Official Unplugged releases

I'm a little confused as to what is an official release of Unplugged concerts.

I'm interested in Sting, Guns n Roses, REM, Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Elton John, Chris Issak and Bryan Adams.

Were any of these released on official vinyl or cd (preferably vinyl)?

 

As far as I know, and that ain't much, so there is the possibility there might be other releases, the Bryan Adams is the only one that was "officially" released by an artists and their respective record label. I have it and it doesn't sound bad. Some of the others that you asked about do exist as boots and I am stating that for information purposes only. If any of the others exist officially I would like to know also.

 

A number of Unplugged performances by Sting and REM have shown up as bonus tracks on various import CD singles. I don't recall ever seeing any legit releases by the other artists you mention, but they may be out there.

 

I don't recall there ever being an actual GNR unplugged performance on MTV. There is obviously the Lies Lies Lies CD with 4 acoustic cuts. There is also a bootleg out there that has unplugged versions of those 4 cuts and a few others. I think one is "Dead Flowers" by The Stones.

 

I believe one song from Elton's performance appeared on the officially released Unplugged Volume 1 compilation.

 

All the artists in my first post appear on the two "Very Best of Unplugged" cd's. I have been searching for whole Unplugged albums by these artists.

 

Just:
Bryan Adams
Sting (home video only)
The artists (except for Bryan Adams and Sting) you mentioned have not officially released any Unplugged CD's. You can download a lot of it off of the internet (Kazaa Lite, Grokster, etc) or by boots. If you go to amazon.com and type in unplugged most of the Unplugged CD's will come right up if you are looking for other artists you haven't mentioned.

 

That's right--"Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" is on that collection.

 

I've always been a huge fan of the 'Unplugged' series. These two various artist releases from the UK are fantastic. The sound quality is top-notch. Unplugged Vol. 2 comes with a nice slipcase over the CD aswell.

Vol. 1:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...97412/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_3_2/202-1220454-0478252


Vol. 2:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...97412/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_3_1/202-1220454-0478252

 

I believe only one song from REM's MTV Unplugged broadcast was commercially released--"Love Is All Around," on the "This Film Is On" video.

Mark

 

Anyone know why they never released the Stevie Ray Unplugged show. I remember it being very impressive.

 

I could be wrong here, but Annie Lennox had a bunch of live songs spread across the b-sides of a 3 part UK cd single. Wasn't this an Unplugged? The singles are not accesible to me now.

 

Answering my question: It was the 3 part single of "Cold". It looks like all three are for sale here for 25.00 - buy it now!

http://www.musicmachine.com/lennox.htm

 

Mike, Music Machine went bankrupt a year ago. Skip from Yesterday & Today bought all his remaining vinyl. I'm surprised that MM's web site still exists.

 

That's what's so frustrating about the net, I think I found a goldmine but it is only iron pyrite - fools gold! Yesterday, I thought I found a bunch of out of print cd's at www.jazsound.com, but when I called they didn't have any of them in stock. The hunt continues ...

 

Don't forget that Paul McCartney's Unplugged performance was released as an "Official Bootleg" CD about twelve years ago. Darn fine show, as well.

 

This is probably not a complete list, but here are some of the "Unplugged" episodes that have been legitimately issued, with the year of release. If I know of a vinyl version I'll indicate it.

Bryan Adams -- 1997
Alice in Chains -- 1996
Arrested Development -- 1993
Babyface -- 1997
Tony Bennett -- 1994
Mariah Carey -- 1992
Eric Clapton (vinyl: import only) -- 1992
Dashboard Confessional -- 2002
Bob Dylan (vinyl) -- 1995
Fantastichen Vier -- 2000
Charly Garcia -- 1995
Lauryn Hill -- 2002
Jay-Z -- 2001
Kiss (vinyl) -- 1996
Illya Kuryaki and the Valderra -- 2001
La Ley -- 2001
Mana -- 1999
Maxwell -- 1997
Paul McCartney (vinyl) -- 1993
Alanis Morrisette -- 1999
Nirvana (vinyl) -- 1994
Ratones Paranoicos -- 2001
Alejandro Sanz -- 2001
Shakira -- 2000
Soda Stereo -- 1996
Bruce Springsteen (vinyl; import only) -- 1993 UK/ 1997 US
Rod Stewart (vinyl: import only) -- 1993
10,000 Maniacs -- 1994
Uptown record label -- 1993
Neil Young (vinyl: import only) -- 1993

 

Geez, Tim, I haven't even heard of half of those bands!

 

Me neither! Evidently, the Spanish-language version of MTV also has "Unplugged"... The Shakira volume might be interesting, because that's from when she was still singing in Spanish.

 

I used to have a tape of the Satriani/Vaughan appearance, but it has since disappeared.

It's funny seeing all the 80s metal bands on there (Ratt, Winger, Great White). I SWEAR I remember seeing a commercial for a Motley Crue Unplugged and it never aired. I could be imagining things, but this was when Motley was at their peak and could have easily done one of them (whether it would be good or not is a different story). Amazing how NONE of these performances end up on the comp CDs. Not cool enough I guess.

Though many here might disagree, Tesla actually started (not created unplugged rock of course) the early 90s Unplugged phenomenon. I remember WAAF in Boston playing their unplugged version of "Signs" recorded in the station studio a million times a day, BEFORE they even recorded the acoustic CD. Even this review of the acoustic CD mentions it was a predecessor of it all:

Tesla - 5 Man Acoustical Jam

 

You will find one song on Unplugged vol. 1 and there's an excerpt on the boxed set but aside from that and precious few airings, that episode is scarce! Another fine and hard to find episode is the Elvis Costello unplugged. I have it on video from what I believe was it's only airing. Any idea why this one only aired one time? It was very cool--I think it was done around the time of Mighty Like A Rose. Elvis has his MLAR beard and plays "So Like Candy" among other tunes. This was a particularly short episode--only around 20 minutes tops but very great!

 

I remember seeing the Sting Unplugged concert on laser disc and wondered why there was no matching CD release. A & M could have put out a special limited editon CD similar to what EMI did with the Paul McCartney and Sony with the Springsteen.

 

Thanks for all the helpful replies everyone, especially Tim.

I've seen this on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=307&item=2516496532&rd=1

Is it an official release?