MTV Unplugged might have lost traction in America, but apparently it’s gaining momentum in Australia. Courtney Barnett recorded an episode back in October, and she just released it as an album. The live recording includes Courtney performing a new song, “Play It On Repeat,” and a striking cover of Leonard Cohen’s “So Long, Marianne.” You can watch both below and stream the entire album here.

A popular show in America in the 1990s, MTV Unplugged showcases musical artists performing their hit songs using acoustic instruments. One of the most legendary episodes features Nirvana. Recorded on November 18, 1993, just five months before Kurt Cobain’s death, the installment found the band playing covers and lesser known songs from their catalog. Subsequently, the live recording was released as a CD in 1994 and went on to win a Grammy Award. To mark the record’s 25th anniversary, it was reissued last month. MTV Unplugged is still around in America. The network attempted a reboot in 2017, but it hasn’t gone very far.

MTV Unplugged was introduced in Melbourne, Australia last year. Besides Courtney’s episode, The Rubens, DMA’s, Amy Shark, and Gang of Youths have all been featured.

For Courtney’s MTV Unplugged, she took a page out of Nirvana’s playbook and performed a few covers. Besides Cohen, the Aussie songstress collaborated with songwriter Paul Kelly on a cover of Archie Roach’s “Charcoal Lane”. And she invited New Zealander Marlon Williams to join her for a version of Seeker Lover Keeper’s “Not Only I.”

Also on the album are unplugged versions of “Depreston,” “Avant Gardener,” “Sunday Roast,” “Nameless, Faceless,” and the above mentioned new song, “Play It On Repeat.” The show was recorded at Melbourne’s Howler, and finds Courtney’s usual bandmates, Dave Mudie and Bones Sloane, backing along with special guests Lucy Waldron on cello and Evelyn Ida Morris on piano.

On a related note, Courtney covered Wilco for an Uncut Magazine tribute CD. She served up a beautiful stripped-down version of “Dawned on Me,” which is off Wilco’s The Whole Love. You can listen to it here.

Courtney Barnett: MTV Unplugged (Live in Melbourne) is now available as a digital download. CD and aqua blue vinyl versions will be released on February 21, 2020. You can pre-order them here. Courtney also has some shows coming up in Australia and North America. See all dates below.

Courtney Barnett: MTV Unplugged (Live in Melbourne) Track List
1. Depreston
2. Sunday Roast
3. Charcoal Lane (featuring Paul Kelly) – written by Archie Roach
4. Avant Gardener
5. Nameless, Faceless (featuring Evelyn Ida Morris)
6. Untitled (Play It On Repeat)
7. Not Only I (featuring Marlon Williams) – written by Seeker Lover Keeper
8. So Long, Marianne – written by Leonard Cohen

TOUR DATES
Paul Kelly “Making Gravy” Tour
Dec 7 – Stadium Park at Optus Stadium, Perth
Dec 12 – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne *SOLD OUT*
Dec 14 – The Domain, Sydney
Dec 21 – Riverstage, Brisbane *SOLD OUT*

Milk! Records Xmas Party
Sunday Dec 22, Northcote Social Club, Melbourne *SOLD OUT*
(Matinee All Ages / Evening Show 18+)
with Hachiku, Loose Tooth and special guests

Solo Tour
with special guest Hachiku
Jan 9,10,11,12 – The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine VIC *ALL SOLD OUT
Jan 18 – Sky Blue Sky Festival, Mexico
Jan 20 – The Ryman, Nashville TN (Brandi Carlile) *SOLD OUT*
Jan 21 – The Ryman, Nashville TN (Brandi Carlile) *SOLD OUT*
Jan 23 – The Queen, Wilmington DE *SOLD OUT*
Jan 24 – Iron Horse, Northampton MA *SOLD OUT*
Jan 25 – Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock NY *SOLD OUT*
Jan 27 – Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh PA *SOLD OUT*
Jan 28 – Gartner Auditorium, Cleveland OH *SOLD OUT*
Jan 29 – Castle Theatre, Bloomington IL
Jan 31 – Pappy & Harriets, Pioneertown CA *SOLD OUT*
Feb 1 – Fremont Theatre, San Luis Obispo CA
Feb 2 – Redwood Barn, Sonoma CA *SOLD OUT*
Feb 4 – Knitting Factory Concert House, Boise ID
Feb 6 – The Center Theatre, Jackson WY
Feb 8 – Stanley Hotel, Estes Park CO *SOLD OUT*