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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Live at the Paramount (video)
| name = Live at the Paramount
| type = Video
| type = Video
| artist = [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
| artist = [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]
| cover = Nirvana Live at the Paramount.jpg
| cover = Nirvana Live at the Paramount.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2011|09|24}}
| released = {{Start date|2011|09|24}}
| recorded = {{Start date|1991|10|31}}
| recorded = October 31, 1991 [[Paramount Theatre (Seattle, Washington)]]
| venue = [[Paramount Theatre (Seattle)|Paramount Theatre]], [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| venue =
| studio =
| studio =
| genre =
| genre = *[[Grunge]]
*[[Grunge]]
*[[alternative rock]]
*[[alternative rock]]
| length = 70:44
| length = 70:44
| label = [[DGC Records|DGC]]
| label = [[DGC Records|DGC]]
| producer =
| producer =
| prev_title = [[Live at Reading]]
| prev_title = [[Live at Reading]]
| prev_year = 2009
| prev_year = 2009
| next_title = [[Live and Loud (Nirvana video album)|Live and Loud]]
| next_title = [[Live and Loud (Nirvana video)|Live and Loud]]
| next_year = 2013
| next_year = 2013
}}
}}
'''''Live at the Paramount''''' is a live video and album by American [[rock music|rock]] band [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], released in September 2011. It was released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc]] as part of the 20th anniversary of the band's second album and mainstream breakthrough, ''[[Nevermind]]''.
'''''Live at the Paramount''''' is a live video and album by American [[rock music|rock]] band [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], released on September 24, 2011. It was released on [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc]] as part of the 20th anniversary of the band's second album and mainstream breakthrough, ''[[Nevermind]]''.


It features the band's live performance at the [[Paramount Theatre (Seattle, Washington)|Paramount Theatre]] in [[Seattle, Washington]] on October 31, 1991. Recorded five weeks after the release of ''Nevermind'', the footage is taken from the only Nirvana show to be shot on [[16 mm film]]. The Blu-ray features uncompressed 48 kHz/24-bit sound.
It features the band's live performance at the [[Paramount Theatre (Seattle, Washington)|Paramount Theatre]] in [[Seattle, Washington]], on October 31, 1991. Recorded five weeks after the release of ''Nevermind'', the footage is taken from the only Nirvana show to be shot entirely on [[16 mm film]]. The Blu-ray features uncompressed 48 kHz/24-bit sound.


As well as the standalone DVD and Blu-ray releases, a DVD along with a CD audio version of the show are available packaged together as part of the limited edition Super Deluxe box set reissue of the ''Nevermind'' album.
As well as the standalone DVD and Blu-ray releases, a DVD along with a CD audio version of the show are available packaged together as part of the limited edition Super Deluxe box set reissue of the ''Nevermind'' album. The concert was released for the first time on vinyl in April 2019.

The concert was released for the first time on vinyl in April 2019.


==Background==
==Background==


Nirvana's Paramount performance was the third of three shows in the [[Pacific Northwest]] with fellow Seattle band [[Mudhoney]], and the final show of the North American leg of their ''Nevermind'' tour before the band departed for Europe. The three concerts, which also featured shows in [[Portland, Oregon]] and [[Vancouver, British Columbia]], had been booked two months earlier and were originally to feature Mudhoney as the headliners. However, the surprising success of the band's second album, ''[[Nevermind]]'', which had been released the previous month, led to Nirvana being moved to the headlining spot. The Seattle show, which also featured American rock band [[Bikini Kill]] on the bill, also had to be moved from the smaller [[Moore Theatre]] to the Paramount due to the demand for tickets.<ref>{{cite book|title=Nirvana FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Important Band of the 1990s|last=Luerssen|first=John D.|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=2014|pages=251–252|isbn=978-1-61713-588-0}}</ref>
Nirvana's Paramount performance was the third of three shows in the [[Pacific Northwest]] with fellow Seattle band [[Mudhoney]], and the final show of the North American leg of their ''Nevermind'' tour before the band departed for Europe. The three concerts, which also featured shows in [[Portland, Oregon]] and [[Vancouver, British Columbia]], had been booked two months earlier and were originally to feature Mudhoney as the headliners. However, the surprising success of the band's second album, ''[[Nevermind]]'', which had been released the previous month, led to Nirvana being moved to the headlining spot. The Seattle show, which also featured American rock band [[Bikini Kill]] on the bill, also had to be moved from the smaller [[Moore Theatre]] to the Paramount due to the demand for tickets.<ref>{{cite book|title=Nirvana FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Important Band of the 1990s|last=Luerssen|first=John D.|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=2014|pages=251–252|isbn=978-1-61713-588-0}}</ref>

The Paramount show was attended by approximately 2,800 people, making it the largest audience the band played to during the first part of the ''Nevermind'' tour. Tickets to the show were $10.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cross |first1=Charles R. |title=Film of legendary Nirvana performance at Seattle's Paramount Theatre to be shown there for first time |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/film-of-iconic-1991-nirvana-performance-at-seattles-paramount-theatre-to-be-shown-there-for-first-time/ |access-date=11 December 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=7 December 2021}}</ref>


===The performance===
===The performance===


Nirvana's Paramount performance featured a typical set list of the time, with material from ''Nevermind'' and the band's 1989 debut album ''[[Bleach (Nirvana album)|Bleach]]'', as well as set list regulars "[[Aneurysm (song)|Aneurysm]]," "[[Been a Son]]" and the 1990 single, "[[Sliver (song)|Sliver]]." The show also featured a cover of "[[Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam]]" by Scottish rock band [[The Vaselines]], and an early version of "[[Rape Me]]," which Cobain had written while ''Nevermind'' was being mixed,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Azerrad |first1=Michael |title=Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana |date=1994 |publisher=Doubleday |isbn=0-385-47199-8 |page=323}}</ref> and eventually appeared on the band's third and final studio album, ''[[In Utero (album)|In Utero]]'', in 1993.
Nirvana's Paramount performance featured a typical set list of the time, with material from ''Nevermind'' and the band's 1989 debut album ''[[Bleach (Nirvana album)|Bleach]]'', as well as set list regulars "[[Aneurysm (song)|Aneurysm]]", "[[Been a Son]]" and the 1990 single, "[[Sliver (song)|Sliver]]". The show also featured a cover of "[[Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam]]" by Scottish rock band [[the Vaselines]], and an early version of "[[Rape Me]]", which Cobain wrote while ''Nevermind'' was being mixed.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Azerrad |first1=Michael |title=Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana |date=1994 |publisher=Doubleday |isbn=0-385-47199-8 |page=323}}</ref>


The show was filmed by a video crew the band's co-manager, John Silva, had hired for $250,000.<ref>{{cite book|title=Nirvana FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Important Band of the 1990s|last=Luerssen|first=John D.|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=2014|page=252|isbn=978-1-61713-588-0}}</ref> Cobain had invited Ian Dickson and [[Nikki McClure]], two friends of his from [[Olympia, Washington]], to dance onstage, and they wore shirts that read "Girl" and "Boy," respectively.<ref>True, Everett (2007). ''Nirvana: The Biography''. Da Capo Press. {{ISBN|978-0-306-81554-6}}. p. 314.</ref>
The show was filmed by a video crew the band's co-manager, John Silva, had hired for $250,000.<ref>{{cite book|title=Nirvana FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Important Band of the 1990s|last=Luerssen|first=John D.|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=2014|page=252|isbn=978-1-61713-588-0}}</ref> Cobain had invited Ian Dickson and [[Nikki McClure]], two friends of his from [[Olympia, Washington]], to dance onstage, and they wore shirts that read "Girl" and "Boy", respectively.<ref name="True 2007 p314">True, Everett (2007). ''Nirvana: The Biography''. Da Capo Press. {{ISBN|978-0-306-81554-6}}. p. 314.</ref>


English music journalist [[Everett True]], a friend of Cobain's, described the Paramount show as "the end of an era" that showed that "incontrovertibly, Nirvana was now big news".<ref>{{cite book |last=True |first=Everett |author-link=Everett True |year=2007 |title=Nirvana: The Biography |publisher=[[Da Capo Press]] |page=314 |isbn=978-0-306-81554-6}}</ref> Seattle photographer [[Charles Peterson (photographer)|Charles Peterson]], acclaimed for his role in documenting the rise of the city's [[grunge]] scene, recalled that "the record label, unbeknownst to Nirvana, had set up a big film shoot. There were six guys all clad in black running around with compact [[35 mm format|35mm]] movie cameras and I was like, 'This is the beginning of the end.' It was so unfair to their home audience because it stilted the performance. It reeked of money."<ref>True, Everett (2007). ''Nirvana: The Biography''. Da Capo Press. {{ISBN|978-0-306-81554-6}}. p. 314.</ref>
English music journalist [[Everett True]], a friend of Cobain's, described the Paramount show as "the end of an era" that showed that "incontrovertibly, Nirvana was now big news".<ref>{{cite book |last=True |first=Everett |author-link=Everett True |year=2007 |title=Nirvana: The Biography |publisher=[[Da Capo Press]] |page=314 |isbn=978-0-306-81554-6}}</ref> Seattle photographer [[Charles Peterson (photographer)|Charles Peterson]], acclaimed for his role in documenting the rise of the city's [[grunge]] scene, recalled that "the record label, unbeknownst to Nirvana, had set up a big film shoot. There were six guys all clad in black running around with compact [[35 mm format|35mm]] movie cameras and I was like, 'This is the beginning of the end.' It was so unfair to their home audience because it stilted the performance. It reeked of money."<ref name="True 2007 p314"/>


===Previously-released songs===
===Previously released songs===


The idea of releasing the Paramount show in its entirety dates back to the band's lifetime. In his 1993 Nirvana biography ''[[Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana]]'', [[Michael Azerrad]] wrote that the show "may one day be edited into a full-length film."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Azerrad|first1=Michael|title=Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana|date=October 1993|publisher=Doubleday|location=U.S.|isbn=0-385-47199-8|page=321}}</ref> By the time of Cobain's death in April 1994, several songs from the soundboard recording, mixed by [[Andy Wallace (producer)|Andy Wallace]], had been officially released. "School" and "[[Drain You]]" appeared on the second single from ''Nevermind,'' for the song "[[Come as You Are (Nirvana song)|Come As You Are]]," in March 1992. "[[Been a Son]]" appeared on the following single, for "[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]," in July 1992. Footage from the performance appeared in the music video for "Lithium," directed by [[Kevin Kerslake]].
The idea of releasing the Paramount show in its entirety dates back to the band's lifetime. In his 1993 Nirvana biography ''[[Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana]]'', [[Michael Azerrad]] wrote that the show "may one day be edited into a full-length film."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Azerrad|first1=Michael|title=Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana|date=October 1993|publisher=Doubleday|location=U.S.|isbn=0-385-47199-8|page=321}}</ref> By the time of Cobain's death in April 1994, several songs from the soundboard recording, mixed by [[Andy Wallace (producer)|Andy Wallace]], had been officially released. "School" and "[[Drain You]]" appeared on the second single from ''Nevermind,'' for the song "[[Come as You Are (Nirvana song)|Come As You Are]]", in March 1992. "[[Been a Son]]" appeared on the following single, for "[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]", in July 1992. Footage from the performance appeared in the music video for "Lithium" directed by [[Kevin Kerslake]].


In November 1994, the Paramount versions of "[[About a Girl (Nirvana song)|About a Girl]]," "[[Breed (Nirvana song)|Breed]]," "[[Polly (Nirvana song)|Polly]]" and "[[Endless, Nameless]]" appeared in the home video ''[[Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!]]'', which had been compiled by Cobain but unfinished at the time of his death. In October 1996, the Paramount version of "[[Negative Creep]]," from Wallace's mix, was released on the live compilation album ''[[From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah]]'', compiled primarily by Nirvana bassist, [[Krist Novoselic]]. The video of "[[Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam|Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam]]" was released on the DVD of the band's rarities box set, ''[[With the Lights Out]]'', in November 2004, while the video of "Polly" was re-released as a bonus feature on the ''[[Classic Albums: Nirvana – Nevermind]]'' DVD in March 2005.
In November 1994, the Paramount versions of "[[About a Girl (Nirvana song)|About a Girl]]", "[[Breed (Nirvana song)|Breed]]", "[[Polly (Nirvana song)|Polly]]" and "[[Endless, Nameless (song)|Endless, Nameless]]" appeared in the home video ''[[Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!]]'', which had been compiled by Cobain but unfinished at the time of his death. In October 1996, the Paramount version of "[[Negative Creep]]", from Wallace's mix, was released on the live compilation album ''[[From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah]]'', compiled primarily by bassist [[Krist Novoselic]]. The video of "[[Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam|Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam]]" was released on the DVD of the band's rarities box set, ''[[With the Lights Out]]'', in November 2004, while the video of "Polly" was re-released as a bonus feature on the ''[[Classic Albums: Nirvana – Nevermind]]'' DVD in March 2005.


The full soundboard of the Wallace mix had been available in trading circles for years before the release of ''Live at the Paramount'', but remains unreleased.
The full soundboard of the Wallace mix had been available in trading circles for years before the release of ''Live at the Paramount'', but remains unreleased.
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==Reception==
==Reception==


Jayson Greene of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' wrote that "the joy of ''Live at the Paramount'' is hearing the charge of this moment: a great band newly famous, still reeling and flooded with nervy adrenaline."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Jayson |title=Nirvana - Live at the Paramount |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16162-nirvana-live-at-the-paramount/ |accessdate=19 November 2019 |work=Pitchfork |date=11 January 2012}}</ref> Mark Deming of ''[[Allmusic]]'' compared the release to the 1964 film ''[[A Hard Day's Night (film)|A Hard Day's Night]]'' in that they "captured the artists at a moment where success was a pleasure, just before it became a burden."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deming |first1=Mark |title=Nirvana - Live at the Paramount |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-paramount-mw0003255790 |accessdate=23 November 2019 |work=Allmusic}}</ref>
Jayson Greene of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' wrote that "the joy of ''Live at the Paramount'' is hearing the charge of this moment: a great band newly famous, still reeling and flooded with nervy adrenaline."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Jayson |title=Nirvana - Live at the Paramount |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16162-nirvana-live-at-the-paramount/ |accessdate=November 19, 2019 |work=Pitchfork |date=January 11, 2012}}</ref> Mark Deming of ''[[AllMusic]]'' compared the release to the 1964 film ''[[A Hard Day's Night (film)|A Hard Day's Night]]'' in that they "captured the artists at a moment where success was a pleasure, just before it became a burden."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deming |first1=Mark |title=Nirvana - Live at the Paramount |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-paramount-mw0003255790 |accessdate=November 23, 2019 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>


Reviewing the vinyl release in 2019, ''[[Kerrang!|Kerrang!'s]]'' Nick Ruskell wrote that the concert "doesn’t even sound like the best show Nirvana ever played. But that’s what makes this special – a truly spectacular band captured without hype, in the moment, just doing what they do. And for a band so steeped in legend, that is a rare thing to have.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ruskell |first1=Nick |title=ALBUM REVIEW: NIRVANA - LIVE AT THE PARAMOUNT |url=https://www.kerrang.com/reviews/album-review-nirvana-live-at-the-paramount/ |accessdate=19 November 2019 |work=Kerrang! |date=15 April 2019}}</ref>
Reviewing the vinyl release in 2019, ''[[Kerrang!|Kerrang!'s]]'' Nick Ruskell wrote that the concert "doesn't even sound like the best show Nirvana ever played. But that's what makes this special – a truly spectacular band captured without hype, in the moment, just doing what they do. And for a band so steeped in legend, that is a rare thing to have.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ruskell |first1=Nick |title=ALBUM REVIEW: NIRVANA - LIVE AT THE PARAMOUNT |url=https://www.kerrang.com/reviews/album-review-nirvana-live-at-the-paramount/ |accessdate=November 19, 2019 |work=[[Kerrang!]] |date=April 15, 2019}}</ref>


⚫
The Blu-ray version has been widely criticized for having audio sync problems.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Nirvana-Live-at-Paramount-Blu-ray/product-reviews/B0057MFA42/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending Nirvana - Live at the Paramount] amazon.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref> Amazon has posted a statement from Universal that denies the problem exists,<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Nirvana-Live-at-Paramount/dp/product-description/B005EXA8XC Nirvana - Live at the Paramount] amazon.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref> but the review at the website Blu-ray.com gives the audio a score of 0/5 because of the sync issues.<ref>[http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Nirvana-Live-at-the-Paramount-Blu-ray/27184/#Review Nirvana - Live at the Paramount] Blu-ray.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref>
===Blu-ray synchronization issues===


==Legacy==
⚫
The Blu-ray version has been widely criticized for having audio sync problems.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Nirvana-Live-at-Paramount-Blu-ray/product-reviews/B0057MFA42/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending Nirvana - Live at the Paramount] amazon.com. Retrieved 5 December 2013.</ref> Amazon has posted a statement from Universal that denies the problem exists,<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Nirvana-Live-at-Paramount/dp/product-description/B005EXA8XC Nirvana - Live at the Paramount] amazon.com. Retrieved 5 December 2013.</ref> but the review at the website Blu-ray.com gives the audio a score of 0/5 because of the sync issues.<ref>[http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Nirvana-Live-at-the-Paramount-Blu-ray/27184/#Review Nirvana - Live at the Paramount] Blu-ray.com. Retrieved 5 December 2013.</ref>

On December 12, 2021, ''Live at the Paramount'' was screened at the Paramount Theatre by [[Seattle Theatre Group]], the nonprofit group in charge of venue. The screening featured opening live music by Seattle rock bands Them and the Black Tones, with the latter band's set mixed by Nirvana's sound engineer, Craig Montgomery.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cross |first1=Charles R. |title=Film of legendary Nirvana performance at Seattle's Paramount Theatre to be shown there for first time |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/film-of-iconic-1991-nirvana-performance-at-seattles-paramount-theatre-to-be-shown-there-for-first-time/ |access-date=11 December 2021 |work=The Seattle Times |date=7 December 2021}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
All songs by [[Kurt Cobain]] unless noted.


#"[[Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam|Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam]]" ([[The Vaselines]] [[cover version|cover]]) 5:48
#"[[Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam|Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam]]" ([[The Vaselines]] [[cover version|cover]]) ([[Eugene Kelly]], [[Frances McKee]])- 5:48
#"[[Aneurysm (song)|Aneurysm]]" 5:05
#"[[Aneurysm (song)|Aneurysm]]" (Cobain, [[Dave Grohl]], [[Krist Novoselic]])- 5:05
#"[[Drain You]]" 5:16
#"[[Drain You]]" - 5:16
#"School" 2:57
#"School" - 2:57
#"Floyd the Barber" 2:21
#"Floyd the Barber" - 2:21
#"[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" 6:58
#"[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" (Cobain, Grohl, Novoselic)- 6:58
#"[[About a Girl (Nirvana song)|About a Girl]]" 3:02
#"[[About a Girl (Nirvana song)|About a Girl]]" - 3:02
#"[[Polly (Nirvana song)|Polly]]" 3:04
#"[[Polly (Nirvana song)|Polly]]" - 3:04
#"[[Breed (song)|Breed]]" 2:54
#"[[Breed (song)|Breed]]" - 2:54
#"[[Sliver (song)|Sliver]]" 2:18
#"[[Sliver (song)|Sliver]]" (Cobain, Novoselic)- 2:18
#"[[Love Buzz]]" ([[Shocking Blue]] cover) 4:01
#"[[Love Buzz]]" ([[Shocking Blue]] cover) ([[Robbie van Leeuwen]])- 4:01
#"[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]" 6:02
#"[[Lithium (Nirvana song)|Lithium]]" - 6:02
#"[[Been a Son]]" 2:41
#"[[Been a Son]]" - 2:41
#"[[Negative Creep]]" 3:00
#"[[Negative Creep]]" - 3:00
#"[[On a Plain]]" 4:09
#"[[On a Plain]]" - 4:09
#"[[Blew (EP)|Blew]]" 3:00
#"[[Blew (EP)|Blew]]" - 3:00
⚫
Encore:


⚫
=== Encore ===
⚫
# "[[Rape Me]]" (early version) 3:04

⚫
# "Territorial Pissings" (intro from the song "[[Get Together (Youngbloods song)|Get Together]]", spoken by Krist Novoselic) 8:05
⚫
# "[[Rape Me]]" (Early version) - 3:04
⚫
# "Endless, Nameless" 7:39
⚫
# "Territorial Pissings" (intro from the song "[[Get Together (Youngbloods song)|Get Together]]", spoken by Krist Novoselic) - 2:55 (Cobain, [[Chet Powers]] (uncredited))
⚫
# "Endless, Nameless" - 7:39 (Cobain, Grohl, Novoselic)


==Bonus features==
==Bonus features==


===Easter Eggs===
===Easter Eggs===
All video releases, the stand-alone DVD, Blu-ray, and the DVD that comes with the ''Nevermind'' "Super Deluxe" boxset, feature the following hidden tracks (easter eggs) from March 8, 1991, at the [[Commodore Ballroom]] in Vancouver, British Columbia.<ref>[http://www.nirvanaguide.com/1991.php Nirvana Live Guide - 1991] {{Webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/6GIlG9q9j?url=http://www.nirvanaguide.com/1991.php |date=2013-05-01 }} nirvanaguide.com. Retrieved 5 December 2013.</ref>
All video releases, the stand-alone DVD, Blu-ray, and the DVD that comes with the ''Nevermind'' "Super Deluxe" boxset, feature the following hidden tracks (easter eggs) from March 8, 1991, at the [[Commodore Ballroom]] in Vancouver, British Columbia.<ref>[http://www.nirvanaguide.com/1991.php Nirvana Live Guide - 1991] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424074628/http://nirvanaguide.com/1991.php |date=April 24, 2013 }} nirvanaguide.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref>


#"Territorial Pissings"
#"Territorial Pissings"
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!Peak<br />position
!Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|Australian DVD Chart ([[ARIA Charts]])<ref>[http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20111030-0001/Issue1129.pdf ARIA Chart report 17 October, 2011 - DVD Chart] pandora.nla.gov.au. Retrieved 5 December 2013.</ref>
|Australian DVD Chart ([[ARIA Charts]])<ref>[https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20111029130100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20111030-0001/Issue1129.pdf ARIA Chart report 17 October, 2011 - DVD Chart] {{cbignore|bot=medic}}pandora.nla.gov.au. Retrieved December 5, 2013.</ref>
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|Portuguese DVD Chart ([[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|AFP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/|title=TOP OFICIAL AFP – Semana 40 de 2011|publisher=Artistas & Espectáculos|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012005413/http://www.artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/ |archivedate=12 October 2011 |language=Portuguese}}</ref>
|Portuguese DVD Chart ([[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|AFP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/|title=TOP OFICIAL AFP – Semana 40 de 2011|publisher=Artistas & Espectáculos|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012005413/http://www.artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp/pt/ |archivedate=October 12, 2011 |language=Portuguese}}</ref>
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{{Album chart|UKMV|4|artist=Nirvana|date=20111002|access-date=5 December 2021}}
|UK Top 40 Music Video Chart ([[Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/music-video-chart/20111002/13/ |title=UK Top 40 Music Video Archive |date=October 8, 2011 |website=officialcharts.com |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=February 26, 2019}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
|-
|US [[Billboard charts|Top Music Video Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/music-video-sales |title=Nirvana - Chart History - Music Video Sales |website=billboard.com |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=August 7, 2019}}</ref>
|US [[Billboard charts|Top Music Video Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/music-video-sales |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807155820/https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/music-video-sales |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |title=Nirvana - Chart History - Music Video Sales |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=August 7, 2019}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|}
|}
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{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Live at the Paramount |artist=Nirvana |type=video |region=Australia |award=Gold |salesamount=7,500 |certyear=2011}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Live at the Paramount |artist=Nirvana |type=video |region=Australia |award=Gold |certyear=2011}}
{{certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}
{{certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}


==2019 vinyl release==
==2019 vinyl release==


The concert was released as a double LP vinyl set on April 12, 2019,<ref>{{cite web |last=Munro |first=Scott |date=March 5, 2019 |title=Nirvana’s Live At The Paramount set for vinyl release |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/nirvanas-live-at-the-paramount-set-for-vinyl-release |website=loudersound.com |access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> which came with a 12x24" poster and a replica of the VIP pass that was used on the night as a download card.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/nirvanas-live-at-the-paramount-will-be-released-on-vinyl/ |title=Nirvana's Live at the Paramount will be released on vinyl |date=February 26, 2019 |website=kerrang.com |publisher=[[Kerrang!]] |access-date=February 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Aubrey |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nirvanas-famed-live-paramount-concert-released-vinyl-2454287 |title=Nirvana's famed 'Live at the Paramount' concert is being released on vinyl |date=February 26, 2019 |publisher=[[NME]] |access-date=February 26, 2019}}</ref>
The concert was released as a double LP vinyl set on April 12, 2019,<ref>{{cite web |last=Munro |first=Scott |date=March 5, 2019 |title=Nirvana's Live At The Paramount set for vinyl release |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/nirvanas-live-at-the-paramount-set-for-vinyl-release |website=loudersound.com |access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref> which came with a 12x24" poster and a replica of the VIP pass that was used on the night as a download card.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/nirvanas-live-at-the-paramount-will-be-released-on-vinyl/ |title=Nirvana's Live at the Paramount will be released on vinyl |date=February 26, 2019 |website=kerrang.com |publisher=[[Kerrang!]] |access-date=February 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Aubrey |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/nirvanas-famed-live-paramount-concert-released-vinyl-2454287 |title=Nirvana's famed 'Live at the Paramount' concert is being released on vinyl |date=February 26, 2019 |publisher=[[NME]] |access-date=February 26, 2019}}</ref>


===Track listing===
===Track listing===
Line 183: Line 186:
{{album chart|BillboardAlbumSales|72|artist=Nirvana|accessdate=September 10, 2019|rowheader=true}}
{{album chart|BillboardAlbumSales|72|artist=Nirvana|accessdate=September 10, 2019|rowheader=true}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Rock Album Sales (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/rock-consumption-chart |title=Nirvana - Billboard Rock Album Sales |website=billboard.com |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=September 6, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Rock Album Sales (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/rock-consumption-chart |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807155904/https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/rock-consumption-chart |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |title=Nirvana - Billboard Rock Album Sales |website=billboard.com |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=September 6, 2019}}</ref>
| 28
| 28
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Alternative Album Sales (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/alternative-rock-consumption-chart |title=Nirvana - Billboard Alternative Album Sales |website=billboard.com |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=September 6, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="row"| US Alternative Album Sales (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/alternative-rock-consumption-chart |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807155952/https://www.billboard.com/music/nirvana/chart-history/alternative-rock-consumption-chart |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |title=Nirvana - Billboard Alternative Album Sales |website=billboard.com |publisher=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |accessdate=September 6, 2019}}</ref>
| 14
| 14
|}
|}
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==Personnel==
==Personnel==
*[[Kurt Cobain]] – [[lead vocals]], [[electric guitar|guitar]]
*[[Kurt Cobain]] – [[lead vocals]], [[electric guitar|guitar]]
*[[Krist Novoselic]] – [[bass guitar]]
*[[Krist Novoselic]] – [[bass guitar]], intro vocals on "Territorial Pissings"
*[[Dave Grohl]] – [[drum kit|drums]], [[backing vocals]]
*[[Dave Grohl]] – [[drum kit|drums]], [[backing vocals]]


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[[Category:2011 video albums]]
[[Category:2011 video albums]]
[[Category:Live video albums]]
[[Category:2010s live video albums]]
[[Category:Nirvana (band) video albums]]
[[Category:Nirvana (band) video albums]]
[[Category:Geffen Records video albums]]
[[Category:Geffen Records video albums]]

Latest revision as of 14:08, 11 December 2024

Live at the Paramount
Video by
Nirvana
ReleasedSeptember 24, 2011 (2011-09-24)
RecordedOctober 31, 1991 (1991-10-31)
VenueParamount Theatre, Seattle, Washington
Genre
Length70:44
LabelDGC
Nirvana chronology
Live at Reading
(2009) 		Live at the Paramount
(2011) 		Live and Loud
(2013)

Live at the Paramount is a live video and album by American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 2011. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc as part of the 20th anniversary of the band's second album and mainstream breakthrough, Nevermind.

It features the band's live performance at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington, on October 31, 1991. Recorded five weeks after the release of Nevermind, the footage is taken from the only Nirvana show to be shot entirely on 16 mm film. The Blu-ray features uncompressed 48 kHz/24-bit sound.

As well as the standalone DVD and Blu-ray releases, a DVD along with a CD audio version of the show are available packaged together as part of the limited edition Super Deluxe box set reissue of the Nevermind album. The concert was released for the first time on vinyl in April 2019.

Background

[edit]

Nirvana's Paramount performance was the third of three shows in the Pacific Northwest with fellow Seattle band Mudhoney, and the final show of the North American leg of their Nevermind tour before the band departed for Europe. The three concerts, which also featured shows in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia, had been booked two months earlier and were originally to feature Mudhoney as the headliners. However, the surprising success of the band's second album, Nevermind, which had been released the previous month, led to Nirvana being moved to the headlining spot. The Seattle show, which also featured American rock band Bikini Kill on the bill, also had to be moved from the smaller Moore Theatre to the Paramount due to the demand for tickets.[1]

The Paramount show was attended by approximately 2,800 people, making it the largest audience the band played to during the first part of the Nevermind tour. Tickets to the show were $10.[2]

The performance

[edit]

Nirvana's Paramount performance featured a typical set list of the time, with material from Nevermind and the band's 1989 debut album Bleach, as well as set list regulars "Aneurysm", "Been a Son" and the 1990 single, "Sliver". The show also featured a cover of "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" by Scottish rock band the Vaselines, and an early version of "Rape Me", which Cobain wrote while Nevermind was being mixed.[3]

The show was filmed by a video crew the band's co-manager, John Silva, had hired for $250,000.[4] Cobain had invited Ian Dickson and Nikki McClure, two friends of his from Olympia, Washington, to dance onstage, and they wore shirts that read "Girl" and "Boy", respectively.[5]

English music journalist Everett True, a friend of Cobain's, described the Paramount show as "the end of an era" that showed that "incontrovertibly, Nirvana was now big news".[6] Seattle photographer Charles Peterson, acclaimed for his role in documenting the rise of the city's grunge scene, recalled that "the record label, unbeknownst to Nirvana, had set up a big film shoot. There were six guys all clad in black running around with compact 35mm movie cameras and I was like, 'This is the beginning of the end.' It was so unfair to their home audience because it stilted the performance. It reeked of money."[5]

Previously released songs

[edit]

The idea of releasing the Paramount show in its entirety dates back to the band's lifetime. In his 1993 Nirvana biography Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana, Michael Azerrad wrote that the show "may one day be edited into a full-length film."[7] By the time of Cobain's death in April 1994, several songs from the soundboard recording, mixed by Andy Wallace, had been officially released. "School" and "Drain You" appeared on the second single from Nevermind, for the song "Come As You Are", in March 1992. "Been a Son" appeared on the following single, for "Lithium", in July 1992. Footage from the performance appeared in the music video for "Lithium" directed by Kevin Kerslake.

In November 1994, the Paramount versions of "About a Girl", "Breed", "Polly" and "Endless, Nameless" appeared in the home video Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!, which had been compiled by Cobain but unfinished at the time of his death. In October 1996, the Paramount version of "Negative Creep", from Wallace's mix, was released on the live compilation album From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, compiled primarily by bassist Krist Novoselic. The video of "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" was released on the DVD of the band's rarities box set, With the Lights Out, in November 2004, while the video of "Polly" was re-released as a bonus feature on the Classic Albums: Nirvana – Nevermind DVD in March 2005.

The full soundboard of the Wallace mix had been available in trading circles for years before the release of Live at the Paramount, but remains unreleased.

Reception

[edit]

Jayson Greene of Pitchfork wrote that "the joy of Live at the Paramount is hearing the charge of this moment: a great band newly famous, still reeling and flooded with nervy adrenaline."[8] Mark Deming of AllMusic compared the release to the 1964 film A Hard Day's Night in that they "captured the artists at a moment where success was a pleasure, just before it became a burden."[9]

Reviewing the vinyl release in 2019, Kerrang!'s Nick Ruskell wrote that the concert "doesn't even sound like the best show Nirvana ever played. But that's what makes this special – a truly spectacular band captured without hype, in the moment, just doing what they do. And for a band so steeped in legend, that is a rare thing to have.[10]

The Blu-ray version has been widely criticized for having audio sync problems.[11] Amazon has posted a statement from Universal that denies the problem exists,[12] but the review at the website Blu-ray.com gives the audio a score of 0/5 because of the sync issues.[13]

Legacy

[edit]

On December 12, 2021, Live at the Paramount was screened at the Paramount Theatre by Seattle Theatre Group, the nonprofit group in charge of venue. The screening featured opening live music by Seattle rock bands Them and the Black Tones, with the latter band's set mixed by Nirvana's sound engineer, Craig Montgomery.[14]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs by Kurt Cobain unless noted.

  1. "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" (The Vaselines cover) (Eugene Kelly, Frances McKee)- 5:48
  2. "Aneurysm" (Cobain, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic)- 5:05
  3. "Drain You" - 5:16
  4. "School" - 2:57
  5. "Floyd the Barber" - 2:21
  6. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Cobain, Grohl, Novoselic)- 6:58
  7. "About a Girl" - 3:02
  8. "Polly" - 3:04
  9. "Breed" - 2:54
  10. "Sliver" (Cobain, Novoselic)- 2:18
  11. "Love Buzz" (Shocking Blue cover) (Robbie van Leeuwen)- 4:01
  12. "Lithium" - 6:02
  13. "Been a Son" - 2:41
  14. "Negative Creep" - 3:00
  15. "On a Plain" - 4:09
  16. "Blew" - 3:00

Encore

[edit]
  1. "Rape Me" (Early version) - 3:04
  2. "Territorial Pissings" (intro from the song "Get Together", spoken by Krist Novoselic) - 2:55 (Cobain, Chet Powers (uncredited))
  3. "Endless, Nameless" - 7:39 (Cobain, Grohl, Novoselic)

Bonus features

[edit]

Easter Eggs

[edit]

All video releases, the stand-alone DVD, Blu-ray, and the DVD that comes with the Nevermind "Super Deluxe" boxset, feature the following hidden tracks (easter eggs) from March 8, 1991, at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, British Columbia.[15]

  1. "Territorial Pissings"
  2. "Breed"

Nevermind Super Deluxe DVD

[edit]

The DVD that comes with the limited edition Nevermind "Super Deluxe" boxset features the music videos for the four singles from the Nevermind album. However these are not included with the standalone DVD or Blu-ray release.

  1. "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
  2. "Come as You Are"
  3. "Lithium"
  4. "In Bloom"

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Australian DVD Chart (ARIA Charts)[16] 1
Dutch DVD Chart (MegaCharts)[17] 4
Portuguese DVD Chart (AFP)[18] 5
Swedish DVD Chart (Sverigetopplistan)[19] 6
Swiss Music DVD Chart (Schweizer Hitparade)[20] 4
UK Music Videos (OCC)[21] 4
US Top Music Video Sales (Billboard)[22] 1

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[23] Gold 7,500^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

2019 vinyl release

[edit]

The concert was released as a double LP vinyl set on April 12, 2019,[24] which came with a 12x24" poster and a replica of the VIP pass that was used on the night as a download card.[25][26]

Track listing

[edit]

Side A[27]

  1. Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam
  2. Aneurysm
  3. Drain You
  4. School
  5. Floyd the Barber

Side B

  1. Smells Like Teen Spirit
  2. About a Girl
  3. Polly
  4. Breed
  5. Sliver

Side C

  1. Love Buzz
  2. Lithium
  3. Been a Son
  4. Negative Creep
  5. On a Plain

Side D

  1. Blew
  2. Rape Me
  3. Territorial Pissings
  4. Endless, Nameless

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2019) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[28] 70
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[29] 107
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[30] 99
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[31] 16
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[32] 72
US Rock Album Sales (Billboard)[33] 28
US Alternative Album Sales (Billboard)[34] 14

Personnel

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Luerssen, John D. (2014). Nirvana FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Important Band of the 1990s. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 251–252. ISBN 978-1-61713-588-0.
  2. ^ Cross, Charles R. (December 7, 2021). "Film of legendary Nirvana performance at Seattle's Paramount Theatre to be shown there for first time". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  3. ^ Azerrad, Michael (1994). Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana. Doubleday. p. 323. ISBN 0-385-47199-8.
  4. ^ Luerssen, John D. (2014). Nirvana FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Important Band of the 1990s. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-61713-588-0.
  5. ^ a b True, Everett (2007). Nirvana: The Biography. Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-306-81554-6. p. 314.
  6. ^ True, Everett (2007). Nirvana: The Biography. Da Capo Press. p. 314. ISBN 978-0-306-81554-6.
  7. ^ Azerrad, Michael (October 1993). Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana. U.S.: Doubleday. p. 321. ISBN 0-385-47199-8.
  8. ^ Greene, Jayson (January 11, 2012). "Nirvana - Live at the Paramount". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  9. ^ Deming, Mark. "Nirvana - Live at the Paramount". AllMusic. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  10. ^ Ruskell, Nick (April 15, 2019). "ALBUM REVIEW: NIRVANA - LIVE AT THE PARAMOUNT". Kerrang!. Retrieved November 19, 2019.
  11. ^ Nirvana - Live at the Paramount amazon.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  12. ^ Nirvana - Live at the Paramount amazon.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  13. ^ Nirvana - Live at the Paramount Blu-ray.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  14. ^ Cross, Charles R. (December 7, 2021). "Film of legendary Nirvana performance at Seattle's Paramount Theatre to be shown there for first time". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  15. ^ Nirvana Live Guide - 1991 Archived April 24, 2013, at the Wayback Machine nirvanaguide.com. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  16. ^ ARIA Chart report 17 October, 2011 - DVD Chart pandora.nla.gov.au. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  17. ^ "Nirvana - Live at the Paramount DVD". dutchcharts.nl. MegaCharts. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  18. ^ "TOP OFICIAL AFP – Semana 40 de 2011" (in Portuguese). Artistas & Espectáculos. Archived from the original on October 12, 2011.
  19. ^ "Search for "Nirvana"". sverigetopplistan.se. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  20. ^ "Nirvana - Live at the Paramount (DVD)". Swisscharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  21. ^ "Official Music Video Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Nirvana - Chart History - Music Video Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  23. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2011 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  24. ^ Munro, Scott (March 5, 2019). "Nirvana's Live At The Paramount set for vinyl release". loudersound.com. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
  25. ^ "Nirvana's Live at the Paramount will be released on vinyl". kerrang.com. Kerrang!. February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  26. ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (February 26, 2019). "Nirvana's famed 'Live at the Paramount' concert is being released on vinyl". NME. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  27. ^ "Nirvana's 'Live At The Paramount' Concert To Be Released On Vinyl". udiscovermusic.com. March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  28. ^ "Ultratop.be – Nirvana – Live at the Paramount" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  29. ^ "Ultratop.be – Nirvana – Live at the Paramount" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  30. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Nirvana – Live at the Paramount" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  31. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 19, 2019.
  32. ^ "Nirvana Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  33. ^ "Nirvana - Billboard Rock Album Sales". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  34. ^ "Nirvana - Billboard Alternative Album Sales". billboard.com. Billboard. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
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