Recorded in Miami Beach, Florida in front of a live audience that seems to know every word to every song on the set list,
Tr3s Presents Juanes: MTV Unplugged is an uplifting celebration of the Colombian artist's work that also offers a rare mix of spectacular and organic. The filled-with-hits set list and the brimming-with-love audience offer the spectacular bit, while the organic feel comes from
Juanes' warm and humble presentation, sounding like the most talented camp counselor ever heard with thousands of fans gathered round the campfire. There's a career-spanning selection of prime material with known rockers like "Me Enamora" and "A Dios Le Pido" adapting to their acoustic arrangements without a hitch. Lead single "La Señal" is the best of the three new numbers that premiered here, although "Todo en Mi Vida Eres Tú" and the duet with
Joaquín Sabina, "Azul Sabina," are both very welcome, and while it's so beloved in its studio version, singer
Paula Fernandes does a fine job filling in for
Colbie Caillat on this live take of "Hoy Me Voy." Fans can think of
Unplugged as a necessary souvenir that gives new angles to familiar material, but newcomers should consider it too, especially if they prefer live and loose over studio perfection. ~ David Jeffries