MTV Unplugged — Season 1, Episode 3: 10,000 Maniacs with Michael Penn

Episode synopsis

Natalie Merchant, lyricist/singer of the acclaimed New York folk-rock band 10,000 Maniacs, performs ""What's The Matter Here?"" and ""Dustbowl."" Solo artist Michael Penn performs ""No Myth"" and the upbeat ""Brave New World"" off his new release March. Merchant and Penn join together for a rendition of ""City Of Angels,"" from the Maniacs' 1987 platinum release In My Tribe. An excerpt from the MTV Unplugged book...""This program ushered in what was to be an ongoing Unplugged battle. Butting heads in this drama were the keyboard and the precise definition of what Unplugged means. In this discussion, Michael Penn's partner, Patrick Warren, wanted to play a mellotron, an antiquated instrument that, despite needing to be plugged in, runs on analogue tapes. Instead, he acquiesced and played the piano and xylophone."" Set List: What's the Matter Here? [Maniacs] Dust Bowl [Merchant/Gustafson/Buck] No Myth [Michael Penn] Brave New World [Michael Penn] Gun Shy [Maniacs] City of Angels [Ma

About MTV Unplugged

MTV's acclaimed music series showcases today's top artists and rising stars in the industry performing acoustic versions of their songs.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Squeeze with Syd Straw and Elliot Easton
• E2The Smithereens and Graham Parker
• E4The Alarm with Nuclear Valdez
• E5Joe Walsh and Dr. John
• E6Stevie Ray Vaughan with Joe Satriani
• E7Michelle Shocked with Indigo Girls
• E8Sinead O'Connor with The Church
• E9Don Henley
• E10Great White with Damn Yankees
• E11Crowded House with Tim Finn
• E12Hall and Oates
• E13Elton John