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Unplugged (The Official Bootleg)
Encyclopedia
Unplugged is a live unplugged
performance by Paul McCartney
, recorded and released in 1991. Following the vastness of his world tour recently captured on Tripping the Live Fantastic
, McCartney relished the opportunity to strip back his songs and appear on the newly-launched acoustic-only show. Consequently, McCartney was among the first in a long line of artists to release an unplugged album.
Unlike other artists who appeared on the acclaimed show with acoustic instruments plugged into amplifiers (producing the sound heard), McCartney's instruments were 100% unplugged. Microphones were carefully placed close to guitars, pianos, etc. to pick up the sound (this can be seen on the album, where a large rectangular microphone can be seen in front of McCartney's acoustic guitar).
Using the same line-up that recently backed him (save for Blair Cunningham who had replaced Chris Whitten), McCartney used the opportunity to dust off some of his more rare tracks, including three from his 1970 debut album McCartney
, alongside some obscure covers amid a helping of familiar Beatles hits.
With McCartney in a loose and carefree context, critical response to Unplugged (The Official Bootleg) was very warm.
Initially released in a limited edition run in 1991, Unplugged (The Official Bootleg)—with artwork that recalls CHOBA B CCCPs—was reissued in a more permanent fashion in the late 1990s. Upon its original issue, it reached #7 in the UK and became McCartney's highest peaking US album in almost ten years, reaching #14.
This recording was one of the first in the famed MTV Unplugged
series.
Several tracks performed in the show were not included on the album, as follows: "Things We Said Today
", "Midnight Special
", "Matchbox
", "Mean Woman Blues
" and "The Fool".
Among numbers rehearsed by the band but not performed at all, include: "Mother Nature's Son
", "Figure of Eight
", "Cut Across Shorty
", "Heartbreak Hotel
", "Heart of the Country
", "She's My Baby
", and "Mrs Vandebilt
".
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
performance by Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, recorded and released in 1991. Following the vastness of his world tour recently captured on Tripping the Live Fantastic
Tripping the Live Fantastic
Tripping the Live Fantastic is Paul McCartney's first official live album and his first release of concert material since Wings' 1976 Wings over America live package. It was released in 1990 as triple LP, double cassette and double CD. Tripping the Live Fantastic reached #16 in the UK and #26 in...
, McCartney relished the opportunity to strip back his songs and appear on the newly-launched acoustic-only show. Consequently, McCartney was among the first in a long line of artists to release an unplugged album.
Unlike other artists who appeared on the acclaimed show with acoustic instruments plugged into amplifiers (producing the sound heard), McCartney's instruments were 100% unplugged. Microphones were carefully placed close to guitars, pianos, etc. to pick up the sound (this can be seen on the album, where a large rectangular microphone can be seen in front of McCartney's acoustic guitar).
Using the same line-up that recently backed him (save for Blair Cunningham who had replaced Chris Whitten), McCartney used the opportunity to dust off some of his more rare tracks, including three from his 1970 debut album McCartney
McCartney (album)
McCartney is the debut solo album by Paul McCartney. Apart from Linda McCartney's vocal contributions, McCartney performed the entire album solo...
, alongside some obscure covers amid a helping of familiar Beatles hits.
With McCartney in a loose and carefree context, critical response to Unplugged (The Official Bootleg) was very warm.
Initially released in a limited edition run in 1991, Unplugged (The Official Bootleg)—with artwork that recalls CHOBA B CCCPs—was reissued in a more permanent fashion in the late 1990s. Upon its original issue, it reached #7 in the UK and became McCartney's highest peaking US album in almost ten years, reaching #14.
This recording was one of the first in the famed MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
series.
Several tracks performed in the show were not included on the album, as follows: "Things We Said Today
Things We Said Today
"Things We Said Today" is a song by The Beatles written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. It was composed for the film A Hard Day's Night and appears on the soundtrack album...
", "Midnight Special
Midnight Special (song)
"Midnight Special" is a traditional folk song thought to have originated among prisoners in the American South. The title comes from the refrain which refers to the Midnight Special and its "ever-loving light" ....
", "Matchbox
Matchbox (song)
"Matchbox" is a rock and roll and rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and first recorded by him at Sun Records in December 1956 and released on February 11, 1957 as a 45 single on Sun Records. It has become one of Perkins' best-known recordings...
", "Mean Woman Blues
Mean Woman Blues
"Mean Woman Blues" is a 12-bar blues song written by Claude Demetrius. It was recorded by Elvis Presley as part of the soundtrack for his 1957 motion picture, Loving You. Presley also released the song on Side 2 of a four-song EP record...
" and "The Fool".
Among numbers rehearsed by the band but not performed at all, include: "Mother Nature's Son
Mother Nature's Son
"Mother Nature's Son" is a Lennon–McCartney song, written primarily by Paul McCartney and released by The Beatles on The Beatles . It was inspired by a lecture given by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi while the Beatles were in India. The same lecture inspired Lennon's unreleased song "Child of Nature",...
", "Figure of Eight
Figure of Eight (song)
"Figure of Eight" is a single from Paul McCartney's 1989 album, Flowers in the Dirt. The song reached number 42 on the UK singles chart.- Track listings :This song was released as a 7" single, a 12" maxi-single, and a CD single.7" single...
", "Cut Across Shorty
Cut Across Shorty
"Cut Across Shorty" is a song written by Marijohn Wilkin and Wayne P. Walker, made popular by Eddie Cochran. It was the B-side of his number 1 UK hit Three Steps To Heaven.-Personnel:* Eddie Cochran: vocal and rhythm guitar* Sonny Curtis: guitar...
", "Heartbreak Hotel
Heartbreak Hotel
"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by American rock and roll musician Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor. His first number-one pop record, "Heartbreak Hotel" topped Billboards Top 100 chart, became his first...
", "Heart of the Country
Heart of the Country (song)
"Heart of the Country" is a song written by Paul and Linda McCartney from their album Ram released in 1971. The song has simple acoustic tune with a heavy bass chorus, and an unusually mellow sound to the acoustic guitar that was achieved by tuning all of the strings a full step lower than...
", "She's My Baby
Wings at the Speed of Sound
Wings at the Speed of Sound is the fifth album by Wings and was recorded and issued in 1976 in the midst of a large world tour as the follow-up album to the popular Venus and Mars.- History :...
", and "Mrs Vandebilt
Mrs Vandebilt
"Mrs Vandebilt" is a song by Paul McCartney & Wings from the album Band on the Run. The track was not issued as a single in the UK or US, but was a single in Continental Europe and Australia....
".
Personnel
- Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
: Acoustic guitar, drums, vocals. - Linda McCartneyLinda McCartneyLinda Louise McCartney, Lady McCartney was an American photographer, musician and animal rights activist. Her father and mother were Lee Eastman and Louise Sara Lindner Eastman....
: Piano, Indian harmonium, percussion, vocals. - Hamish StuartHamish StuartHamish Stuart is a guitarist, bassist, singer, composer and record producer.- Biography :Stuart had recorded a couple of singles with his first band, the Dream Police, before he was invited to join the recently formed Average White Band in June 1972.A member of AWB from 1972 to 1982, he went on to...
: Acoustic bass guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals. - Robbie McIntoshRobbie McIntoshRobbie McIntosh is an English guitarist. McIntosh is well known as a session guitarist and member of The Pretenders from 1982 until 1987. In 1988 he began doing session guitar work for Paul McCartney joining his band full time until early 1994...
: Acoustic guitars, piano, dobro, vocals. - Paul "Wix" WickensPaul WickensPaul "Wix" Wickens is a keyboardist and composer from Essex, United Kingdom. Wickens has worked with musicians such as Paul McCartney, Nik Kershaw, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Bon Jovi and many other artists. Wickens has been a member of McCartney's touring band since 1989.-Career:Wickens began...
: Piano, keyboards, accordion, percussion, acoustic bass guitar, vocals. - Blair CunninghamBlair CunninghamBlair Cunningham is a drummer who has played with Haircut One Hundred, The Pretenders, Paul McCartney, Alison Moyet, Sade, Paul Rutherford, the Indigo Girls, Roxy Music, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Mick Jagger, Ray Davis, Andy Taylor, Marius Müller-Westernhagen, Kevin Rowland and The Big Dish...
: Drums and percussion.