Alice in Chains, Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett, Mariah Carey Unplugged Deluxe Editions Due Sept. 18
For those of you who couldn’t get all the way to the bottom of my earlier indulgent-yet-charming piece, Sony/Legacy is preparing to re-release four classic Unplugged albums Sept. 18.
Alice in Chains, Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett, and Mariah Carey’s Unplugged albums will all be re-released accompanied by a DVD with bonus features.
Here is a quick rundown of the additional material on each set:
- Alice in Chains: DVD will include “Frogs,” “Angry Chair” and “The Killer Is Me.”
- Bob Dylan: CD adds “Dignity.” DVD adds “Tombstone Blues,” “John Brown,” and “Desolation Row.”
- Tony Bennett: CD adds “(Just a) Little Street Where Old Friends Meet” and “When Do the Bells Ring for Me.” DVD adds a video for “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” and interviews with Bennett and Elvis Costello.
I mentioned in that earlier piece I was surprised Eric Clapton’s performance isn’t included in these re-issues because of how popular it was at the time in ‘91 or ‘92… until I remembered that Clapton is not a Sony artist.
For Alice fans, any scrap of new music or previously unreleased footage is welcome. Aside from the obvious human tragedy, one of the saddest aspects of the AiC saga is that they weren’t able to release an amount of music on par with their immense talents. When Unplugged was filmed in ‘96, it was the band’s first show in three years. Few, if any, followed (I can’t remember if the couple shows they did opening for KISS on their first reunion tour were before or after Unplugged).
That layoff only makes the Unplugged performance that much more amazing and all the more sad. For one night, Layne was able to channel his energies into his music. For one night, the songs of Alice in Chains were served by their creators. Their performance was beautiful, poignant, and magnetic. It’s sad and frustrating that nights like this didn’t happen more often.
Filed under: Alice in Chains, Bob Dylan, Seasons of Churn
Agreed on the AIC set, Sir Josh. Beautiful performance that was. The Dylan one is one of only about six Dylan albums i don’t own, so i’ll probably take the chance now to pick it up. Wish to God they’d release Nirvana’s unplugged on DVD. single best Unplugged performance ever given, that right there.
Yes, Duke, it was just magical which makes the whole sad affair that much more heartbreaking.
The Dylan Unplugged was good. His life performances are so difficult to gauge so I can’t say much more than that. You won’t be wasting your money, that’s for sure. “Desolation Row” makes it all worthwhile for me. One of the greatest thrills of my life was hearing him perform that in Nashville the one time I got to see him on the “Love & Theft” tour.
[...] and a great album title. It also sums up my feelings after doing a bit of research into the supposed deluxe versions of those four Unplugged albums I mentioned last [...]
I know everyone loves that Nirvana set and it is powerful upon reflection with all that took place, but there were so many other priceless moments that don’t get enough mention, so please indulge my hijacking of this site.
I was impressed by Great White’s “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You,” Tesla’s “Signs,” Stevie Ray Vaughn “Pride and Joy” and The Cure set. Tony Bennett’s set started my deep infatuation with his voice. On one song he goes completely unplugged and forgoes a mike.
I have half-guitar shaped book that covers each show and the Unplugged Collection Vol 1 CD. Of course, there were no others, the bastards!
and it selfishly pains me to no end that Jane’s Addiction was scheduled and flaked. They would have kicked ass.