTV Unplugged featuring sixteen artists – including R.E.M., k.d. lang, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Soul Asylum.[1]

The Unplugged Collection, Volume One
Compilation album by
Various Artists
ReleasedDecember 6, 1994
Recorded1989–1993
Genre
Length72:58
LabelWarner Records
ProducerVarious Artists
Various Artists chronology
The Unplugged Collection, Volume One
(1994)		 The Very Best Of MTV Unplugged, Vol. 1
(2003)

The songs were culled from the artists' appearances on the show in the 1990s. Individual songs also appeared on the artists' own albums, such as Eric Clapton's Unplugged, Rod Stewart's Unplugged...and Seated, 10,000 Maniacs' MTV Unplugged, Paul McCartney's Unplugged (The Official Bootleg), and Annie Lennox's Cold. Colder. Coldest.

Reception

On its release, the blues and rock compilation received mixed reviews, with some calling it slapdash,[2] "short on innovation",[1] with "mediocre, uninspired efforts".[3] Some criticism focused on the song selection and the quality of the recordings.[2] However, reaction to the album, and the performances may be a reflection of negative views held towards MTV itself more than the artists.[2] In keeping with MTVs perceived preference of showcasing male artists, only three of the sixteen performers were female.[4]

According to Spin's James Hunter, Annie Lennox, "sings 'Why,' the best thing she has ever done," Elton John and Paul Simon give "completely realized" performances and Rod Stewart "sings the shit"[5] out of "Gasoline Alley" (the title track of his eponymous 1972 album, co-written with Ronnie Wood).[6] Neil Young rescores "Like a Hurricane" using harmonica and pump organ.[5] On McCartney's "We Can Work It Out", a performance mistake is left in the recording;[2] Hunter characterizes McCartney as being "tickled by the wonderful informality of it all."[5]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)PerformerLength
1."Pride and Joy"Stevie Ray VaughanStevie Ray Vaughan3:49
2."Before You Accuse Me"Ellas McDanielEric Clapton3:45
3."Are You Gonna Go My Way"
Lenny Kravitz6:25
4."Somebody to Shove"Dave PirnerSoul Asylum3:43
5."Barefoot"
k.d. lang3:54
6."Graceland"Paul SimonPaul Simon5:11
7."Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
Elton John6:48
8."Like a Hurricane"Neil YoungNeil Young4:44
9."Gasoline Alley"
Rod Stewart3:39
10."Pink Houses"John MellencampJohn Mellencamp5:21
11."We Can Work It Out"
Paul McCartney2:57
12."Deep Dark Truthful Mirror"Declan MacManusElvis Costello & The Rude 54:51
13."Come Rain or Come Shine"
Don Henley3:46
14."Why"Annie LennoxAnnie Lennox4:59
15."Don't Talk"
10,000 Maniacs5:26
16."Half A World Away"
R.E.M.3:40
Total length:72:58

Charts and certifications

References
  1. Sinclair, Tom (December 16, 1994). "The Unplugged Collection, Volume One". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  2. Wilker, Deborah (December 29, 1994). "Uneven 'Unplugged' Compilation Lacks Unity". Sun-Sentinel.
  3. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Unplugged Collection, Vol. 1". AllMusic. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  4. Rodman, Gilbert B. (October 18, 2013). "Elvis After Elvis: The Posthumous Career of a Living Legend". Routledge. p. 209. ISBN 9781136155130.
  5. Hunter, James (February 1995). "The Unplugged Collection, Volume One". Spin: 75–6. [The collection's goals] are to "prove that these songs happened".
  6. Lifton, Dave (June 15, 2015). "45 Years Ago: Rod Stewart Nearly Captures Magic with 'Gasoline Alley'". UCR.
  7. "Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. January 21, 1995 – via Google Books.
  8. "American album certifications – Various – Unplugged Collection, Volume One". Recording Industry Association of America.
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