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MTV Unplugged in New York 1994
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MTV Unplugged in New York

When we think of Nirvana, it's easy to imagine them at full volume, with distortion at its peak. But this MTV Unplugged in New York shows us a completely different facet, recorded in November 1993 in New York. What makes this performance special is that, although it was supposed to be entirely acoustic, the band decided to incorporate amplification and some effects. Instead of playing their most well-known hits, they opted for a repertoire of less explored tracks and covers of other artists, such as David Bowie and Lead Belly. They were joined by guitarist Pat Smear and cellist Lori Goldston, as well as brothers Cris and Curt Kirkwood from the Meat Puppets for certain songs.

Year
1994
Songs
14
Duration
28 min 19 seg
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About the album

MTV Unplugged in New York, according to DoReSol

The recording, which took place at Sony Music Studios in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, aired on MTV in December 1993. The atmosphere sought for the stage, with lilies, black candles, and a chandelier, evoked an almost funereal mood, as recalled by producer Alex Coletti. Kurt Cobain himself insisted that his acoustic guitar go through an amplifier and effects pedals, a detail that gave him the sonic security he was accustomed to. Tracks like "About a Girl" and "All Apologies" are heard in a raw and emotional way, while the rendition of "The Man Who Sold the World" is a clear example of how they used effects to give it a unique touch.

This album, MTV Unplugged in New York, was released in November 1994, months after the passing of Kurt Cobain. It became a milestone for the band, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard 200 and being certified with multiple platinum records. It was recognized with a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance in 1996, being the only Grammy that Nirvana received. The DVD edition appeared in 2007, allowing this intimate and powerful performance to be relived.

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