Alice In Chains "Down In A Hole" REACTION & ANALYSIS by Vocal Coach / Opera Singer
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- Опубліковано 14 лис 2021
- I first listened to Alice In Chains a few months ago with their music video of "Man In The Box", which was not what I expected. And I've been told the acoustic versions of their songs are absolutely killer, so I needed to see what the buzz was about. Layne Staley absolutely knocks this out of the park! There's so much raw emotion and thought behind every note, and even Jerry Cantrell's backing vocals are chillingly real!
Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to Alice In Chains performing "Down In A Hole" LIVE for the first time.
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Performed by Alice In Chains - Words and Music by Jerry Cantrell
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I definitely recommend watching the original video without interruptions. Here's the link: • Alice In Chains - Down...
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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Hey all! I know this is an early posting for a premiere, and a lot of you are going to be angry. Kirk and I are traveling to our vacation spot tonight and tomorrow, so I won't have access to post the premiere tomorrow. Sorry! We WILL be at the live chat on Monday, so I hope to see you all at the premiere!
Bests,
Elizabeth
I've been waiting for this analysis for a while. And I just got done watching Tea Time will Will Ramos that was such a excellent interview.
I agree 100%, "Love Hate Love" and also "It aint like that." Live versions.
You two enjoy your vacation! You've more than earned it. Also, speaking as someone with serious anger issues, I have no idea how anyone could ever be angry at you.
Alice and Chains also sings
“rooster”, which is another good one to look at
I check your channel every day to see have you anything from ManOwaR or not !!!
Seriously, Nutshell. Best described as a man singing at his own funeral. Hands down a perfect example of the pain that made Alice in Chains so amazing. You cannot fake that emotion. It's beautiful.
so true
He just comes out and crushes the song. You cam hear the pain in his voice in all these songs
I love nutshell!
Ya, nutshell is amazing
Another great one! How they sing the unplugged version is so perfect. You can tell that they all just jive with the song... perfect.
“Friends don’t let friends get friends haircuts “ written on the front of the bass guitar was directed at Metallica. They were seated in the front row sporting their brand new (short) haircuts. If you listen carefully, you can hear that Layne has developed a slight lisp here due to losing teeth to his addiction.
Jerry was sick with food poisoning, the lighting director was upset because he had to change the entire lighting color scheme because Layne showed up with pink hair. Also, the candles onstage were bought by Layne at the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. Just a few fun facts about this legendary show.
Jerry had a small garbage bin or bucket next to his chair because he wasn't sure if he wouldn't hurl during the show. And yeah, the way he looks at Layne... he was in pretty bad shape but still sang his heart out and you can see Jerry nodding like, yeah, he's got it.
In part of the "Load" extras disc, James pokes fun at Lars wanting to cut the recording sessions short that day. James makes reference. Loosley quoted as I dont have the auido any longer. "You just wana go to New York and hang out with your new friend Jerry" Rumor I heard back then was... Jerry and Lars went for "colonics" before sound check that day. Party like rockstars!
Layne also had to snort a bit of Herion right before he came out as the band started playing Nutshell because he was feeling so dopesick that day.
@@DavidBentley23 true. That’s what I’ve heard as well.
@@richardphillips8055 Does he have dentures here? I thought that wasn't an issue until they recorded 'Get Born Again' and added the 's' sounds separately. Dave Jerden the producer spilt the beans on that after they fired him in 1999 (they fired him in 98 but I remember reading what Dave said in 99 in Rolling Stone Magazine). He was fired because he yelled at Layne and scared him because it was like 4am and Layne said he had to go to his Sisters wedding after doing no work...after he was yelled at he wrote the lyrics and they recorded...his sister got married 7 months earlier.
Also as a side note, Much Music in Canada reported Alice in Chains was recording a full new album for their box set that weekend they were recording (they said it was the start of the new material)...hence why I remember the Dave Jerden story so well. It went from a full album too the dude was dying and no one was acting like it...at least that's what Dave said in 99.
The best part of this is how Layne gives Jerry space. He's not singing over him or treating him like a backup, he's very consciously singing with him
They were best bros.
Seriously! Layne is clearly the lead in the studio version but in this it’s like they are sharing the lead perfectly
Pretty much the magic of Alice in chains.... Thanks for noticing 🎉
best friends til the end
They were always dual leads!! Thats what made them so awesome!! If you watch that unplugged you see just how much lead vocals jerry does!!😁😁🤘🤘🤟🤟
Alice In Chains were the greatest rock songwriters of the 90s. I'll die on that hill.
I'll die with you, rest in peace Layne Staley ❤
I absolutely agree.
The Soundgarden hill is right next to it, same size, different shape.
I'm with you brother
Oddly, Third eye blind comes really close to with writing in songs like Narcolepsy and Motorcycle drive by.
Layne had one of the most pained, ghostly yet beautiful voices there ever was. I miss him dearly
I miss him too man. Such a legend.
He’s arguably one of the best voices of rock , haunting , powerful and simply amazing
@@michaeldiaz8058 I rank him up there with Jim Morrison for vocals.
@@michaeldiaz8058 I agree, I would consider him the best voice in rock history right next to Freddie Mercury
Perfectly said
It is a very emotional Unplugged. Many times you can see Jerry looking and smiling at other band members when Layne hits the notes..like "Our friend is still here.." This is a very sad story
I noticed that too. Jerry was cheering him on the whole time. No better example than when Layne fumbled during Sludge Factory and Jerry was there nodding to him saying it's ok, let's run it back. Wow! I miss them together.
Layne could barely sit in place. There were retakes during this session. Jerry was trying to give Layne a boost.
Layne singing "Down in a hole and I don't know if I can be saved" ABSOLUTELY CRUSHES ME, TO THIS DAY... WTF
Yeah...
This song and the lyrics slices at my soul... I don't want to dive too deep, but I, too, was once as sick as Layne. I was just lucky that God let me come out the other side and has blessed me with strength enough to find 8 years clean and sober. His music is like a dagger to my soul, and his passing affected me in such a deep and profound way. I pray he is at peace.
Song was written by Jerry Cantrell and is about a tough breakup with a girlfriend. I love this band too, and I get how you can read into the lyrics, but this wasn't a song written by layne speaking on his addiction
Right
Jerry Cantrell actually wrote the song
Love when jerry smiles at his band mate when layne part comes he knows they are killing it and he is so happy with how great this is
Such a moment!
And they knew that if they didn’t do something the end was near.. it was over either way just there af
@@Reaction_Short_Shorts and to think this almost didnt happen
My favorite part of the video has always been that smile.
This is my favorite part of the video. Like it brings him so joy that they’re executing this performance so perfectly.
He sounded that way because he was literally dying. This is one of the most genuinely pain-stricken performances ever recorded.
Agree 1,000%. Its iconic to say the least.
Hardships of life
Absolutely, you cannot pretend with this kind of physical and emotional pain. It's so heart felt yet so sad to watch.
exactly...i always get so said by hearing this song and his voice...like i fall in some kind of depression...
He wasn't dying stop saying that dumb shit, he was addicted and yes the song is deep but he wasn't at all near death
As a grown man, I'm not afraid to admit that, EVERY SINGLE TIME that I watch this performance, it brings me to tears.
Grown man, with depression issues, crying now, fucker… 😉 the one that I can’t get thru is Johnny Cash’s cover of “hurt”. I have to start half way thru to make it to the end
@@DairyAir From Johnny Cash's same cover album, "Hung My Head" also gets me right in the tear ducts every time
@@masterofpuppets222 when my boy was 10, he said that he “could really feel that song”. Proud moment
@@DairyAir I cannot listen to that song either.
Yup, fight it every time.
"I've eaten the sun so my tongue has been burned of the taste"
Such a killer line
You’re right
That’s what drugs do
Why I am scared of drugs. It takes all the meaning out of life to know that nothing will ever feel as good. It’s something that can’t ever be completely undone.
@@marshallsweatherhiking1820 That is a very profound thing to say. I never looked at it that way. Thanks, eye opening!
Jerry Cantrell wrote it
Alice and Nirvana's unplugged sets are classics
Fact
I'm sure someone will disagree with me but I would say pretty much every Unplugged is well worth listening to. Grunge as a whole really played around with depression, melancholy, and darkness, and going acoustic really lets those emotions come to the fore.
Love, Hate, Love at the Moore is probably where you will get the best Layne performance. If you want both voices again, you should do Would from this concert.
Would is my first AIC listen and also my first live concert. I was living in Kennewick Washington and couldn't believe they rolled through a town so small! AMAZING experience! RIP Layne 🤘
Yes please! I second that!
Yes!!! Also Mad Season at the Moore.
Yess🙏
No please don’t react to this song. It’s not a good recording. I don’t know why people like to say it is. Maybe it’s just a super fan ideology. But do not react to this version of the song. Instead, listen to rooster.
One of my favorite quotes from Jerry Cantrell, “Layne had such a beautiful way of saying the darkest things.”
Jerry is one of the greatest composers of our generation
Agreed.
Notice how Jerry has Layne's back but only if needed. How Layne was able to do this performance was a testament of pure love and spirit. Chokes me up more every time. This is such an example of true friendship.
And you can also see Jerry look back to give Sean and Mike a reassuring smile when Layne nails that first riff of the chorus. They were not sure if Layne would be able to perform well (plus he hadn’t practiced much at all with them). Once Layne hit that riff they knew he still had it in him. So much going on I watch this performance over and over again. It’s tragic.
Layne is high as a kite
@@planetcaravan2925 No. Only high enough to make the show. It's well documented if you care to bother with actual information.
@@tarajoyce3598 crybaby
@@planetcaravan2925 gotta hanky?
You need to hear Layne at his prime. Love Hate Love, live at the Moore. He will absolutely send chills up your spine with his amazing vocal abilities.
One of my favorites! I also love his vocal range on Stay Away!
Yes, it must be the Live at the Moore version. He bends backwards to get out his notes.
Yes!
One up vote for Love Hate Love. I know Elizabeth normally reacts to originals, but this cover from Gabriela Guncikova is a wonderful tribute to Layne and a showcase of how challenging this song can be (on studio) even to a powerful and talented singer such as Gabriela. ua-cam.com/video/Hy8iCMbAzII/v-deo.html
Sea of Sarrow also
When Layne and Jerry sing together it gives me goosebumps
Same here
they play off each other perfectly
There's a sort of sick irony that something as beautiful as "Down in a Hole" could never exist without a talent like Layne having to be in that very hole. The connection between genius and suffering isn't anything new but that really only serves to illustrate how deep that connection is.
Love when Jerry smiles over at the other guys because he’s just so pumped Layne is killing it! They had some horrible shows before this and Jerry was super nervous it was gonna be more of the same, but Layne put on one of the most iconic performances of his career that night. And being so close to the end it was just incredible to watch and listen to!
Love Hate Love, Live at the Moore. Layne in his most powerful prime.
Agreed and here it is.
AIC - Live at The Moore - Love Hate Love
ua-cam.com/video/3Vp56IAkDJA/v-deo.html
This performance alone makes me wish I had been born earlier, just to see the Moore performance. The power he has when he's doing those high notes is insane!
“Friends don’t let friends get haircuts” was a joke at Metallica cutting their hair. The two bands got along well, it was just a friendly tease.
they were present for this weren't they ? Or at least one of em
It actually says "friends don't let friends give friends haircuts".
And I believe members of Metallica were sitting in first row at this concert.
Waaaaay back when, I was at a Metallica show in San Diego, 94 I believe.
AIC was to be a supporting act on the tour, but had to cancel due to Layne.
Throughout the show, Hetfield was totally ragging on Staley and his heroin addiction. Just wicked savage.
I'm a huge Metallica fan boy, but that $hit wasn't cool.
Karma can be a bitch sometimes,
as Het unfortunately now knows.
YMMV.
Errr no JH took the piss out of both layne and kurt whilst on stage, mimicking them shooting up heroin and mocking them for it
Layne Staley was one of a kind. It wasn't a secret how much he was in the depths of his addiction at the time of this taping. This was a heartbreaking concert.
Literal chills every time I see this. You are on sacred ground with these grunge Unplugged performances. So much in the stories behind these tragic singers.
Layne didn't die of an overdose until 2002, this was recorded in 1996. He stopped making music shortly after this performance. His former fiance died of endocarditis caused by IV drug use. He fell into a deep depression and became a recluse who barely left his Seattle apartment. This lasted for 6 years until he finally passed away in 2002 from a speedball. It's such a heartbreaking story.
What's sadder is nobody checked on him for 2 weeks
@@daleking9439 i mean, when you get to this point, you don't really have anybody left to check on you besides the dopeman and if they can't get a hold of you they just go peddle the shit to other junkies.
I'm currently basically dying from a drug addiction and nobody has checked on me since January. I overdosed three times in February. I look and feel like I'm dying. But this is how I want it. I don't want anyone I loved to see this.
@@smokingbananas4013 10 months ago you had someone die in front of you and his sister. You were adamant that you would use it as motivation to stay clean and sober.
It breaks my heart to hear you are giving up. Someone at the last moment pulled me out of where you are. All I can say is you can never know how beautiful life truly is until you completely kick. Leave where you are. Get away from it and pray to your god if you have one. You can find the strength to get out of this. You are bigger than this. You are more beautiful than you ever see and feel. Earn your place in heaven and try to walk away from this and the people you know that help facilitate this addiction.
You don’t have to die. Gods don’t want you to die. They want you to rise up and show them you took the power back. I never do this but I will pray for you in the hope that you know there are more people that care than you will ever know. Get the help you need - that is the strongest thing to do not the weakest. 🙏🏼
@@daleking9439 oh my God that is so awful...I didnt know that he was dead 2 weeks before they found him😢
@@smokingbananas4013 Shouldn't have to be this way
2:52 "I think Layne was feeling kind of sick during this?" - Well, that's one way of saying "The man was almost literally dead, suffering horrible drug addiction and depression, and the physical struggles that come with it, along with missing half his teeth"
When you consider WHO was singing this song alongside the content of the lyrics - you begin to understand them more.
Yeah I’m almost positive he was high when he recorded this. Literally shot up and went out on stage.
@@butchkline6680 What were they supposed to do? Chain him in the basement and feed him well balanced meals, giving him 2 hours of treadmill time everyday?
You think nobody tried?
In the end, you have to want to change in order to change.
@@butchkline6680 He failed THEM.
Couldn't have said it better myself spot on
Layne didn’t want to be saved. If memory serves me correctly he just got out of rehab in time to make this Unplugged show.
I'm old, I watched this live, he was drugsick and still performed., God rest a tormented heart
Same here . I saw it when it originally aired. Bless his heart, he was sick. But it really meant so much to both him and Jerry. So glad they had this moment. My heart still cries... 🥺🖤✨🦋☮️
Jerry Cantrell was the backbone of this band. Staley was the face and voice. That's simple. The second he said "Down" it was pure.
All you need is Love Hate Love live at the Moore now. In my opinion, his best performance and one of the best of all time!
YES YES YES
Yes please
She’s already done it
@@Redneckf350 She hasn't? She did "Man in the Box".
@@Redneckf350 I'm still looking for it. Do you have the link?
Layne wasn't sick in the sense of having a cold. Layne was dope sick.. Having the ability to perform, starting high af and holding it together as he comes down is just a testament to Laynes will power. It's a terrible cycle but the more addicted he became and the more pain he felt made his music so much more personal and emotional. Idc if its opiates, benzos or alcohol.. If you've ever been through it, you can relate to Layne. I just heard Elizabeth sing sopranos for the first time today and I was blown away, Expert level vocals on her end. Complete ignorance "not in a bad way, just different exposure" to the beautiful and twisted life of easily one of the greatest grunge artists ever.
You almost got it right. To not get dopesick Layne would just get as much of a dose to not feel sick at the start up until the end of that gig. So he is high when he gets "on stage" but since he was an addict he just felt "normal". Drugs didn't work for him anymore unless he would take way too much. So he did just as much to being able to sing and remember as much of the lyrics as possible. I guess 2-3 hrs later he would had been in full withdrawals. But as an addict you know when to redose and you especially know how much to take to appear kinda "normal".
@@jacencib nailed it.
@@jacencib Yeah that's a fair point. Staying on that normal spectrum without a chance part way through to reup is hard to do. It's like a double edged sword. Can't completely focus and remember lyrics at the start, then feeling so shitty near the end that it's almost the same. And you're right about knowing that feeling if you've ever been an addict. I can say for eleven years, every day at some point I could 100% relate to his pain. RIP Layne
@@hunterwarner393 Are you speaking of this theoretically? Or did he actually start super high and having problems remembering words? Have you been a heroin addict and performer? Why are you saying these things?
I will never forget about how Alice In Chains/Layne’s voice/Jerry’s writing was there for me during a very hard breakup while being a full time student in college. My issues are probably incomparable to what they went through (my vice is smoking weed) but this song has helped heal my soul while also touching and relating with it. This band is so legendary and I wish Layne was still here
If I were to describe the story between their singing, I'd say it represents a deep conversation between two parts of the same soul. It's like they're exploring the depths of emotion and
experience. When they sing together, it's a moment of solidarity and shared pain, almost as if they're holding each other up. when they sing different lines, it's like they're expressing their own struggles and perspectives, but still within the context of a shared experience.The song itself speaks to feelings of being lost or trapped, and their vocal interplay magnifies that sense of searching for a way out or understanding. It's like a beautiful dance between hope and despair, with each voice shining light on different shades of the song's emotional spectrum. It's storytelling at its finest, using harmony and dissonance to paint a picture of vulnerability.
There will never be a greater harmony of voices as Jerry & Layne. And the emotions that Layne portrays & the way he portrays them can never be replicated. Never. Layne was the master of his generation.
Everytime I hear Jerry sing it makes me smile knowing he had no confidence in his vocals. Layne pushed him to sing and always saw his talent. I think this is a major reason their harmonies were so unique. They were very in tune with each other.
hard to believe Jerry ever doubted himself. His closing lines on some of the harmonies are absolute perfection.
His solo albums are so good too plz listen if you haven’t
Agreed. I disagree with her, and am surprised she calls Jerry's vocals 'grunge' here. He certainly is on many songs... But generally, and especially on all these unplugged versions, he's the clear-voiced traditional counter to Layne. That's why they work so well, and are so unique; a sound that will never be truly replicated.
Let's not forget how beautiful Jerry's voice is, a very talented singer on his own.
He has great solo albums, if someone doesn't know! The newest one has just been released
Not to mention he’s one of the best songwriters ever, Cantrell is a true legend and a musical genius. His songwriting and vocals mixed with Layne’s insane voice was just something truly special that will probably never be seen again.
I think I've never heard two voices mix so well like Layne and Jerry. It was out of this world
Layne wasn't just feeling sick. He was withdrawing from drugs, because he wanted to perform well. He ended up passing out in the middle of the set, medics were called in, he got up and completed it.
Pretty impressive.
Seeing Layne like this at the time was tragic and heartbreaking. A shell of his former self. Please watch Love, Hate, Love live at the Moore to see an incredible vocalist at the very top of his game. Here's to Layne ❤
It really is gut wrenching to see the pain that he was in at that time.
I remember when died like it was yesterday.
Such a heartbreaking story.
I know right
And the fact the performance is what it is, is crazy when u think about it
It’s one of the most popular among aic lover, and u plugged…
Even with the stuff ups
Totally, here is only the spark of a former fire that it was his voice when he was healthy or the addition didn´t beat him yet
That is an amazing performance
A lot of people dont know that this day he was clean and feeling good to sing, but he almost didn't perfomed because of food poisoning from a hot dog he eat before the show lol
Layne wasn't sick, he was dying. One of the most unique and beautiful voices. He's withdrawaling from speedballs (heroin and coke) but still put out a song that brings me to tears everytime I hear it. I was an addict, OD'D 4 times, somehow managed to still be here. But Layne had given up on life, he was lost after losing his gf/ex gf from sepsis (from shooting drugs) and eventually died from an OD himself. His story hits so close I listen to this song alot. I became a horrible addict after 3 bad MX crashes and losing a perfect girl. But I had 3 successful, amazing brothers and have been clean for 7yrs. Then 6 months ago I lost my younger brother to alcoholism. He had a twin brother, was incredibly smart, successful, talented, handsome, and I loved him and protected him and his twin with a vengeance growing up. I couldn't go see him before he passed because I have 3 kids and had to work. I never even thought death was possible. I know I could have helped him, I know addiction, but for some reason he wanted to die. The last text I have from him is "love ya too bro" and all that's left of him is around my neck. Fuck addiction. He should be here and I shouldn't.
Don’t say that, you should be here. You said yourself, you have three kids… dude they need their father. I’m so very sorry the loss of your brother, but you are so very loved brother. Your kids love you unconditionally. Bring the spirit of your brother to them and let them know the kind of man he was. Congratulations on your seven years of sobriety, that’s an achievement you should be very proud of.
You got this, Jason!
i know you dont know me but, i am proud of your success man. I lost my brother to the stuff 4 years ago on new years eve. this is also a really close to home description of what was going on here in this performance. its real pain and it is felt by those who have been closely affected by it. keep up the great work man.
No bro. You belong here or your addiction would have killed you. Instead, it gave you strength to persevere, and the stamina to boot. Chad is right, share your brother with your kids.
@@chad3625 I appreciate the kind words man, and I'm truly sorry for your loss. I'm living and taking care of my kids, but when they're gone and I'm alone, well I don't have to describe it to you. Have a good holiday
I love Layne's voice with a passion, but I think too many people don't give enough credit to the way their voices sound together. It's pure magic.
He wasn’t just sick. He was dying from addiction. This was one of his last public appearances.
Come on, dying? He died 6 years later
@@planetcaravan2925This performance was recorded in the spring of 1996, and then his former fiancée, Demri, passed away in October of that year. I think he just didn't have the will to continue after that. 😔
@@Hollyucinogen idk man, 6 is years a long time
@@planetcaravan2925 I agree with you. He was (in my opinion) just nodding off on heroin here. I don't think that he fully gave up until a few years after this.
@@planetcaravan2925 6 years of depression is enough to ruin your life. Take my word for it
The 'glory days' of MTV, the unplugged shows at this time was a great reason to find out which of your friends had cable if you didn't have it at home already
The whole MTV Unplugged thing is what sets Real artists apart from other bands. It is the proof that there was no studio, or backstage trickery going on.
I didn't appreciate the unplugged shows in my younger days unfortunately, but I definitely dig them now.
Yes, the times when there was music in Music Television!
HOLY SMOKES it’s Haley Reinhart !!! How cool is it that you watch and comment on this channel. And yes you’re correct. Those were the “glory days”. I was still a teenager when MTV started out and had cable so I got to see HEADBANGERS BALL, UNPLUGGED, Remote Control, MTV RAPS, all the good stuff. Things were a lot different and in some ways better back then. Oh well that’s life. With all that said I’m a huge fan of your music as well. All the way from American Idol to current. Everything from PMJ to the Mildred Snitzer band, Puddles Pity Party, Casey Abrams and the No Vacancy Orchestra. I don’t want to “fan out” too much but I really think you’re an amazing singer !! Ok I’m done. lol. Please stay safe and stay well.
@@pettyeddie2000 Hi I’m just a long time fan, “Haley’s Tusk”, 9 years of live haley performance videos on my channel. Haley has her own channel ✌🏻
Layne literally was losing his teeth, fighting off heroin withdrawal and trying to not nod off and still pulled off this song . Not just a legend, an icon
Not only his teeth, he was wearing gloves because he was shooting heroin in his hands too. He must have had puffy hands or ulcers
🤦♂️
@@johnphillipsjr7238 i recently read that he had atrophy in his legs and that there were some rumors that Layne had lost an arm to gangrene
he wasn't going through withdrawal, he was so high he had his eyes closed a lot during the performance. AIC was upset about some of the recording angles of the show bc it showed Layne smacked out.
You don't withdrawal and nod at the same time. If you're nodding you are high.
Layne almost appears blind in this performance, which (thinking of the harmonies) is incredibly powerful as he is legit just feeling the song out. Its the most unconnected, connection and visually puzzling given how well they sing together. We lost a true legend of this era with Layne passing.
"He's so doing so little physically but the sound that's coming out of him"... exactly. That's why we love him, and that's why we miss him.
After Layne sings "but my wings have been so denied" for the first time, the look Jerry gives the rest of the band is just this look of pride in someone he truly cared for. It's fantastic.
that is a special moment indeed.
I think the band was terrified that Layne was going to blow it and so relieved when he didn’t. That’s what I think that exchange between Jerry and Mike was about.
I saw it too
yees, that was because they was thinking if Laney could sing on that night, because he was very very drugged. well, this is the story that i know.
The story of this is as follows.
Layne and mike was going through withdraws. Layne was a little worse.
Mike made up a vile. A water based mixture. So Layne wouldn't get sick.
So yes Layne was drugged up. But in a controlled way and for a reason.
This was the first time in a looong time the band performed together On stage.
They put a lot of time into lighting, choosing the music. And practices.
This was the best unplugged performance.
Alice in chain's set a precedence for this show on this night.
On this particular performance, Jerry had food poisoning and Layne showed up to the gig in very bad heroin withdrawls. He shot up just before coming onstage. As amazing as this song is I can't believe nobody recommended the song nutshell. Both songs are PERFECT representations of a broken man singing his soul, and maybe some of his demons out like only he can. Love your vids, but please do one on nutshell unplugged. I am a 36 year old man who is also a musician and every time I watch nutshell unplugged I am brought to tears. Absolutely beautiful!
i totally agree and also can add "would?" in that track. i'll be waiting for "nutshell" or "would?" reaction-analysis :)
Brother. Or sludge factory. I can't decide which is my favorite from this show. But they're pretty close.
Absolute favorite AiC track
You beat me to the punch, I was also going to recommend "Nutshell".
@@twohands2152 this whole performance is just perfect......👏
Layne wore his heart on his sleeve. The absolute goat
I ALWAYS said how amazing Layne is where he is barely even moving his mouth yet the absolutely phenomenal, powerful voice coming out of him is enough to give chills and the feels like nothing else❤🙏❤🙏
That wink that Jerry gives to Mike when Layne sings “Denied” is so heartwarming. It’s like he’s saying, “yeah, he’s still got it” GREAT reaction!!!
"fuck we sound good, suckit metallica"
Yea he gives Mike that " fuck yea he still got it" look 🤘
timestamp?
I've always thought that too!
@@Deeraise in the original vid it's at the 2:17 mark. Sad, meaningful, and beautiful moment in rock history.
"I've eaten the sun/ So my tongue has been burned of the taste" probably one of my favorite lines ever. It's so evocative and maybe the most accurate description of what addiction to drugs is.
so many of their lyrics provoke so many thoughts. love alice in chains
ooh but what about, "i want to taste dirty, that stinging pistol in my mouth on my tongue IIIII WANT YOU TO SCRAPE ME FROM THE WALLLLLLLLLS and go crazy like you've made me"
Haunting song. I still tear up every time I hear any of their songs as I also do when I hear Chris Cornell. May they both rest peacefully 💔🙏🏻
The best example, IMO, of their otherworldly harmonies is I Stay Away. Incredible.
The entire Jar of Flies album is Symphonic Heaven
I’d add “Head Creeps” to that list if you want the heavier version of the otherworldly AIC harmonies.
Or no excuses
@TheArchangel911 I remember reading a UA-cam comment before on a reaction vid for I stay away and the guys listening just didn't like it at all.. and someone said you really need to listen to rotten apple to fully understand the rest of the album as it was like a codex for whats about to come! I quite liked that. Sorry bit off topic
@@aaronclift awesome track
My heart when Layne looks over at Jerry and just lets him sing 🥺🥺
Absolutely
To high to join him sadly.
Still to this day makes me tear up when I hear it, because I remember the view at this moment.
@@JimmyTheSaintDailyVideos I don't think that's the case. Jerry has said that Layne thought he had a great voice and should be more confident in his singing. Layne was one of Jerry's biggest motivators in getting him to sing more. So I see it as Layne letting his friend shine.
This song is my literal definition of what depression is like. You're stuck, don't know if you can be saved and you just want to be free but don't know how. Absolutely love this song for it.
Absolutely beautiful. They often picked odd harmonies. Hard to tell where one voice ends and the other takes over because they compliment one another so well. Genius.
Love Hate Love, Live at the Moore. A song live that sounds better then the recording. IMO his best performance.
one of my all time favorite live performances of any band! I actually prefer this version to the recorded version!
I vote for the live "Junkhead" I recently saw a video of, but that "Love, Hate, Love" you speak of is stellar also.
@@Ninjametal that is a great one too!! I really don't think there is any song that Layne Staley performed that wasn't amazing, even in his worst times
Why am I in tears yet again watching this performance?…I’ve seen it 700 times and it’s no less gut-wrenching
youre not alone...i always cry whenever I watch Layne
same here...same here.
I cried too. It's gut wrenching
Amen brother.
Right there with you. Tears me up every time. It is completely timeless
"He looks like he wasn't feelin his best this day?" Layne was damn near dead inside at this point. he was dying. you will never hear another song that conveys this pain in such an amazing voice. Jerry (to the right) had food poising (notice the sweat). not in their prime but better than 99% of singers in their prime. rip layne and thank you.
AiC is just perfect.... you cant get much better than Layne and Jerry together
In an interview Layne's mother described his voice as razor blades wrapped in marshmallows. How accurate! Layne and Jerry have one of the best vocal combinations ever. I'm 56 and I still listen to a variety of grunge every day, mostly because there were so many talented artists in that genre trying to speak from their hearts and not pandering to the record moguls. RIP Layne, Chris, Kurt, Andy and all of the talented souls gone too soon!
You might like Killswitch Engage, Pantera, Incubus, Jinjer, and Emilie Autumn if you like Alice in Chains. They're all TECHNICALLY metal, but they can all sing too. Incubus is more rock than metal, but you still might like them.
Sevendust and Meat Puppets are two bands that I think you would enjoy. I would really enjoy watching your reaction to Angel's Son. As a matter of fact, I would like to see your reaction to "Why?" by Meat puppets also. Also would like to see your reaction to any Mike Patton, preferably with Faith no more, but any of his projects would suffice. Ok, I'm done. I could keep going for days. "Sour Girl" by stone temple pilots is another good one lol.
Layne was all but lost at this point, and that hurt in his voice was very real. I'm not ashamed to admit I wept the day he died. Alice in Chains basically got me through high school.
I remember when he died, I was in my friends car and the radio said they had news about Alice in Chains after the break and I was thinking, great we are finally getting new music, then they came back and said he was dead and it was like a punch in the gut. Their music meant a lot to me as well.
he's dead inside and high af this performance
I was at a concert when the news broke ...all the bands did a tribute to him
To me, only some elite bunch of people were listening to AIC. I wish i had been among them. But i am European so it wasn't really a lot of coverage. But it seems like they were some luxurious sort of grunge. Or more refined.
@@terjehansen0101 they were truly unique and really something special.
This music was the sound track of my life for many years. Glad to be out of that life and sympathy for anyone who is still there. RIP Layne
If you know, you know…Glad you made it out. Lord bless ya
Alice in chains was truly one of the greatest bands of their time, It's sad but his addiction led to some of the most impactful music ever and hits hard for anyone who has ever felt Layne's pain and sickness.
“Rooster” is thee song that got me listening to Alice In Chains. It is a Jerry Cantrell song written for his dad who served during the war. I believe Vietnam or korean. His nickname during his time of service was “Rooster”. Very moving and disturbing about that time in American History. What a way to honor our fathers and servicemen.
Vietnam. And Rooster was his nickname from childhood.
Yes it was Viet Nam, and Rooster was both Jerry's dad's nickname from childhood, but also a term for seasoned soldiers who'd survived more than a few months in the war, the guys you'd look to for experience and knew when to be ferocious in the fight.
@@DJTheMetalheadMercenary And here is an interesting note: Rooster is ALSO an astrological symbol in Chinese Astrology. I know, it is my sign (1969....Metal Rooster.).
@@raymondking214 Learn something new every day haha ;)
Burying the lead that Hall of Famer Ann Wilson providing vocals at the beginning adds that extra Northwest vibe to the song ;)
"Don't Follow"... I think that song really shows off Layne and Jerry's harmonies well... and its so beautiful.
Don't Follow is a underrated masterpiece!! Good recommendation
No Excuses
Don't Follow is my favorite AIC song such an underrated song which did not get much air play on the radio.
Don’t Follownis underrated AND Brother really shows off how well they could harmonize. Both true statements
You got that right! The harmonies of these to are legendary! How I miss Layne and Jerry together huge lose for us fans!
I come back to this song so often. You can just hear everything in Lane's voice. All of things he has been through. You can hear that his soul is shredded. That is a deadman waiting for the casket to close.
And that bass though? So squishy and warm, like a soft blanket woven into the sadness. ❤️🔥
I love how at 9:21 Jerry looks back at the rest of the guys with nodding approval and pride in Layne for nailing that. They weren’t sure at all what they were going to get, but Layne was masterful and haunting. Jerry Cantrell is one of the great guys of rock and roll and should be in the HOF with AIC and on his own. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise....it was the first 10s of Man in the Box that ushered in grunge.
That smile and nod is legendary. Also Jerry is one of the best to ever do it, a true godly musician.
That they aren't in the HOF is a joke but the RnR HOF is a joke entirely, but that's a different story.
The best description I’ve heard of this performance was “It’s like watching someone sing at there own funeral”
That's pretty intense....
😥 RIP Lane
Pretty much.
That’s a great description
Literally
Truly one of the greatest performances I've ever heard. Such beautiful harmonies between Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell. The genuine pain in Layne's voice nearly brings me to tears every time I hear it. I love the original recording of this song, but the Unplugged version is just so amazing.
It could be one of the best live songs sang in history. You can't break this down because it's not about vocal coaching. It's from the soul.
Can we all agree that the acoustic bass in this song, and the others during the MTV unplugged gig, is simply flawless!
It’s so strong in Nutshell
the would intro is just a damn eargasm
Without a doubt
Some of the best goddamn bass I've ever heard. Mike Starr is such an underrated bassist
Yeah, must be because it was played with a pick, Davie504 :D
Say what you will, but in my opinion, the harmonies between Layne and Jerry was the true magic of Alice In Chains.
100% agree
🎯 Absolutely.
But who would say otherwise?
“Say what you want” as if anyone would disagree with that statement.
@@bryanmcneil9872 Lol, so you think everyone on the internet has the same opinions…. Uhhh ok
I'm so happy you did the unplugged version, I watched you do this I think from a old video.
This is straight from the soul
one of the best singers of all time.
he wasn't found for days after he died.. and only weighed something like 85 pounds. deserved so much more. RIP.
Maybe one day people will talk you into Love Hate Love by Alice in Chains. Live from the Moore Theatre 1990. Also Layne's work in the band Mad Season is really awesome.
Another +1 for Love Hate Love in the Moore, that whole concert is amazing
@@stumeat77 Indeed.
Listen to Fire In The Sky by Ozzy, starting at 4:44 if you love Love Hate Love.......
Mad Season doing Lennon’s I Don’t Wanna Be A Soldier is mesmerizing.
You don't think bleed the freak is better from that show lhl is such a downer song
"I have been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth." That must have been a hell of a line for him to deliver.
Yeah.
Why?
@@kachoww5981 He'd lost his teeth by then, as well.
@@fuerveHe still had his teeth, this was just the start of him losing his teeth. That's why he developed a lisp.
@@mercuryrising2887 Yes. He still had teeth but if you listen carefully, you can already hear a change in how he pronounced words because they were starting to decay.
So damned tragic.
Oh my gosh, I am so happy I found this channel and love your sensitive and insightful analyses😍
I love how you describe their harmonies as a manifestation of their relationship. I love the thought of Layne and Jerry’s harmonies indemnifying their symbiosis through their vocal compliments in the form of vocal deference and variances. It makes their harmonic dances much more meaningful.
Also, don’t let friends cut hair was a friendly jab at Metallica getting their infamous haircut pic on their album, Load.
Still 20 years later, I can’t watch this video without choking up. Layne Staley was so ahead of his time and he gifted us with his incredible vocals never caring much for his own happiness. It’s sad & I miss Layne immensely ..We all love & miss you Layne .
Same.
Same here, I listen to them every day, but I feel grief over his death constantly. His voice had so much emotion, no one compares.
The spot where they're trading the lyric back and forth with the slight overlap, gets me teared up.
I have never seen “the Charismatic Voice “ before. I am a great fan of Alice In Chains so that’s why I watched this. I seriously got emotional listening to your analysis of Layne’s voice and the lyrics and the harmonies. Layne was sick and he also had a problem with his teeth at the time of this recording, you can hear it on the “S” sounds. I really enjoyed this and I’ll be viewing some of your other videos, thank you. Layne was, I believe, the greatest voice of this era taken from us far too soon. Heroin sucks!
I've actually noticed that he records a lot of his music with the teeth thing going on, is this something he dealt with his whole life?
@@kiljett4994 It was only really a "problem" in the later years of his career, problem in quotes because obviously he didn't need teeth to sing like a powerhouse. Can't really speculate accurately as he was pretty insecure about his teeth and rarely opened his mouth enough for people to see them, but in this MTV unplugged he had lost enough for it to be noticeable in his enunciation but not enough for it to be like a disability, if you get what I mean.
@@kiljett4994 People just love to read into things too much with Layne Staley. The "s" sound from unplugged really isn't that different than on the other records or live performances, but people claim to hear it because that's what they're looking for. He hadn't lost that many teeth during Unplugged. If you watch his performances later that year (on the KISS tour, Late Show, Saturday night special) you can literally see he has teeth.
She got me a while back with her breakdown of Tool “sober”. I just searched “tool” and she was the second reviewer I watched, but she became my favorite when she interviewed Devin Townsend. To see an artist get some excited talking about their craft in an interview…
Wow, I love the way you nail the techniques but get the bigger picture and context into the review. Absolutely wonderfull to look at. This concert has made such an impression on me as a teenager and is still weekly on my headphones. Layers and emotional overflow. Thanks for doing this so much justice!!!
What a great commentary to this beautiful song! I love your way of enjoying and appreciating the song. Your expression is mesmerizing. Thank you
Layne was very conscious of his appearance, mainly he had lost his front teeth due to his addiction. He avoided opening his mouth in order to conceal the tooth loss. It didn't effect his singing as much as it created a noticable lisp. It was evident on his final recording of his life, a project that did Another Brick in the Wall. The production had to filter the lisp out. Sad that such a talented, loved, and influential artist couldn't beat his addiction. Rest easy, Layne. We miss you.
this also explains the long sleeves
So sad. Money for heroin but none for a dentist.
i think the word you wanted was conscientious. And yes he was absolutely. He was so far gone, and it hurts to watch it.
@@Frostrazor conscious = aware. As in he was very aware of his degraded appearance due to his addiction.
@@elliotserrano7333 no shit the guy could have easily afforded dentures
One of my absolute favorite moments in this performance is Jerry winking and nodding to the rest of the band after Layne nails that last note in the first chorus. Despite not playing for two and a half years, despite Layne being a shell of himself, really, despite his voice being a shell of itself, he knew he wasn’t gonna have to worry about Layne that night.
Excellent observation 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏼
Yep, Jerry’s face in that moment says it all. It’s as if he’s witnessing Michelangelo paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in real-time.
@@polite_as_fuck While being worried he couldn’t even paint anymore
I think they should had taking him to the doctor instead making him perform. Nice friends he had around him. Money before his health.😔
The chemistry between Layne and Jerry on stage is something I haven’t seen afterwards again in another band
"My ears tingle with joy". I've never heard anyone else describe vocals like you do. Simply awesome!!
Layne carried all of our pain for years. I think he helped save a lot of us back then. Even if he couldn't save himself. Rest in power, brother ✊
Out of all the musicians lost over the years this one still hurts
@@ericstroh9866 IKR
💌
"Jar of flies" was the best christmas present i think i ever received.. Yes it was a cassette.
Jerry has softer deeper voice while Layne has more piercing and sharp voice. These work great together.
As a mother of grown children now, Layne is heartbreaking to look at.
His haunting voice just punctuates it.
"Friends don't let friends get friends haircuts"
Metallica was in the front row and it was right after they all cut their long hair off and released the load album.
This was a message/joke to the members of Metallica in the front row.
Metallica cutting off their hair was, if not for real at least portrayed as the ultimate sell-out/betrayal of their fans in all of the rock music world at the time. Those haircuts caused an irreparable riff between people who just like the music and people who "take metal seriously." If you have short hair, you'll be too girly to play such manly music.
But those same people loved Layne Staley exactly as he appeared in this video, even though they wouldn't have been able to explain the difference ...
I read an interview with mike Starr and this is true. It was a joke towards the members of Metallica that were in attendance. Metallica provoked a lot of controversy amongst fans for cutting their hair short. The original saying was in a commercial ‘friends don’t let friends drink and drive’ because of the tragic consequences it has. Mike Inez thought he would mix it up a bit by changing it to friends don’t let friends get haircuts because of the tragic consequences it had on Metallica’s fan base, many fans believed they ‘sold out’.
@@terrymcdonald5057 It had to do with their sound changing more than their appearance. People wanted them to stay as a heavy metal band that didn't seek/care about radio or tv air time. Their albums after the haircuts were different and honestly, not as good. You can call it a tragic coincidence that their appearance changed when their sound did. It also may be related to the many bouts of substance abuse and sobriety attempts the band hand.
Alice in Chains never changed their sound. Metallica did, but interestingly came back to their original sound with the "Death Magnetic" album later. Although, the hair stayed short. Mostly. :)
Came to the comments just to explain that. I'll also add, at a previous concert Metallica played the intro of an AIC song as James Hetfield mocked Layne by pretending to shoot up in his arm over and over. The next GIG AIC played Mike had "Friends don't let friends get haircuts" written on his guitar knowing Metallica would be front row and center. 💇🚫😅🤟
@@LateCloser so true, you hit the nail on the head better than my explanation. It was like Metallica was moulding themselves into something the fans didn’t want or like. I think their popularity had crashed and took some poor advice and made extreme changes in appearance and sound to regain popularity.
He was "sick," yes very . . . Amazing how he can be so high he can't keep his eyes open, yet his voice comes through with so much emotion and strength. One of the best "grunge" performances ever.
It's unbelievable how good he sounds here
Grunge and mental illness goes hand to hand
His eyes aren't closed, he's looking downward to read. He had almost no time to rehearse this show, so he has the song lyrics printed in front of him.
Can def tell this in nutshell (same unplugged), high af, but dead on cue. His body was dying but Spirit was aching but strong thru his voice
I don't know if it's just a fluke, and I hate to say I know what it feels like, but singing while dopesick was more effortless for some reason? I never needed warming up, elongated notes easier to carry without a trill, and I could follow runs that I can't do sober. 0/10 though not worth it.
I LOOOOOVE that you can appreciate beautiful singing no matter the genre it happens to be found in. Your videos are great! I love that you can feel the artists' lyrics and message ❤️❤️❤️
I remember watching this when it premiered. I gasped out loud seeing how deteriorated Layne looked and spent most of the performance with tears in my eyes. This is the song that got me though. By the time it was done, I was sobbing.
I can't believe he lasted as long as he did after this before succumbing. Just breaks my heart every time I think about. He's been gone for over 20 years and people are still talking about him. Legendary status.
The pain in Layne's voice is 100% real.........RIP Layne.
Love, Hate, Love live at the Moore, you'll see Stayley at his very very best. #RIPLayne ❤
I love the joy and enthusiasm you have when talking about some of my favourite artists of the Grunge era, and that you are able to take something from it with a completely different perspective to what I would have when I first heard it as a teenager, while still acknowledging the depth and introspection of the lyrics. While it confirms what many of us already knew, that these vocals are truly unique and special, your analysis is really fun to watch. :)
Just found this channel. Your appreciation of this is so spot on and highlights your knowledge of musicality. It’s awesome.