NIRVANA > Unplugged In New York

Nirvana defied the expectations of both their fans and MTV when they appeared on the network’s Unplugged series; the fans who didn’t think the group’s songs could make the transition to acoustic instrumentation, and the network who didn’t think a show could work without hit songs and/or well-known guest stars.

Label: GEFFEN/MTV NETWORKS/UME
[Rating: 5]

Nirvana defied the expectations of both their fans and MTV when they appeared on the network’s Unplugged series; the fans who didn’t think the group’s songs could make the transition to acoustic instrumentation, and the network who didn’t think a show could work without hit songs and/or well-known guest stars. Nirvana proved them wrong on both counts, which is why their show remains one of the most notable (and the best) today. MTV didn’t just cut the in-between songs chat from the Nirvana’s set when the show first aired in December 1993, they also cut a handful of songs. The DVD features both the show as it originally aired, and the complete unedited show, and while it’s nice to have both, you probably won’t watch the MTV edit ever again. The longer version is more relaxed; the band cracks jokes and even solicits requests from the audience, though they don’t follow up on them. If you haven’t seen the show in a while, it’s a startling to see just how world-weary Kurt Cobain actually looks. Extras include excerpts from the show’s rehearsal, and the episode of MTV’s Bare Witness that covered the show. The DVD picture is wonderfully sharp (I finally spotted myself in the audience), and there are two sound options, Dolby Stereo and a 5.1 Surround Sound mix.