carlmcq's Full Review: MTV Unplugged in New York by Nirvana (US)
On November 18th 1993, the kings of 'grunge' stepped into a small studio filled with fans to perform an acoustic set. The traditionalist would have expected, or wanted, them to play the obvious likes of Smells Like Teen Spirit and Heart Shaped Box. But what Kurt Cobain had in mind was something beautiful enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
As I gradually review all Nirvana's releases, if anyones checked my other reviews....(hint!).... this cannot be mentioned in the same breathe as say, In Utero, just simply because this is the other side of Nirvana that we rarely saw, and perhaps would have seen more of, had it not been for Cobain's suicide.
Opening song 'About A Girl' is taken from their debut release 'Bleach', which was originally a fairly calm track - very Beatles-esque in places, and with the 'unplugged' ambience, it is even more so now.
'Come As You Are' follows, one of the singles from 'Nevermind', and recieves instant applause from the audience as they instantly recognise it. The echoing screams of Cobain fit perfectly on one of the most basic yet eeriely brilliant guitar riffs you could ever find.
The third track is the first cover of the evening, but yet one of the most obscure ones you could think of Nirvana ever doing. 'Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam' was adapted from the Christian hymn, that I believe the Vaselines also did - as Cobain mentions prior to the songs beginning, and it includes bassist Krist Novoselic on accordian for this track. Although I'll admit there are better covers on this album, as you'll soon read, due to the origins of this song, it certainly does intrigue and interest many.
'The Man Who Sold The World', originally by David Bowie, is a big highlight of the album for me. They do cheat a little by adding light distortion to the guitar, therefore defying the term 'Unplugged', but when the results are this good, I couldn't care less!!
The next two tracks; 'Pennyroyal Tea' and 'Dumb' are off the band's last studio recorded album; 'In Utero'. The former being incredible in this recording - just Cobain and a guitar. Personally, I feel 'Dumb' is better on 'In Utero', only just however.
'Polly', an acoutic track from Nevermind, is a song many 'old' Nirvana fans would have become somewhat bored with, if that's possible. But due to it's recognition, it receives audience appreciation after just a couple of notes, once they realise what it is. I like this track - it's not as bassy as the album version, and not as dark. The distorted version of this song was always better though I felt.
'On A Plain' and 'Something In The Way' are also taken from Nevermind. The latter being an autobiographical piece from Cobain's time when he slept underneath a bridge in his hometown. 'On A Plain' is a interesting addition - it never received as much notice as many of the other songs on Nevermind, but this acoustic version seems to work exceedingly well.
Three covers appear next, originally by the Meat Puppets. They even welcome the band's two guitarists to play on this track along with them. 'Plateau' exemplifies some of Cobain's excellent vocal skills, reaching extremely high notes during the chorus. 'Oh Me' and 'Lake Of Fire' are the two other tracks that follow - 'Oh Me' often gets disregarded as the weaker track out of the three, but I personally believe it's comfortably on a par with the other two tracks - with some excellent guitar parts in it just for safe measure!!
'All Apologies' is taken from In Utero, and is arguably the most mesmeric track off the album. The haunting repetition of 'All In All Is All We Are' by Cobain and Dave Grohl at the end of the song is excellent. A real highlight of the album.
The final track of the album is 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?', originally by Ledbetter, and it has literally saved the best until last. Cobain's screaming towards the end of the song will remain with you for ages - in particular if you've ever seen the television performance of this, where he stares distantly..... if you've seen it you'll understand!!
The album was never released until after Kurt's death, which happened to be only five months after the recording. It's a great shame that he took his life so young, because after looking at the beauty and brilliance of this CD, it's clear that he was far from done in the music world. So enjoy what he left us....believe me, you will.
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