Nirvana: MTV Unplugged in New York

Thanks to the legal hijinks that dragged on long after Kurt Cobain's death, anything Nirvana-related was put on hold. After the legal resolution a couple of years ago, a 3-cd set of unreleased recordings saw the light of day (With The Lights Out), not to mention the obligatory "best of" (Nirvana). Now finally comes the somewhat legendary "MTV Unplugged" show. This set still draws some mixed reactions, even if most fans agree it's brilliant. Taped just months before Cobain's suicide, it's both startingly raw and disturbingly planned, with the band playing amongst candles and flowers (stargazer lilies, to be precise)--more than a few people noted it seemed like a funeral, and indeed that's the way Cobain intended it. Other details that stand out include the fact that while most of the band sit propped on wooden stools, Cobain sits in what appears to be a standard swiveling office chair ("I have very bad posture," indeed!) and the presence of ex-Germ (and future Foo Fighter) Pat Smear, who backs Cobain up as a second guitarist. Anyway, for all its emblamatic status, "Unplugged" also gave a somewhat false impression of the band, and Cobain in particular. Instead of the decidedly plugged in punk the band was known for, Cobain was transformed into a pained-looking, cardigan sweater wearing ghost warbling about how Jesus didn't want him for a sunbeam. Another MTV broadcast, taped just a few months before "Unplugged" the suitably-named "Live and Loud" show, could restore the balance somewhat, but of course it hasn't been officially released on DVD yet. Nevertheless, "Unplugged" retains an almost atavistic hold on the viewer, and is still one of the most intense musical performances ever broadcast on television.Instead of a basic acoustic run-through of their hits, the band used the opportunity to put a new spin on some of their album tracks. The songs "Polly" and "Dumb" were pretty much unplugged before, but in the context of this show became brillianty-etched character studies. The main character, however, was always Cobain, and his songs constant references to death and alienation became all the more chilling here. "Unplugged" is, therefore, something of an audiovisual suicide note. No suicide note has been as exhilerating as this one, though. If you never believed in the concept of catharsis, this might chance your mind.The band also used the show to highlight some of their own favorite music, and five of the songs here are covers, all of them given new life by their inclusion here. David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold the World" now seems like Cobain speaking from his grave, even if he wasn't dead yet. The tradional ballad "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" was performed by one of Cobain's favorite bands, The Vaselines, but this version was both tribute and personal statement. Three songs from Meat Puppets II, with Chris and Kurt Kirkwood from that band joining in, also seemed handpicked for their metaphorical content, most notably the damnation-themed "Lake of Fire."What makes this DVD more than just a keepsake is the fact that the entire performance, complete with between song banter and mistakes, are included, as well as the original broadcast version. The uncut "Unplugged" also has 14 songs, compared with the broadcast version's 12. Of course, all the songs can be found on the CD version (MTV Unplugged in New York), but now it's available in full 5.1 glory (and done remarkably well, I might add). The long version also includes a very brief, abortive version of "Sweet Home Alabama," done as "the Brothers Meat" (as Cobain says) were setting up. While the retrospective documentary also included here is disapointinly light on information, it does include a short clip of Sonic Youth's Lee Renaldo, who was at the taping. So while this is pretty much essential for fans, even the curious will want to check this out. Hopefully, some of Nirvana's electric performances will be released soon, but this is still a unique performance that easily transcends the era when it was done.

I had listened to Nirvana's most well known tracks back in the early 90s, and I knew of the circumstances surrounding Kurt's death. But - since I had not taken serious notice of Kurt and Nirvana early on, I didn't fully realize why some people on the radio were so vocally mournful of his passing.Then in late 2006, my then 13 year-old son got me reinterested in grunge music and Nirvana at a deeper level. We were stuck in slow car ride during a snowstorm with only a Nirvana CD in the car. I listened to several tracks I hadn't heard before, either because I was a tuned out baby-boomer and/or they didn't receive the airplay. Following up, I listened to a lot more and it was a musical reawakening.I later bought the unplugged DVD as an early holiday present for my son, and it ended up being a present for both of us. I actually kept it after our first watching - and viewed it late at night while I was doing some laptop work. In summary - watching this video makes you wish Kurt could be resurrected. This is a truly great live performance! It's like being in the living room with a relaxed, yet well-rehearsed and enormously creative artist.Biggest pluses - the unplugged version of "All Apologies" is even better than the already great studio version. Great collaboration with the Meat Puppets - especially "Lake of Fire." Kurt's take on Leadbelly's "Where Did you Sleep Last Night" is riveting. There was a good measure of low-key but effective humor and side comments.This performance was humble yet visually interesting to watch. They did not need to "put on a show" to move their audience. To Nirvana's credit, this performance was actually the antithesis of stagemanship. And that is because the stagemanship was not necessary.My only regret is that they didn't include an unplugged version of "Heart Shaped Box" in this collection. For that, you need to pick up the "Wishkah" CD (or download the MP3). The Wishkah is a river near Kurt's native Aberdeen WA. This information I gained from a recent film "About a Son," which is an exceptionally well-done retospective documentary.I agree with Tom Petty in regard to a comment he made about Nirvana being "the most significant band since the Beatles." Kurt Cobain was a truly amazing talent - and it ended far too soon.

There are two kinds of people you can't listen to: the ones who refer to Kurt Cobain by his first name, and the ones who say Nirvana was just power cords. I'm neither.I was already a big fan of the Unplugged CD, but I'd never seen the MTV broadcast. I bought this DVD hoping for a good show. It far exceeded my expectations.Kurt Cobain was dead years before I ever even heard of Nirvana. I got to know Nirvana through their audio. I avoided media coverage and other people's opinions on Kurt Cobain, because I can't stand celebrity worship or misguided fascination with his suicide. The man was incredibly talented. He made great music. He put his soul into his music. He cared about his work. Those are the nicest things I can say about almost any stranger.Anyway, the concert is great. The band knew MTV would edit the show for broadcast, and it's relaxed, unhurried, and unaffected. The Unplugged album is a great showcase for Cobain's voice, and this show is even better. Neither the man nor his lips move much. He doesn't seem to be trying. In other words, he seems sincere. The band is infinitely more interesting to watch than any fan boy ever led me to believe. It felt good, to see this for myself. I can wear a Nirvana T-shirt now.Cobain also seems high. He was addicted to heroin around the time this was recorded so... maybe.Most importantly, the music is great. Better than ever. The songs felt better than new.