Nirvana Unplugged VS Pearl Jam Unplugged....again!

DeLukin

I liked Nirvana's as far as production, but Pearl Jam's Unplugged was great for its raw emotion. Nirvana sounded great, but looked kind of bored. Pearl Jam made me want to find an acoustic guitar and smash it on something. To me, that made it more entertaining so my vote goes to PJ.

Random_Hero

DD164485 wrote:

Pearl Jam was the better band
Nirvana made the better "Unplugged"

could not have said it better myself.... I wasnt a huge fan of the Pearl Jam unplugged.. I tend to even like the Alice In Chains unplugged better... but for really sad reasons. The moment in the AIC unplugged when Layne takes his shades off and you see his, black circled eyes.. heart breaking

Flagg

Random_Hero wrote:

DD164485 wrote:

Pearl Jam was the better band
Nirvana made the better "Unplugged"

could not have said it better myself.... I wasnt a huge fan of the Pearl Jam unplugged.. I tend to even like the Alice In Chains unplugged better... but for really sad reasons. The moment in the AIC unplugged when Layne takes his shades off and you see his, black circled eyes.. heart breaking

Yep. Like I said in an earlier post, I just watched this the other day. My wife was like, "Oh my. God bless him. Look at him!" Very, very sad what that drug does to people.

prytocorduroy

Both awesome. But Pearl Jam's is better because they played Even Flow. Nirvana didn't play Even Flow. Fuck them.

OffHeGoes132

WoodenHammer wrote:

All 3 of those sets were phenomenal and really important albums for me growing up. Hard to say, but since PJ was never released, that we can't rank them until we get that official release. I'd say out of Nirvana and AIC, I think AIC has the best replay value. I still listen to that album a lot and am floored by Layne.

Wholeheartedly agree. AIC had to be my favorite of the three, and all three were also very important to growing up. I think Nirvana's set has PJ beat by a hair, but I also agree that PJ was/is the better band. Again, I have to emphasize that each set is close on all fronts; all three sets were masterfully performed.

I know many people aren't crazy about STP around here, but I think their unplugged set ranks up there with these three as well. Only my opinion though. I sure as hell wish they'd release that on DVD as well.

FinsburyParkCarrots

SomethingCreative wrote:

I just don't think that Pearl Jam was ready to do a full unplugged set. Some of the set didn't really translate very well to the acoustic setting.

I think this is right. Mike's Takamine sound was tinny and trebly, compared with the acoustic sound he would develop. It needed a lot more bass and mid. It was invisible at times and some of the solos came across as strangely weedy in tone. That was nothing to do with Mike's phenomenal playing in itself: it's just that the band hadn't found the right acoustic sound by trial and error, yet. Plus, Dave A's drumming didn't really suit the unplugged context: Even Flow is a bit of a strange mix of fat drums and thin guitar.

It'll be interesting, however, if on this new release, they had access to master recordings of every channel on the sound desk from that MTV session. They could re-mix the thing themselves properly, and bring each instrument out more.

Surf Rider

i choose pearl jam. :roll: and it's not even close.

Oz Jammer

FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:

SomethingCreative wrote:

I just don't think that Pearl Jam was ready to do a full unplugged set. Some of the set didn't really translate very well to the acoustic setting.

I think this is right. Mike's Takamine sound was tinny and trebly, compared with the acoustic sound he would develop. It needed a lot more bass and mid. It was invisible at times and some of the solos came across as strangely weedy in tone. That was nothing to do with Mike's phenomenal playing in itself: it's just that the band hadn't found the right acoustic sound by trial and error, yet. Plus, Dave A's drumming didn't really suit the unplugged context: Even Flow is a bit of a strange mix of fat drums and thin guitar.

It'll be interesting, however, if on this new release, they had access to master recordings of every channel on the sound desk from that MTV session. They could re-mix the thing themselves properly, and bring each instrument out more.

I'm just saddened by the fact that they left off "Rockin' In The Free World" on the new DVD. That version is sublime.
Will be interesting to see if they kept Ed's 'tribute' after they finish playing Oceans

soulsinging

Crazy Breed wrote:

I have seen a lot of people say that Nirvana Unplugged is better than Pearl Jam Unplugged!!...I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE!! while i do like Nirvana very much...Kurt can't fuck with Ed when it comes to vocals!

Now that we are getting a "true" DVD release with all the bells and whistles (and 5.1!!) instead of the many fucked up bootleg copies on the net...I think some of you may change your mind!

............besides Alice in Chains Unplugged is 2nd...then Nirvana is 3rd.

AiC's unplugged was better than both. But Nirvana gets the edge over PJ to me, because it showed a whole different side of the band. PJ's didn't Benaroya Hall might be better than Nirvana Unplugged though.

soulsinging

FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:

SomethingCreative wrote:

I just don't think that Pearl Jam was ready to do a full unplugged set. Some of the set didn't really translate very well to the acoustic setting.

I think this is right. Mike's Takamine sound was tinny and trebly, compared with the acoustic sound he would develop. It needed a lot more bass and mid. It was invisible at times and some of the solos came across as strangely weedy in tone. That was nothing to do with Mike's phenomenal playing in itself: it's just that the band hadn't found the right acoustic sound by trial and error, yet. Plus, Dave A's drumming didn't really suit the unplugged context: Even Flow is a bit of a strange mix of fat drums and thin guitar.

It'll be interesting, however, if on this new release, they had access to master recordings of every channel on the sound desk from that MTV session. They could re-mix the thing themselves properly, and bring each instrument out more.

Didn't they have all their instruments stolen right before that show? I thought they had said they played that unplugged with a bunch of instruments scrounged from friends at the last minute... might explain some of the technical shortcomings.

Smellyman

soulsinging wrote:

FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:

SomethingCreative wrote:

I just don't think that Pearl Jam was ready to do a full unplugged set. Some of the set didn't really translate very well to the acoustic setting.

I think this is right. Mike's Takamine sound was tinny and trebly, compared with the acoustic sound he would develop. It needed a lot more bass and mid. It was invisible at times and some of the solos came across as strangely weedy in tone. That was nothing to do with Mike's phenomenal playing in itself: it's just that the band hadn't found the right acoustic sound by trial and error, yet. Plus, Dave A's drumming didn't really suit the unplugged context: Even Flow is a bit of a strange mix of fat drums and thin guitar.

It'll be interesting, however, if on this new release, they had access to master recordings of every channel on the sound desk from that MTV session. They could re-mix the thing themselves properly, and bring each instrument out more.

Didn't they have all their instruments stolen right before that show? I thought they had said they played that unplugged with a bunch of instruments scrounged from friends at the last minute... might explain some of the technical shortcomings.

I don't think stolen, but I believe all the equipment was rented and the first time they played them was at the show.

DewieCox

Crazy Breed wrote:

I have seen a lot of people say that Nirvana Unplugged is better than Pearl Jam Unplugged!!...I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE!! while i do like Nirvana very much...Kurt can't fuck with Ed when it comes to vocals!

Now that we are getting a "true" DVD release with all the bells and whistles (and 5.1!!) instead of the many fucked up bootleg copies on the net...I think some of you may change your mind!

............besides Alice in Chains Unplugged is 2nd...then Nirvana is 3rd.

Wrong!!!!

Nirvana actually made it special. PJ's had it's high moments, but basically just playing their songs acoustically. Woulda been nice if they had rearranged some of the tunes.

AIC's completely destroys both. There is magical vibe over every facet of both the album and dvd.


Fact is, there have been alotta people do the unplugged way better than PJ. They simply got up there and played their songs with acoustic guitars. Yeah, I guess AIC did it, but they skipped over Them Bones and Man In the Box. PJ Unplugged is pretty high on my list, for the fact that they are PJ. But, the fact remains, they are my 2nd favorite all time favorite band, and I can think of 4 Unplugged's that are better, off the top of my head.


AIC
Nirvana
Unledded
STP

There isn't a doubt in my mind, if they had a waited til at least after Vitalogy, their Unplugged woulda been much better. Also, rearranging some tunes, esp the heavier ones, woulda made it more interesting.

Spacetoad

I bought AIC Best of the Box and Unplugged DVD on the back of the comments here - absolutley cold, not heard a thing in the past -or if I did I didn't take it in.
All I can say is that I am absolutely blown away, I need a daily fix of "Got me Wrong" or I feel ill, the CD and DVD both have the unplugged version so now I need to go back in the bands catalogue and explore.
Some guidance then - what next?

And sorry I know possibly wrong forum - I had this on in the car and one of the guys asked if it was Pearl Jam. I think the PJ unplugged is more raw and shows a band breaking through and so, so excited to be able to get their music and theeir message accross. Although I cringe at some of Eddie's comments on the boot DVD, the stuff between takes or during commercials I think they were there at the right time. If as some comments have suggested MTV waited until 98 we would have seen a much different show but my have lost some of the energy. Eddie was showing his skill with a guitar more - developing a different sound that allowed him to play and sing (I still cant manage that).

How many of todays top selling artist will have forums talking about any of their shows in 15 years time?

danny

Crazy Breed wrote:

I have seen a lot of people say that Nirvana Unplugged is better than Pearl Jam Unplugged!!...I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE!! while i do like Nirvana very much...Kurt can't fuck with Ed when it comes to vocals!

Now that we are getting a "true" DVD release with all the bells and whistles (and 5.1!!) instead of the many fucked up bootleg copies on the net...I think some of you may change your mind!

............besides Alice in Chains Unplugged is 2nd...then Nirvana is 3rd.

eds the man!

soulsinging

robgray2772 wrote:

I bought AIC Best of the Box and Unplugged DVD on the back of the comments here - absolutley cold, not heard a thing in the past -or if I did I didn't take it in.
All I can say is that I am absolutely blown away, I need a daily fix of "Got me Wrong" or I feel ill, the CD and DVD both have the unplugged version so now I need to go back in the bands catalogue and explore.
Some guidance then - what next?

And sorry I know possibly wrong forum - I had this on in the car and one of the guys asked if it was Pearl Jam. I think the PJ unplugged is more raw and shows a band breaking through and so, so excited to be able to get their music and theeir message accross. Although I cringe at some of Eddie's comments on the boot DVD, the stuff between takes or during commercials I think they were there at the right time. If as some comments have suggested MTV waited until 98 we would have seen a much different show but my have lost some of the energy. Eddie was showing his skill with a guitar more - developing a different sound that allowed him to play and sing (I still cant manage that).

How many of todays top selling artist will have forums talking about any of their shows in 15 years time?

The album Dirt is widely considered their masterpiece, but it's a pretty harrowing album. Very dark and heavy. If you like Got Me Wrong, I might recommend getting the 'Jar of Flies' album. It's only an EP so it's kind of short, but it is once of the most amazing pieces of music I've ever heard.

.PatRiot.

Not to put art into a competition (though it might be appropriate given the grammy's are going on right now), but I would give the nod to Nirvana on this one. Nirvana's Unplugged could (and should) have been the foundation for the next era of Nirvana--shame we never got to see it happen. Pearl Jam unplugged was raw and had some great moments like every show they played back then did--but it was not groundbreaking quite the same way Nirvana Unplugged was.

Red Mosquito75

they were both great unpluggs. At the time i thought nirvanas was better but looking back and listening i would say it is a tie. Pearl Jam is definitely the better band

LONGRD

Without a doubt Nirvana's Unplugged is better than PJ's but LL Cool J's Unplugged was the best of all the Unplugged series.

soulsinging

LongRd. wrote:

Without a doubt Nirvana's Unplugged is better than PJ's but LL Cool J's Unplugged was the best of all the Unplugged series.

Must've missed that one, but Jay-z's unplugged with the Roots as his backing band is awesome!

Red Mosquito75

now i want to go watch all of the unplugged in row to see what i really think....What could have been....It sucks the music we are missing right now