Nirvana: MTV Unplugged in New York

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.

It is about F*ckin' time they release this legendary concert to dvd, or even to have it officially released period. I Will def. be picking this dvd up on it's release date. I will forever be a fan of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. PS. no more ppl forking out $50 or more for a crappy bootleg, this is OFFICIAL BABY! WHOOHOO! (Below is the offical Press release)LOS ANGELES, October 23, 2007 - Nearly 14 years to the day of the filming of Nirvana's landmark "MTV Unplugged" performance, that raw, revealing and emotionally gripping acoustic concert previously seen only on television will be available for the first time on DVD. Unplugged In New York (Geffen/MTV Networks/UMe) will be released on November 20, 2007 and will feature the complete, unedited 66-minute concert including "Something In The Way" and "Oh Me" not aired during the original 44-minute broadcast. Unplugged In New York also includes five previously unreleased rehearsal performances and MTV News interviews with the band and audience members.Filmed November 18, 1993 at Sony Music Studios, the show first aired on MTV on December 14, 1993; just four months before the untimely passing of Kurt Cobain. Unplugged In New York DVD is now presented in both Dolby Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound and includes both the shorter original broadcast version, and Nirvana's entire unedited performance. When released on CD in November 1994, MTV Unplugged In New York debuted #1, won the Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album in 1996 and was quickly certified five times platinum.Favoring a selection of carefully chosen tracks over the band's hits, Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic and drummer Dave Grohl perform acoustic versions of Nirvana's "About A Girl," "Come As You Are," "Pennyroyal Tea," "Dumb," "Polly," "On A Plain," "Something In The Way" and "All Apologies." Six other songs are covers that mined Nirvana's musical diversity and depth, from David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World" and The Vaselines' version of "Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam" to the trad folk "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" associated with Leadbelly and the Meat Puppets' "Plateau," "Oh, Me" and "Lake Of Fire." Meat Puppets singer-guitarist Curt Kirkwood and bassist brother Cris Kirkwood perform with Nirvana on those tracks. Also seen and heard throughout are Nirvana's touring guitarist Pat Smear, an original Germs member and the original and now recurrent guitarist of The Foo Fighters.The DVD adds the MTV News "Bare Witness" feature of interviews with the band, the MTV production staff, and fans in the audience, plus the rehearsal footage for "Come As You Are," "Polly," "Plateau," "Pennyroyal Tea" and "The Man Who Sold The World."COMPLETE SHOW (UNEDITED):About A GirlCome As You AreJesus Doesn't Want Me For A SunbeamThe Man Who Sold The WorldPennyroyal TeaDumbPollyOn A PlainSomething In The WayPlateauOh, MeLake Of FireAll ApologiesWhere Did You Sleep Last Night?MTV NEWS - BARE WITNESS:DocumentaryTHE REHEARSALS:Come As You ArePollyPlateauPennyroyal TeaThe Man Who Sold The World***UPDATE***I've already pre-ordered this dvd as of Yesterday!

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.