Yes! I believe that song shows Cobain’s wide range from a tempered whimper to screeching like a wounded animal. She would crush an analysis of that performance.
“I was simply blown away when I found that Kurt Cobain liked my work, and have always wanted to talk to him about his reasons for covering ‘The Man Who Sold the World’” and that it was a good straight forward rendition and sounded somehow very honest. It would have been nice to have worked with him, but just talking with him would have been real cool.” -David Bowie P.S. Kurt does actually technically screw up the solo by one fret as he prophesized, but it just sounds cooler.
Kurt was never concerned about being "technically perfect" in either his vocals or his guitar playing. That was such a huge part of his charm for us Nirvana fans and what set him and Nirvana apart from so many other bands and artists
Not exactly true. He was meticulous while recording. He would multitrack. One take sang on key as close as perfect as he could and then a second messy one with the vocal fry to make it sound like it was unpolished.
Kurt was a genius at not being "technically perfect". He perfected the art of not being technically perfect by making it sound amazing. He was able to create music not only through his vocal screams, but also through the "noise" or feedback that was generated between his guitar and the amplifiers. Think of the song called "Endless Nameless".
@@williamkrieger7932 Yes and no. It's not really fair to say "he" did anything on the album tracks. Sure, he wrote the songs, but albums are more than that. Nevermind was produced/directed by Butch Vig, who recommended the double tracking and all that. Nirvana felt that the album was a little overproduced, thus In Utero being produced by Steve Albini, known for producing for indie artists like the pixies. I love Nevermind, but he definitely wasn't one for overproducing. The feel was more important to him than being "technically correct", otherwise he would hate 90% of his live show performances
As a teenager in the 90's this entire set made music so accessible in terms of actually learning. The songbook was everything and gave me a platform to teach myself enough to float a 15yr career as a musician, creating my own style and sound along the way.
Analyzing “Lithium” would be awesome! Personally, I think it’s the song that best defines what Nirvana was. The soft/loud/soft/loud dynamic fits that track to perfection, while Cobain shows off his side vocal range masterfully. Can’t wait to watch that analysis video.
"learn how not to play the guitar" was a quote of Robert Johnson that Kurt hung over his bed. About finding your voice and making it a part of you through not just doing it technically correct...I expect that that thinking carried into everything, as it should, including his singing.
With this performance, Dave Grohl made the transformation from caveman to *civilized* caveman (if only for a moment). 😄Nonchalance was really the defining characteristic of the genre and subculture. "No matter what, do NOT look or sound like you're actually trying!" That relaxed "laziness" is something that was heard in Staley's vocals, too - bigtime. It's one of the things I always loved about Kurt's voice. Completely effortless, even when he was screaming. Those barely perceptible voice breaks/"yodels," too - glad you commented on them!
He wasn't "completely effortless" when he was screaming in "Smells Like Teen Spirit". In fact he wasn't effortless at all. He was screaming his lungs out proverbially speaking. I am "completely effortless" too when I am singing a lazy ballad. 🤣
@@TheChristOfRockNRoll there was something in the quality of his voice which sounded that way to me, no matter what he was singing - and, again, even when he was screaming. I dunno. 😄
Thanks for this great review. This whole performance is legendary of course. As far as your next Nirvana song, I'll put my vote in for Lounge Act. Incredible sound and lyrics on that one! Thank you!
This song always reminds me of when I was deployed to Mogudishu in '93 and '95. We played this CD over and over again (in '95) on a shitty little boom box. Every time I hear this song I can feel the heat, the hot wind, the smells and sounds of being there. Not the greatest memory, but still a memory.
Made it back that's what counts, I gotta brother from basic training that died in Africa on deployment, didn't even get shot, got bit by a snake. R.I.P.
Watching your passion and energy express on your face is really refreshing. You can tell you get up each day and love endeavoring in your vocation. Thanks for sharing your skill and expertise for our entertainment.
This has always been one of my favrotie albums they did - you really need to watch/listen to the last track - Where did you sleep last night. Talk about haunting.
@@treetopjones737 I would guess Kurt wanted more than just a natural, folksy sound from his instrument, considering the main genre of his band's music. Bruce Springsteen broke the rule entirely on his appearance, which was appropriately, for the occasion, renamed MTV Plugged.
The guitar is a 1959 Martin D-18E, #7 of only 302 made. Serial Number #166854 Kurt bought it at Voltage Guitars in LA for $5000. It got sold for $6 million dollars at auction. The 1959 pickup system was disabled by Kurt’s guitar tech Earnie Bailey, and all you are hearing on the Unplugged is the Bartolini 3AV sound hole pickup wired to the stock side jack coming through a Fender Twin Reverb amplifier disguised as flowers on the set. The distortion pedal was a Boss DS-2.
It’s hard to not think about his mental state when he did this concert. The Man Who Sold the World was a really personal song for him, it was about himself. The day after he died, MTV played this concert again and again. It’s hard not to think that he had already made up his mind and that informed the performance. Many people point to a moment at the end of Where did You Sleep Last Night at the end of this concert that he allowed the enormity and finality of his decision to come through. Watching it now is harrowing but informative. Unplugged is my favorite album of theirs because Kurt is at his most transparent.
BINGO and EUREKA!!! Always wondered where Kurt's mind came from and here we are A gorgeous David Bowie song. I heard you say " Great cover" so I'm guessing you heard the original. Nice!! It was said on another channel that it was said,,,, NIRVANA Killed Metal! One of the dumbest statements ever. When Kurt arrived the "Market" was flooded with Glam Jam Pop Metal bands so when NIRVANA showed it was a slaughter house!! Being a Rock Heavy Rock/ METAL HEAD I was fine with that!! The lyrics of BOWIE is SOOOOO damn EL-O-QUENT it's mind blowing. I wish there was a channel like this that also broke down lyrics and started with the first 100 David Bowie songs. Great Stuff Bethany!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎
Lithium is an awesome song. You can tell when he is in lithium and when he is off in the vocals. It helps level your emotional state. Keeps you from mantic highs and lows.
This was the first album I bought with my own money. Picked it up at a small used record shop in ‘94 or ‘95. To this day it is still one of my favorite albums. Love hearing your analysis of this song as well as Pearl Jam.
I love that you take into account the all aspects of the performance when reacting to the singing. The singing is done in context of lyrics, stage presence, the other instruments, etc.
Next we get David Bowie, right?😊😊😊 Bowie's original of this song is of course wonderful, but I always wish a vocal analyst would react to Bowie at the height of his vocal powers: Wild is the Wind from the album Station to Station or maybe the live version of the song Station to Station from 1978. Anything from around that era really. Pretty please?
@@ladyiota I did the same thing. No luck I'm sorry to say. Personally I would love an analysis of "sweet thing/ candidate/ sweet thing (reprise)". I hope the www.youtube.com/@TheVocalyst reads these comments because I love this site. Anything by Iggy Pop (and/or the Stooges) and Lou Reed would be great.
I Love that you are doing reviews on alternative music. Here is a suggestion that you may or may not have heard but one of my favorite bands of all time is Blind Melon. The song "Change" is a great showcase of Shannon Hoon's abilities. You will love the range that this man had.
Good point about nasal and lazy. The irony is that folks like Kurt and Bob Dylan can convey so much more soul and authenticiy than most other pop singers. This performance showed he was so much more than a screamer and thrasher. Cannot believe 30 years ago, seems like a minute ago.
Great review Bethany. A good reminder that a great vocalist does not have to hit all the notes. They have a given instrument, of whatever quality, and the manner in which they use it provides the character of their songs. Most of my favorite singers are not pitch perfect superheroes but use their voice to add the rawness, urgency, or emotionality that music requires. Thanks as always.
Another one of my fav bands! As a teenager I didn't have the same appreciation for his music as I do now. However I have always found his voice soothing and a feeling of peace in this song. I also appreciate the body language and the message behind the way he sings the words. Thank you
This is hands down one of my all time favorite songs.. I used to listen to it over and over when I was a kid.. on my walkman portable CD player.. I thought I was so cool lol
Also, you are so thoughtful and insightful! Most reaction videos are just people saying whether or not they liked it, and that’s about it. No clue why anybody would watch someone watch something and mumble some monosyllabic nothing at the end. I can feel that you are passionate about what you’re doing, and you really weigh every inflection.
Kurt being slightly out of tune or off made his voice one of a kind. Was he a singer like Chris Cornell or Layne Staley, absolutely not but somehow his voice was perfect. It seemed to come from pain than resonated that to this day still resonates with me. I was so lucky to be a teenager when grunge was at its peak. A perfect example is ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’ as others have pointed out. Thank you for your videos.
I got this CD in my early teens and I used to fall asleep listening to it 30 years ago😊 I've seen him on video a long time ago play he said don't matter as long as it's got passion and then the song a song way out of essentially come as you are I think❤
The reason we all gravitated to Kurt was because we were tired of slick fake studio creations and he (and others) gave us real genuine emotion. This whole performance was raw emotion. My other favorite Unplugged was The Cure. That's another example of real genuine emotion, but with a smile on your face rather than what Kurt was going through.
He sounds exactly like he does in his studio recordings to me, so i think it's intentional, but i could be wrong bc I'm not a professional like u. I love your channel btw, i just found it tonight and its leading me diwn a rabbit hole 😂😂😂
A great cover of a David Bowie song. Curt and the band played this brilliantly. Now it's just a small step to David Bowie, a world of diversity awaits you. So a tip: go on a journey of discovery called David Bowie.
Kurt's voice effortlessly slips into falsetto as though he straddles all dimensions at the same time and just appears and disappears between them in a fluid morph. This is one of the absolutely unique hallmarks of his vocals. The man was an enigma. Like Hendrix's guitar personified in voice.
I wish you would do the entire performance, I can get you a complete no-ads video. It's the performance I adore most as the ultimate Nirvana fan, at 45 years old. I watch it at least twice a year, and anytime I need a boost of emotion. I truly love your channel, thank you for all you're doing, it's great. (EDIT: I agree with other posters, PLEASE if you don't do the entire performance, at least do the final song "Where Did you Sleep Last Night" -- it's the place you can truly feel Kurt's pain and everything about him, truly transformative, and as a true vocalist, I think you'll truly enjoy it.)
It is such a fantastic rendition. Bowie described his 19 year old (I think) self singing this in a trance like state in the early 70s... and then Nirvana put their brand on a very different version in arrangement and vocals. This whole unplugged set was a gift.
There is a version of this song in the special edition In Utero album that is from one of their concerts. He actually is yelling the guitar/ cello solo you hear in the unplugged version. It sounds phenomenal!
I loved MTV Unplugged. Most bands today couldn't do an acoustic set of their music to save their life. My two favorites were Nirvana and KISS. You should also react to KISS performing their Unplugged version of "I Still Love You". Paul Stanley was at his vocal best for this performance.
"Where Did You Sleep Last Night", "All Apologies", and "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam", all from Unplugged. On another unrelated note, have you listened to Portishead ?
I think "Lithium" could be a fascinating review. I always found the combination of lyrics so poetic, and there are some great moments in the way his voice is supported by the bass line and the drumming around the phrase "I'm not going to crack." For other suggestions, I've always been fascinated by Nirvana's "Sliver," but I think the songs "School" and "Drain You" might also be intriguing to you as well!
You WILL enjoy hearing "Ghost" but not the famous "Mary on a cross" but some songs like "Cirice" or "Rats" that showcases more of what they normally make, Recommend A LOT "Cirice" from them
You've done Kurt, you've done Layne and you've done Chris - you've left (arguably) the best to last. Kurt Cobain's good friend and something of a mentor to the young singer - the legendary Mark Lanegan. Mark was the singer with The Screaming Trees - a band with an uncomfortable connection to the grunge scene, by the time it broke, they'd moved on to a much bigger sound. Check out "Shadow of the Season" or "Nearly Lost You" - or Mark's solo version of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" with Kurt on backing vocals (years before Nirvana's unplugged session).
In David Bowie's version, he is singing from the perspective of the guy talking about the man who sold the world, in Nirvana's version, Kurt Cobain IS the man who sold the world. A completely different perspective.
Damn I was just watching a LP reaction thinking about Chester being gone too soon, and now here's Kurt Cobain. Also gone way way way too soon. God I love this unplugged concert. This was up there with being one of my favorite albums back in the day. The pain and angst in his voice and knowing what happened to him not long after. My God. Why are all of the truly talented and creative people taken away from us too soon? I love to try to imagine what Nirvana would've evolved into over the years as the music landscape changed. Ugh I know this is such a cliche thing to say..............but I miss the 90s so much!!!!! There was just so much good and interesting music it was hard to choose sometimes what to listen to. RIP Kurt. Your music inspired a whole generation of lost souls.
I would love a review of ANY of the songs of that unplugged album it is simply FANTASTIC such a shane we didnt get anymore from Kurt because I feel he was really coming into his own as an artist, who knows what rlse he could of and would of done!!😢
Hey Bethany I love everything you're putting out! I have a suggestion or two and I feel like this is a good rendezvous point. I know you've heard a little bit of tool but there's a song that is by David Bowie, Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A perfect circle & Puscifer) called "Bring me the disco king." It's one of those like incredible surprising song that is also one of David's final acts. I would love to hear what you think about it. Also maybe not appropriate to double suggest but the band "Sleep Token" has become almost instantaneously one of the most beautiful bands that I've ever heard and incredibly unique. I recommend "chokehold" - It's just like Gah vocally so striking and sort of playful. Anyway keep doing what you're doing 😊
I would characterize Cobain's vocal performance here as "sedate", quite restrained. The relatively focused - or limited - dynamic range does support a dreamier, ethereal, melancholic air to the song. Still, he demonstrates his inimitable breathiness and trademark "cracks" in some of his linguistic transitions. Lithium would be a great one that highlights more of Cobain's range, edge, and assertiveness! Cool track on the whole.
The memories that this song congers up in me is surreal, a sublime time when I had such immense happiness in the USA. Listening to this song whilst driving on the country roads of Ohio with my lady next to me. It funny how a single song can provide such visceral feelings . Why is this world so cruel and complex?
All I can say is I grew up listening to Nirvana. I will say the way Kurt Cobain sang, was like that. That was all him and he still to this day even after he died, he is the greatest influencer in the 90s. He brought an entire new genre to the 90s rock. I also know that his favorite performer was a blues singer that went by Led Belly. When you get a chance listen to Led Belly performing the song, "My Girl." Then listen to Nirvana's cover, "My Girl" live, and then you can see how Kurt was influenced as originally a blues player and just made it his own.
That jam out at the end always gets me, it was the same watching this live as a 9 year old on mtv here in New Zealand with my older cousin and his band
David Bowie had not played this song in years, from his 1970 album. Yet, he played it at concerts after Kurt’s death. Read in an interview, that he appreciated the respect given to this overlooked tune - and he wished he knew Kurt. Neil Young, and Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) were musicians Kurt called, and talked with. At the time, Kurt didn’t seek help. I was in college in 1991, when a friend who was at our campus radio, called me in, that I hear this new music. He knew I would “get it” - Smells like Teen Spirit! Yeah, I was an early Nirvana fan. I don’t often play their CD’s these days.
What really sucks about Kurt.At the end he was moving into another direction musically.We got to see a glimpse during unplugged.He also stated he wanted to go into a more acoustic like Johnny Cash he mentioned.Its like a blend of old blue grass folk and alternative.He wanted to work with Michael from REM.Nso he was on his way creating another new genre of music.This don't sound like anything out there
Hi Bethany, wanted to let you know that I appreciate hearing your perspective on each of the singers/bands that you react to it has been interesting to get a different point of view on some artists As some others I have seen have done, I wanted to ask that you take a minute to listen and react to most anything that Voctave has done. However considering the season I'd like to specifially suggest "Mary, did you know?" featuring Mark Lowry. Ideally you don't have too many videos already in the can so you can put this request into rotation in short order. Thank you!
Definitely a great cover. Cobain's hoarse screams concealed a great vocalist and composer. BTW, there was some epic performances of Diana Ankudinova. The last one was Dune (Paul's Dream) from Art of Hans Zimmer show. Also older The Show Must Go on in duo could be interesting for vocal analysis.
Love watching you find music I'm hunting down from my childhood. You should really check out shinedowns older music, especially their simple man cover. Also, if I was your vampire from Marylin Manson.
Radio Friendly Unit Shifter from Nirvana’s live New Year’s Eve show would be an awesome video to react to. A 180 degree difference in intensity from The Man Who Sold the World.
Lithium would be a great choice. The revelation to me from the Unplugged session was Where Did You Sleep Last Night. Well worth a listen whether you do one of your awesome detailed analyses or not! I'd love for you to revisit The Warning! Live performances is where they really shine. Check out More and Evolve from this year's MTV VMAs or Disciple from Teatro Metropolitan. Keep rocking!🙌🤘
“It doesn’t sound lazy…” I loved that comment :-) It’s Unplugged!!! I’d like to add up to the supposed infinite list of requests, first I thought of Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Course, then Eminem - Like Home, then Silverchair, Bush, Nine Inch Nails, Placebo - Special K, Placebo - You Don’t Care About Us, Placebo - Begin The End… Placebo, Placebo… I’ll settle with “Placebo - Battle For The Sun”. Lithium deserves a P. S. P. S. - As a hard core Nirvana fan when I get the cravings I always listen to Lithium, it’s conceptual, indescribable, pure sensation. Edit: What a blunder, please read “Aneurysm” where I wrote “Lithium”, either way I recommend them in the “Live at Paramount, 1991”. Thank U
David Bowie said of Nirvana's cover: "I simply blown away when I found that Kurt Cobain liked my work, and have always wanted to talk to him about his reasons for covering 'The Man Who Sold The World" and that "it was a good straight forward rendition and sounded somehow very honest.
I've always thought that you can hear Kurt's voice develop over years though his albums. In Utero and that MTV Live concert are probably the ones that best show off his vocals. For something popular on In Utero, I'd look at something like Heart-Shaped Box, or All Apologies. All though it would be interesting for you to look at a song from each of the albums starting with Bleach and see what your thoughts are on it.
I love this song, Kurt and Nirvana so my comment that follows should be regarded in that light. I perform live, and i know that one does not always sing the exact lyric to every song every time. That said certain lyrics are essential to communicating the spirit of a song. All that said, I do realize I am nit picking LoL In the first verse. Kurt sings 'which came as a surprise' Bowie wrote 'which came with such surprise; which is alliterative and far more beautiful. In the second verse Bowie writes "I gazed a gazely stare at ALL THE MILLIONS THERE" God knows what Kurt says in the last half of that line.. Anyway, my 2 cents. and i know that's all it worth :)
It's art. It surely doesn't require any further analysis than, "It is what it is and that Cobain fucker was deft at his craft.......right?". The best of a good crop.
Really should analyze Nirvana cover of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" from their MTV Unplugged performance.
YES!!!
OMG - she won’t be ready, but it will be great!
Absolutely…exactly my thoughts
Yes! I believe that song shows Cobain’s wide range from a tempered whimper to screeching like a wounded animal. She would crush an analysis of that performance.
@@chadjones6074- Don't give it all away already in advance! 😅
“I was simply blown away when I found that Kurt Cobain liked my work, and have always wanted to talk to him about his reasons for covering ‘The Man Who Sold the World’” and that it was a good straight forward rendition and sounded somehow very honest. It would have been nice to have worked with him, but just talking with him would have been real cool.”
-David Bowie
P.S. Kurt does actually technically screw up the solo by one fret as he prophesized, but it just sounds cooler.
YES!!!! This unplugged album is one of my all time favorites!!! Front to back, just amazing!
Nirvana - Toned Down.
Alice and Vedder, both better!
@@jonb2756 Love both of those as well, especially Alice, but for me, there's something to that Nirvana one that was just special!
Same! So good!
@@jonb2756 nah
I've always considered this the greatest of mtv's unplugged, possibly one of the best rock shows on tape.
Period. 10000000%
@@nadiadominique2530Chains. 10000001%
This version by Nirvana stirs my emotions and brings me to tears each time I listen to it.
The whole unplugged is such a masterpiece. In Utero and Unplugged are my fav Nirvana albums.
Kurt was never concerned about being "technically perfect" in either his vocals or his guitar playing. That was such a huge part of his charm for us Nirvana fans and what set him and Nirvana apart from so many other bands and artists
Not exactly true. He was meticulous while recording. He would multitrack. One take sang on key as close as perfect as he could and then a second messy one with the vocal fry to make it sound like it was unpolished.
@@williamkrieger7932 The truth is always so much more interesting and admirable!
Kurt was a genius at not being "technically perfect". He perfected the art of not being technically perfect by making it sound amazing. He was able to create music not only through his vocal screams, but also through the "noise" or feedback that was generated between his guitar and the amplifiers. Think of the song called "Endless Nameless".
@@williamkrieger7932 Yes and no. It's not really fair to say "he" did anything on the album tracks. Sure, he wrote the songs, but albums are more than that. Nevermind was produced/directed by Butch Vig, who recommended the double tracking and all that. Nirvana felt that the album was a little overproduced, thus In Utero being produced by Steve Albini, known for producing for indie artists like the pixies.
I love Nevermind, but he definitely wasn't one for overproducing. The feel was more important to him than being "technically correct", otherwise he would hate 90% of his live show performances
As a teenager in the 90's this entire set made music so accessible in terms of actually learning. The songbook was everything and gave me a platform to teach myself enough to float a 15yr career as a musician, creating my own style and sound along the way.
Analyzing “Lithium” would be awesome! Personally, I think it’s the song that best defines what Nirvana was. The soft/loud/soft/loud dynamic fits that track to perfection, while Cobain shows off his side vocal range masterfully. Can’t wait to watch that analysis video.
"learn how not to play the guitar" was a quote of Robert Johnson that Kurt hung over his bed. About finding your voice and making it a part of you through not just doing it technically correct...I expect that that thinking carried into everything, as it should, including his singing.
The yodel relayed the pain in his soul. It’s achy and awesome and appropriate
With this performance, Dave Grohl made the transformation from caveman to *civilized* caveman (if only for a moment). 😄Nonchalance was really the defining characteristic of the genre and subculture. "No matter what, do NOT look or sound like you're actually trying!" That relaxed "laziness" is something that was heard in Staley's vocals, too - bigtime. It's one of the things I always loved about Kurt's voice. Completely effortless, even when he was screaming. Those barely perceptible voice breaks/"yodels," too - glad you commented on them!
He wasn't "completely effortless" when he was screaming in "Smells Like Teen Spirit". In fact he wasn't effortless at all. He was screaming his lungs out proverbially speaking. I am "completely effortless" too when I am singing a lazy ballad. 🤣
@@TheChristOfRockNRoll there was something in the quality of his voice which sounded that way to me, no matter what he was singing - and, again, even when he was screaming. I dunno. 😄
She specially said she didn't mean "lazy". Y'all are the ones saying lazy.
Dave Grohl looked good in that turtleneck sweater. He looked very sharp and kind of studious, almost like a college student or a professor.
😂
Thanks for this great review. This whole performance is legendary of course. As far as your next Nirvana song, I'll put my vote in for Lounge Act. Incredible sound and lyrics on that one! Thank you!
definately LOUNGE ACT!!!
This song always reminds me of when I was deployed to Mogudishu in '93 and '95. We played this CD over and over again (in '95) on a shitty little boom box. Every time I hear this song I can feel the heat, the hot wind, the smells and sounds of being there. Not the greatest memory, but still a memory.
Made it back that's what counts, I gotta brother from basic training that died in Africa on deployment, didn't even get shot, got bit by a snake. R.I.P.
Your eyes have mesmerized written all over them the moment he started moving his lips. He had that effect on us.
I'm in complete agreement
Yes, he did. And he still does.
Watching your passion and energy express on your face is really refreshing. You can tell you get up each day and love endeavoring in your vocation. Thanks for sharing your skill and expertise for our entertainment.
This has always been one of my favrotie albums they did -
you really need to watch/listen to the last track - Where did you sleep last night. Talk about haunting.
I love the tone on Cobain's guitar and the solo.
The fact that there was distortion in an "Unplugged" performance was something that took a long time for me to realize.
@@jaimesegura7318 MTV was using a very loose definition, with electrified acoustics often used.
@@treetopjones737
I would guess Kurt wanted more than just a natural, folksy sound from his instrument, considering the main genre of his band's music.
Bruce Springsteen broke the rule entirely on his appearance, which was appropriately, for the occasion, renamed MTV Plugged.
The guitar is a 1959 Martin D-18E, #7 of only 302 made.
Serial Number #166854
Kurt bought it at Voltage Guitars in LA for $5000.
It got sold for $6 million dollars at auction.
The 1959 pickup system was disabled by Kurt’s guitar tech Earnie Bailey, and all you are hearing on the Unplugged is the Bartolini 3AV sound hole pickup wired to the stock side jack coming through a Fender Twin Reverb amplifier disguised as flowers on the set.
The distortion pedal was a Boss DS-2.
It sounds like that because of the cello helping to harmonise the tone of the guitar to get a softer tune
It’s hard to not think about his mental state when he did this concert. The Man Who Sold the World was a really personal song for him, it was about himself. The day after he died, MTV played this concert again and again. It’s hard not to think that he had already made up his mind and that informed the performance. Many people point to a moment at the end of Where did You Sleep Last Night at the end of this concert that he allowed the enormity and finality of his decision to come through. Watching it now is harrowing but informative. Unplugged is my favorite album of theirs because Kurt is at his most transparent.
I’m sure Kurt asked for the set to look like a funeral
Kurt was dead less than four months after this performance. So, yeah, his mental state here will always be debated
Very nervous, but pulled off one of the greatest performances ever
I didn't listen to that recording again for almost 15 years. Too heartbreaking after Kurt's passing
Sleep well Kurt.
My personal fave from this performance. And you honed in straight away on what is great about it. Very relaxed but with a hint a dark menace.
Unbelievable performance all these years later 🏆🏆❤️❤️
Absolutely
BINGO and EUREKA!!! Always wondered where Kurt's mind came from and here we are A gorgeous David Bowie song. I heard you say " Great cover" so I'm guessing you heard the original. Nice!! It was said on another channel that it was said,,,, NIRVANA Killed Metal! One of the dumbest statements ever. When Kurt arrived the "Market" was flooded with Glam Jam Pop Metal bands so when NIRVANA showed it was a slaughter house!! Being a Rock Heavy Rock/ METAL HEAD I was fine with that!! The lyrics of BOWIE is SOOOOO damn EL-O-QUENT it's mind blowing. I wish there was a channel like this that also broke down lyrics and started with the first 100 David Bowie songs. Great Stuff Bethany!! Peace 🕊️☮️♾️😎
Lithium is an awesome song. You can tell when he is in lithium and when he is off in the vocals. It helps level your emotional state. Keeps you from mantic highs and lows.
Yes, it was (and continues to be) used for bipolar disorder.
This was the first album I bought with my own money. Picked it up at a small used record shop in ‘94 or ‘95. To this day it is still one of my favorite albums. Love hearing your analysis of this song as well as Pearl Jam.
the last song on the Unplugged performance (Where Did You Sleep Last Night) is really good as well, id love if you react to it too
I love that you take into account the all aspects of the performance when reacting to the singing. The singing is done in context of lyrics, stage presence, the other instruments, etc.
Next we get David Bowie, right?😊😊😊 Bowie's original of this song is of course wonderful, but I always wish a vocal analyst would react to Bowie at the height of his vocal powers: Wild is the Wind from the album Station to Station or maybe the live version of the song Station to Station from 1978. Anything from around that era really. Pretty please?
Fully agree !!!!
I've been scrolling through all her videos looking for Bowie or Queen. I just want to watch her listen to them.
@@ladyiota I did the same thing. No luck I'm sorry to say. Personally I would love an analysis of "sweet thing/ candidate/ sweet thing (reprise)". I hope the www.youtube.com/@TheVocalyst reads these comments because I love this site. Anything by Iggy Pop (and/or the Stooges) and Lou Reed would be great.
I Love that you are doing reviews on alternative music. Here is a suggestion that you may or may not have heard but one of my favorite bands of all time is Blind Melon. The song "Change" is a great showcase of Shannon Hoon's abilities. You will love the range that this man had.
Great suggestion! Shannon was a very unique talent…. “I Wonder” would be a great song to analyze
His live performance on Intimate and Interactive is incredible. Check it out if you haven’t
Good point about nasal and lazy. The irony is that folks like Kurt and Bob Dylan can convey so much more soul and authenticiy than most other pop singers. This performance showed he was so much more than a screamer and thrasher. Cannot believe 30 years ago, seems like a minute ago.
There is something vivid about him that "cuts through" in every performance.
absolutely no complaints hearing that stellar bass line half a dozen times
Great review Bethany. A good reminder that a great vocalist does not have to hit all the notes. They have a given instrument, of whatever quality, and the manner in which they use it provides the character of their songs. Most of my favorite singers are not pitch perfect superheroes but use their voice to add the rawness, urgency, or emotionality that music requires. Thanks as always.
I love when music is not perfect. I love to hear all the imperfections. It makes the music feel real
Like how Tool plays, in studio without a click track, let it "breathe"
Another one of my fav bands! As a teenager I didn't have the same appreciation for his music as I do now. However I have always found his voice soothing and a feeling of peace in this song. I also appreciate the body language and the message behind the way he sings the words. Thank you
You HAVE to do "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" from this same performance on MTV Unplugged.
And there's absolutely nothing nonchalant about "Where Did you Sleep Last Night?"
Alright, I take that back. It starts off a bit nonchalant, but the ending is everything but.
a beautiful poemic profound version of hope, while stranded, in outlook of the Ozean, thanks Kurt and Band for that
This is hands down one of my all time favorite songs.. I used to listen to it over and over when I was a kid.. on my walkman portable CD player.. I thought I was so cool lol
Also, you are so thoughtful and insightful! Most reaction videos are just people saying whether or not they liked it, and that’s about it. No clue why anybody would watch someone watch something
and mumble some monosyllabic nothing at the end. I can feel that you are passionate about what you’re doing, and you really weigh every inflection.
Kurt being slightly out of tune or off made his voice one of a kind. Was he a singer like Chris Cornell or Layne Staley, absolutely not but somehow his voice was perfect. It seemed to come from pain than resonated that to this day still resonates with me. I was so lucky to be a teenager when grunge was at its peak. A perfect example is ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’ as others have pointed out. Thank you for your videos.
I got this CD in my early teens and I used to fall asleep listening to it 30 years ago😊 I've seen him on video a long time ago play he said don't matter as long as it's got passion and then the song a song way out of essentially come as you are I think❤
The reason we all gravitated to Kurt was because we were tired of slick fake studio creations and he (and others) gave us real genuine emotion. This whole performance was raw emotion.
My other favorite Unplugged was The Cure. That's another example of real genuine emotion, but with a smile on your face rather than what Kurt was going through.
For "The Walk," which for its original 1983 studio release was mostly keyboard-based, they had to use kazoos for the song's signature synth riff.
Thanks, as always for your insight!!!! Happy Holidays, Bethany!!!
He sounds exactly like he does in his studio recordings to me, so i think it's intentional, but i could be wrong bc I'm not a professional like u. I love your channel btw, i just found it tonight and its leading me diwn a rabbit hole 😂😂😂
A great cover of a David Bowie song. Curt and the band played this brilliantly. Now it's just a small step to David Bowie, a world of diversity awaits you. So a tip: go on a journey of discovery called David Bowie.
Nice reaction this is a legendary concert
What I rally like about you is that you're spontaneous and when you hear something you like is evident looking at your face.
Kurt's voice effortlessly slips into falsetto as though he straddles all dimensions at the same time and just appears and disappears between them in a fluid morph. This is one of the absolutely unique hallmarks of his vocals. The man was an enigma. Like Hendrix's guitar personified in voice.
THIS song is a great jam! That opening guitar riff is so good!
Listen to the original by Bowie. #WhereItCameFrom
I wish you would do the entire performance, I can get you a complete no-ads video. It's the performance I adore most as the ultimate Nirvana fan, at 45 years old. I watch it at least twice a year, and anytime I need a boost of emotion.
I truly love your channel, thank you for all you're doing, it's great.
(EDIT: I agree with other posters, PLEASE if you don't do the entire performance, at least do the final song "Where Did you Sleep Last Night" -- it's the place you can truly feel Kurt's pain and everything about him, truly transformative, and as a true vocalist, I think you'll truly enjoy it.)
It's the encapsulation of the hippie times, relaxing and unapologetic, was a sad loss losing kurt Cobain,
It is such a fantastic rendition. Bowie described his 19 year old (I think) self singing this in a trance like state in the early 70s... and then Nirvana put their brand on a very different version in arrangement and vocals. This whole unplugged set was a gift.
I love when you review the 90's rock. Have you had may request for STP? Plush would be a good start
Yes STP unplugged please!!!!!
There is a version of this song in the special edition In Utero album that is from one of their concerts. He actually is yelling the guitar/ cello solo you hear in the unplugged version. It sounds phenomenal!
I love Nirvana! But this woman is sooooo wonderful and beautiful! I love this channel.
I loved MTV Unplugged. Most bands today couldn't do an acoustic set of their music to save their life. My two favorites were Nirvana and KISS. You should also react to KISS performing their Unplugged version of "I Still Love You". Paul Stanley was at his vocal best for this performance.
What makes you think most bands couldn’t do an acoustic set now? Nobody thought Nirvana could do it then, and they were all obviously proven wrong.
New follower. She's great, the music is amazing!
"Where Did You Sleep Last Night", "All Apologies", and "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam", all from Unplugged. On another unrelated note, have you listened to Portishead ?
Kurt's tone/vocal approach reminds me of Micheal Stipe's (REM's), Losing My Religion for some reason.
I think "Lithium" could be a fascinating review. I always found the combination of lyrics so poetic, and there are some great moments in the way his voice is supported by the bass line and the drumming around the phrase "I'm not going to crack." For other suggestions, I've always been fascinated by Nirvana's "Sliver," but I think the songs "School" and "Drain You" might also be intriguing to you as well!
You WILL enjoy hearing "Ghost" but not the famous "Mary on a cross" but some songs like "Cirice" or "Rats" that showcases more of what they normally make, Recommend A LOT "Cirice" from them
You've done Kurt, you've done Layne and you've done Chris - you've left (arguably) the best to last. Kurt Cobain's good friend and something of a mentor to the young singer - the legendary Mark Lanegan. Mark was the singer with The Screaming Trees - a band with an uncomfortable connection to the grunge scene, by the time it broke, they'd moved on to a much bigger sound. Check out "Shadow of the Season" or "Nearly Lost You" - or Mark's solo version of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?" with Kurt on backing vocals (years before Nirvana's unplugged session).
In David Bowie's version, he is singing from the perspective of the guy talking about the man who sold the world, in Nirvana's version, Kurt Cobain IS the man who sold the world. A completely different perspective.
Damn I was just watching a LP reaction thinking about Chester being gone too soon, and now here's Kurt Cobain. Also gone way way way too soon. God I love this unplugged concert. This was up there with being one of my favorite albums back in the day. The pain and angst in his voice and knowing what happened to him not long after. My God. Why are all of the truly talented and creative people taken away from us too soon? I love to try to imagine what Nirvana would've evolved into over the years as the music landscape changed. Ugh I know this is such a cliche thing to say..............but I miss the 90s so much!!!!! There was just so much good and interesting music it was hard to choose sometimes what to listen to. RIP Kurt. Your music inspired a whole generation of lost souls.
I would love a review of ANY of the songs of that unplugged album it is simply FANTASTIC such a shane we didnt get anymore from Kurt because I feel he was really coming into his own as an artist, who knows what rlse he could of and would of done!!😢
Hey Bethany I love everything you're putting out! I have a suggestion or two and I feel like this is a good rendezvous point. I know you've heard a little bit of tool but there's a song that is by David Bowie, Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A perfect circle & Puscifer) called "Bring me the disco king." It's one of those like incredible surprising song that is also one of David's final acts. I would love to hear what you think about it. Also maybe not appropriate to double suggest but the band "Sleep Token" has become almost instantaneously one of the most beautiful bands that I've ever heard and incredibly unique. I recommend "chokehold" - It's just like Gah vocally so striking and sort of playful. Anyway keep doing what you're doing 😊
I would characterize Cobain's vocal performance here as "sedate", quite restrained. The relatively focused - or limited - dynamic range does support a dreamier, ethereal, melancholic air to the song. Still, he demonstrates his inimitable breathiness and trademark "cracks" in some of his linguistic transitions. Lithium would be a great one that highlights more of Cobain's range, edge, and assertiveness! Cool track on the whole.
The memories that this song congers up in me is surreal, a sublime time when I had such immense happiness in the USA. Listening to this song whilst driving on the country roads of Ohio with my lady next to me. It funny how a single song can provide such visceral feelings . Why is this world so cruel and complex?
Lithium is a great choice! ✔
All I can say is I grew up listening to Nirvana. I will say the way Kurt Cobain sang, was like that. That was all him and he still to this day even after he died, he is the greatest influencer in the 90s. He brought an entire new genre to the 90s rock. I also know that his favorite performer was a blues singer that went by Led Belly. When you get a chance listen to Led Belly performing the song, "My Girl." Then listen to Nirvana's cover, "My Girl" live, and then you can see how Kurt was influenced as originally a blues player and just made it his own.
the definition of next level.
That jam out at the end always gets me, it was the same watching this live as a 9 year old on mtv here in New Zealand with my older cousin and his band
David Bowie had not played this song in years, from his 1970 album. Yet, he played it at concerts after Kurt’s death. Read in an interview, that he appreciated the respect given to this overlooked tune - and he wished he knew Kurt.
Neil Young, and Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) were musicians Kurt called, and talked with. At the time, Kurt didn’t seek help.
I was in college in 1991, when a friend who was at our campus radio, called me in, that I hear this new music. He knew I would “get it” - Smells like Teen Spirit! Yeah, I was an early Nirvana fan. I don’t often play their CD’s these days.
1970, and it's a song that does NOT sound dated. Bowie led the way.
Loved this one! You should do "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" from the same concert. He is definitely "chalant" in that one!
You need to get the album into the wild written by Eddie vedder it's a movie that was put out and he wrote the music for it and it's beautiful
Please listen to David Grohl!!!!!!!!! AKA Foo Fighters! I loved watching him on the drums during this live performance!
Спасибо за Нирвану! Курт, вечная память!
Heart Shaped Box
Hola , muchas gracias por esta reaccion , saludos desde BS AS SRGENTINA , saludos
Your smile is infectious. Love the reactions
What really sucks about Kurt.At the end he was moving into another direction musically.We got to see a glimpse during unplugged.He also stated he wanted to go into a more acoustic like Johnny Cash he mentioned.Its like a blend of old blue grass folk and alternative.He wanted to work with Michael from REM.Nso he was on his way creating another new genre of music.This don't sound like anything out there
Hi Bethany, wanted to let you know that I appreciate hearing your perspective on each of the singers/bands that you react to it has been interesting to get a different point of view on some artists
As some others I have seen have done, I wanted to ask that you take a minute to listen and react to most anything that Voctave has done. However considering the season I'd like to specifially suggest "Mary, did you know?" featuring Mark Lowry. Ideally you don't have too many videos already in the can so you can put this request into rotation in short order.
Thank you!
Definitely a great cover. Cobain's hoarse screams concealed a great vocalist and composer.
BTW, there was some epic performances of Diana Ankudinova. The last one was Dune (Paul's Dream) from Art of Hans Zimmer show. Also older The Show Must Go on in duo could be interesting for vocal analysis.
Wowzers.
also love kurt's "yelps" in his vocals lol i call them yelps instead of yodels
Love watching you find music I'm hunting down from my childhood. You should really check out shinedowns older music, especially their simple man cover. Also, if I was your vampire from Marylin Manson.
“He’s as cool as a cucumber”
Valium. Yeah, that’s the Valium.
You should listen to the unplugged version of all apologies, the emotion is so intenses, sad and beautiful at the same time.
Radio Friendly Unit Shifter from Nirvana’s live New Year’s Eve show would be an awesome video to react to. A 180 degree difference in intensity from The Man Who Sold the World.
The Live and Loud show from Seattle, and not the 1988 taping which is a rougher recording
Lithium would be a great choice. The revelation to me from the Unplugged session was Where Did You Sleep Last Night. Well worth a listen whether you do one of your awesome detailed analyses or not!
I'd love for you to revisit The Warning! Live performances is where they really shine. Check out More and Evolve from this year's MTV VMAs or Disciple from Teatro Metropolitan. Keep rocking!🙌🤘
I’m with the rest of the gang. Should review “Where did you sleep last night”. Lots of goodness to unpack there.
Love your take
“It doesn’t sound lazy…”
I loved that comment :-)
It’s Unplugged!!!
I’d like to add up to the supposed infinite list of requests, first I thought of Wildbirds & Peacedrums - The Course, then Eminem - Like Home, then Silverchair, Bush, Nine Inch Nails, Placebo - Special K, Placebo - You Don’t Care About Us, Placebo - Begin The End… Placebo, Placebo… I’ll settle with “Placebo - Battle For The Sun”.
Lithium deserves a P. S.
P. S. - As a hard core Nirvana fan when I get the cravings I always listen to Lithium, it’s conceptual, indescribable, pure sensation.
Edit: What a blunder, please read “Aneurysm” where I wrote “Lithium”, either way I recommend them in the “Live at Paramount, 1991”.
Thank U
Д-да, полностью согласен с вами.Спасибо за обзор.
David Bowie said of Nirvana's cover: "I simply blown away when I found that Kurt Cobain liked my work, and have always wanted to talk to him about his reasons for covering 'The Man Who Sold The World" and that "it was a good straight forward rendition and sounded somehow very honest.
I've always thought that you can hear Kurt's voice develop over years though his albums. In Utero and that MTV Live concert are probably the ones that best show off his vocals. For something popular on In Utero, I'd look at something like Heart-Shaped Box, or All Apologies. All though it would be interesting for you to look at a song from each of the albums starting with Bleach and see what your thoughts are on it.
She is such a beauty 😍
Hey, I got here early enough to read all of the comments. May I recommend LP lost on you (live)
Check out Territorial Pissings next!
I love this song, Kurt and Nirvana so my comment that follows should be regarded in that light. I perform live, and i know that one does not always sing the exact lyric to every song every time. That said certain lyrics are essential to communicating the spirit of a song. All that said, I do realize I am nit picking LoL In the first verse. Kurt sings 'which came as a surprise' Bowie wrote 'which came with such surprise; which is alliterative and far more beautiful. In the second verse Bowie writes "I gazed a gazely stare at ALL THE MILLIONS THERE" God knows what Kurt says in the last half of that line.. Anyway, my 2 cents. and i know that's all it worth :)
It's art. It surely doesn't require any further analysis than, "It is what it is and that Cobain fucker was deft at his craft.......right?". The best of a good crop.
Classic!!!