Saturday, March 13, 2010

Nirvana: Live at Reading: A Music CD


Bibliographic Information: Executive Producer: Nirvana. Project Management: Michael Meisel/John Silva. DVD Producer: Jeff Fura. Nirvana: Live at Reading. All songs written by Kurt Cobain and published by CMI Virgin Songs, Inc. Recorded August 30, 1992 at the Reading Festival. Produced 2009 by Geffen Records.

Summary and Critical Evaluation: Nirvana: Live at Reading was recorded at a 1992 festival in Reading but was released in 2009 by the band. The original recording was bootlegged for years and the 1992 hit "Lithium" was released in 1994 on the home video Live! Sold Out!. Being a long term Nirvana fan, especially Kurt Cobain, I was surprised at how many of the songs on this CD I had not heard before. I am partial to live music and this recording really ROCKS, literally. The first few songs, Breed, Drain You, Aneurysm, School and Sliver are heavy on the metal and guitar rifts. The next several songs including Lithium, About a Girl, On a Plain were previous hits and not quite as hard. It is a wonderful CD but definitely for people who enjoy rock and roll.

Annotation: For rock-and-roll lovers, Nirvana: Love at Reading really rocks. Kurt Cobain is at his best in this revamped CD.

About the Band: Kurt Cobain singer/ guitarist and Kirst Novoselic, bassist, started Nirvana in Washington in 1987. David Grohl, now with the Foo Fighters, drummed for Nirvana in 1990. The band went through a succession of drummers. Nirvana was part of the Seattle music scene and has been called a "grunge" (alternative rock) band. They became more mainstream in the 1990's and produced many hits. Cobain was the "heart" of the band but, unfortunately, he suffered from depression, heroin addiction and pressures from his relationship with his famous wife, Courtney Love. He was found dead at his home in Seattle in 1994 and it was ruled a suicide. After Cobain's death the band members continued playing but branched off to form different bands.

Genre: Rock-and-Roll

Curriculum Ties: none

Talking Points: Take a journey into "grunge" music with the awesome CD Nirvana: Live at Reading. Hear the passion of the band and the wonderful vocals of Kurt Cobain.

Interest Age: 13 and up

Challenge Issues: Possibly language, if lyrics are dissected.

Reason for Inclusion: Awesome music for teens and older.

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