MTV Unplugged (Juanes album)

Background

Following the release of his previous album, P.A.R.C.E. (2010), Juanes embarked on a tour to promote the album. However, the tour was canceled in the United States on May 2011 following the separation with his former manager Fernán Martínez, who labeled his last album a commercial failure, and the desire to spend time with his family. Martínez also affirmed that Juanes was experiencing depression and personal problems and would retire for a few years which Juanes's wife denied. On December 2011, Juanes announced that he would record a live album as part of the MTV Unplugged series. He stated the months he spent with his family was "a time of importance to strengthen my inner reflection and to come back with the desire and love I've always had to music."

Development

Juanes MTV Unplugged was recorded was on 1 February 2012 at the New World Center in Miami, Florida. Juanes worked as producer with Dominican musician Juan Luis Guerra with the discussion of collaborating on an album together began several months. Previously, the two performed on the duet song "La Calle" on Juan Luis Guerra's studio album A Son de Guerra (2010).

Later, on December 2011, the Colombian singer announced that he would record a new edition of MTV Unplugged that would be produced by Juan Luis Guerra and released in February 2012. On February 1, 2012, Juanes recorded at New World Symphony Center, Miami, FL, accompanied with 16 musicians, including guitarists, pianists and trumpeters, as well as a choir of 32 people to perform the previously released song "Odio por Amor". On the show, the singer performed 14 songs, three of which were new exclusively for the MTV Unplugged; "Todo En Mi Vida Eres Tú", "La Señal" and "Azul Sabina", the last with the participation of the Spanish musician Joaquin Sabina. The Brazilian singer Paula Fernandes also accompanied him on the song "Hoy Me Voy", which was a bilingual version in both Portuguese and Spanish. MTV Unplugged was directed by Ivan Dudynsky.

Critical reception

Many music critics wrote about the live album. David Jeffries of Allmusic praised the work the people sing all the songs all the time. Jeffries said "Tr3s presents Juanes: MTV Unplugged" is an uplifting celebration of the work of a Colombian artist, who also offers a rare combination, spectacular and organic.". Larry Rohter of New York Times wrote that for the Hispanic market, this is a true meeting of titans, and a generational thing with mass appeal: "Juan Luis Guerra knows how to get people dancing with beautiful melodies but also writes complex lyrics. Juanes is the same proposition a generation later, more from a rock world, but with deep lyrics and great craftsmanship. And then Sabina is a generation ahead of Juan Luis, a bohemian artist who has been challenging the status quo since the ’70s."

Carlos Quintana of About.com said that there is much to talk about the album, but nevertheless, the most important about this work is the fact where his career is divided in two parts. In fact, "Juanes MTV Unplugged" show us a solid work under a musical path that this famous Latin pop star wants to continue. Being released the second month of the year, Quintana considered it as the best Latin album of the 2012. In the review highlighted two tracks, the first, "Azul Sabina". he said that this song open an exploration field and reflect the wish of Juanes for explore other rhythms, "If this kind of stuff is what Juanes is planning to produce in the future, I am definitely looking forward to the next album." The second "La Señal" he said that is the song with the most meaning of the album. This song show signallws that he needed for go ahead. Due to this, this single showed the feeling and soul that he put into his music, something that characterizes. Mauro Ferreira of Notas Musicais, criticized the new songs calling the praised the featurings of Paula Fernandes and Joaquin Sabina and the presence of the singer on stage. To finish the professional review, saying: Closure impressive for this MTV Unplugged giving (any) time to Juanes to revitalize his work.

Chart performance

The album and was certified gold in the U.S., Mexico, Spain and Venezuela and 12 times platinum in Colombia, where Juanes was recognized with the media during a press conference held in the capital of that country. "Juanes MTV Unplugged" will turn into the hard to reach in less time sales record this also becomes the best-selling music DVD in history in Colombia.

"Juanes MTV Unplugged" peaked at #1 of the Billboard Latin Albums Chart and #1 on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums. The album also debuted on the Billboard 200 at #52.

Promotion

A few days after the confirmation of his then-upcoming appearance on MTV Unplugged, the TV channel released a contest for US residents called "MTV Demo: Concurso Unplug con Juanes" (English: Unplug contest with Juanes). The contest challenging the contestants to record a video of themselves singing a Juanes song and the winner had a possibility to attend the concert with the singer.

Singles

Grammy Awards

At the 2013 Grammy Awards, the album won at the Best Latin Pop Album category.

Latin Grammy Awards

At the 13th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in 2012, the album received two awards:

Lo Nuestro Awards

Track listing

This track listing adapted from the liner notes and the deluxe edition is the same track list but on video version.