Wounder Why Ms Hill's Changed, and Why We Don't Hear From Her Anymore? This Album Answears Those Questions!
I remember getting this and expecting The Miseducation part 2. Well sort of. After all, it is called "Unplugged" which let's you know there's gonna be quite a bit of acoustics. I just wasn't aware of how much would be acoustic. Lauryn is by far my favorite female artist, and she never ceases to amaze me. She's a very interesting and intelligent human being, and has a great sense of humor to top it off. She's one of my all time favorite singers, and all time favorite lyricists. There have been endless lyrics and poems that more than move me, but none have as much as hers. Ever since I was a kid, I've had a view on life that not too many people understand. After falling in love with the Fugees, I decided to get some of their solo joints, and the first time I listened to Lauryn's debut I found someone that sees, and feels like I do. That's probably why I'm such a big fan of Ms Hill.
I read a review that labeled this album as "brave" and I can't agree any more with that. Instead of giving the masses what they want, she gives what they need. She's gotten harsh critisism for changing her style, and covering spiritual topics way more than she did in the past. It takes bravery to do what you know you must, and look beyond what others think. To this day, people wonder why she's changed, and why she stays out of the media. If they listen to this album from start to finish, those questions are answered. To sum it up, she was put here to find her true self, and to serve The Almighty, not be a robot entertainer that serves people's demands. She really opened up on this, and let her true self run free. There are quite a few interludes where she talks to the audience, and most are pretty long. If it were anyone else, I would probably get a little annoyed after a while. It's the message, and the jokes she cracks that makes these interludes very tolerable (for me at least)
This is a really fine piece of work, but unfortunately it gets overlooked for at least one of these three reasons;
1.) People want another Miseducation, and immediately get angered when they realize this isn't it. The Miseducation is one of my all time favorite albums, I want another album like that as well, but just because this isn't it, doesn't mean it deserves to be slept on.
2.) Her guitar playing. Anyone who wines about her guitar playing really doesn't understand this. This whole album was supposed to be completely LAURYN HILL. She had a band all lined up, but last min. decided she wanted to challenge herself, and carry the whole thing on her own. She even mentions in one of the interludes that it's almost too easy to have a whole crew of musicians behind you, doing most of the work. Lauryn isn't famous, or well known for guitar abilities, so I don't understand why people expect guitar shredding wizardry in this. Sorry, but she doesn't play guitar for 12 - 15 hours a day like, Yngwie Malmsteen, or Steve Vai. She raises her kids, writes music, and travels endlessly on her spiritual journey. The guitar playing in this really isn't all that bad. If you understand the whole concept of the album, it actually enhances it.
And finally...
3.) "She's A Racist." I can't believe this false rumor is still alive after all these years. It all started when her debut dropped and became more than a success. In an interview she said that she wrote the album for black people. The majority of the music the black youth listen to is either violent, or tells the female audience that they have to be sluts in order to get a guys respect, and to feel good about themselves. Lauryn hoped in the ring to provide music that discourages that, and encourages prosperity. Further in the interview she said she loves all her fans, but that she's just surprised that white people would like it as much as they do. Sure enough the media never played the end, and before she even knew it, she was labeled a racist. But of course that wasn't enough for the media. They had to make the false claim that "she would rather have her children starve than have the money from whites feed them." What's funny and sad about this, is that everyone believes this, even though there's no video or interview of her saying this. There's endless ones of her denying this. If this children starving statement really did come out of her mouth, why would she back down and deny it? Maybe money? No, she could really care less about money, and if she really did care about it, she has plenty. Well maybe she denied it to tell people what they wanna here? No, she clearly doesn't tell people what they wanna here. If she were that type of person, she wouldn't have lyrics like the ones on here. Or maybe she denied it to be a crowd pleaser? Ha, if she was a crowd pleaser, she would dress like a slut, and dance to computerized beats while singing thoughtless lyrics. If that right there doesn't prove to you that SHE ISN"T A RACIST, go on youtube, and you'll find helpful videos that will.
It's too bad people sleep on this, but oh well. That's your own loss.
If you're a Fugees, Lauryn Hill, or spiritual individual, and wanna check out something different, honest, and uplifting, I can't recommend this enough. If you're not an open minded individual, or a Lauryn Hill/Fugges fan, nor in any way spiritual, I must thank you for listening to what I have to say. Still, check this out. You may actually like it. PEACE!
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Shocking and Powerful
"The Miseducation of Lauren Hill" was an amazing album that revealed an amazing talent both lyrically and vocally. It rose above the mainstream with an unpretentious grace that is perhaps unrivaled. With that said, this performance makes it seems like a watered down version of what we could have had.
I think when most of us see the truth, we are moved, but only for a moment. It is too painful to hold onto or give into. It means changing who we are. It means dealing with all the still sensitive scars. It requires us to be vulnerable, and that is somehow too great a price to pay, even for everything worthwhile.
I can't say I know Lauryn Hill, but I know that on this day of recording, she was willing to pay that price. What a shock it is to hear honesty. It's an honesty we don't even find in church without a battle. I'm not surprised it was controversial, and it seems a little comical to see the MTV logo on the package. The lyrics are completely brilliant, but the message is paramount in this humble package, and she comes simply. Dressed like she is among friends, she keeps things simple with only a guitar, but somehow even with the simple chords, it carries more power than most showboating musicians have ever come close to.
Not only is this one of the best albums I've ever heard, but I feel truly grateful for it. It's something very different.
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