MTV Unplugged: Korn is an acoustic live album by American nu metal band Korn, released worldwide on March 5, 2007, and on the following day in the United States.
Album information
The performance, part of the MTV Unplugged series, took place in MTV studios in Times Square, New York City on December 9, 2006, in front of a crowd of approximately fifty people. It was the band's first and only live album recorded as a three piece band since drummer David Silveria departed the group earlier that month.
The MTV concert was Korn's second televised acoustic performance, after appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on July 18, 2006.
The show was broadcast online on MTV.com on February 23, 2007, and was broadcast on television networks in America, Europe and Asia from March 2, 2007.
The exclusive acoustic set had the participation of other big-name artists including the Cure and Amy Lee. Additionally, Korn were joined by an array of instrumentalists and touring musicians, including guitarist Rob Patterson, backup vocalist Kalen Chase, keyboardist Zac Baird, and percussionist Michael Jochum.[8]
The album debuted on the U.S. Billboard 200 at #9, with about 51,000 copies sold in its first week,[9] and experienced 55% decline in sales in the following week.[10]
Richard Gibbs comments on the album
On December 24, 2006, Richard Gibbs made following statement on his message board:[11]
"About a month or so ago my pal Jonathan (Davis) asked me to music direct/arrange Korn's appearance on MTV Unplugged. We videotaped at MTV's studios in Times Square two weeks ago and we are currently mixing that CD as well here at the Woodshed, yours truly at the producing helm again. For this project I added four celli, two basses, two cimbassos, two bass/contrabass trombonists, a saw player, a glass harmonica player, choir bells, and a six person taiko ensemble to Korn. Plus The Cure sat in for a mashup and Amy Lee (from Evanescence) sang along on Freak on a Leash. Fairly awesome."
"Dirty" (MTV Virtual Hills leak)[13][14] (also on the Japanese edition of the album)
Additional content
The album's booklet contained a special code which granted owners of the recording an opportunity for an exclusive preview of Korn's then forthcoming studio album.[15]