Bruce Beatlefan (April 20, 2006)

One of the most enjoyable albums imaginable from Sir Paul McCartney, who creates an unforgettable evening by performing superb songs with great zest and reverence, and by bantering with the audience in a way which certainly must have made them feel like part of the show. This CD is full of treasures, including the only recording of a song Paul wrote when he was fourteen ("I Lost My Little Girl"), surprisingly novel (yet faithful) renditions of two Beatles classic ("She's a Woman" and "And I Love Her"), Paul laughingly apologizing and re-starting "We Can Work it Out" when he flubs the second line.

The greatest treasure of all, perhaps, is the realization that Paul had NOT lost his ability to sing with great feeling and from the depths of his soul. These performances, however, come on the songs that he chooses to cover ("Be-Bop-a-Lula", "Blue Moon of Kentucky", "Hi-Heel Sneakers", "Ain't No Sunshine", and "Good Rocking Tonight" are all sung with power and soul. For this Paul McCartney fan, this raises some troubling questions about much of his post-Beatles work, which contains few if any such moments. Did he lose his ability or willingness to write songs like this? If so, he would have saved himself many years of stinging comments and negative reviews if he had spiced his solo albums and Wings albums with more covers like this ones in this collection.

Samy (March 29, 2006)

This was my first unplugged album tio be heard by me... actually this was the best unplugged album ever, paul ofcourse always a step ahead... many other sonwritters and artist did unplugged albums after this on... this particular album joint me for a long time... a big one

Wouldn't know old CD was ever used! (April 22, 2010)

The only thing distinguishing this CD, which was originally issued over 15 years ago, from a brand new one was the lack of cellophane wrapping and all the annoying security tape protecting a CD from being returned to a store after being opened. Otherwise this CD, including cover art booklet, was in absolutely pristine condition. The purchase price of $6.93 which included shipping was well worth it! For those who are Paul McCartney fans, if you don't have this album, be aware it is not available on ITunes. I believe it is Paul McCartney's best live performance ever recorded.

Is the volume too low? (July 9, 2009)

I bought this when it first was released. I even bought several more over the years and while the music and the whole idea of Paul McCartney getting unplugged is brilliant, I have just one complaint: I can hardly hear the music without pumping up the volume. If my ipod, which is connected through my stereo, is set for shuffle and it plays a song from this collection I have to pump up the volume and then the next song comes on blasting. Anytime I've played any of my cd's I always had this issue. Musically, this collection is 5 stars. But I gave it a generous 3 stars because of the volume.

Simple setting, simply great performance! (June 25, 2009)

PAUL MCCARTNEY * UNPLUGGED is the thoroughly enjoyable soundtrack to a 1991 live MTV performance. The musicians and audience have a fine time as Paul and band play a variety of songs, from Beatles standards, to rockabilly to folk and R & B. McCartney's voice is at times a bit unsteady and he gets minor vocal reinforcement on some higher notes (examples: "Every Night" and "I've Just Seen A Face").

Paul''s best with his own catalog, although even here he wasn't immune to forgetting an occasional lyric or word (example: false start on "We Can Work It Out"). The overall effect of this casual set is one wishes to be in the audience so as to better soak up the man's still prodigious charisma. Liner notes included for each track, as are individual band member photos.

This one's a total pleasure and highly recommended!

PLAYLIST--

[4:04] Be-Bop-A-Lula
[1:45] I Lost My Little Girl
[3:16] Here There and Everywhere
[4:21] Blue Moon of Kentucky
[2:48] We Can Work It Out
[3:29] San Francisco Bay Blues
[3:01] I've Just Seen a Face
[3:24] Every Night
[3:39]She's A Woman
[4:08] Hi-Heel Sneakers
[4:17] And I Love Her
[4:02] That Would Be Something
[2:09] Blackbird
[4:05] Ain't No Sunshine
[3:42] Good Rockin' Tonight
[3:46] Singin' the Blues
[2:26] Junk

TOTAL RUNNING TIME -- 58:22

Love It (April 29, 2009)

I feel like I am part of the audiance. He is playful and he sounds great. A must for any Paul Mccartney fan!

McCartney Relaxes (November 12, 2007)

This is one of the best of the many solo live McCartney CD's, if only because of the relaxed nature of it. Done during the period when widely popular MTV Unplugged was near its peak, Paul McCartney tones down the fire for a laid back and cozy run through a few old favorites, and a surprisingly swinging rockabilly groove. Beginning with Gene Vincent's "Be Bop A Lula" and ending with a McCartney obscurity, Paul is obviously having a barrel of fun. His singing is relaxed and unforced, the band is solid and swinging, and there is an element of cheer that really adds to the proceedings.

There are also some clever stories to be told, like the breif explanation of the first song McCartney ever wrote ("I Lost My Little Girl"). He even lets himself have a joke at his own expense, flubbing the opening verse to "I've Just Seen A Face." Coming so soon after the labored production afforded the terrific Flowers in the Dirt, this spartan and loose live show captures the boyishness that is a hallmark of McCartney's best work. "Unplugged" may have started life as a heavily bootlegged item, but it has since become a modest and unheralded gem in McCartney's catalog. (Followed soon after by the almost as good CHOBA B CCCP (Back in the USSR).)