Legendary rock band Scorpions release ‘MTV Unplugged’ in US on Jan 21

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Scorpions “MTV Unplugged” Trailer

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A band that’s been together for almost 50 years is virtually unheard of, but German hard rock band Scorpion defies those odds. On January 21, 2014, they made another unprecedented move with the release of an audiovisual project containing acoustic performances of fan favorites along with five new songs entitled “MTV Unplugged.” The collaboration between Scorpions and MTV’s “Unplugged” series is being released in the US as a CD with 16 tracks and on DVD/Blu-Ray as deluxe version with 25 tracks. The CD is being sold sold separately or as set with the DVD/Blu-Ray companion and may be purchased on iTunes and Amazon. For a limited time, fans can also stream “MTV Unplugged” on MSN’s Inside Music: Listening Booth and on last.fm.

The songs were recorded live last year on September 11 and 12 at the Lycabettus Theater in Athens, Greece during Scorpions Farewell Tour concert and contain popular hits such as “Rock You Like A Hurricane,” “Send Me An Angel,” and “No One Like You.” The five new tracks are:

1. “Dancing with the Moonlight,”
2. “Delicate Dance,”
3. “Love is the Answer,”
4. “Follow Your Heart,”and
5. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Band.”

“Follow Your Heart” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Band” were only released on DVD/Blu-Ray. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Band” is my favorite uptempo track of the five new songs. Additionally, three of the new tracks are solo performances by Scorpions band members. “Delicate Dance” is an all instrumental solo by guitarist Matthias Jabs. “Love is the Answer” is a smooth solo ballad featuring guitarist and vocalist Rudolf Schenker and is my personal favorite of the new material released on this project. “Follow Your Heart” is a another solo ballad by vocalist and guitarist Klaus Meine.

MTV’s “Unplugged” series has produced some wonderful albums from artists of all genres. Typically in an intimate indoor setting, this was the first time MTV filmed in an open-air venue. The result was nice, it’s as if you are attending one of their concerts on their Farewell Tour which, by the way, is a three years and counting final tour for the Scorpions as a band. For someone who is not a hard rock fan, I found “MTV Unplugged” by Scorpions easier on my music palate. As a sidenote, Jay Z’s “Unplugged” album that he recorded with The Roots is one of my all time favorites.

Scorpions band members are Klause Meine (vocals/guitar), Rudolf Schenker (guitar/vocals), Matthias Jabs (guitars), Pawel Maciwoda (bass), and James Kottak (drums). Swedish musicians/producers Mikael Nord Andersson (guitars, mandolin, lap steel, vocals) and Martin Hansen (guitars, harmonica, vocals) also contributed to the album musically as well did the arrangement for “MTV Unplugged.”

Scorpions Live Performance of “Holiday”

“Holiday” was recorded when Scorpions recorded “MTV Unplugged” in Athens but was not released as part of the album. USA Today released a video of the performance as part of a promotional article for the audiovisual project. Check it out below:

“MTV Unplugged” TRACK LISTING

CD

1. Sting in the Tail
2. Can’t Live Without You
3. The Best is Yet to Come
4. Dancing with the Moonlight
5. Delicate Dance
6. Love is the Answer
7. Follow Your Heart
8. Send Me an Angel
9. Where the River Flows
10. Rock You Like a Hurricane
11. Rock ‘n’ Roll Band
12. Blackout
13. Still Loving You
14. Big City Nights
15. Wind of Change
16. No One Like You

DVD/Blu-Ray

1. Sting in the Tail
2. Can’t Live Without You
3. Pictured Life
4. Speedy’s Coming
5. Born to Touch Your Feelings
6. The Best is Yet to Come
7. Dancing with the Moonling
8. In Trance
9. When You Came Into My Life
10. Delicate Dance
11. Love is the Answer
12. Follow Your Heart
13. Send me an Angel
14. Where the River Flows
15. Passion Rules the Game
16. Rock You Like a Hurricane
17. Hit Between the Eyes
18. Drum-Athenica
19. Rock ‘n’ Roll Band
20. Blackout
21. Still Loving You
22. Big City Nights
23. Wind of Change
24. No One Like You
25. When the Smoke is Going Down

The Scorpions Farewell Tour resumes on March 7 in Madrid, Spain. For more information about Scorpions music, tour dates, and more visit Scorpions official website and Facebook page.

Related Links

• Milwaukee Music Examiner (me!)- German rock band Scorpions release ‘MTV Unplugged’ out today
• USA Today– Scorpions get back to work with video ‘Holiday’
• antiMusic– Scorpions plan MTV Unplugged concert (a top story)
• Courier-Journal– Tune In | Scorpions go ‘Unplugged’ before saying goodbye