Ep 3. Alanis Morissette

MTV Unplugged season 10 episode 3 features the Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette as the guest artist. The show, which first aired in 1989, was a musical performance series that gave artists the opportunity to perform in an acoustic setting, without any electronic instruments or amplification. The show aimed to showcase the raw, stripped-down version of the artist’s music and hence, attracted a diverse audience.

In this episode, Alanis Morissette takes the stage with her band to perform some of her most famous songs such as "Ironic", "Thank U", and "You Oughta Know", along with some lesser-known tracks. Alanis brings her signature style of alt-rock to the acoustic setting, delivering astonishing performances with vocal acrobatics and pitch-perfect renditions of her songs. Her powerful voice and emotive lyrics are the spotlight of the performance, backed by the guitar, drums, and keyboard accompaniment.

The episode starts with "You Learn", one of the hits of her 1995 album, "Jagged Little Pill". The song starts with an acoustic guitar riff and a gentle drum beat, with Alanis’s voice captivating the audience. Alanis's raw and edgy vocals bring a new dimension to the song and create a unique aura amid the acoustic setup. The song’s chorus picks up the pace with a full band accompaniment, leading to a loud round of applause from the audience.

Next up is "Hand in My Pocket", another hit from her debut album, which showcases her clever lyrical style, which blends perfectly with her acoustic sound. The song's stripped-down version offers a glimpse into Alanis's natural talent while showcasing her versatility in adapting her rock sound to an acoustic set.

One of the highlights of the performance is "Perfect", a lesser-known track from her 1995 album, which is the most personal song she has ever written. The song finds Alanis talking about the pressure she was under from family, friends and society to conform to the ideal of perfection. This song’s stripped-down version emphasises the song’s vulnerability, which engages the audience, and marks a heart-wrenching turning point of the performance.

Alanis concludes her performance with "Thank U," a song that expresses her gratitude and appreciation for the things in her life. The song’s serene opening, accompanied by a harmonica, creates a mellow atmosphere, where the audience's attention is drawn to Alanis's poetic lyrics and powerful vocals. The song's chorus erupts into the joyful "Thank you, thank you, silence" chorus where the audience joins in, marking the perfect end to her performance.

Overall, this episode of MTV Unplugged gives us a glimpse into Alanis Morissette's artistic capabilities, showcasing her vulnerability and emotional range in a stripped-down acoustic setting. With her remarkable songwriting and passionately honest vocal delivery, Alanis brings an incomparable energy and soul that appeals to fans of all genres, making this a performance that cannot be missed.