Live at Reading by Nirvana
Live at Reading is a live CD/DVD by the American grunge band Nirvana released on November 2, 2009, chronicling its 1992 performance at the Reading Festival. Bootlegged for years following the performance, the new issues present the performance for the first time mastered and color corrected. The performance of the band's 1992 hit single "Lithium" was previously released on the home video Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! in 1994. The performance of "Tourette's" was previously released on the live compilation From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah in 1996. Live at Reading marks the first time on a Nirvana release that Chet Powers receives songwriting credit for the use of his lyrics from the song "Get Together" as the intro for "Territorial Pissings". It features Cobain wheeled out on stage by music journalist Everett True.
Headlining the 1992 Reading Festival in England, Nirvana were at the peak of their powers and had finally brought alternative rock into the mainstream. This oft-bootlegged performance has been considered — for good reason — to be one of the band’s definitive moments, coming after the success of <i>Nevermind</i> and before Cobain’s disenchantment with life itself. The band’s entire repertoire is here, from the early works (“Sliver,” “About a Girl”) to the hits (“Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come As You Are”), the b-sides (“Aneurysm,” “D7”) and the still forthcoming <i>In Utero</i> cuts (“Dumb,” “All Apologies”). Mocking reports of poor health, Cobain entered the stage in a wheelchair and proceeded to rip through a physically punishing, emotionally draining set. Though only a trio, the band is not short a note. Drummer Dave Grohl’s fills are perfectly executed and hold things together no matter what anarchy Cobain envisions for his guitar solos. However, the star is simply that voice. Cobain sings these songs for everything they’re worth.
