Eleven songs were recorded for this show, which took place in August of 1999, ten of which came from her then latest album, "Donde Estan Los Ladrones?" Characteristic of a first-rate live performance, many of the songs had a different arrangement and/or changed instrumentation, with the result being a totally fresh feel to the numbers. Shakira's changing vocal texture and phrasing is what sets her apart from every other singer, and what injects the passion into her songs. Even though I don't understand much Spanish (I have yet to avail myself of the subtitle option), I can't help but pay close attention while she's singing. That's how cool her voice is.

The concert has some great surprises, a few of which were the accompaniment by mariachi band Los Mora Arriaga in "Ciega, Sordomuda"; the rearranged version of "Estoy Aqui" (the only song from the "Pies Descalzos" album); and the middle eastern influenced music and dance in "Ojos Asi" (not to be missed). There's so much that meets the eye during this performance.

DVD extras: you'll find the oft-included bio, discography, and photos, but the highlight by far is the half-hour "Behind the Camera" feature, which has interviews with Shakira, her collaborators and producers. Very well done.


Magical   August 29, 2002
21 out of 22 found this review helpful

I became a Shakira fan after hearing Whenever, Wherever on the radio. I eventually bought Donde Estan Los Ladrones even though I didn't understand a word of Spanish...at the time. I still couldn't get enough, so I bought her MTV Unplugged DVD. The whole performance was fantastic. Shakira's English songs are good, but her Spanish songs are... on another level. The show opens with Octavo Dia, which is one of my favorites from DELL. It has great lyrics and a catchy melody. Si Te Vas and Donde Estan Los Ladrones are high-energy songs with rock flavour. The next song is the popular version of Ciega, Sordomuda, and it's awesome. Inevitable is a beautiful song and features Shakira displaying her guitar skills. Moscas en la Casa has a nice feel to it and is very well done, while Estoy Aqui is updated, sounding funky. Tu is my personal favorite of all the Unplugged songs. It's accompanied by piano and violin and she sings it with so much passion and emotion making it a very beautiful song. Sombra de Ti is another slow song that has a lot of meaning to Shakira. For the last two songs Shakira turns up the energy once more with a spunky version of No Creo and an extended Ojos Asi to finish things off with a bang.


An amazing, well put-together performance   May 23, 2004
N. Frangie (Pennsylvania, USA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I had Shakira's MTV Unplugged CD for a while before I finally purchased the DVD on amazon.com. Why did I wait so long??? This performance that Shakira put together is one of her best. The songs are very acoustic. You don't have to speak Spanish to enjoy Shakira's songs. The concert starts with an Eastern-inspired musical intro and ends with the crowning performance of the night--Ojos Asi, complete with a truly AMAZING bellydance sequence. That, along with the Mariachi band Los Mora Ariaga singing Siega, Sordomuda, are the two highlights of the performance. Shakira's Spanish songs are her best, and I would suggest them to anyone who wants to get to know her music. The DVD has English subtitles, so don't worry! And there are bonus features, like interviews and an Unplugged rehearsal.
Within one week, I received Shakira MTV Unplugged and Live and Off The Record DVDs in the mail, and I couldn't have made better purchases! You will never regret buying this DVD.


Astounding Performances by a Truly Talented Singer   March 24, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I've only been a Shakira fan for about 10 months but I feel as if I've been her fan for much longer. With 4 of her CDs and 2 other DVDs (that accompanied 2 of these CDs) I finally persuaded myself to get this DVD about 2 months ago. And I am glad I did so. Although I'm not the best at Spanish I was able to fully enjoy Shakira's numerous performances and all the bonus features. With the help of English subtitles I was finally able to find out what many of my favorite Shakira songs actually mean! But even before then I fell in love w/ Shakira's music and her songs. In an age of manufactured super stars Shakira shines through writing her own songs and music, producing her own albums, and blending cultures and languages from across the globe. Shakira's performances are an hour or so of cultural experiences. From the sensual and mouth-dropping performance of Ojos Asi in which Shakira displays her grand talent in the field of belly dancing to the Mexican mariachi version of Ciega Sordomuda to the tear-jerking Sombra de Ti this whole DVD brings the talent that Shakira beholds into your home. I highly recommend it. All of her performances are well executed and rehearsed and the money I paid for this DVD was truly worth it. Can't wait for 'Live & Off the Record' in 7 days! :)


ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE IT- AMAZING!!   July 11, 2002
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

This album was released before her now 4x platinum album Laundry Service, I really loved LS but enjoy more Shakira singing in Spanish its like more natural for me to hear but her new CD is Awesome too, now back with this review, this album (MTV Unplugged earn Shakira 1 Grammy and 2 Latin Grammys, this DVD includes songs from her Cds Pies Descalzos and Donde estan los ladrones? One thing that enjoy about this DVD is that you can see the concert and you can put english subtitles to the lyrics so u can understand what she's singing and get the feelin' of each song, the music is so awesome. If U R a new Shakira fan that just know her Laundry Service songs I recommend u this DVD and also the other cds, u might enjoy it even more than LS, if u like LS you'll love MTV Unplugged and Donde Estan los Ladrones?. SHAKIRA ROCKS!!