Unplugged is a live album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Neil Young, released on June 15, 1993, on Reprise. Recorded on February 7, 1993, the album is an installment of the MTV series, Unplugged. The performance was also released on VHS.
Unplugged | ||||
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Live album by | ||||
Released | June 15, 1993 | |||
Recorded | February 7, 1993 | |||
Venue | Universal Studios, Los Angeles | |||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 65:35 | |||
Label | Reprise | |||
Producer | David Briggs | |||
Neil Young chronology | ||||
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Singles from Unplugged | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Calgary Herald | B+[3] |
NME | 8/10[4] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Background and recording
editThe recording of Unplugged was reportedly rife with tension, with Young displeased with the performances of many of his band members. The released version was his second attempt at recording a set suitable for airing and release.[6]
The track "Stringman" was recorded for Young's notoriously unreleased studio album Chrome Dreams.
Track listing
editAll tracks composed by Neil Young
- "The Old Laughing Lady" – 5:15
- "Mr. Soul" – 3:54
- "World on a String" – 3:02
- "Pocahontas" – 5:06
- "Stringman" (previously unreleased) – 4:01
- "Like a Hurricane" – 4:44
- "The Needle and the Damage Done" – 2:52
- "Helpless" – 5:48
- "Harvest Moon" – 5:20
- "Transformer Man" – 3:36
- "Unknown Legend" – 4:47
- "Look Out for My Love" – 5:57
- "Long May You Run" – 5:22
- "From Hank to Hendrix" – 5:51
In addition to the tracks found on this album, Neil Young performed the following songs live during the performance:
- "Dreamin' Man"
- "Sample and Hold"
- "War of Man"
- "Winterlong"
Personnel
edit- Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, piano, pump organ, lead vocals
- Nils Lofgren – guitar, autoharp, accordion, backing vocals
- Ben Keith – Dobro
- Spooner Oldham – piano, pump organ
- Tim Drummond – bass
- Oscar Butterworth – drums
- Astrid Young – backing vocals
- Nicolette Larson – backing vocals
- Larry Cragg – broom on "Harvest Moon"
Additional roles
- Janet Levinson – art direction & design
- Joel Bernstein – photography
- David Briggs – production, mixing
- Tim Mulligan – mastering
- John Hanlon – mixing, recording
- John Hausmann, John Nowland – mixing
Charts
editChart (1993) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[7] | 19 |
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[8] | 13 |
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[9] | 10 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[10] | 13 |
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[11] | 7 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[12] | 31 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[13] | 16 |
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[14] | 5 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[15] | 8 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] | 25 |
UK Albums (OCC)[17] | 4 |
US Billboard 200[18] | 23 |
Certifications and sales
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[19] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Belgium (BEA)[20] | Gold | 25,000* |
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[22] | Gold | 500,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^ "Neil Young singles & EP discography". Discogs. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. Unplugged at AllMusic
- ^ Tremblay, Mark (June 20, 1993). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald.
- ^ Frost, Danny (June 12, 1993). "Long Play". NME. p. 35. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ Rolling Stone review
- ^ Jimmy McDonough, 2003, Shakey: Neil Young's Biography, p.669+
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Neil Young – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Neil Young – Unplugged" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 2191". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Neil Young – Unplugged" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit X Y". 2015.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Neil Young – Unplugged" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Neil Young – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Neil Young – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Neil Young – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Neil Young – Unplugged". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "Neil Young Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1996 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – albums 2005". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
- ^ "British album certifications – Neil Young – Unplugged". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
- ^ "American album certifications – Neil Young – Unplugged". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 5 May 2022.