Lauryn Hill - MTV Unplugged No. 2.0

Lauryn Hill has loudly (and justifiably) been declared a brilliant artist already in her young career, and MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 will do nothing to dissuade anyone. This double-CD acoustic set contains snippets from her debut album, but most of it is new material that Hill performs with raw, shockingly honest intensity. Coming on the heels of a well-publicized period of depression and unhappiness for the ex-Fugees singer, Hill's reenergized outlook is plainly evident in this stripped-down performance--it's basically just Hill and her unplugged guitar--as well as the highly spiritual nature of the material. Cutting across musical styles from bossa nova ("Just Like Water") to Marley-esque rebel songs ("Oh Jerusalem," "The Conquering Lion," "Freedom Time"), the singer's voice is throaty and rough throughout, giving the performance an earthy, heartfelt pull. It's a deeply personal performance, filled with blistering social commentary and the evils of self-delusion while detailing her ongoing attempt to escape from the public persona her fame has created. In destroying her old artistry, she discovers a new creative force, yielding a mesmerizing and enchanting classic. --Jake Barnes Amazon.com

Great work

This is a great cd. I was reading some of the other reviews and how people talk about how unpolished it is. It is an uplugged album for goodness sakes. I think that is the point. I loved it and I also love her Miseducation cd. She is truly opening her soul on this album. Maybe this album is just for die hard fans which I am. But I absolutely loved it. June 3, 2008

the best of Lauryn Hill

This CD is amazing! She is so talented. She talks about finding her path and being real. The lyrics are beautifully poetic. If you don't believe in god you won't like it. If you do? amazing you can relate to everything she says. I consider it the best of Lauryn Hill. June 2, 2008

Off with the complaints of Irrelevant Facts ! This album is dope.deep. and delicious.

this album is for only kind of person and that's the spirtual ones ! Many reviewers have focused on the fact that "her voice is too raspy !" or have said "enough with the guitar!". What ALL those people fail to do is actually listen to the entire album. The woman bluntly states why she appeared and sounded the way she did in the Unplugged session... BLUNTLY ! If you truly listen to what she's saying during the songs/breaks, she's giving us everything we've asked for since the "Miseducation" and that's food for our souls. She's never been more politically blunt, socially alert--although anti, and spiritually entwined with Truth. This album is real. Stop looking for the Lauryn Hill from 98' because she's gone, as she tells you in this show.. simply welcome the evolution of her soul and you'll get everything you've been wanting from her. --Nuff Respek ! April 21, 2008

Shocking and Powerful

"The Miseducation of Lauren Hill" was an amazing album that revealed an amazing talent both lyrically and vocally. It rose above the mainstream with an unpretentious grace that is perhaps unrivaled. With that said, this performance makes it seems like a watered down version of what we could have had.

I think when most of us see the truth, we are moved, but only for a moment. It is too painful to hold onto or give into. It means changing who we are. It means dealing with all the still sensitive scars. It requires us to be vulnerable, and that is somehow too great a price to pay, even for everything worthwhile.

I can't say I know Lauryn Hill, but I know that on this day of recording, she was willing to pay that price. What a shock it is to hear honesty. It's an honesty we don't even find in church without a battle. I'm not surprised it was controversial, and it seems a little comical to see the MTV logo on the package. The lyrics are completely brilliant, but the message is paramount in this humble package, and she comes simply. Dressed like she is among friends, she keeps things simple with only a guitar, but somehow even with the simple chords, it carries more power than most showboating musicians have ever come close to.

Not only is this one of the best albums I've ever heard, but I feel truly grateful for it. It's something very different. April 4, 2008

I was Pleased!!!

I was HAppy with the Price and the sound definition!!!
I Lov BUying My Music from Amazon!!! November 25, 2007

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