Unplugged
Gilberto Gil
1994
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Unplugged is a seminal work in Gilberto Gil's discography, marking his sixth live album and a significant contribution to Brazilian music. Released in 1994, this work stands as the second release in the prestigious Acústico MTV series in Brazil, and the first to also be made available in video format, setting a precedent for the franchise. The album captures the essence of acoustic performance, following the standard of the North American MTV Unplugged series. Gilberto Gil performs in the classic image of 'banquinho e violão' (stool and acoustic guitar), accompanied by skilled musicians, offering an intimate and stripped-back experience of his repertoire. This minimalist format highlights the depth of his compositions and the versatility of his interpretation.
Recording
The recording of Unplugged took place on 18 January 1994, at Frame studio, in São Paulo, and was entirely produced by MTV Brasil. Released in the same year in various formats such as LP, CD, K7 and VHS, the album initially did not display the broadcaster's or the Acústico MTV series' logo on its cover, aligning with the discreet design of the American version, which focused only on the artist's image under the title Unplugged. The broadcaster's logo, however, was present on the back cover and in the sleeve notes. Only in 2001, with the release of the DVD version, was the official title changed to Acústico MTV: Gilberto Gil, solidifying its identity within the renowned series.
Legacy
The critical reception of Unplugged was extremely positive, consolidating it as a landmark in both the series and the artist's career. Vice magazine elected it as the best album in the Acústico MTV series, a recognition of its artistic quality and cultural impact. Furthermore, Rolling Stone Brasil included Unplugged in its list of one of the 11 best albums of all time, attesting to its lasting relevance and its prominent place in the history of Brazilian music.
Tracks
Podcasts
Arquivo Pessoal - Sons da Minha Prateleira · Daniel Pessoa
O segundo episódio do Podcast - "Arquivo Pessoal - Sons da Minha Prateleira" fala sobre o álbum "Unplugged", maravilhoso acústico MTV do Gilberto Gil.
Films
Gilberto Gil Antologia Vol.1
2019
The documentary goes through works composed by the Bahian musician between 1968 and 1987. Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil, one of the most well-known members of the Tropicália generations, revisits some of his most famous works on this documentary.
Gilberto Gil: Tempo Rei
1996
Tempo Rei is the first audiovisual record of Gilberto Gil's vast work, celebrating the artist's thirty-year career, celebrated in 1996. Gil recalls his artistic trajectory, recalls striking facts and reveals some intimacies. Completely filmed on film, it includes great successes of the artist like Madalena, Cores Vivas, Vamos Fugir, Procissão and Expresso 2222.
Amor e Sorte com Gilberto Gil
2020
The music and poetry of Gilberto Gil in the voices of different generations of artists and his wisdom in his own voice.
Books
Os 500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The largest Brazilian music election ever conducted: 162 specialists, spanning journalists, critics, musicians, producers and podcasters, each nominated 50 essential albums, supported by a masterlist of more than 2,000 works. Led by Ricardo Alexandre with tabulation by Sérgio Jomori, it was published in December 2022 as a 200-page hardcover book with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Gilberto bem perto
Gilberto Gil, Regina Zappa · 2013
This is a biography/autobiography of Gilberto Gil, co-written with Regina Zappa. The work explores the artist's life and career, from his Bahian roots and role in Tropicália to his tenure as Minister of Culture, certainly addressing his discography and notable projects, such as the album 'Unplugged'.
Analyses
Unplugged – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Álbum Acústico MTV de Gilberto Gil ganha versão especial em vinil
rollingstone.com.br
Titled Gil Unplugged, the album is released as a double vinyl, celebrating a milestone in Brazilian music and the acclaimed career of one of the country's greatest artists.
DISCOFILIA: [1994] Unplugged
meublogdediscos.blogspot.com
31/10/2020 [1994] Unplugged 21st LP by singer GILBERTO GIL, recorded live SIDE A 1 - A NOVIDADE By: Herbert Vianna / Bi Ribeiro / João Barone / Gilberto Gil 2 - REALCE By: Gilberto Gil 3 - ESOTÉRICO By: Gilberto Gil 4 - BEIRA MAR By: Gilberto Gil / Caetano Veloso 5 - SAMPA By: Caetano Veloso SIDE B 1 - TEMPO REI By: Gilberto Gil
"Gil Unplugged", álbum acústico de Gilberto Gil ganha edição especial ...
folhape.com.br
Gilberto Gil's album "Acústico MTV", released in 1994 by Warner Music, received a special vinyl edition through the Rocinante Três Selos licensing project.
G. Álbuns: Gilberto Gil | Unplugged (1994) » Na Mira do Groove
namiradogroove.com.br
The greatest contribution of this live album recorded in 1994 is to show Brazilians the power of Gilberto Gil's music. The message is clear, direct, and comprehensive: with Unplugged, you easily discover why we must acclaim an artist like him.
