Jerry never wanted to sing because they had Layne in the band but Layne pushed him to sing more and the harmonies between the two of them made Alice in Chains truly unique.
I wouldnt say Jerry didnt want to sing, but Layne definitely pushed him to become a better singer. Gave him a lot more confidence in his voice, and rightfully so.... JC is one of the best non-lead singers in music over the last 25+ years (Aaron Bruch is a solid #2)!
Never more a true statement about AIC harmonies! My band recently started covering No Excuses, and I'm singing Jerry's part.....what an absolute bitch to TRY and do it justice!
Justin Harshbarger never heard it put quite that way, but I d imagine they certainly knew, either way it's a beautiful eulogy. Barrett Martin drummer for screaming trees n mad season actually did eulogy for Layne, it was beautiful. Chris Cornell n Anne Wilson sang ring them bells at funeral as well, a song Layne recoded w heart.
@Rafaiell his top teeth were gone in this. It is a fact. He shot heroin right before he came out so he wasnt shaking in convulsions from withdrawing. Learn the history. You posted a reddit thread that is wrong lmao. Layne was not fine here. He was withering away since the very early 90s. He had overdosed multiple times prior to this. They had not done a show in over 2 years before this, and this was their last. Not counting the 4 shows they opened for KISS and than shut it down because.....Layne overdosed. It is reality. You can audibly hear his lisp because his top teeth are gone.
@Derek Charette Yeah, I hear their influence in a lot of the music on the radio from the late 90s to even now, especially the more famous groups that rose up from 2000-2010. By all music, I mean in the overarching hard rock genres. If you think I'm saying they inspired Taylor Swift, forget it. AiC's sound is a large influence since post grunge, and Jerry and Sean don't get the credit they deserve for the developing the texture and atmosphere of that unique sound in their music, and Mike Star probably played in all the other influential bands at one time or another anyway.
I’ve always felt that Jerry Cantrell has been criminally under appreciated as far as vocals are concerned. I loved Layne and all, but Jerry has a beautiful clean voice. They were a really unique band and had a sound all their own. There aren’t many bands that have that quality.
That “eased relaxedness” is the entirety of a broken soul and drug addiction. He’s got one of the most distinct beautiful voices ever to me. But these mtv unplugged videos send me chills everytime. You can see and feel his emotion in all of his work.
@@RafitoOoO It's sad to think that Layne really died years before his body did. The drugs pretty well were what kept him alive for years. I think when he finally died his body just finally gave up.
I'm glad finally one of these channels recognized Jerry Cantrell for his vocal contributions. I have seen many of these channels react to AIC and not even mention there is another person singing. That's was the most unique thing about AIC was the 2 vocalist harmonies and sometimes Jerry as lead vocalist. there are many AIC songs that Jerry sang lead on. In my opinion AIC is the best band of the era. And for them not to have even been nominated for the rock hall is a travesty. And in my opinion this channel is the best vocal reaction channel
I still give that nod to Soundgarden, but Alice in Chains was always a very close second for me. I like Pearl Jam and all that, but their music save for a few tracks on Ten (Black etc) never grabbed me the same as most of the Soundgarden and AIC catalogue did.
Khellendross, I used to put Soundgarden above all others. However, at some point AIC won me over. Chris Cornell with his great tone and power was impressive but the heavy sound of AIC is undeniable. Every song feels like they are stuck in some sort of mud. The way the songs drag and the vocals sound so labored. Then Layne hits these screeching highs only to be laid low again. It just fits the genre. I never really got into Pearl Jam. But as you mentioned “Black” is a gem as is “ Just Breathe”.
Layne letting Jerry sing that chorus and just nodding and smiling like he was mentally passing the torch over to him is still one of the saddest things i've ever seen.
Letting him? They both wrote and sang always!! Aqib and xero, jerry wrote and sang probably more than layne! Go check it out! Im the biggest layne fan but jerry did just as much, if not more! They were like paul and john!!
Actually there's a really good docu about this show. They had not played together in a little while. A lot of credit to the drummer because he was really the glue, musically and emotionally that kept them going through this show. At one point Layne forgets some of the lyrics. He was actually sick (opiate withdrawals ) before they started because he didn't have a plug there, but im pretty sure one of the band members helped him get straight, and because Layne liked to mix his own shots so he knew how strong they would be, the stuff he got before this performance was stronger than normal and he's REALLY feeling it, almost to the point of nodding out a few times. But he gets it together for sure and lays down some of the most haunting and incredible vocals ever. RIP Layne
Something about Layne's story is far more sad than the rest...he wanted to stop but life kept beating him down. So much talent in him that it's unmatched
Read about Jerry Garcia of Greatful Dead. So famous he couldn’t walk down street. He hot asked for an autograph in Hawaii learning scuba. They just want to make art, not movie stars. Heroin eats people.
This line always sticks with me. The way he delivers it with the perfect tone of detachment, but still sounds so desperate for help, it breaks my heart. To me it feels like watching yourself drown alone, but in third person.
Consider that a 34-year-old Layne had been dead for two weeks before being found. He was six feet tall and weighed 86 pounds. It's tragic, but he gave us some awesome music -- and this performance in particular is extraordinary. One guy commented on the video that this is as close as you will get to someone singing at his own funeral. The entire song is foreshadowing, and glorious at that.
This was close but the closest you’d get is the video of Johnny Cash - Hurt. Even the way he closed the piano at the end. Any funeral director would smile at how well he did that, like he was closing caskets for years.
Every time I watch this Unplugged, I'm amazed at how easily Layne hits certain notes that are pretty high for the male range. And he's doing it sitting in a chair with bad posture while probably 30 pounds underweight and strung out on heroin.
This whole album is first-rate - "Nutshell" is my personal favorite. And I still laugh every time I see the "Friends don't let friends get "Friends" haircuts" written on the bass, written as a subtle jab to Metallica in their haircut/Load phase (and present at this show).
When this was filmed, layne had been strung out on heroin for a long time, he had lost many of his teeth which affected his vocals, youll notice a lisp which he was trying cover up during this whole session.
The autopsy and toxicology report on Staley's body revealed that he died from a mixture of heroin and cocaine, known as a speedball. The autopsy concluded that Staley died two weeks before his body was found, on April 5-the same day fellow grunge icon Kurt Cobain died 8 years prior. Staley's death was classified as "accidental"
@@dupersuper6516 he had lost teeth long before the sessions youre thinking of, if you can even call them sessions. He almost didnt show for unplugged cause he was so worried jerry would be pissed at him cause he sounded different from not having teeth. Its all out there in the documentary
Lane Staley was a tortured soul. And it came out in his lyrics and live singing. He was the best!! We miss you Lane! RIP my brother, the storm is over!!!!
At this point in his life Beth he is literally dying from his addition to Heroin. As a fan this is absolutely heartbreaking to watch still to this day. Yes it is some of the most haunting and beautiful music ever recorded live ........but at what cost. He is but a shell of a man here. He is so sickly and weak he cant even hold his head up by the end of the set. I dont think he opened his eyes once through the entire show. This is why you dont do drugs kids....They will kill you eventually no matter how succesful you are. R.I.P. Layne you are missed dearly.
Yep. The album Dirt is basically a journey through how drugs are fun at first but will take you down. Dirt was basically a warning to people about drug addiction.
@@petethepirate730 Yup. Godsmack in particular is about the anger and frustrations of heroin and telling people it's shit. It's an anti-smack song in other words. Dirt is about the downward spiral drugs put you into. I've been struggling with the shit for about 20 years and, though I've had the album for many years, Dirt never leaves rotation of my car CD player because I can relate to it VERY well. Plus it's an AWESOME CD🤘🏻
He opened his eyes. Unfortunately, he kept forgetting the words, so first he had to ditch his trademark glasses and then he had to open his eyes. What we saw in them was pretty haunting.
Yeah he had his lyrics in front to remind him. He was wasted, but it was necessary for him to get through. IIRC he said that heroin was ok when he was in control, then it controlled him. He was definitely entering the terminal stage of his addiction. Cognitive impairment (memory, focus), dental damage (IIRC he had ground his teeth to nubs, which gave him that affected lisp), etc. Jerry's look at Layne's lyric error appeared to be one of concern and nurture.
I’ve never heard a more beautiful song than this. I came across this song once and stopped completely what I did to listen to the performance. AIC has been my favourite band ever since
I feel like Layne felt like he was singing to his own funeral with all the candles around. This was a way to say goodbye while he was still in decent form and a solemn way to be remembered. RIP
I’ve wanted this one for so long thank you, it’s so eerie hearing the way layne sings this song and knowing where life takes him after this performance
This guy did Man in the Box live at the Moore, a simple dude but he is better in analysing the she is: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VzRMbt6swmg.html And search for another great one: Rebecca Vocal Athete love hate love
Instead of dwelling on Laynes condition, I listen to this performance to enjoy the harmony's between Jerry and Layne. The whole band really plays together
Scrivo in Italiano per evitare errori. All'epoca dell'Mtv Unplagged, Layne non appariva in pubblico da circa due anni. Le sue condizioni di salute sono evidenti. Gli occhiali, i guanti o le luci basse non riescono a nascondere questa atroce realtà. Ragazzo realmente tormentato. Performer di livello assoluto.
This is one of my favorite songs, and on the album Layne and Jerry are almost indistinguishable. I have heard people say thst Alice in Chains would not have gotten where they did without the electrical, grunge elements, and it might be true but I feel that is an unfair statement because when you watch the Unplugged sessions you can really see that they really are some of the finest musicians we had in the 90s. Check out Jar of Flies for some of their best songs.
sadly you could say he was already dead at this show. the one bit of life left was that beautiful voice of his. its almost like a cry for help... gives me chills
@Kendra Sheffield Yeah, she died from a needle Layne had used just a day before. I'm sure that ate him up inside. And she wasn't found dead. She was comatose for almost two weeks before her mother put her on DNR and took her off life support. When she died, out of all the things he wanted of hers was pink teddy bear he got her at the hospital. Her mother said he'd put that bear between them and just lay with her and cry. When Layne died, his family called her mom up to get what few things they knew Layne kept of hers. He had a shrine made for her that consisted the pink teddy bear, pictures, and candles. She told the biographer that she knew Layne spiritually died with her daughter. .
Jerry Cantrell's voice is a lot more "neutral" than Layne's. I've noticed that in order for voices to blend, it's often best if one of them is neutral. If both voices are too colorful, they can clash.
Was just about to type this, then i seen your comment lol. Their live show at the moore is what i prefer to listen to rather than the studio, Wake up is so amazing play it everyday on repeat. God I cant get enough of Layne's voice.
@@mocomoto8951 I ordered the mad season cd and I didnt care for it. I can only listen to live mad season! I didn't realize there was such a big difference. I wish people would start reacting to mad season. The first song I heard from mad season I was hooked!
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You have to do Alice In Chains love at the Moore theatre man in the box best live performance by a band ever not many can sound so good live it’s literally better than the studio recorded version no auto tune pure magic
When you first hear him come in his tone is almost grating but after you listen for a while you wouldn’t have it any other way. His tone is both unpleasant and perfect at the same time.
Iexpedite1 Be hard to argue with your statement, since it resembles his own mothers description of Layne’s voice “Razor blades wrapped in marshmallow” ~Nancy McCallum~
Chris Clark Funny I think I just read that last night, not sure who said it, but def works, especially for that performance at the Moore in 1990. He hadn’t yet worked on the subtlety but my lord the power-chainsaw was running top speed. Probably the best set I’ve ever heard It ain’t like that Man in box Real thing Sea of sorrow Love hate love Bleed the freak Every single song is unbelievable in its own right, the fact that despite outfit changes was performed one after another, AWesome! Chainsaw dipped in honey, I ❤️ it U r right, def my new favorite!
Considering this was his first live performance in a long time and he was so addicted to herion by now this man was amazing. Such a lost talent R.I.P Layne One of the best ever
Cantrel and Staley are both amazing talents in their own rights. When you put them together, magic happened. They complimented each other so perfectly.
oh hell yeah Facelift was a awesome album. IT WAS MY INTRODUCTION TO AIC man in a box came out. I rushed out to get all I could old AIC songs. I was more into arena Rock but AIC turned me onto the Seattle sound while I lived in Spokane and I actually saw them live in Spokane on the dirt tour. still go my t-shirt. they played a lot of facefift and sap. it was m memorable.
Layne was such a unique voice but the unique sound of AIC is really the harmonies of both Layne and Jerry's vocals together. Would? is a great example where Jerry is actually the lead vocals in the verse and Layne harmonizes the doubles. Their vocals were really the 4th instruments. Such an awesome band.
He was already gone, we were all very lucky he preformed that day, so sad, I wonder if he new how gifted he was. haunting vocals, it wasn't just another gig or about the money, I think it was a thank you to his fans, you just feel it, so glad I have it in my collection.
"I have been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth" eloquent yet crude, I think most people can probably relate to this. AiC lyrics always hit close to home for me at least...
@@RabbitNose I am good. I do the videos to try to help pull my fellow vets back from the edge. I was there once and it's no place to be. So I try to give some motivation, a plan and new outlook on things. AiC is a good band to mine dark thoughts we relate to and turn them to the light. AiC has such subjective lyrics where their songs and lyrics can mean what you want them to. They helped me live and get through a lot.
First off, I just can't wrap my head around all the comments about Layne being "at deaths door" and "so far gone" , this performance was recorded 6 years (almost to the day) before his death. He looks like an addict, but he was well within the range of being treated and living on with his addiction. It's terrible that he did not, or could not, get the help he needed. That being said, Beth amazing video!!!! thank you for giving me a better understanding of the vocal tools being used to create the sound and harmony.
some people die quickly. some die slowly. yes, he died 6 years later, but his addiction wasn't getting better and it was by his own choice. he's a dead man walking at this point.
In just 6 months after this performance his fiancee died. Few months later he bought a condo which became "his tomb" for 5 years. He was rarely going out. There might have been 6 months in which he could turn it over, but after her death people said it look like he just gave up. I can't call that being alive.
Not to mention singing with many missing teeth. It really effected his ability to pronounce and also his phrasing. Under the circumstances, Layne did an excellent job. He really was in poor health leading up to this show.
This will forever be one of my favorite albums of all time. It's jut brilliant. Same with the Nirvana unplugged. Both of those being kind of a last hurrah for both bands and I think they gave it their all
This man shared his soul with you when he sang. Nothing was held back. Layne Staley, Amy Weinhouse, Chris Cornell. Top 3 for me in that order. Brings tears to my eyes.
I've still yet to see a vocal coach react to Bleed the Freak live at the Moore, Alice in Chains. Imo the best live vocal performance from Layne, and yes I'd put it above Love Hate Love.
That_Pushup_Guy Tough I know what an epic show. I've got the album. I wasn't throwing any shade on Love Hate Love, cause I Love that song. (Pun included) I just haven't seen any reactions to Bleed the Freak.
I think you're right about him not even having to "try" when it comes to his singing technique, such a shame we didn't get to see him evolve further. #RIP
Hi, Jerry Cantrell wrote this whole song from guitars to the vocals and lyrics. It is expressing Jerry's feelings not Layne even though it translates to Layne incredibly well. GIVE HIM THE FUCKING CREDIT. Thanks. Awesome video though.
React to "Heaven Beside You" where Jerry does the main vocals and Layne only does the chorus. Jerry needs more appreciation as a singer he is damn good!
