Scorpions - Unplugged - Acoustica (DVD)

...CiAO). I came across The Scorpions "Acoustica" review on Amazon, where it received five star ratings. I was looking for something else at the time, but the cover artwork caught my eye. The artwork on the front cover, is really expressive as well as impressive I think.

Being very fond of acoustic live performances, this seemed like an ideal treat for me. 1) Because it contained the above, "Wind Of Change". 2) Because ...
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BIOLOGY OF THE SCORPIONS ON STAGE
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KLAUS MEINE: VOCALS: (The head).
Whose vocals never cease to amaze me since watching this DVD, plus listening to subsequent Scorpions music from all eras. You would never think he has been using his voice so much over the past thirty odd years. He reaches every note, truly an almost operatic performance from him. His vocal abilities have not undergone ... more

The Wind That Hasn't Changed
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Some years ago, when I first heard "Wind Of Change", my attention was caught. I loved this song, but never got round to buying it. Every time I heard it, I couldn't help whistling along to it. I promised myself that one day I would own a recording of it. I never knew where they came from, I never knew any of their other music. I was ignorant to their existence, with the exception of this song.

On browsing through new music DVD releases on some web sites, for reviews / opinions (no there aren't that many on CiAO). I came across The Scorpions "Acoustica" review on Amazon, where it received five star ratings. I was looking for something else at the time, but the cover artwork caught my eye. The artwork on the front cover, is really expressive as well as impressive I think.

Being very fond of acoustic live performances, this seemed like an ideal treat for me. 1) Because it contained the above, "Wind Of Change". 2) Because it contained "Love Of My Life" (A "Queen" cover). 3) Because it contained "Drive" ("Who's Gonna Drive You Home.....Tonight?". A "Cars" cover).

I did my usual search to find the best price, with the best service. That nearly always takes me to http://www.play.com. The price there was £14.99p. It was in stock, so I knew it would be here within the week, which it was.

The first thing I do when I receive a DVD, is look at the track listing, then the special features / technical details, just to be sure everything is as it should be. Everything looked fine!

So, now on to the DVD features.

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TECHNICAL / SPECIAL FEATURES
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· Picture Format: PAL 16:9 · Full Screen · Multiple Viewing Angles: 1 · Colour Mode: Colour ·
· Region Code: 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 · NOT Region 1 · Disc Format: DVD-9 · Duration: Approximately 157 Minutes ·

· Language / Audio Content Choices: Linear PCM Stereo · Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound · DTS 5.1 Surround Sound ·

· Special Features: "Making Of", Interviews · Biography · German Subtitles · 21 Concert Tracks · 4 Bonus Video Edits ·

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CONCERT SETTING
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The concert is set in an old monastery "Convento do Beato", Lisbon, Portugal, February 2001. It resembles a castle, creating an atmosphere to match the exceptional sound quality in this acoustic performance. Not only is the music played in raw acoustic style, but also the camera captures the earthy atmospherics in an interesting visual display, by the use of twelve cameras.

The audience are all loyal fans made up of varying age groups. They can be seen for the best part of the concert, enjoying the unique performance. They were lucky enough to be there, this DVD has taken me there!

Along with the group, there are some dancers, special guest appearances, plus a female vocal backing group. Some of the dancers are spread around the monastery within arched window alcoves.

The band has an almost level view of the audience. The stage being slightly higher than about chest height. The select audience don't appear to over crowd the venue, to the extent of spoiling it. It is a full audience, what I mean is that they don't interfere with the music or the visual enjoyment in any way. It appears a very relaxed set up in the same sort of style as MTV Unplugged.

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BIOLOGY OF THE SCORPIONS ON STAGE
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KLAUS MEINE: VOCALS: (The head).
Whose vocals never cease to amaze me since watching this DVD, plus listening to subsequent Scorpions music from all eras. You would never think he has been using his voice so much over the past thirty odd years. He reaches every note, truly an almost operatic performance from him. His vocal abilities have not undergone a wind of change, if they have, it is only for the better I think.

RUDOLF SCHENKER: GUITARIST (The body).
Another one of the original Scorpions, (brother of Michael Shenker, who you might have heard of). Whose established guitar playing, cool on stage presence are an important ingredient to the biological make up of The Scorpions. Looking the part of a true rocker, he plays his guitars as cleanly, professionally as Klaus Meines vocals. I would say he is one of the finer guitarists to emerge from the glam rock years.

MATTHIAS JABS: GUITARIST (The sting)
The third original member of the group. His acoustic guitar playing, enforces the sting in The Scorpions tale. His performance matches some of the best guitarists seen around the world or from any MTV Unplugged concert. At first he looks a little tense, but as the concert plays through, he loosens up with his facial expressions. I think it is just him concentrating on his playing more than any other reason.

JAMES KOTTAK: DRUMMER (The legs / arms).
Not an original member, but definitely a great drummer. His American origins show in the way he plays the drums, with that special something, a bursting, energetic performance. His stage presence also gives this group some youthfulness. Enjoying every moment of his being on stage, giving out his confidence which helps make this so polished.

RALPH REIKERMANN: BASS (The tail)
Not an original member, but another good addition to an excellent line up. His American origins don't show through as James Kottaks do. In fact, I hardly noticed his presence on stage for much of the concert. Although his musical contribution enhances the quality of this extravaganza.

OTHER ADDITIONS FOR THIS SHOW (The entrails).

CHRISTIAN KOLONOVITS: PIANIST.
JOHANN DAANSEN: GUITARIST.
MARLO ARGENDONA: PERCUSSIONIST.
ARIANE ARCU: CELLIST.
All essential musicians to this concert. Some nice performances from these also, their contributions would have made this a much less successful concert.
During the concert, everyone on stage is introduced briefly to the audience.

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THE CONCERT TRACKS
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These can be played from the menu one at a time, all following each other without the intervals, or the whole concert right through from start to finish. It is also possible to have repeat track or whole DVD, depending on your DVD player.

As the above special features state, this can be played back through normal PCM stereo, Dolby Digital Surround, or DTS Surround sound. All of these modes sound great to me. Of course the DD 5.1 or the DTS 5.1 will give a much better sound reproduction if you are lucky enough to be able to utilize them. My Hi-Fi is able to use DD 5.1 Surround, through my amplifier. I'm right there in amongst those lucky people. The Scorpions are playing some of the greatest music I've missed out on over the years. Crisp, crystal clear, unadulterated, sheer brilliance. Not to be missed!

Track By Track
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01) Loving You Sunday Morning.
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This one starts off the concert, showing you what to expect for the whole of the DVD. It's quite something, producing the atmosphere immediately, for an exciting experience. Never having heard this one before, it made an immediate impact on me. It's light rock melody, a little different to the original electric version, which I know now as a heavier rock song. I have to say again, excellent acoustics all round. I rate this one 10/10

02) Is There Anybody There?
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Great drum intro, brings on the next ensemble of guitars, keyboards, as well as Klaus Meines distinctive vocals. You can hear his German accent in a lot of the songs, but I think that it enhances the uniqueness of The Scorpions. On studio recordings, there aren't many songs where you can tell he has an accent. This man is one of the best vocalists I have ever heard. I rate this one 10/10

03) The Zoo.
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A masterpiece, anthemic song. It begins explaining the location of The Zoo, 32nd Street, New York City, here we come! Beating, pulsating, heartily played music at the onset. Again the acoustic guitars, individual performances, giving an exciting rendition of one the best known songs Scorpions loyal fans will know. My first listen had me hooked on it. The electric version I've since heard, is equally brilliant, but subtly different. Can't fault Klaus Meines vocals at all. I rate this one 10/10.

04) Always Somewhere.
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This one is a romantic, mostly vocal, with wide ranging tones. I find this one moving by way of it's lyrics. Beautifully sung, gently backed soft rock ballad. I'm not going to keep repeating about the rest of the on stage performers, but they are necessary for every track on here to be rated so highly by me. I rate this one 10/10

05) Life Is Too Short.
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The words to this one are very meaningful to me. Life Is Too Short is a recently written song, from the then, 2001 new album. It fits in here as well as any other. These songs seem so fresh, you really wouldn't think they were written (most of them) many years ago. This is newer, some of the others are as old as thirty years ago. I'm not quite as content with the music accompanying these words. I rate this one 8/10.

06) Holiday.
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I seem to recall hearing this one at some point before I knew it. The song begins slowly, building to a slight reggae beat. A refreshing, bright, Summer season sound. One of my favourites again, which gets you in a good feeling mood. As does most of this concert. I rate this one 10/10.

07) You And I.
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Another very romantic rock song. Beautifully sung again, with some of the best guitar work shown. Very melodic, very catchy, very touching. Another chance for everyone to show off their exceptional abilities. I rate this one 10/10.

08) When Love Kills Love.
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This is another newer one. It doesn't quite have the same impact as all the others, for me anyway. But it is a good song. Lots of vocals, happy guitar playing. Strange really how their older material sounds so fresh after listening to this one, but it is credible. I rate this one 7/10.

09) Tease Me, Please Me.
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I prefer the electric version of this song. It is an upbeat, happy song, well produced here again. It needs those heavier rock sounds rather than the lighter backing sounds given here. I rate this 7/10

10) Dust In The Wind.
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Another exciting, well written emotional song. All of these tracks could be a "Best Of" compilation. I never knew that before this DVD, but it is the case after hearing very much more of them since. I rate this one 9/10.

11) Send Me An Angel.
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This is another romantically written song. It isn't very far away from the original in it's reproduction here. With consistency continuing by all. Klaus Meine though, still standing out with his vocal ability. How can he keep up this singing? Rock singers in my opinion, lose their voices once they are older. Not forgetting Klaus has been singing for over three decades with this rock group. They are constantly on tour, but his voice never tires. Unlike other esteemed rock groups, they sound very much as they did thirty years ago. I prefer the electric version of this one. I rate this one 9/10.

12) Under The Same Sun.
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This reminds me a little of a Lennon song, not that that is bad, but it made me rate this lower because it doesn't sound like an original Scorpion sound. The way it is presented here, is the only version I've heard. It's one of the newer songs on the DVD. The lyrics are great, but the music is not so good again as the older ones. I rate this one 7/10.

13) Rhythm Of Love.
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I like this one. An older one again with a great rhythm, as the song might suggest. It's performed by everyone in the same context as the best on here. Lighter than the original, probably because it is meant to be or has to be, because of the acoustics controlled by the unplugged electric's. One to dance to. I rate this one 10/10.

14) Back To You.
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Tirelessly, they play on. Still with the perfection that makes this a classic concert. Camera work throughout continues to enhance the experience of quality on this DVD. This song is as good as any other, with all the same ingredients. I rate this one 9/10.

15) Catch Your Train.
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Moves along like a locomotive. Steaming through this track, rocking acoustically. This is an exciting, exhilarating song which again makes me give it a high rating for it's sheer exuberance. I rate this one 9/10.

16) I Wanted To Cry.
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Not a badly written song, but not very exciting either. The lyrics are good, but I feel they are capable of writing better music than this. I think it is one of the newer tracks here. I rate this one 7/10.

17) Hurricane 2001.
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This is a rocking song. The electric version is anthemic, this version is acoustically anthemic also. It's a favourite of the fans, it's a favourite of mine, both versions. I rate this one 10/10.

18) Wind Of Change.
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I think if you have heard this one before, if you have read this far. Wind Of Change really does remain an anthem for The Scorpions to me. As I said, it is one song that made me realize the greatness of a German rock band, hat have mostly eluded the majority of rock enthusiasts around the world. They have worked extremely hard to fit into the rest of their genre. To me they compare now in their early days (Tokyo Tapes days, Uli Jon Roth days), with the likes of Hendrix, Led Zep. Now with this era, they compare more so with the soft rock groups, but can perform live as a true rock group should be able to. Klaus Meine can be compared to Freddie Mercury for his vocal abilities, I believe. I rate this one 10/10.

19) Love Of My Life.
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Funny enough that he can sing so well, that I think of Freddie Mercurys vocal talents were. But that they chose to cover this Queen song. What an exceptional, unique performance from Klaus. This is a favourite song of mine by both Queen as well as it's rendition here. I rate this one 10/10.

20) Drive.
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Probably most of you know this song, or have heard it in the background many times. It's been put on so many compilations, especially at Christmas time. You know when they bring out all the old favourites for rock compilations or 70's, 80's, music etc. Well it is originally by The Cars. That version couldn't be bettered really. This version does equal it. I like this one very much. This was performed as an encore here. Well polished, by this untiring group. Great sound. I rate this one 10/10.

21) Still Loving You.
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The original version of this is one memorable, lyrically satisfying, electric song. This acoustic version ends the concert in the same way it began. A wonderful song, full of emotion, beautifully sung, even after the hours of singing. Beautifully performed by all again. A shame it had to stop here. But they truly must have been worn out, though they don't look it, don't sound, most fortunately, don't stop recording either. I rate this one 10/10.

Video Tracks
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There are four video tracks. Three of them are edited versions from the concert. Another is a rehearsal before the concert.
These are either shown with concert footage, or with footage of Portugal's beautiful monastery, from the outside as well as inside.

01) When Love Kills Love. (Edit)
02) Hurricane 2001. (Edit).
03) Send Me An Angel. (Edit).
04) When Love Kills Love. (Rehearsal Edit).

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OTHER DVD FEATURES
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· Interview Bites · Discography · Biography · "Making Of" ·

All easily accessible from the interactive animated menus. Including the sound set up, it's all very easy to navigate through the menus.

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So there it is. My opinion of this DVD. The Scorpions continue to impress me. I have listened on their website to some of their latest concerts. They are a class rock group, that persist in touring, making albums tirelessly. I admire them tremendously for their hard work over thirty odd years. They still sound much the same, they haven't lost it in any way. If you decide to buy this DVD or have the chance to listen to it, I'm sure you will be as pleased as I am. The title "Acoustica" really does apply to this concert.

If you want to read more about them, the URL is:

http://www.the-scorpions.com/english/

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I hope you have enjoyed reading this opinion, thanks very much for reading it. All comments are welcome :-) 

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