The most notorious Mexican alternative rock group, MTV Unplugged album recorded in 1995. Cafe Tacvba, was the first Latin rock group to ever record an MTV Unplugged series. The CD/DVD combo is in a 5.1 format. This collect... more »ible edition includes a bonus track entitled "Una Manana", not included in the original programmed version, and behind the scenes plus footage of this historical event. These releases were produced by Gustavo Santaolalla and Alejandro Pels.« less
The most notorious Mexican alternative rock group, MTV Unplugged album recorded in 1995. Cafe Tacvba, was the first Latin rock group to ever record an MTV Unplugged series. The CD/DVD combo is in a 5.1 format. This collectible edition includes a bonus track entitled "Una Manana", not included in the original programmed version, and behind the scenes plus footage of this historical event. These releases were produced by Gustavo Santaolalla and Alejandro Pels.
CD Reviews
Best `onplog' ever!
R. Suarez Giacoman | Mc Allen, Texas United States | 07/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The year was 1996 just after releasing their second album, `Re' (considered by many as his best album so far). Mtv invited Café Tacvba to perform in the popular series of MTV `unplugged'
The CD
The band was in what I personally think his best moment, the moment in which they transitioned and started to experiment with new sounds and music for their second album. This unplugged opens with the very first two tracks from `Re', `El aparato' and `La ingrata' in acoustic versions that resemble the originals. The good stuff starts in track 3 with the acoustic version of `El metro', Emmanuel is just unbelievable playing the piano in this one, Quique Rangel on the bass gives to this version a unique sound.
The band's producer, Gustavo Santaolalla makes a special appearance as a guest in a couple of songs, `Esa noche' and `El baile y el salon', being the latest the best song from the album, the arrangement they made with the violin (Luis Antonio Franco) gives this song the sense of loneliness the lyrics talk about.
Also, an historical moment for the band is here, the first time they sang `Las flores' with the guapango arrangement Alejandro Flores did, Cosme and Alejandro battling over the lyrics for the first time ever on a live performance are unbelievable and resembling of the old Mexican movies in which Pedro Infante did the same with his co-protagonists.
This edition also includes `Una mañana' (originally sung by Jose Jose), way before recording their studio version for the CD tribute to Jose Jose, this version was not aired when the unplugged came out for the first time, so finally having the unplugged on DVD and having an extra song never released before make this item even more collectible for a fan of the band.
The mixing sound of the album is pretty good, all the instruments sound clear and no aging can be perceived on the recording (considering this was recorded almost 10 years ago)
The DVD
This is basically the video version of the audio CD, but more complete, there are some dialogues between songs here that are not present on the CD. Seeing Cosme showing off his breasts is definitely one of the funniest things of this DVD.
No more extras than the announced documentary can be found on the DVD. The unplugged by itself is enough reason to buy it as the piece of history this document represents for Mexican rock and roll. The documentary shows a little `behind the scenes' and rehearsal from 10 years ago and then takes you to present day to Café Tacvba's recording studio were they host a reunion with the musicians involved in the unplugged in 1996. it is fun to see them all together telling anecdotes as they watch the unplugged together, the only person not present in the reunion is Santaolalla, who makes a `special' appearance at the end that was completely unnecessary and could have not been there.
The image quality is not so good overall; but on the other hand, the 5.1 mixing sound is superb (stereo option is obviously included).
Both items are sold separately and on a special edition that included CD+DVD, I definitely recommend the latter, the price difference is not that large and both discs are worth having better together. The design and presentation of the album is also very interesting.
"
Chiderrimísimo!
Gabo MolEvo | Waterloo | 08/31/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yo creo que este CD y DVD no necesita más publicidad, quien quiera que haya visto el Cafe Tacvba MTV unplugged lo compra y listo. Si no lo viste, pos te lo recomiendo muchísimo. For those who do not speak Spanish, just buy it, it is fantastic."
What We've Been Waiting For
Kelly Cannon | Lima, Peru by way of Florida | 07/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is without a doubt a must have for any Cafe Tacuba fan. The bands energy and cameraderie is infectious. The "unplugged" arrangements of the songs are nothing but amazing. Living in the US, I'd never been able to see the Unplugged, but had heard bootleg copies of a few of the songs. This is a musical treat that I can watch over and over. Ruben Albarran is in top form, with his trademark voice, gravelling his way through tunes like "La Ingrata". Then, he turns around a sings a song like "Esa Noche" in voice so pure and beautiful it can break your heart. Just a top notch performance. If you think you won't like it because the lyrics are in Spanish.. this is your chance to open your mind to something a little different. I promise you, you won't be disappointed."
Extraordinario
Franklin Aranda | Lima, Peru | 06/20/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Este Cd es una deuda pendiente que tenian con los fans, ya que los que habiamos escuchado y visto el concierto unplugged por TV, nos quedaba aun la sensación de vacio al no poder ver ni escuchar en un formato decente y digno, aquella memorable sesión de musica que nos regalaron los Tacuba. Si bien no soy muy aficionado al folklore mexicano, como no rendirse ante ese sincretismo de musicas y sentimientos reflejados en los tonos alcanzados por (en ese entonces) Joselo en "El baile y el salon" o el extasis en que terminan los Tacuba con el musico invitado en el violin al final de "Las flores". Ha sido un objeto de culto durante muchos años en el imaginario de los fanaticos de los Tacuba y ahora lo podemos tener en nuestras manos.
Extraordinario"
Early acoustic Cafe Tacuba
Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 11/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This historical recording from MTV's unplugged series is amazing, but than again Cafe Tacuba is amazing to the infinite degree. They are the Mexican Beatles. This is not just hype, their longevity speaks volumes to there credability. Besides, they have influenced many Roc n Espanol bands so now the musical bar has been raised for Latin rock. This recording , from back in the day,(1995), was done after their introduction to audiences with the release of Re;, many tours and records later and as they say, the rest is history. This disc features the Tacubas in early spuky form. Singer "Cosme" as he was then known(he always changes his nickname or apodo) is in fine youthful form; I believe his most recent name is (was)Sizu Yantra. His winy voice changes with each song almost as frequently as he changes his nickname. Always the innovators, mixing traditional Mexican music with, well, you name it, the musical kitchen sink and the results are breathtaking. This is an acoustic disc so it lacks some of their daring . When they stay close to their roots on numbers like "Esa Noche" the results are sweet. Likewise on "Las Flores," the huapango beat transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. If they venture into a rare ballad, like "Maria," Cosme proves his versatility. However, when Cosme is unleashed on songs like " Bar tacuba" his punky nature is revealed as he transforms a Jose Alfredo Jimenez inspired song into their own in what can only be described as a hybrid Mexican ska. Cafe Tacuba is about attitude in their music and it is clear on songs like "La Chica Banda" that they are taking no prisoners. Having seen them live several times and planning on attending another concert in December, I would say if you can't catch them live, get one of their live CD's. By comparison I would recommend Un Viaje as it is more of a retrospective of their career(recorded in 2005), comes with lots of bonus material and might be just a tad better, if that is possible. Anyway you can't go wrong with either. Buy them both and compare for youself. Great music, by a great band caught early in their career for your musical pleasure."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1