Nirvana Unplugged DVD

There is a moment in the Nirvana Unplugged DVD where Curt Kobain is spinning in a desk chair back and forth, like a little kid in a sweater that’s a size too big. It’s an image I’ve never associated with him—I usually picture a morose figure hunched over with clear blue eyes. And, this is just one of the many moments in the DVD that changed my perspective of the band that I thought I remembered.

While I was watching the un-edited long version, I noticed an interesting level of tension between the MTV producers and Cobain. This was 14 years ago, imagine what he would say about MTV now. But he makes a couple of sarcastic jokes at their expense and the audience laughs with him. He didn’t play a lot of hits as MTV wished, or bring a slew of famous guests on stage (he only invited The Meat Puppets), but this unplugged special is still one of the most important pieces of music history. It was filmed 4 months prior to Cobain’s suicide, and captures the band at a delicate peak of fame and maybe a bit of desired anonymity.

The DVD includes the shortened broadcast version as well as the entire set list version. It also includes bonus interviews and rehearsals. Oh, and Dave Grohl looks sooo young, I always think of him as the bearded Foo Fighter I liked in highschool, but here he is clean shaven with a 90's low ponytail.

Anyways, this is a good holiday gift for Nirvana fans or music buffs. Nothing like a Nirvana special to bring  the whole family together this holiday season. I will tell you that this DVD made me realize how much I miss 'Unplugged', I miss watching it and recording it on a crappy VHS tape. Why are there no MTV 'Unplugged' specials anymore?! I mean 'The Hills' is good and all, but MTV I miss 'Unplugged'.