Album – Nirvana – MTV Unplugged in New York

8 April 2024 marked 30 years since Kurt Cobain of Nirvana passed away, at 27.

I have friends that saw Nirvana perform at Fisherman’s Wharf, Southport in 1991 – not long after the release of It Smells like Teen Spirit.

Nirvana was then the support act for the Violent Femmes. Unfortunately I didn’t make it, but I hear it was fantastic, and hectic.

They then played at the first year of the Big Day Out – in 1992 – in Sydney on Australia Day.

It would be safe to say that if Nirvana had come back to the Southport Spit a year later – the crowd would have been huge – and utter chaos.

In 1993 Nirvana recorded MTV Unplugged in New York.

This record was released on 1 November 1994, some 7 months after Kurt’s passing.

There is a lot I could say about the record – it is one my favourites – but I won’t bore you.

Suffice to say that it does not contain a large number of the group’s then big hits – apparently a cause of some disagreement with record producers.

I could have picked any of the songs, they are all excellent, but here are two:

You will notice a youthful Dave Grohl on drums, who had been recruited in 1990.

I would recommend a dinner party or drive with the whole record playing through.

I’m no expert – just a music lover, but in my view the record is a legitimate bookmark in the history of rock and roll.