Acústico MTV is the third live album by Brazilian rocker Lobão, from the MTV Unplugged series. The album was recorded live on December 7 and 8, 2006, at MTV Brasil and released on CD and DVD in May 2007. This album won the Latin Grammy Award for Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album in 2007.
Contents
Background
After a series of disagreements with the Brazilian recording industry, Lobão began to release records independently. As he said in an interview with the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, the recording of an album in the Acústico MTV series marked the musician's return to the mainstream media. In an interview with Luiz Cezar Pimentel of Rolling Stone magazine, he said: "People keep saying: ‘Independent Lobão is what counts’. I have to defend my heritage. Independent is the shit! I'm free. And I'm independent. Even to go into a record company and say: ‘I'm going to do this and this’."
The album covers all stages of Lobão's career, from compositions with partners such as Júlio Barroso and Bernardo Vilhena, to more recent partnerships with Ivo Meirelles. Released on the Sony BMG label and produced by Carlos Eduardo Miranda, the album also featured the band Cachorro Grande.
Release
The album was shown on April 15, 2007 by MTV Brasil. Only the following year, in May 2007, was the album released on CD and DVD.
Reception
Sales
Despite the good reviews, the album sold only 23,000 copies. Previously, the worst result for an album in the Acústico MTV series had been 350,000 copies.
Critical
Ivan Finotti, for the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper, described the album as “great”, calling it ‘surprising’ and praised the choice of the last track - A Gente Vai Se Amar - which shows an “optimistic” Lobão. Ricardo Seelig, for the rock portal Whiplash.net, he rated the album 8 out of 10 and added that “The national pop scene is better when a restless and challenging artist like Lobão is in the spotlight in the mainstream media.”
Tour
After the album's release, Lobão began a tour, playing in cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Prizes
The album was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the category of Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album. At a ceremony held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lobão's album was the winner of the night in its category.
Personnel
Musicians
Lobão – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, 12-string craviola
Eduardo Bologna – dobro, banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, baritone guitar
Luciano Mauricio "Luce" – acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, mandolin, craviola, backing vocals
Daniel Martins – acoustic bass, craviola
Roberto Pollo – piano, Hammond organ, harmonium, melodica
Pedro Garcia – drums, percussion (on Quente)
Stephane San Juan – percussion
Orchestra
Glauco Fernandes – violin
Rogério Rosa – violin
Luis Audi – viola
David Chew – cello
Claudio Alves – double bass