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Alanis
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(c) Ian Hammond 1999
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Alanis Unplugged on MTV with a small band and a string quartet. I haven't seen the video. My initial reaction.
1. You Learn ****
A strangely relaxed version that shows just how solid the song structure itself it is, based on a soft verse and a revelatory chorus. The short break is extended followed a half-spoken section. The ending takes us in to here to-ing and fro-ing world of self-comfort. Lacking the studio perks she has to sing harder. That's great.
2. Joining You ***
This acoustic version is more attractive than the SFIJ cut. Alanis often repeats the same basic song models. That's okay, just so long as one doesn't notice it. On this track I do notice it.
3. No Pressure Over Cappuccino *****
I believe this is a song she wrote while on tour promoting her first album. The string quartet provide a pad while guitar and percussion rap out an insistent tattoo. Bass and piano join a second verse. Joni Mitchell peeks in the curtains.
| Well you may never be or have a husband you may never have or hold a child You will learn to lose everything we are temporary arrangements |
This is Alanis at her best showing all the elements of her complete style. The Full Dream reminding me of the rapturous tracks that end SFIJ.
4. That I Would Be Good *****
This is such a passionate prayer for salvation: "That I would be loved, even when I'm not myself". The best breathing money can buy. This is one the tracks in which she gets completely lost in music.
The flute entry was designed to crack the hearts of a stadium. Here the strings enter just before she moves her breath from voice to the oldest instrument we have. Perfect song design and song space. Signed, Sealed and Delivered.
5. Head Over Feet **
I've never been a huge fan of this single, released from JLP.
6. Princes Familiar ***
Another new song for me. A fast over-strummed acoustic guitar drives a classic Alanis construction mixing a new love with a parental image. Driven by repetitive
nodding phrases and a compulsive two chord pattern. The "la la"s don't quite do it for me.
7. I Was Hoping *****
Another SFIJ track. The precision of the ornaments that end most phrases is impressive. A great arrangement for guitars and cello early on. You understand that songs like this are often written in the pits of deep depression with precious little light showing at the end of the tunnel. Coal mining for precious jewels.
8. Ironic *****
What an attractive song this old friend is. She's in a rare cathartic mood feeling nerdish. I could do with more of this sort of glow. You really notice how differently she can interpret a repeated phrase at each invocation. The chorus and bridge tend to the miss backing harmony. Great video.
9. These R The Thoughts ***
Another of her songs played against a repeated piano ostinato. The tune begins like a American child's folk song. I have to hear this one a few more times.
10. King Of Pain ***
A Sting song the audience clearly knows. Strangely, the song has the repeated lyric pattern of many of Alanis's songs with each verse line beginning identically ("there's a..."). Someone sings harmony -- it would have been nice to hear a little more harmony on other tracks.
11. You Oghta Know *****
"I want you to know" started her first album did it not? The song with "when you fuck her". The strength of the basic unit (verse, link, link, chorus) stands out here -- just like a classic Beatle song body. The quartet have to take over the role of the power chord section. It's one of her best songs because it allows her to really sing her heart out.
12. Uninvited *****
That four note riff has become her power banner. This is one of most successful arrangements of the set. Perhaps it has something to do with the extraordinary power of the tune and the voice that permits her to construct a song simply by repeating singing three verses with a couple of breaks. John Lennon would have loved this track IMO. Alanis Regis.
Baba and Thank U were performed but not included on the CD.
This sure is one serious girl. About time she did a country and western album. She's got a great voice for that kind of stuff. You know, "I met him in a bar in Texas with his hangups, his crucifix and his horse".
Just kidding.