Alice in Chains - "I Stay Away" Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA, Nov 2. 2007

[@JonSudano]

*VOCALS* drums ᵃᶜᵒᵘˢᵗᶦᶜ ᵍᵘᶦᵗᵃʳ

[@murkyevening]

Nice to see you here on this great performance

[@jhoanmorales3752]

Somebody once told me...

[@imsirota1965]

When one is considering the best grunge songs of all time, this one really should receive more consideration. Such a powerful song..........

[@Tbizzz42]

That’s your average listener’s idea of a good sounding mix. All anyone cares about is vocals for some reason, it needs to be the loudest part of a mix.

[@Parrish_Muhoberac]

YEAH. it started excellently, and then whoever the sound engineer was (or wasn't even there?) was either going for a massive spliff or something or already had a massive spliff or something.... it's horribly mixed to the point where I just want to capture the entire thing and put it in my Presonus system and make it right, because the actual performance is AWESOME!!

[@LifelessDeaD75]

This is one I wish we all could've seen Layne sing live....along with Don't Follow and Shame in You

[@spence7985]

shame in you definitly

[@brittanyhill7460]

yeah, not gonna lie, i was kinda pissed when I saw William. Oh well, at least I still got to hear it...

[@kaijucifer3544]

@@brittanyhill7460 Why? Will is just as good as Layne. Wish people would hop off that man's d*ck already, Layne would have dug Will a lot.

[@tigtrager6923]

@@kaijucifer3544 Will is good enough, otherwise Jerry and the band wouldn't let him sing their old stuff. It's much the same as Adam Lambert is with Queen. Is Will as good as Layne was? That's to each of us, our very own personal opinion. And there is nothing wrong with whomever you prefer. I'll love AIC always, with Will and, sadly, without Layne.

[@beautyonabarnbudget]

@@kaijucifer3544 seriously???? He is good. But, he's NOT him. His vocals are good, but there's WAAAY more to being a good front man than just good vocals. Perioddt. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@cuzzinbri]

I Stay Away and No Excuses are some of the best harmonizations in rock and roll….ever!

[@GalaxyIsADork]

Only by Layne😔💔

[@cotevallejos7230]

Completely agree!

[@lancevoorhees7318]

They sound so out of tune! But the chords are good, but generally yuck! Whoops till the solo guitar part! Voices sound terrible?

[@klm4446]

​@@lancevoorhees7318Jerry knows Layne should be there. 😢

[@rbilleaud]

I Stay Away is one of my favorite AIC songs. I hated it at first because it switched back and forth from being dark and atonal to light and melodic. Then it kind of grew on me like that's the charm of the song.

[@kojimapromeatspin]

same here brother

[@grammaticalerorr4654]

AIC songs are like drugs. You don't like it at first and then it became so addicted.

[@jesseenger9614]

the vocals are turned up too much. Cant hear acoustic guitar enough. Music sounds too distant. Singer blows. Laynes voice should be added.

[@josesantiago4301]

That's how sludge factory was for me lol but I do prefer the unplugged version

[@lancerx1759]

Jose Santiago SAP Still My Favorite AIC !!

[@wanakaband]

Give Duvall some credit! people (including me) often give him shit for not being Layne but he is a great vocalist!

[@IassimRustefla]

Agreed! no Layne never again for us, unfortunately.

[@rangerdoc1029]

Yeah he is. He crushed it on Kashmir. No small feat.

[@aaronrue2664]

He’s ok but layne he or no won else will ever be r.l.p layne Thames Staley wish you were here 🖤☮️🙏🏻

[@stevebrewer8530]

❤️

[@jamesmaher9513]

The more I listen to William the more I am accepting him as Alice in chains lead singer

[@beachcomber4141]

There was a disconnect somewhere......but damn, if a song deserves a symphonic interpretation, this would be it. This song makes my soul soar then question everything.

[@geoffadam2094]

Man...I wish Layne were still here to perform this and other great songs with the symphony...

[@mateocabj]

I Stay away, Shame in you, Rotten Apple

[@loganhowardmusic]

@@mateocabj I know this is late, but there actually is a video on KZbin where AIC performs Rotten Apple with Layne - which is great

[@blacksilverchair3315]

Layne would've been too stoned to follow.

[@TheRebuilt1]

@@blacksilverchair3315 cheap shot on dead mans grave. Let him be man

[@julianaluna101]

Duvall really did a great job. The vocals were really strong this time. With the right mix this show would make a great album.

[@Parrish_Muhoberac]

@Juliana Luna I AGREE!! The mix is terrible, so I'm going to take it and fix it. You're right. The vocals ARE good, they need to be placed WAY down.

[@staellie7089]

Give William credit. Oh Layne we miss you so much.

[@reemclaughlin4260]

Same. Can you imagine? I love him. ✌🏼❣

[@royalnass1029]

i agree we need Layne

[@kaijucifer3544]

@@royalnass1029 No, we don't NEED him, it would be nice to have him, though.

[@royalnass1029]

@@kaijucifer3544 Yes, we do need him, that's a mean thing to say sir

[@rockgirlemilyavery]

i like duvall on this song..i love it with layne tho

[@jweezy15able]

the acoustic guitar and the violins should have been turned up higher, but I liked it a lot.

[@beautyonabarnbudget]

Waaay up! The acoustic is the driving force of the song for the first half! Yet we can't hear shit

[@oliveoil4380]

This whole thing fucking sucks. No one can come near Layne. Just do something different and original fuckers. It just makes me so sick to my stomach.

[@kendaljanowicz5705]

@@oliveoil4380 what? so just disrespect the band laynes prolly smiling happy af hearing them honor the song while you’re shitting on it smh

[@troygallagher9242]

Is something to get into not better than nothing? I mean yes its not the past but if ya an AIC fan embrace it. Not the bands fault layne went out the way he did. Total respect for the continuation The idiots that comment need a lesson in reality. Such fools!

[@nataliar5656]

The violins help make this song iconic, just wish they were louder 😍

[@sarahp8058]

Mike's going crazy on that bass..damn! AiC does not disappoint live. Seen them back in the 90s and just recently in August always one hell of a show.

[@riseofthemachine2623]

Mike is an amazing bassist. He added so much to the Unplugged show as well....

[@stunt-]

These kinds of performances with an orchestra are meant to be very sentimental, a masterpiece, some would say a cinematic experience honoring a band's music rightfully so... Nobody gives a s*** what you say/scream at the stage.

[@shelleyperkins4633]

WOW this absolutely blew me away! William Duvall ,NW Orchestra, Jerry Cantrell and AIC were phenomenal! I would love to see this Live@

[@rawkguy4896]

FUCKING KZbin. An ad came on literally as the vocals were about to kick in. Normally I just blow the unskippable ads off but this one genuinely killed the climax

[@michaeltucker1622]

Whoever the sound engineer was on this should be fired and outed. HORRIBLE!! Ruined what could have been a Rock iconic moment.

[@Madgeney]

Michael Tucker absolutely!! Could not agree with you more!

[@wishusknight3009]

The sound that night was great. The recording is horrible.

[@Zophiasmile226]

Yeah. Very sad! Sound was sadly poor. But the performance was amazing

[@manwithtwoeyes6911]

What was wrong with it?

[@Jeff_11B]

I thought this was great. Some people are a bit more picky, I guess.

[@laboratorioapprendimento32]

the real authentic grunge ... I really miss grunge

[@goldenboy06]

Great job William belting out the finale.

[@tuNppu85]

Don't know which sucks, video sound quality or sound engineer.. Allthough one thing is sure, Duvall did good job.

[@emilio6425]

WOW Duvall! those vocals were fantastic!

[@zaceaton1074]

this has always hands down been my favorite Alice song… breaks my heart that i can’t find any footage of Layne singing it 😞

[@mryoshipants8241]

Layne unfortunately never sang this song live

[@melissatyree566]

Didn't they sing this on their unplugged? I could be wrong 😮

[@ethanharris31]

They never performed this song live.

[@zaceaton1074]

@@ethanharris31 makes me so sad. Layne is the man. Down in a Hole came on today. when it finished, i played it again

[@zaceaton1074]

@@melissatyree566 no 😕

[@Chief-b6i]

Duvall absolutely rocked that. Those last notes especially…he hit it perfectly

[@1stofer]

Absolutely and getting dissed on here is ridiculous

[@billymontufar7239]

Te extrañamos Layne, pero mis totales respetos al profesionalismo y talento de William Duvall...!!!

[@saratoole9907]

Wow, this has been my vision and dream for the past two years . . . to make chorale arrangements of AIC songs. I was a music major. This is sooooooo beautiful. A lot of people are critical of the sound quality and I get that, but this is like 1.0. Imagine this blown out . . . the music is epic AF.

[@deborahhewitt6101]

Sorry it sucks

[@Jeff-ok6dr]

William is such an amazing addition. Him and Jerry work so well together

[@ManicOrganica]

I’ll bet this was amazing in person. The lower brass toward the end of the song would have been goosebump-inducing

[@staellie7089]

People, do you ever imagine how difficult all of this is for Jerry? He was Layne's other half in AIC.

[@kat3871]

Which is why he didn't try to find a replacement for Layne. He went with someone the exact opposite from Layne.

[@rich661]

Terrible mixing... such a good idea though.

[@samuelsara9299]

agreed---nice thought, not so nicely executed....

[@CXNXB]

It was Absolutely beautiful. No changes needed for this kind of song. There is no greater cover.

[@islandkol]

Yeah, I couldn't hear the orchestra well after William says "I stay away" like how it did in the recording with Layne

[@tf2engineer]

Yeah the harmony is barely even audible. Acoustic guitar, as everyone and their brother has pointed out, was also barely audible. And the absence of violins during the chorus made me immediately stop watching. Great concept that was ruined in execution. I will opine that the bass guitar was awesome, and that Duvall has a very powerful voice. But I think it's too smooth and round for this style... only someone with a jagged, raw voice like Layne can draw the proper emotion out of this piece.

[@tf2engineer]

@@CXNXB Have you heard the original? If you thought this was great, then you are in for a real treat.

[@OGK_Show]

Aw, man, the finish! Incredible!

[@adriennem9832]

First time I've listened to the whole thing, still cryin

[@chadrancour6997]

Duval nailed it. Great job!

[@Xvx-dh4pf]

When the sound engineer forgets to show up

[@Irespecktyouall]

The sound engineer did fine. The concert was perfect. It was the recording that wasn't good. Has nothing to do with the sound engineer that night.

[@Parrish_Muhoberac]

He did.... he just had too many joints or something and also got drunk and forgot that his mixing desk wasn't his mobile phone.

[@madalicetribute]

Unmute the acoustic guitar.... a suggestion.

[@cjoelharrison]

sound guy -- yeeeeeouch

[@Parrish_Muhoberac]

um....... YES

[@geedubbya4432]

This is how you impress someone with a orchestral background! Probably one of the best songs ever.....Boo Yah!

[@jeremyohara5707]

i love what Jerry does in the chorus. that guitar sound is amazing. so heavy

[@80sMeavyHetal]

Damn, the last third of the performance is so powerful, had tears in my eyes.

[@samp7003]

Same here.

[@averagestatelesssinner]

not only the acoustic guitar is muted (which is big f-up) but also no violin is to be heard on the chorus. Duvall did a great job perhaps, only a terrible mixing.

[@pizzasub3194]

Average Stateless Sinner probably the recording

[@83zillafan]

i feel like Duvall nailed the chorus highs, they almost gave the same goosebumps layne always did with that specific part of the song. other than that, yes the mixing was horrible and ruined what couldve been such a beautiful and outstanding performance with those instrumentals combined

[@ischmidt]

@@83zillafan Agreed, Duvall killed it. Shame about the mix.

[@hukedanfonix]

Goddamn, William DuVall nails this song. Wasn’t sure if I was OK with them continuing as AiC after Layne died but William is awesome and more than does Layne justice. Fucking stoked to see them Easter Sunday here in Peoria, Illinois.

[@samp7003]

Man I wish I could go back in time to those years. Outstanding performance brought tears to my eyes.

[@martinsantur9384]

tears come to me when listening to this beautiful song ..ii stay away!!!!

[@AndrewLykins44]

This had so much potential but damn that mixer probably can’t find work anywhere now lol. Wish there was a video of Layne singing this. This song is absolutely beautiful!

[@cynthiajohns0n442]

Absolutely LOVE the orchestra! Beautiful❤

[@jordanmoorman5024]

Dude is an amazing singer, a testament to Layne's crazy powerful voice.

[@stephanielangford9656]

Not Layne...but has a awesome voice, love you guys!

[@Kronical69420]

Wish I could say the same, but honestly I know two guys at karaoke who sound way better than this.

[@kathyguerndt2795]

This is amazing .. Thanks for this listening in 2024

[@pamelawelch3443]

This is so beautifully done 🥀

[@jekku4688]

So amazing that Seattle as a whole, because they were so isolated and insular (so like a small town), holds AIC and especially Layne, so close to their hearts. The grunge/punks of the 80s/90s are the parents and grandparents of today. So they think nothing of crossing and blending musical genres, like rock and orchestral/symphony (like this, and with Mad Season). It's a beautiful thing to behold! ❤🥁🎸🎙🎤🎵💔

[@trekswithnick]

3:32 the pop from the crowd is spine-chilling

[@drewskkiiii]

it made me cry

[@Crzycatldy1981]

This is so hauntingly beautiful

[@thadicktater6832]

whoever was in charge of the sound at this concert should be publicly shamed and never work again

[@Irespecktyouall]

It was the recording that was bad. In person it sounded perfect.

[@1190doug]

I got chills from this

[@barreto1010]

The band's song that never gets old

[@theeverchosen1504]

DuVall has such a strong voice!

[@Bigray73]

No

[@AWCTB]

@@Bigray73 Wdym no, that's some amazing controlled power.

[@ilovetacos210]

Mike doesn't even care what's going on around him, he's just forever vibing.

[@harrysmith6172]

Layne looking down on this....that Choir gave me chills

[@pamelawelch3443]

I would of loved to have been there in person💕

[@nachocavallocarbonell1863]

Duvall did an amazing job if you ask me Horrible mixing though...

[@kaypolster7786]

I really like the orchestra’s intro to the song - it added atmosphere by using the musical palette of the song without parroting it. Of course, Alice In Chains was wonderful!

[@sheatree8520]

Thank you so much AIC ! Thank you !

[@brandonlievano1329]

I'm a die-hard Layne fan forever. But DuVall KILLED it here 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Bigray73]

No way lol this sucks balls

[@diabloblanco5737]

Staley would have made this so much better. Simply not the same. It’s a shame his addiction cut his career in half and ultimately ended his life. One of the best voices to ever do it.

[@mcsibs]

I applaud them for trying, I truly do... there's just 0 singers alive that can pull this one off

[@theaterofsorrow99]

I hope they do another concert version of this song and I hope they get it right next time cuz I love this song and they disappointed me when I heard this..... I wish layne sung this in concert before he dies makes me sad

[@willmarshall4685]

There are maybe 5 dudes on the planet that can pull off those vocals…seriously impressive.

[@97Guitarrista]

For you Layne, wherever you are..

[@mmoonnchildd]

As others below have noted - a major fuckup was made by the sound engineer. The twelve string should have been much higher in the mix, and the orchestra as well. Duvall is channeling Layne nearly perfectly, and props go to him and to Cantrell for their harmonies - they're spot on. They killed it.

[@suminshizzles6951]

The sound engineer kiled it. They did fine but its not what we hear.

[@chriskartalidis9687]

great song and performance but terrible mixing

[@JackieChandler69]

This is one of William's best performances. It's a damn shame this audio sounds like shit.

[@brbosen]

This was fantastic! Thank you to all those who put hard work into making this song happen live in such a fulfilling way! Also, that guitar solo was butter.

[@nevesjh]

drummer comes from the future? he's well shielded from corona virus.

[@XD_the]

He stays away

[@BannedPhotoshop]

It’s so the drums aren’t picked up too loudly by all the surrounding mics

[@thewhatsupquiqui]

😂😂😂

[@norbertovelazquez7441]

Amazing version!!

[@IassimRustefla]

Awesome!

[@cheesecakefan4880]

Oh my Hes No layne This band will never be like it was ever again. Not sure why they continue. That was painful😢

[@Rotttman]

Imagine Layne singing this with the orchestra? Holy fuck what a shame.

[@jam_northstar6912]

bah! *goes back listening to studio version)

[@aryagogeta]

Saw what you did there xD

[@AliceInDarkness190]

What a masterpiece. Like everything in Jar of Flies

[@ChuckWood]

Choir: reads: "I stay away" Choir: *flips page*

[@ChadHuskey]

This mix is bad hearing it in this context, BUT it sounds to me like this might be the stereo mains captured straight off the board. In a live room where there's a lot of volume coming from the stage often the mains mix isn't that balanced in isolation. I've mixed a lot of live shows and I almost never use the audio from the stereo mains and use the individual tracks instead. It doesn't look like Jerry's amp was on stage, which would explain why it's so high in this mix. As well as the vocals of course. The orchestra was likely pretty present in the room, so probably didn't come through the mains all that much. Just a thought. But I HIGHLY doubt this is what it sounded like in the room.

[@beautyonabarnbudget]

FAX📠📠📠!!! I'm sure it was AMAZING live. But, shoulda been a separate mix 4 the vid b4 uploading to KZbin 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@sancoffsr]

Layne asked for help in many of his songs what a loss.

[@Bronte866]

12 string in my hearing range would’ve rocked but I’m never going to complain about this band. They always kill it.

[@staellie7089]

Layne we love you. God does too.

[@bennymcgehee3305]

layne is god, you should know if you actually listened to the interviews and truly understood the point of his writing

[@igorferrer949]

Layne I miss you so much!!

[@applesu8574]

Igor Ferrer me too omg 💔

[@alcastillo4901]

Man! If he could of Gotten Help... He probably be here today. Killing it. The Guys (band) are doing well. Been a Fan from back in the day. Still Rocking it. Would love to see them in Concert live. DuVall can hold his own in the band. Thanks for adding your voice to the group along with Jerry C. Rest of the group is Awesome.

[@AWCTB]

William Duvall actually did really, really well.

[@cole__tegtmeier678]

179 people some how couldn't improve apon what was already perfect. I love you Jerry and Shawn.

[@ozzycantu6330]

UltraTV __ aggreed

[@walty28msn]

very nice, thanks for share !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@loontil]

Sounds like I'm in a hotel room trying to sleep while an AIC cover band plays down beneath the floor.

[@Clairebee]

I feel bad for laughing at this but it's too accurate. 😂

[@Parrish_Muhoberac]

HAHAHAHA that's funny. I thought it sounds like I'm in an AIC rehearsal room, drunk, slumped against the foldback speakers, but there's a children's choir and orchestra rehearsing downstairs in the lobby.

[@JaredDocEstesMusic]

Imo duvalls vocals are garbage and unlistenable, just annoying attempt at staley

[@staellie7089]

For all of you haters out there, William does Layne justice here. Layne is the best in the history of best.

[@applesu8574]

Guinevere Jones same here 💔layne the best......

[@MrThunderbeast]

Hahaha!

[@benmurray218]

Please can someone remaster this and fix the sound???

[@robertmuller3145]

The women in my life have destroyed me. But you can't live without them. And I still love them.

[@johnstoner666]

Such a great song

[@chrismorgan6149]

Really missing the violin here

[@pamwelch7228]

Love it!

[@melissacarlucci2365]

R.I.P. L.S.M.S.FOREVER

[@beautyonabarnbudget]

Anyone know of a live of this with Layne???? Link?

[@nirvs233]

That solo always gets me. Damn that's good

[@aalderezz]

WOW! Beautiful!!!🥰

[@ChristopherSalerno-e2b]

one of my favorite alice n chains songs they did pretty good😎🤙✌

[@davidhuddleston5297]

I stay away is in my top 5 AIC songs... Although Im not sold out on the alternate Orchestra addition... But Its Alice in fkn Chains. They get a pass on anything they do!

[@the_minimalistic_adventure]

It would have actually been amazing if the performance was mixed correctly. the level are all shit.

[@miksobrado]

It coukd have worked amazing if the sound techs would know anything

[@nanlun7216]

my favorite and beautiful song.

[@alanwhite4742]

no one wrecked anything, they are just awesome

[@bobdefalco]

+Alan White It sure as hell wrecked me! Mind is blown! SO AWESOME

[@MustangSam]

I agree! I have watched this video so many times and don't care about the mixing. It is awesome and Duvall"s voice is incredible.

[@samlarkin3105]

3:32 song starts

[@thewhatsupquiqui]

They should do something like this again!! Now with more songs from Alice’s repertoire