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Kurt Cobain: the guitarist

Ledbetterman10Ledbetterman10 Posts: 16,884
edited April 2012 in Other Music
I've been on a big Nirvana kick the last two weeks or so and I'd have to say that I forgot how much I like Kurt's guitar playing. While sometimes his playing degenerates into complete nonsense (I have a lot of Nirvana boots), there are times when his playing is just great. Never the strongest soloist (obviously), Kurt's strong point was definitely in his ability to write great riffs. I actually prefer him over Stone Gossard in that respect (I know, I know, I have no idea what I'm talking about). but there are just some Cobain riffs that are perfect rock riffs. and a lot of time, the genius is in the simplicity, with some of my favorites being About a Girl, Aneurysm, Rape Me, Heart-Shaped Box, I Hate Myself and I Want to Die, Sappy, Breed, Smells like Teen Spirit (it owns you. admit it), Blew, Very Ape, the list goes on and on.

Kurt's hardly worthy to be mentioned with Hendrix, Page, Clapton and guys like that. but as far as punk rock guitarists, I'd put him up against anybody.
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Comments

  • prytocorduroyprytocorduroy Posts: 4,355
    I was jamming with my friend the other day and out of nowhere I played the intro to Heart-Shaped Box on my bass (the guitar part) and stopped a bit later and just absorbed how much I loved it.

    Kurt really was a great songwriter and to me that's far greater than being a great lead.

    I used to just imagine what their next record would've sounded like after hearing You Know You're Right (which is incredibly haunting) for the first time. It would've been so dark, but so good I imagine.
  • inthefleshintheflesh Posts: 170
    Aneurysm...one of the most simple riffs ever written, but, at the same time, one of the best.
    was it?....
  • DOSWDOSW Posts: 2,014
    I agree. Technically he's not very good at all, but I don't give a damn whether a guitarist can play 800 notes a minute, because if he doesn't make you feel something, then all that talent is worthless. I love guys like Neil Young and Kurt Cobain who, even though they don't have the technical ability of other professionals, are infinitely better because they make me feel something. That's what guitar playing is all about to me.
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  • hendrix78hendrix78 Posts: 507
    Cobain had a great, recognizable tone and a great sense of melody. He was also very good at using feedback to create musical soundscapes, which is something not that many guitarists do well. While he certainly wasn't a great technical guitarist, I'd say he was still a good player.
  • Ledbetterman10Ledbetterman10 Posts: 16,884
    danny72688 wrote:
    I used to just imagine what their next record would've sounded like after hearing You Know You're Right (which is incredibly haunting) for the first time. It would've been so dark, but so good I imagine.

    I've always thought this too. also, the MTV unplugged performance looked like a sign of good things to come. not to mention that the addition of Pat Smear was another step in the right direction
    2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024: Philly 2

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
    http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
  • SathogwaSathogwa Posts: 227
    Ultimatley technique means nothing. I love Kurt's playing. Its that Neil Young esque fucked up loud distorted blast. Its such a thrill to hear. He had his own style. Which is something that many people with great technique don't have, and is something of greater importance in my opinion. I don't listen to Nirvana a lot anymore, but when I do, I too am struck by how cool his guitar playing was. Its not too greatly appreciated, unfortunately.
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  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    His guitar tone had a voice. It fucked up at times, nailed an emotion or thought at others. For sure, it wasn't generic of record industry music but it sounded like every kid in their bedroom who brought themselves to tears, extending beyond the limits of their technique and making single note solos say what was in their heart. But just a little bit special, too.
  • smarcheesmarchee Windsor, Ontario Posts: 14,539
    found this on youtube. Cover of D7, never knew they played this live. I really love this cover, especially when they turn it up at around 1:38

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWrBs1HkJoU
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  • AnonAnon Posts: 11,175
    Kurdt,like Pete Townshend was/is underrated. Also,Nirvana kinda

    reminds me of a more modern version of The Who. Both power

    trios delux!
  • Jeremy1012Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    I rate kurt highly as a punk guitarist and vocalist.

    the music, eh... not so much for the most part. had some incredible songs and some absolute trash.

    Pennyroyal tea is great.
    "Give me a Leonard Cohen afterworld
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  • HermanBloomHermanBloom Posts: 1,764
    good post; agreed
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  • Jeremy1012Jeremy1012 Posts: 7,170
    oh and as an afterthought, the bands that I've gotten into that I heard about because of Kurt are mostly better than Nirvana. He had great taste for sure.
    "I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead, I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land — every colour, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike — all snored in the same language"
  • Joe2TheRevengeJoe2TheRevenge Posts: 904
    As much as Kurt was influential, the unfortunate thing is that he wasn't even the most talented musician in his own band.

    i think had he been alive today, the Foo Fighters would still be kicking his ass in both chart position and in concert attendance.

    Viva La Grohl!

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  • JellyrollsJellyrolls Posts: 523
    Kurt Cobain: the guitarist

    Sucks.
  • failedpersephonefailedpersephone Posts: 3,424
    G-Man23 wrote:
    Kurdt,like Pete Townshend was/is underrated. Also,Nirvana kinda

    reminds me of a more modern version of The Who. Both power

    trios delux!
    the who was not a power trio.

    who the hell would you be leaving out??

    Moon?
    Entwhistle?
    Daltry?
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  • JellyrollsJellyrolls Posts: 523
    G-Man23 wrote:
    Kurdt,like Pete Townshend was/is underrated. Also,Nirvana kinda

    Are you fucking serious? I like Nirvana all but to say they are underrated it idiotic.
  • ii44ii44 Posts: 430
    failedpersephone wrote:
    the who was not a power trio.

    who the hell would you be leaving out??

    Moon?
    Entwhistle?
    Daltry?

    Power trio refers to non-singers.
  • melodyman22melodyman22 Posts: 326
    Saying Kurt wasnt the most talented member of Nirvana, is nonsense. I love Grohl, and the Foos but come on. Dave cant sing nearly as good Kurt, or has the emotion Kurt had in his voice. Kurt was a musical genius, Grohl is great but not near genius level.
  • Prioronfire22Prioronfire22 Posts: 393
    I prefer Dave's singing to Kurt's. He has a really powerful voice. Dave's drumming is some of the best out there too.
  • PJamGrunge10PJamGrunge10 California Posts: 596
    melodyman22 wrote:
    Saying Kurt wasnt the most talented member of Nirvana, is nonsense. I love Grohl, and the Foos but come on. Dave cant sing nearly as good Kurt, or has the emotion Kurt had in his voice. Kurt was a musical genius, Grohl is great but not near genius level.


    Kurt was not a good singer at all. You can like his voice but he wasn't good. Just listen to Lake of Fire from Unplugged.
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  • bharQbharQ Posts: 1,201
    Jellyrolls wrote:
    Sucks.

    Jealous.
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  • reeferchiefreeferchief Posts: 3,569
    Ledbetterman10 wrote:
    I've always thought this too. also, the MTV unplugged performance looked like a sign of good things to come. not to mention that the addition of Pat Smear was another step in the right direction

    For sure the depth that the second guitar was adding on the In Utero tour was absolutely awesome, the songs sounded so much more beefy and fleshed out, I have a lot of boots and the ones with Pat on get listened to a lot more than the rest.
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  • Cropduster84Cropduster84 Posts: 1,283
    Joe2TheRevenge wrote:

    i think had he been alive today, the Foo Fighters would still be kicking his ass in both chart position and in concert attendance.
    ).


    Thats so a whole different thread lol.

    I think Kurt would have gone on to great things, Dave's gone VERY commercial
    'The more I studied religions the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anything but himself.' - Sir Richard Francis Burton
  • Cropduster84Cropduster84 Posts: 1,283
    PJamGrunge10 wrote:
    Kurt was not a good singer at all. You can like his voice but he wasn't good. Just listen to Lake of Fire from Unplugged.


    Define 'good singer'.

    I mean, not to knock you but I'd probably agree that its not pitch perfect but it sounds like its coming from the heart and moves me so I class that as good.
    'The more I studied religions the more I am convinced that man never worshipped anything but himself.' - Sir Richard Francis Burton
  • this is not for youthis is not for you Posts: 240
    kurt rules
    bollocks to anyone who says otherwise, how cant anyone hear the genius that is man
  • this is not for youthis is not for you Posts: 240
    Junkhead Aic wrote:
    I prefer Dave's singing to Kurt's. He has a really powerful voice. Dave's drumming is some of the best out there too.

    yes dave has a good voice, but powerful? i dont think so...well in comparason to kurt
    you know that on the first foos album his voice was quadrupled?
  • JellyrollsJellyrolls Posts: 523
    bharQ wrote:
    Jealous.

    You're right.. I'm jealous of someone who kills himself .. that is what a real man is made of let me tell ya
  • JellyrollsJellyrolls Posts: 523
    this is not for you wrote:
    you know that on the first foos album his voice was quadrupled?

    link?
  • Get_RightGet_Right Posts: 13,171
    a true riff meister
  • reeferchiefreeferchief Posts: 3,569
    smarchee wrote:
    found this on youtube. Cover of D7, never knew they played this live. I really love this cover, especially when they turn it up at around 1:38

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWrBs1HkJoU

    Yeah they played Oh The Guilt live a couple of times as well, awesome stuff.:)
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