MTV Unplugged (Mariah Carey EP)
MTV Unplugged | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Astoria, New York) | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 28:45 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer | ||||
Mariah Carey chronology | ||||
| ||||
Mariah Carey video chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from MTV Unplugged | ||||
|
MTV Unplugged is a
Upon release, the EP garnered generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom complimented Carey's vocals. Commercially, the album was a success, peaking at number three on the US Billboard 200, and was certified 4× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of two million copies within the United States. Additionally, the EP experienced strong success in several international markets, such as the Netherlands and New Zealand, where it reached number one and were certified 2× Platinum. MTV Unplugged peaked within the top-five in the United Kingdom, and in the-top ten in Australia and Canada.
"I'll Be There" was chosen as the lead single from the album. Due to its critical success until that point, it was released one month before its parent EP, eventually becoming Carey's sixth chart-topper in the United States, and one of the few songs to do so by two different acts. Globally, the song was successful, topping the charts in Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand, as well as reaching the top-five in Ireland and the United Kingdom. After its success, "If It's Over", a song from Carey's second studio effort Emotions was released, due to its exposure on the show and EP.
Background
After the release of Carey's second
Synopsis
Carey's performance was recorded on March 16, 1992, at
The show began with the song "
The next song on the set-list was "If It's Over", a collaboration with Carole King. Walter Afanasieff replaced Cole on the piano, during which time a set of five male musicians were brought on stage.[4] They were Lew Delgado, baritone saxophone; Lenny Pickett, tenor saxophone; George Young, alto saxophone; Earl Gardner, trumpet; and Steve Turre, trombone.[4] They had been present during Carey's live performance of the song on Saturday Night Live a few months prior. As Carey introduced the song, she said "this next song I wrote with one of my idols, Carole King", beginning the performance shortly after.[4]
For "Someday", Cole returned to the stage, replacing Afanasieff on the keyboard.[5] During the song, Carey would often place her index finger over her left ear, especially while using the whistle register.[5] She later explained to the audience that it would help her in hearing herself more precisely, something needed to properly execute a higher ranged note.[5]
Once again, as Carey began "Vision of Love", her "first single ever", Afansieff swapped positions with Cole.[6] The performance varied heavily from the studio version, as it was more low key and only used voices in a cappella form, without any heavy instrumentation.[6] Prior to beginning the fifth song on the set-list, "Make It Happen", Afanasieff shared the organ with Cole, playing the bass while the latter handled the treble.[6] After the song began, the back-up began "piling their vocals" over Carey's, according to author Chris Nickson, and allowed the song to attain a more "churchy feel".[6] He felt the song was superior to the studio version, due to its stripped performance and vocals:
"The roughness of this version succeeded in a way the recorded version on 'Emotions' could never manage. In the sterile atmosphere of a studio, where perfection, technology, and overdubbing were the rules, spontaneity had no place. On the stage, it was valued, and this performance had it. Everyone pushed everyone just a little further, to create something wonderful, and judging by the response, the audience realized it, as did Mariah when the song was finished."[6]
Soon after completing "Make It Happen", Carey eagerly presented the final song on the set list, "I'll Be There". The way the song was arranged, Carey took Michael Jackson's lead, while Trey Lorenz sang the second lead, originally sung by Jermaine Jackson.[7] After performing the song alongside a very simple arrangement and minimal instrumentals, the back-up singers began humming to the tune of "Can't Let Go", leading Carey to present "another final" song for the show.[7] Several days after the concert, Carey sat down with Melinda Newman from Billboard, telling her of the experience recording the show, as well as her view on it from a creative perspective.[7] She said "Unplugged taught me a lot about myself because I tend to nitpick everything I do and make it a bit too perfect because I'm a perfectionist. I'll always go over the raw stuff, and now I've gotten to the point where I understand the raw stuff is usually better."[7]
Release
Originally,
Video
After the success of the EP's lead single "I'll Be There", Sony chose to release not only the EP, but a VHS accompaniment package; a video of the actual concert titled MTV Unplugged +3.[8] Aside from featuring the seven song's performed at Kaufman Astoria Studios, it held three music videos; "Can't Let Go", "Make It Happen", and a rare remix version and video of "Emotions".[8] The video peaked atop the Billboard video chart, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA, denoting shipments of 100,000 units throughout the United States.[10]
MTV Unplugged +3 garnered generally positive reviews from music critics.
Singles
After the decision to release the EP was made, Sony decided to release Carey's live version of "I'll Be There" as the only single, due to its critical success.[8] The song debuted at number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Carey's highest debut on the chart at the time.[8] After four weeks, the song topped the chart, becoming Carey's sixth number one song in the United States, and spending two weeks there.[15] Its success across the globe was strong, peaking at number one in Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand; as well as reaching number two and three in the United Kingdom and Ireland, respectively; it also reached the top-ten in Australia, Belgium, Norway and Poland.[16][17][18][19][20] "I'll Be There" was certified Gold by both the Australian Recording Industry Association and Recording Industry Association of New Zealand, denoting shipments of 35,000 and 7,500 units of the song in their respective countries.[21][22] After its success, "If It's Over", a song from Carey's second studio effort Emotions was released, due to its exposure on the show and EP. It was given a very limited release, and only charted in Australia and the Netherlands, peaking at numbers 115 and 80, respectively.[23]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
St. Petersburg Times | (favorable)[12] |
MTV Unplugged garnered generally positive reviews from music critics.
Commercial performance
North America
MTV Unplugged debuted at number eight on the US
Europe and Oceania
Outside the United States, the album experienced success in several European markets. In Austria, MTV Unplugged entered the albums chart at number thirty-nine, eventually peaking number twenty-one and spending a total of ten weeks on the chart.
In Australia, the album debuted at number thirty-four on the
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | " David Cole | 4:00 | |
2. | "If It's Over" |
| 3:48 |
3. | "Someday" |
| 3:57 |
4. | "Vision of Love" |
| 3:36 |
5. | "Make It Happen" |
| 4:16 |
6. | "I'll Be There" (featuring Trey Lorenz) |
| 4:42 |
7. | "Can't Let Go" |
| 4:35 |
Total length: | 28:45 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
8. | "Make It Happen" (music video) | 5:27 |
9. | "Can't Let Go" (music video) | 3:49 |
10. | "Emotions" (12" club video edit) | 4:58 |
Personnel
Credits for MTV Unplugged adapted from AllMusic.[44]
- Mariah Carey – arranger, producer, vocals
- Walter Afanasieff – arranger, piano, producer
- Vernon "Ice" Black – guitar
- Henry Casper – background vocals
- David Cole– piano
- Laura Corcos – strings
- Melonie Daniels – background vocals
- Lew Del Gatto – baritone saxophone
- Darryl Douglass Workshop Company – background vocals
- Sammy Figueroa – percussion
- Earl Gardner – trumpet
- Winterton Garvey – strings
- Greg "Gigi" Gonaway – Drums
- Peggy Harley – background vocals
- David Hewitt – engineer
- Cecilia Hobbs – strings
- bass
- Ren Klyce –
- Trey Lorenz – vocals
- Patrique McMillian – vocals
- Geno Morris – vocals
- Peter Moshay – production coordination
- Lenny Pickett – tenor saxophone
- Cheree Price – background vocals
- Kelly Price – background vocals
- Dan Shea – harmonium, harpsichord
- Liz Stewart – background vocals
- Steve Turre – trombone
- Spencer Washington – background vocals
- Belinda Whitney-Barratt – strings
- George Young – alto saxophone
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications and sales
‹See Tfd›‹See Tfd›Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[76] | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[77] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
France ( SNEP)[78]
|
2× Gold | 200,000* |
Japan | — | 500,000[79] |
Netherlands (NVPI)[80] | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[81] | Gold | 7,500^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[82] | Gold | 25,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[83] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[28] | 4× Platinum | 2,800,000[29] |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide | — | 7,000,000[79] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
- ^ a b c Nickson 1998, p. 70
- ^ a b c Nickson 1998, p. 71
- ^ a b c d e f Nickson 1998, p. 72
- ^ a b c Nickson 1998, p. 73
- ^ a b c Nickson 1998, p. 74
- ^ a b c d e Nickson 1998, p. 75
- ^ a b c d Nickson 1998, p. 76
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Nickson 1998, pp. 78–79
- ^ "Mariah Carey: MTV Unplugged +3". iTunes. December 31, 1992. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ "American video certifications – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Rovi Corporation. Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
- ^ St. Petersburg Times. Times Publishing Company. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
- ^ a b c Pareles, Jon (December 13, 1993). "Review/Pop; Venturing Outside the Studio, Mariah Carey Proves Her Mettle". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 28, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ Time Warner. December 25, 1992. Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
- ^ Macrovision. Archivedfrom the original on October 14, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
- ^ "Top Singles – Volume 56, No. 2, July 11, 1992". RPM. July 11, 1992. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ^ "Mariah Carey: I'll Be There". Dutch Top 40 (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- New Zealand Singles Chart. Hung Medien. Archivedfrom the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- ^ "Search The Charts". The Irish Charts. Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on June 9, 2009. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "UK Charts > Mariah Carey". The Official Charts Company. British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
- ^ a b c Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8.
- ^ "Mariah Carey: If It's Over". Dutch Top 40 (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- ^ Hunt, Dennis (June 21, 1992). "In Brief". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (March 2, 1993). "The 1992 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
- ^ Antczak, John (January 8, 1993). "Clapton leads the pack of Grammy nominees". Deseret News. Deseret News Publishing Company. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
- ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (September 29, 2001). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
{{cite book}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b "American album certifications – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
- ^ a b Trust, Gary (November 18, 2018). "Ask Billboard: Mariah Carey's Career Sales, Ariana Grande Fun Facts & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 56, No. 1, June 20, 1992". RPM. June 20, 1992. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 56, No. 5, August 01 1992". RPM. August 1, 1992. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 56, No. 22, November 28, 1992". RPM. November 28, 1992. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
- Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the originalon March 16, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
- ^ "Mariah Carey: MTV Unplugged". Austrian Albums Chart (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on November 25, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- ^ a b "Les "Charts Runs" de chaque Album Classé" (in French). InfoDisc. Archived from the original on April 30, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Dutchcharts.nl – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Dutch Certifications Database – Mariah Carey" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
- Swiss Music Charts (in German). Hung Medien. Archivedfrom the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- ^ "Awards: Mariah Carey". Swiss Music Charts. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
- ^ "Top 40 Official UK Albums Archive". Official Charts Company. July 18, 1992. Archived from the original on January 23, 2018. Retrieved November 28, 2010.
- ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
- ^ a b "Mariah Carey: MTV Unplugged". ARIA Charts (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- ^ a b "Charts.nz – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged: Credits". Allmusic. All Media Guide. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 2023". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ISBN 1-896594-14-X.
- ^ a b "Top 10 Sales in Europe". Music & Media. August 1, 1992. p. 32.
- ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. p. 43. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "マライア・キャリーのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Top 200 Pop Albums". Cash Box. June 27, 1992. p. 14 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Top 75 R&B Albums". Cash Box. August 29, 1992. p. 11 – via Internet Archive.
- GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "Top-75 Albums Sales Chart (Combined) – Week 18/2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
- ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Vinyl Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Albums 1992". ARIA. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Eurochart Top 100 Albums". Music & Media. December 19, 1992. p. 17.
- ^ "1992年 アルバム年間TOP100" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1992". RIANZ. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ a b "1992 Year-end Charts" (PDF). Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1993" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1994" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on September 20, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts 1994" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1995" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2019 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP". Music Canada. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ "French album certifications – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved November 26, 2021. Select MARIAH CAREY and click OK.
- ^ a b "Top > Discography > MTV Unplugged" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. June 24, 2015. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved August 31, 2017. Enter MTV Unplugged EP in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1994 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP". Recorded Music NZ.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('MTV Unplugged')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
- ^ "British album certifications – Mariah Carey – MTV Unplugged EP". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
Works cited
- Nickson, Chris (1998). Mariah Carey revisited: her story. ISBN 978-0-312-19512-0.