PJ Unlpugged vs Nirvana's

Mike Gossard

Well PJ did the show rather early when it was still trying to define itself, the show that is. Later shows were more about going places the artist had never been, which is why you get such a cool and different Nirvana show rather than their over the top distortion and screaming show.

I think Alice and Nirvana used their time on the show better than PJ but that may just be because they did the show earliest.

Alice used the show best to showcase their own songs. You also got to see how talented Jerry was in his own right.

Nirvana did a really great show, with lots of great moments that were probably never duplicated. Lots of covers that fit the bands sound that night.

I'd have to say Alice wins though, Nirvana a close second and I do love PJ's barn burner of a performance.

Mike Gossard

Nutshell

moho

Nirvana, definitely. All their tunes were reworked contrary to PJ. Plus the massive emoton was obviously a defining factor in the great felling off that set.

deadhead321

i vote NIRVANA

pjfan31

AiCPearlJamWeen wrote:

PJ would be non existent because Cobain's repetitive lyrics and dull sound would kill the band quicker than he killed himself.

Harsh but fair.

Jesika537

rudiger10 wrote:

Nirvana had 3 albums behind them when they performed.

Bleach, Nevermind, Incesticide, and In-Utero...

TheGossman

Nirvana is probobly my all time favorite unplugged show, Pearl Jam 2nd, and Alice in Chains 3rd, I wish AIC would have done Don't Follow and Stay Away

TheGossman

Jesika537 wrote:

Bleach, Nevermind, Incesticide, and In-Utero...

had In Utero came out yet?

kenshunt

TheGossman wrote:

had In Utero came out yet?

Yes, Dumb and Pennyroyal Tea were part of the show, oh and All Apologies.

kenshunt

I choose Pearl Jam as my Fav

PilatesBetterman

LongRd. wrote:

BTW, Nirvana's unplugged was best by far.

Not by a long shot, PJ's unplugged was 100% original music(on the broadcast) and only one cover in total, PJ did theirs with only one album of material, Pj may have the BEST MTV Uplugged ALL TIME, not being released was a choice the band made and not MTV, if you think for a second that MTV didn;t want to cash in at least once in the 90's in the gold mine that would have been you are crazier than Charlie Manson Ted bundy AND richard Ramirez combined.

walkunafraid

I love PJ's Unplugged. Their performances of Oceans and Black are two of the greatest versions of these songs the band has ever done. But someone brought up a great point -- with only one studio album completed at the time, they were somewhat restricted in what they could play. I'd certainly like to see what they could do playing Unplugged with Vs., Vitalogy, and No Code songs in their arsenal.

Nirvana's Unplugged is simply magical. It's not just the fact that they had more albums under their belt, it's the fact that they essentially shocked everyone in attendance with their choice of songs, the beauty of the songs, and the emotion behind the songs. Remember, they were just supposed to be a grunge band playing grunge songs -- everybody expected Teen Spirit, Lithium, etc. Instead, they played About a Girl, Polly, a David Bowie cover, and a slew of other songs that were unexpected but totally in the moment, and they played them all beautifully. I just watched the DVD for the umpteenth time yesterday, and the passion and intensity in Kurt's voice is absolutely numbing. Even if he had not committed suicide soon after, there is something in his eyes that reflects a burning soul that is far behind my comprehension. It is painful, powerful, poetic, and beautiful.

So yeah, I love PJ, but I'm going to have to give Nirvana the nod on this one. It's not that PJ's performance wasn't awesome...it's just that Nirvana's was transcendent.

CitizenRick

poncabare wrote:

Hello All,

Just curious to get some feedback on the above topic. I have always wondered what PJ would've been w/ Cobain as a front man instead of Vedder, but that another discussion in itself. I personally have always felt Nirvana's unplugged set T bagged PJ's , anyone else felt the same? Thoughts...

I agree that it was presented better. Don't forget... Pearl Jam did it when the show was in it's infant stage.

The producers obviously had come a long way with the show by the time Nirvana did it. Not to take anything away from Nirvana...but MTV clearly rolled out the red carpet for them.I don't think it's fair to compare the two because of that.

However...Nirvana's performance was amazing and memorable. Pearl Jam's performance (as good as it was IMO) is only kept alive by us die hard fan's.

Jam10

I say Pearl Jam's was and is the best unplugged. Vedder's voice is just unbelievable! I love all 3 albums, I'm actually listening to Alice In Chains unplugged right now. That's another incredible album. Nirvana's is really good too, but as for my favourite it's Pearl Jam!

T-Case

Does anyone in here who has a mac have it the Alice in Chains unplugged? For some reason I don't have and would appreciate getting it from anyone here

igotid88

poncabare wrote:

Hello All,

Just curious to get some feedback on the above topic. I have always wondered what PJ would've been w/ Cobain as a front man instead of Vedder, but that another discussion in itself. I personally have always felt Nirvana's unplugged set T bagged PJ's , anyone else felt the same? Thoughts...

Pearl Jam's Unplugged was during the beginning of their debut album. Nirvana was already 2 or three albums in. I think PJ's was more of a quick put together. And it was still a great show.

hrd2imgn

I love all three(Pj/Nir/AIC)

they all have their own special qualities

just thinking out loud, but were the AIC and Nirvana ones the last performances of Curt and Layne???

Just love Kurts rasp that night

---

My Girl, My Girl, Don't Lie to me......I will shiver the whole night through
Layne---Down in hole and I don't know if I can be saved......

anyone who does not like Black or Porch unplugged just insn't a pearl jam fan- we belong....we belong together!

simpleman

I think PJ's was a better visual than Nirvana's. That being said, Nirvana's was far greater on the ears. Oasis and Aic were both better though...

Monkey Wrench

My vote is easily for Pearl Jam. It's appeal on this board should not require explanation. I see the appeal with AIC and but I for one am not a big fan of the Nirvana unplugged.

Another glaring difference between the Nirvana and PJ Unplugged was that PJ performed this set as the band appeared on it's only studio release. Nirvana on the other hand while not to discredit them brought on additional musicians for their set. In addition to the three piece that they were (Kurt, Dave and Krist) they also brought out Pat Smear and the Meat Puppets. Maybe this adds to the appeal ... I don't know .....food for thought I guess.

How may Pearl Jam's Unplugged have been viewed if the had brought on guest performers? While I like this aspect of Nirvana's Unplugged the songs they played were largely not theirs and they had accompanying support.

So I agree with most I suppose. Hard to compare but I prefer Pearl Jam's.

Before I get blasted .... I thought I better add that yes I know Dave A filled in for Dave K but this was a one for one and both play the drums. No additional members or instruments so I know it wasn't the original line up for the one studio album as I indicated above

lostdogs77

I think there are a lot of good points here but what makes this comparison a little unfair is that Unplugged may be the high point of Nirvana's career.