MTV Unplugged is a 1993 live album and video by American alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs, recorded for the MTV Unplugged series. The album was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and spawned the hit single "Because the Night", a cover of the song written by Patti Smith and Bruce Springsteen. Between the recording and release of the album, vocalist Natalie Merchant left the band to pursue a solo career.
MTV Unplugged | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Live album by | ||||
Released | October 26, 1993[1] | |||
Recorded | April 21, 1993 | |||
Venue | Sony Music, New York City | |||
Genre | Alternative rock, folk rock, soft rock | |||
Length | 60:03 | |||
Language | English | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Producer | Paul Fox | |||
10,000 Maniacs chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from MTV Unplugged | ||||
|
Many songs were recorded during the performance that were not included on the album. These included four takes of "How You've Grown" and a brief take of "Puff the Magic Dragon". In addition, three songs were performed with David Byrne as a guest singer: two takes of "Let the Mystery Be" (one of which was released as a B-side to "Few and Far Between" and reissued on Campfire Songs: The Popular, Obscure and Unknown Recordings of 10,000 Maniacs), Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and "Dallas".
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
Entertainment Weekly | B− link |
Q | link |
Rolling Stone | link |
The album debuted at its No. 13 peak and spent 45 weeks on the Billboard charts.[2] In December 1997, it was certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA.[3]
The single release "Because the Night" reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,[4] two positions higher than Patti Smith's original version in 1978.[5] It remains the band's biggest hit.
Cassette/CD
LaserDisc/VHS
10,000 Maniacs
Additional musicians
Technical
For MTV