John Corabi – Unplugged
Release Date: November, 2012
Unplugged albums aren’t for everybody and not every artist can pull it off. In some situations it can sound really contrived and forced but someone like John Corabi, it comes very naturally and almost like second nature. I’ve always been a fan of John Corabi as a person and as a musician. As a person he comes across as humble, friendly, and an open book. As a musician, he showed all of those elements on his latest album simply titled Unplugged.
For this album, Corabi stripped down to nothing but a few acoustic guitars, acoustic bass, light percussion, and some sweet as molasses harmony vocals. There is nothing pretentious or pompous about this album whatsoever. While listening to this album I feel like I’m hearing a bunch of friends sitting around in a living room, drinking some beers and having a blast. It is a very welcoming vibe and the stripped down nature of this album allows these songs to stand out even more than they would in a more amplified environment. Corabi as a vocalist also seems to really feel at home in this more subtle acoustic environment. Matter of fact, at time he reminds me of Warren Haynes with his soulful rasp and warm, heartfelt voice. As corny as it sounds, Corabi has a voice that makes me feel comfortable. He has the kind of voice that anyone who appreciates good music can grasp onto and really get into.
“Man in the Moon” sounds like a hot summer’s night in the south and Corabi puts some down home stank on the Motley Crue track “Hooligans Holiday.” That song really stood out to me as a highlight. He took that song completely out of it’s original skin and gave it a new life that totally worked (and even better in my opinion) more so than in it’s original skin. John also took the Motley Crue track “Loveshine” and infused it with a touch of gospel inspired groove that had me wanting to throw my hands in air while shaking my head and screaming, “Sing it John! Sing it brother!” I just love it when music can literally, physically make you feel moved and just make you feel.
Unplugged serves as somewhat of an anthology of Corabi’s 20+ year career along with some new compositions. John has chosen revisit the songs of his past by acts such as The Scream, Motley Crue, and Union and bring them back to life with a new found level of maturity and growth. These songs have had 20+ or so years to live and hearing them played now is pretty much a kin to being inside of John’s head as he reminisces on the the past with a guitar in his hands, a snicker on his face, and an adult beverage at his side. Unplugged is a very moving and emotional album that covers all the basis. This album has quickly become a favorite of mine and will be so for many years to come as it ages like a fine wine.
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