This is the DVD release of a program that aired on August 10, 2001 on MTV Japan. MTV Japan mostly covers non-Japanese artists, but Utada Hikaru Unplugged was the first Unplugged made in Japan. Many different artists have been featured on MTV Unplugged on the original American version, and also the European MTV. So the network has a long tradition of making Unplugged, and the first one in Japan follows in that tradition perfectly (like the instruments allowed in the performance, as well as the style of the stage). The result is an extremely entertaining DVD both for Utada's fans, and non-fans alike, regardless of whether you've already seen this program on TV or not. 
Utada making some last-minute additions at the keyboard. |
Included before the actual concert event on the DVD is also the making of Utada Hikaru Unplugged. This is an extremely interesting and thorough documentary that really adds a lot to the complete experience of the show. Hikaru is interviewed throughout the documentary portion of the DVD, as well as the various people who helped make the show, most of whom are American (remember that MTV Japan is a very American institution, making this concert unlike many of the other Jpop DVDs out there). In the documentary we get to see footage from the preparation and rehearsals for the show. Here we find out about the last-minute decisions that were made by Hikaru (also a tradition of Unplugged). For example, at one point she has a problem with how one of the songs is sounding, so she sits down at one of the keyboards and goes to work while band members watch her (she ends up playing a quick intro on the keyboard herself for the performance of this song). She also falls asleep on a nearby couch during one of the rehearsals and apparently misses most of it while the band practices. This seems very irresponsible on Utada's part, but let's keep in mind that she is still quite young (only beginning college) and she is surely overworked and worn out. Let's not question the master; she'll be ready. 
Utada has fallen asleep during one of the rehearsals. |
The next day at rehearsal Hikaru comes in, still frusturated. She has apparently been listening to U2's "With or Without You" on the van ride over (Hikaru listens to mostly Western music). She decides on a whim to do a cover of that song. She gets the band to do it, immediately throwing it together. It seems like everyone goes along with this plan just to please Hikaru so that she'll do the show without complaining, but in the end they are apparently quite pleased with it, and one of the managers says himself that it can be a good thing for an artist to decide on a cover song at the last minute. 
Utada makes her appearance on the first ever Japanese Unplugged. |
It comes time for the concert, and the DVD switches over from the Making Of program to the main show, "UTADA HIKARU UNPLUGGED". Utada comes out and immediately begins performing "Wait & See ~RISK~" in front of the intimately small audience, who is seated on couches. When the band begins playing the first notes of that song it's as if there is magic in the air. Completely gone is the unprofessional aura surrounding Utada that we got during the documentary; it's as if she's been replaced by a different person -- The whiny little girl we saw before has been replaced by a very professional performer with a perfect voice. The unplugged (acoustic) band sounds amazing with Utada's flawless performance. You never would have known the show had been thrown together so quickly. 
Here you can see most of the stage, with the band. The guitars and keyboards are up front, with a small string orchestra in the back. |
Technically the keyboard in the band plugs in, but perhaps it's important not to get to caught up in the rules. The musicians also include a miniature orchestra, greatly adding to the quality of the music. The songs all sound very different from the versions you're probably used to from the CDs. These are new arrangements of the songs, specifically put together for the unplugged band. A lot of the arrangements are more jazzy, and include new sections where necessary. The lineup of songs is fairly short (only nine altogether), but the level of quality is readily apparent throughout. The reasonable length makes this a very manageable DVD to watch. Utada performs many of her favorites, embellishing a bit on certain phrases, and improvising, as most great artists do. She never makes a mistake and always keeps a sense of cool about her. 
This gives you a view of the audience, who is intimately seated close in front of the stage on couches. Utada calls the setting "strange". |
When U2's "With or Without You" comes in the lineup, the performance goes perfectly. This version of the song that they quickly put together sounds very different from U2's original version. It is by far the most boring, repetitive, and uneventful song in the concert, which I think is a testament to how much better Utada's music is than U2's. The final song of the relatively short concert is "FINAL DISTANCE", which was her latest single at the time this was filmed. All songs in the concert are great crowd pleasers in my mind, and it's good to see such an overall solid concert, albeit not very lengthy. It's a great concert performance, quite different from the usaul DVD that you're used to. The documentary about the making of the show that precedes the concert adds a huge amount of depth that really makes you understand and appreciate what went into this (or you may just be surprised how little apparent preparation went into it). It's well worth your 4200 yen. Everyone who can appreciate a vastly entertaining musical experience should have it. The term "DVD" has been used throughout this review, but "UTADA HIKARU UNPLUGGED" is also available on video cassette, of course.
|
