All Rise...

The Charge

MTV's Unplugged features a performance by Lauryn Hill four years after her Grammy Award-winning debut.

The Case

Do you remember back in the day when MTV (Music Television) actually had music as part of their programming? Memories are hazy, for sure, and since MTV has pretty much barred music from their schedule, they've at least claimed the mantle as the pioneers of "reality" TV. I always found one of MTV's greatest achievements to be their "Unplugged" shows, where they took a top band, took away their electric instruments, and had them run through their songlist sans electricity. Memorable performances by Nirvana, R.E.M., and Alice In Chains are a meager sampling of what MTV has brought to television audiences.

Back in 1998, Lauryn Hill debuted her album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," which sold 12 million copies and won five Grammy Awards, after which she disappeared to wherever it is that Grammy winners go. Lauryn's returned with a new set of songs that MTV now features in an Unplugged show.

Song List:

• Mr. Intentional
• Adam Lives in Theory
• Oh Jerusalem
• War in the Mind
• I Find It Hard to Say (Rebel)
• Water
• Just Want You Around
• I Gotta Find Peace of Mind
• Mystery of Iniquity
• I Get Out
• I Remember
• So Much Things to Say
• The Conquering Lion

I can't say I'm a fan of Lauryn Hill, nor do I know too much about her music. After watching this DVD I still can't say I'm a fan of Lauryn Hill, but I know a bit more about Lauryn Hill as a result. Hill's performance is very soulful and personal that resonates with the live audience on this DVD. My only complaint is there are far too many occasions where she stops with the music and delivers a long, heartfelt monologue to her captive audience (with far too many guys falling asleep next to their girlfriends). Come on! Less talk, more rock!

While her music is a little slow for my standards, MTV has managed to preserve her appearance with a quality video and audio presentation that does justice to the standards of an original television broadcast. Additionally, Sony has managed to put chapter breaks in the proper places so each song is instantly accessible, something that is not always considered for musical DVD performances (check out the Freebird: The Movie DVD for an example of how not to chapter break a musical DVD).

If you're a fan of Hill's music, I might suggest picking this DVD up. Me? Give me a Soul Coughing CD instead.

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