Lately, I have been rediscovering my passion for Nirvana and I have found some great live albums by one the greatest bands of all time. Nirvana’s Live At Reading was released in CD and DVD format 15 years after the anthological Unplugged in New York. The first one is a recording of Nirvana’s concert at the festival where they performed in 1992. The year was a difficult one both for Nirvana and Kurt Cobein. Besides incredible money flow (which I am sure, they had no problem with), Kurt became father, he tried to stay sober, and the tabloids were picking on a new target, a guy who seemed so easy to pick on. The pressure of fame did its part: they needed to prove themselves with good concerts and confirm the status they have gained with masterpiece Nevermind.
Cobain’s conduct at the time seemed like a male version of PMS, with live perfomances oscillating from bad to mind-blowing. The singer asked for help in a unique way. The only issue was that he was reaching out via the wrong methods and wrong people. Band’s producer, Steve Albini, talked about it in UNCUT magazine: The boys from Nirvana were normal punk-rock dudes, but everyone surrounding the band was a piece of shit. Now they are like He is probably not thinking of me, but yes, I think of all of them. Everyone surrounding the band was a piece of shit.
In the chaotic atmosphere, the band performs as a headliner on Reading festival. Joking with news headlines, Cobain entered the stage in a wheelchair. The band played the whole Nevermind, some from Bleach, covers of their favorite musicians and two new songs Tourette’s and All Apologies, numbers that will find their place on In Utero.
Kurt’s voice is powerful, the play is going well, and the communication with the audience is remarkable. Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic are giving their all. This was Nirvana’s last concert in UK.
Cobain’s strongest trait as a guitarist was the intensity of play. On the songs from Nevermind, Kurt’s voice sounds like John Fogerty before the breakdown. We all know that the band would be nothing without Kurt and his angst. Overall, Live At Reading is a great release and solid appendix to the impressive discography of Nirvana.
