Nirvana: Unplugged In New York (1993)

Overrated and overhyped

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

By 1993 with Kurt Cobain in the lead, Kirst Novoselic on bass, Dave Grohl on drums and starting that year, Pat Smear on rhythm guitar, Nirvana had taken grunge, the often-stigmatized offshoot of punk and heavy metal, out of the underground Seattle clubs where it was born and brought it to the mainstream music scene. Nirvana had succeeded in becoming the biggest band of their era. Naturally MTV jumped at the opportunity to have Nirvana on their show MTV UNPLUGED. Kurt was initially hesitant because he disliked most unplugged performances by rock bands. He felt they just tried to play acoustic instruments like they did electric ones. There was no change in their style. They didn't embrace the format.So he was very particular in the way he wanted to have the show set up, a crystal chandelier above them and stargazer lilies all around them. The show runners were not fans of this choice. They were concerned it looked too much like a funeral but Kurt held his ground. Watching the performance, it doesn't look like a wake. If anything it beautifully highlights the juxtaposition of a punk band playing without the screaming aid of electrically enhanced instruments.Another point of contention was the show's setlist. MTV wanted them to play the songs that Nirvana was famous for. Kurt however wanted to do something different and new, that was more melodic and better utilized their acoustic limitations.Only the first two songs of the 14 performed were top hits, "About a Girl" and "Come as You Are." The rest of the songs were either less popular Nirvana songs or covers from classic rock and songs composed by their contemporaries in grunge. One of the highlights includes a cover of David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold World." It's an emotionally charged version of the song that takes Bowie's original to an entirely new level. Kurt's singing on this song is so soulful that it could almost bring a tear to your eye.Another is "Lake of Fire." The recording of this song would go on to be one of Nirvana's best remembered and for good reason. Their jaunty cover of the Meatpuppets' song about damnation features strained and screeching vocals with a piekey inflection that needs no electronic modification to get the punk sound across. It perfectly shows how vocals can entirely set a song's tone even in the guitar dominated (punk) rock genre. The last song played was a cover of the traditional blues song "Where Did You Sleep Last Night." The most known version, and the one that inspired Nirvana was by '40s blues man, Leadbelly, whose music Kurt had recently fallen in love with. Before they begin the song Kurt notes that Leadbelly is his favorite performer and laments that despite his rock star status he couldn't come up with the five- hundred thousand dollars that the Leadbelly estate wanted for his guitar. Krist suggest a donation from the audience to help. The actually performance of the song is a haunting rendition that showcases the pain and angst in Kurt's voice and plays perfectly into this classic blues song. It shows just how timeless sincere and well performed music can be. After the last song Kurt swings his guitar over his shoulder then sets it down on stage, lights a cigarette and begins to walk out before he pauses and begins walking around the audience signing autographs. This would be one of Nirvana's last performances before the events that led to Kurt's untimely death. It was a beautiful showcase of Nirvana's ability not only as a popular punk band but also as true artists. It demonstrated phenomenal musical ability. It's almost undoubtedly their best show, which makes the fact that it was their last major recording session all the more tragic. There is, however, I suppose solace to be found in that if there was ever a show to walk into the sunset after, never to be seen again, this was it.

Who would believe that I'm only just sitting down to watch this show for the first time ever! I've had the CD since it came out all those years ago, and its got to be one of my most listened CDs.Watching the live show now, it just adds an extra dimension to the music I already loved to death.I write songs, and I've always been a believer in "if it doesn't sound good on an acoustic guitar, its not good at all". I write punk and hard rock songs... and this film shows exactly why that statement is true.A must for all fans of music, especially those who denounced grunge (and most other rock for that matter)as "just a load of noise".

I was speechless when i first saw this. I had heard the album of the Unplugged show but i had never seen it. I have always been a big fan of Nirvana and I still believe that they are the greatest band that that have ever graced the earth. This shows that they are in fact worthy of that title.Kurt Cobain sang his heart out and all the world watched. This show displayed all of his talents and all of his pain. This is the best "MTV Unplugged" and the best live performance of any band. I have already stated this but it's true. If you are a true Nirvana fan or you just have a deep understanding for music, this show put you in a state of awe. By the end you will have chills running down your spine and a few wells in your eyes.

Kurt Cobain is my favorite musician, and Nirvana is my favorite band (as one might assume from my e-mail address). Therefore, one may think my review to be biased. But this performance was without a doubt the best done on MTV's Unplugged series, and the best done by the band itself. Kurt's harsh voice draws from you emotion and thought, while the guitars by both he and Pat Smear soothe you. Krist Noveselic does a great job, keeping the deeper tone, which we all love, and Dave Grohl is amazing. The first time--for me anyway--that he has been seen doing backup vocals, especially on All Apologies. Key moments: Kurt's solo take on Pennyroyal Tea, the musical opus at the end of Plateau (a Meatpuppets cover, I think), and the powerful movement in the final verse of Where Did You Sleep Last Night? (another cover, but of Ledbelly).