Finnish Vocal Coach First Time Reaction: "Down in a Hole" By Alice in Chains (CC)

[@tamibrandt]

This song is a love song from guitarist Jerry Cantrell to the love of his life Courtney Clarke. Early pressings listed this as the 12th track on the Dirt album. Later pressings listed this as the 4th track on the Dirt album supposedly to fit better with the band’s desire to have the album loosely tell a story from song to song. On the Unplugged album it's the 5th track. Songwriter and guitarist Jerry Cantrell said of the song in the Music Bank box set liner notes, “Down in a Hole’s in my top three, personally. It’s to my long-time love. It’s the reality of my life, the path I’ve chosen and in a weird way it kind of foretold where we are right now. It’s hard for us to both understand…that this life is not conducive to much success with long-term relationships." Once Layne got his voice where he wanted it, it stayed there with little effort. He was always better live than studio version. Layne's vocal range can run rings around any other grunge singer in my opinion. Layne could sing the phone book and never hit a wrong note. Even at the end of his life, with no teeth and a lisp, his voice, wit and humor were all still there. Layne's voice and vocal range was so powerful he did NOT need auto tune or pro-tools until he lost his teeth and had a lisp around 1998, and even then he still killed the vocals. Barrett Martin (who played with Layne in Mad Season) said that when he stood to the side of the stage, he could hear the sound of Layne's vocal resonance come out of Layne's body LOUDER than it did coming out of the speakers, Layne's voice was that powerful. Layne's story is more tragic and haunting because you can actually watch and hear him deteriorate over the 12 year span: from the mild use of drugs in 1990 all the way through 1996 when he was deep into a heroin addiction to dropping to 90 pounds by 1998 to 86 pounds when he died in 2002. Layne was so much more than his drug addiction. He was able to come up with lyrics and harmonies off the top of his head. He knew enough to know that Jerry Cantrell was playing with the wrong people and gave him contact info for Sean Kinney and Mike Starr. He wrote the lyrics for the songs he sang on Mad Season's Above album and drew the cover art for that album. Layne was a genius in his own right. He still was able to figure things out in a snap off the top of his head. Layne just had his demons. With MTV Unplugged, when Layne finally gave the Okay to do it. They were supposed to rehearse in Seattle but NO one showed up. Sean, Mike and Jerry would show up at different times but Layne would be MIA or Layne would show up for one or two songs and then leave. When they finally got to New York, Sean and Mike had an argument with Jerry because they thought with Layne's condition and addiction, he wouldn't be able to hit the high notes. Jerry was the ONLY ONE who was confident that Layne could do it. When you watch DOWN IN A HOLE Unplugged, and Layne hits that high note, you see Jerry look over at Sean and Mike with this "I TOLD YOU SO!" smirk. Layne did it again on ROOSTER Unplugged and Jerry did that same smirk. The Unplugged show in 1996 is so heartbreaking to watch because Layne was deep in his heroin addiction (and yes, I know he was doing other drugs on top of Heroin). His liver was damaged and he knew it. He was just high enough to do the show to fight off withdrawal symptoms and he didn't get dope sick. He was such a ghost of himself during Unplugged. (Of course, Jerry had food poisoning) All Jerry saw when he looked over at Layne was his best friend was going to die soon due to the path Layne had chosen for his life. That show was filmed in April, 1996, premiered in May 1996. They did four shows with KISS in June-July 1996, after which Layne survived an overdose and became a recluse. After that, it was a six-year-long slow suicide. MTV (and the music industry) has more or less blackballed Layne (and yet, they laud over Kurt Cobain every April 5th, because Kurt was the "face of grunge", meanwhile Layne gets a "by the way"). The Grammys went so far as to invite Jerry, Mike and Sean to the Grammy show in 2003 and then refused to put Layne's picture up in the memorial of the musicians who died in 2002. (Or they "forgot" to) which pissed Jerry, Mike and Sean off and they walked out on the show. The friendship between Jerry and Layne was unbreakable. Jerry NEVER once thought of replacing Layne as the singer while Layne was still alive. He always wanted Layne to sing whenever he had AIC do something. If there were ever cosmic soulmates ... Layne and Jerry would be it. (And by that I mean, they were Sympatico with each other. The way they sang together was a perfect pitch where two voices make one. What you hear and see between Jerry and Layne was a genuine friendship. They looked after each other. When one had problems with a song, the other picked up the slack. They were a team. Jerry was doing a solo concert in Charlotte, NC when he heard that Layne was found two weeks after he died and Jerry was trying to get through the concert and crying. He did shows between the time he found out about Layne until Layne's funeral because if he had taken a break then, he didn't think he'd want to continue anything later after the mourning period. Alice In Chains was a band, but they were also a family. They had internal issues just like any family. When Layne died, it was like losing a loved one, a family member, you don't think of the fights you had with the person who died. You defend their memory. There is a reason Jerry wrote NO EXCUSES about Layne and the line "You, my friend, I will defend / And if we change, well, I'll love you anyway." "Whatever dramas are going on in my life, I always find that place inside my head where I see myself as the cleanest, tallest, strongest, wisest person that I can be." -- Layne Staley "My bad habits aren't my title. My strengths and my talent are my title." -- Layne Staley "When I tried drugs they were fucking great, and they worked for me for years, and now they're turning against me - and now I'm walking through hell and this sucks. I wrote about drugs, and I didn't think I was being unsafe or careless by writing about them. I didn't want my fans to think heroin was cool. But then I've had fans come up to me and give me the thumbs up, telling me they're high. That's exactly what I didn't want to happen." -- Layne Staley "My grandmother and mother were such huge losses, but I got Layne, the guys, and I got this.” - Jerry Cantrell, Kerrang! (December 1, 2018) “Jerry really loved Layne [Staley]. They had a bond I haven't seen before,” Jerry’s former manager Bill Siddons, April 19, 2002 (the day Layne was found two weeks after he died).

[@stevend3753]

Jesus Christ, that was a beautiful read. Thank you.

[@inga1721]

This is such a beautiful comment, the story of music and true friendship❤️ I will add a few little details: 1. When Jerry was homeless, Layne offered him a place to stay & a job 2. The first time Jerry heard Layne sing, he wanted to play with him, one could say he musically fell in love with him 3. Layne always encouraged Jerry to sing, there was no ego fight 4. I like how AIC guys described the band: we are just four guys doing our job - no insane ego trips 5. Drummer Sean Kinney is a very funny person

[@joshuawiedenbeck6944]

​@Inga My brother and I had a friend growing up that was very similar to Layne. He was always very kind and supportive to the people around him, but for some reason he just didn't care about himself which led to issues in his life. Thankfully he got past it and is now a successful adult.

[@inga1721]

@@joshuawiedenbeck6944 Good to hear🙂

[@angelaferreira2193]

Thank you.its very conforting to know someone loves layne and feels his magic like i do.i never met him ,i wish he was here so badly....you have a beautiful heart,it shows on your kind,heartfelt words about him.

[@alexpuckett1519]

It’s been said that this performance is the closest you get to watching somebody sing at their own funeral. He was so gifted. RIP Layne. But let’s also give Jerry his flowers. Dude is a musical wizard in his own right.

[@dirtyhistorian]

Uff, I can barely stand watching this concert knowing Layne is in such a bad shape here. Brakes my heart every f-ing time. Such a charismatic and powerful vocalist. He is way gone into his addiction here, but for a performance in his prime check out Love, hate, love live at The Moore. Absolute amazingness.

[@psychedelicastronaut2578]

Tears every time.

[@isuckatguitar6252]

Yeah, read a lot on the background of what went on in the rehearsal time for this show, Layne was not in a good place...tears every time.

[@jeffm1896]

Such a tragic senseless loss! I read somewhere that he was so far gone into his heroin addction by this point that he had to do a highball just to be able to go on stage. What a waste!

[@KlooKloo]

watching and listening to Jerry take over is so heartbreaking

[@johnjohn37371]

The fact that you can actually tell his top teeth have rotted away...he tries so hard to hide it, but you can really hear it in his pronunciation of his "s" words...it just kills me...heroin is so diabolically evil...

[@davegrayson8774]

I believe that the next Alice in Chains reaction you should do is Love Hate Love, Live at the Moore. That one showcases Lane's power and control.

[@yousaychristopherisaywalken]

Yes, please.

[@ajmoore2201]

Agreed, what a performance

[@kimberlyestes3978]

I add my vote! Incredible vocals on that one! Must be live version!

[@luckylarry88]

Yeah definitely, it's a great contrast to the unplugged performance.

[@danielthomas4652]

Always requested by reviewers seldom do it anymore…

[@markcook1059]

"Friends don't let friends get hair cuts" AIC and metallica are good friends and this was right at the time that all the members from metallica cut their hair short during the LOAD album. Also,all the members of metallica were there at this concert

[@sidanx7887]

Like in the front row hahaha

[@phrike7588]

That entire MTV Unplugged concert is by far the best unplugged concert ever and one of the best concerts ever. Staleys and Cantrells harmonies is such a big trademark for their sound and i've personally never heard any other bands or artists that do harmoniers the way they do it. It's both the mix of their different sounds and the choice of tones that makes it special.

[@peterworth9403]

Unplugged had the effect of producing some of the most unexpected amazing performances ever. I have an unwavering top 3. And amongst those, I can't decide which is the best, because they were so surprisingly amazing and unexpected, they struck me to the core. Alice in Chains, Korn, and Nirvana. Three bands you didn't expect it from, but sounded great. Korn especially. They'd never done it before, and made sure they did it right, while making it an experience both they and their fans would love.

[@DavidHands]

Layne was week and dying in this unplugged. Jerry had to carry him through this gig. How can it be "by far the best unplugged"? I prefer to listen to AIC when they were 100%. Personally the Pearl Jam unplugged is my fav.

[@peterworth9403]

@@DavidHands I do agree about Layne. While this still sounds great, it is nothing compared to him in his prime. I really wish people would recommend different songs for the first alice in chains song than something from their unplugged. Hear him at his best before they hear him at his worst. That being said, it is in my top three because even in the shape he was in, Layne could still out sing almost anybody.

[@RunawayOcelot]

​@peterworth9403 Yeah, that Korn show was Outstanding!!

[@AshleyStern-wq5dl]

I totally agree.

[@jasonmaceyko1902]

Layne's voice is supernatural. You could even say magical !!

[@MOAB-UT]

I would, yes

[@andrerossi9337]

Layne and Jerry formed one of the biggest Rock duos in the world, it's impressive that at times the two become one, even though they sound so different, in this specific song, the moment that Layne gives the lead to Jerry, he understands and it just goes. It's a shame Layne had so many problems that took him away from music and made him leave so early.

[@tonybtrucks3029]

You just experienced the best MTV unplugged session ever, cherish it.

[@patrickgermain2507]

You’ve got to see him in his prime. “love hate love” life at the Moore… it’s fantastic

[@patrickgermain2507]

Live at the moore*

[@sebastyijan]

@@patrickgermain2507 This was posted 12 days ago let the wounds heal. But yeah...It's something else

[@shri081]

Layne is at a quarter of his powers here…and yet he sounds majestic as hell…what a powerhouse of a voice…

[@MatthewWilliams-h7m]

I was addicted to opiates and heroin for 17 years. Even though Laynes' lyrics were really triggering to me, i still would lean on AIC music to pull myself out of dark places when i first got sober. Thanks for the reaction. Keep them coming. Soundgarden!!!

[@eckligt]

Hi Anna, I missed the premiere so don't know if someone already explained the writing on the bass guitar, but I'll post it here: The members of Metallica were in the audience in this Unplugged concert, supposedly on or near the front row. The guys in Metallica had just got rid of their long hair, which some people in the rock and metal community were teasing them for at the time. So the bass player, Mike Inez, had written on his guitar: "Friends don't let friends have friends' haircuts" There was also some other banter directed at Metallica at other points in the concert, for instance Mike Inez playing the riff from "Enter Sandman" on the bass, for a few seconds, between two songs.

[@reedgalloway6489]

Metallica may have been friends with Jerry and the rest of the band but they were dicks to Layne and made fun of him when he couldn’t open for them because of his addiction issues.

[@alexnagy2044]

@@reedgalloway6489 Ever since I saw that video of (how!) them mockink Layne, I just can't forget it. And definitely not the charade of not being ashamed and sitting in the front row. Layne didn't even want to look at them, I guess (that also made it difficult for him. The ice cream licked back! "Mr. Hetfield" 😏 has not been able to get rid of his alcohol addiction for a long time....this is what I call karma police... Rest easy Layne🕊

[@__Patrick]

I didn’t know Layne Staley except through his music. His ability to convey emotion and to connect with the emotions of the listener are second to none. Just makes me feel very defensive of his legacy. If I could build a Time Machine, I would go back in time to this concert and give him the biggest hug. Just to provide some context, Layne was deep in the throes of his addiction. A byproduct of his addiction was the loss of some of his teeth (at this point in 96) which caused him some considerable embarrassment and affected his delivery, hence the slight lisping you hear on the “S” sounds. Another byproduct of the tooth loss was embarrassment at his physical deterioration which was very noticeable to the band and had shocked them to the point where they doubted Layne’s ability to perform that night. At about one minute and fifty-nine seconds into the performance you can see Jerry Cantrell smiling at Sean Kinney when Layne really hits his notes. I am pretty sure he was smiling for Layne because his old friend was absolutely nailing the performance. There is one more level to consider; “friends” of AIC, members of the band Metallica, were sitting in the front row. AIC had pulled out of a planned tour with them because of Layne's escalating drug use, he was unable to physically perform or tour and AIC went on a hiatus and the members of the band had not played together in quite some time. Metallica mocked Layne during their tour. I intuit Layne may have been feeling some emotions around letting his friends down and the obvious physical discomfort of addiction; hence his extremely closed off energy. But he still showed up, sang his ass off and even played some more dates with AIC, before succumbing to his personal demons and pulling out of the public eye. One has to remember that even in those darkest days (1996-2002) he still supported his band and bandmates, showing up for Jerry Cantrell's solo efforts and calling in to radio shows to support the band when he could. I lost what little respect I had for Metallica after watching a documentary where I heard an audio recording of Metallica making fun of Layne while on their tour. Great deconstruction of the legendary Layne Staley’s immense vocal talents.. Very informative for those of us who wish we could sing.

[@jahchild99]

The way that your eyes light up and then settle in when you first hear Layne's voice -- that's all of us girl 😊, that moment just hits so strong and beautiful. And I could tell when your eyes were starting to glass up -- I can't listen to this song without glassing up and crying, it resonates too much, you hear exactly what's going through their heart....

[@Vrealita]

Thanks for this beautiful reaction. How gorgeus finnish language is, also! You may also try "Love Hate Lova" live at The Moore from them, although it has even harder lyrics

[@Mr.Ekshin]

Finnish girls are great to be with... especially when you Finnish together.

[@FahqTyrants]

The bass that has "friends don't let friends get haircuts" on it- was before internet & memes-so that was an in person physical one to Metallica who was in the audience & all of them just cut their hair short. If anyone was interested in the behind the writing story.

[@Nomah1979]

I love your reaction to this song! You get caught up in the power of it and aren't just "watching it" You are riding the emotion in the vocals in awe of what you are hearing. This is one of those songs that is a shame to pause because of the verbal tapestry that it weaves. It is a beautiful piece of music

[@anniebones7516]

Layne Staley's singing methods brought pain to the surface and turned it into poetry

[@ChrisHelms-xm4fm]

Down in a Hole or this other dire sobriquet, Layne's Dirge. He was singing his own funeral song. And he knew it. I met him once in Nashville, at the formerly known, Starwood Amphitheater. We talked for a minute and he was such a sweet, composed person. But he was sick. Heroin came close to taking my life on 3 different occasions. I lived. Layne didn't. For many years i have thought about the "whys" and the "what ifs" but no answer is forthcoming. Who knows, maybe, one day i will meet that shy, sweet man again without that evil burden that took him to his grave, to early. Long days and pleasant nights to all.

[@frios011]

It’s so gratifying to see such an honest reaction to Layne’s beautiful voice!

[@robgerhardterellen1488]

Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, ....., Seattle (and near environment) Grunge Rock from the early nineties in optima forma.

[@pjuliano9000]

I lives there during the grunge years, which were some of the most interesting years of my life. I recall, sitting in a pizza joint … And there’s AIC eating in the booth right next to them … very surreal

[@korbain86]

Stumbled across this as you do on youtube. Awesome to see Layne/Alice in chains getting some love. They are an amazing band, the unplugged was such a special performance and one of Laynes last few times performing with them.

[@SWK41283]

One of the best vocalist of a generation so underrated

[@WilliamHudson-q8j]

Not just in this performance, but in MANY of Layne’s performances, his vocal talent and ability are effortless. Straight up. Even at this performance, one of his last ones, ravaged by the monster, he sounds EFFING GREAT!!!!!🤘😎

[@davidputterman2719]

As a point of interest, Layne Staley, Geoff Tate of Queensriche and Ann Wilson of Heart were all vocally trained by the late Maestro David P. Kyle of Seattle, Washington USA.

[@annavaskelainen]

Thank you for the insight David!

[@casey10bb]

@@annavaskelainen Not actually true. It's also been said that Layne "may have" listened to a tape (from Kyle) that some other guy had but he didn't have the funds to take lessons - Kyle was expensive.

[@annavaskelainen]

@@casey10bb ohhh okay!

[@timdorazio184]

I seem to remember Geoff saying he had 3 lessons, but used the vocal exercises for years. Or something to that effect

[@mtrainor999]

This was a really informative reaction to an incredibly emotional performance. I love watching professionals analyze Layne’s voice, as well as his harmonies with Jerry. Please do more Alice In Chains reactions, thank you!

[@annavaskelainen]

ohhh I see!

[@jayman9910]

Alice in Chains - Love Hate Love Live at the Moore

[@annavaskelainen]

👍

[@CanadaDan]

That whole Mtv Unplugged performance is incredible. The emotion pours out of Layne's voice. Loved your reaction to this and that whole English/Finnish thing too, pretty cool

[@brettcaron6421]

One of the best vocalist of all time. Such a gifted and unique sound and Jerry just complimented it so well with his music and his voice.

[@ssacra22]

One of the best MTV Unplugged episodes of all-time. I sure wish MTV would do music again.

[@marcuszaja6589]

Okay, that was a match made in heaven! This song and your reaction? Man, that was something. You could've muted the singing and through your eyes and your mimik I would've known what was sung. Never have seen that in my life!

[@davedave9780]

One of the best songs ever written

[@hardstyle8184]

THANKS.... you actually did a breakdown of his uncanny skills as a singer. As a singer yourself..... you know he was magical and rare.... Too bad we lost such an amazing talent in Layne... Great breakdown....- Los Angeles

[@zmijoguz]

Anna is stunningly beautiful. I am blown away by her beauty just as she is with this song.

[@Marloc2420]

I read Layne was real dope sick & the band was unsure if he would make it to perform. RIP

[@jeffkoenig7402]

I always found Layne and Jerry's harmonies memorable specifically because they sound layered rather than blended. While I certainly agree with the "Love, Hate, Love" suggestions in terms of Layne at his peak, for a really amazing showcase of their harmonic technique I'd instead suggest "No Excuses". And to be honest, listen to both anyway because they're good, whether or not you turn them into videos.

[@darkphoenix2]

I actually felt kind of sad for you, Anna, when you asked about Layne at the end. I imagined what your reaction would be when you read the comments that would inevitably explain what he was going through at the time of this performance. It gives the entire concert an extra significance. And although it sounds amazing, Alice in Chains wasn't an acoustic band. You should really hear them playing with electric guitars and Layne ramping up the intensity next time. "Would?" is a pretty great song. I don't get around to watching all of your videos, I usually only check out songs I know. But I just want to say that it's always such a pleasant time to listen to you and I hope you're doing well 🙂

[@annavaskelainen]

❤️

[@eze8970]

Thanks for the scientific breakdown of the singing, the 'artistic' delivery being the part of the singers. An intimate, live set. Thanks Anna for your breakdown! 🙏🙏

[@isuckatguitar6252]

One of my favourite singers ever, my heart breaks every time I listen because of what was happening to him. What a voice! You can also check out some of their other songs, Man in a Box is also great for vocals, and Rooster was written by Jerry as a tribute to his father who was in the Vietnam war...so touching.

[@Kaya97899]

Layne had one of the most powerful and unique voice of all time .. he is my favourite voice and he had the best laugh… one good, kind and gentle soul gone too early.. RIP legend you will never be forgotten ❤ If you want to see Layne in his prime I recomend “Love hate love “ live at the moore and “Bleed the freak” live at the moore there Layne’s vocal is absolutely insane

[@ianshort5208]

thank you Anna. i love that not only do you explain technique but react to the emotion of a song . often the most important part , no need to hold your self together most of use are feeling the same wat

[@saltyguerrilla]

This whole performance is my very favorite in all of history. Layne was one of a kind.

[@petermorgan768]

I would love to hear you react to Alice in chains "Love hate love, live at the Moore" It is easily one of Layne's greatest performances. You will see a much younger and more powerful Layne in that video. I love your reaction to this video and thanks for posting!

[@annavaskelainen]

🥰

[@SIR-DanielHunter]

Most of his songs are a cry for help with addiction. And let me tell you I was going through the same kind of addiction the time as he was. And I can completely relate. Down in a hole is a good analogy for it. I can't explain why I'm still alive and everybody else is gone. But here I am 60 yrs old healthy but alone all my friends and family are gone and a good part of them from addiction. I did my first dr😢g in the mid 70s I grew up in a hardrock music family. I look back and it was normal to party hard. It was 24-7 in my house. Musicians in and out hells angels in and out fight at 3am in the front yard. Crazy but now I just sit on my porch look at birds fly around My lake. So peaceful 😮

[@keithfrantz1083]

I am right there with ya

[@stanley7785]

beautifull Finish woman keep it up, it's a pleasure to watch and hear you

[@gsturnerjr]

Love your reactions and your thoughts on his emotions. He was in great pain... rip

[@xada2397]

Check out Alice in Chains - Would? and Nutshell at the same Unplugged concert.

[@td315]

Lol, what the… You all the sudden breakout in perfect English halfway through the video. It caught off guard a little. But awesome reaction and I would love to see you react to Layne in his prime. Please react to Alice In Chains--Love Hate Love--Live at the Moore. It’s not my favorite song but it shows how awesome of a singer Layne was. It really amazing

[@annavaskelainen]

Some people have sayed they thought they were having a stroke. 😂 Welcome to my "Finglish" channel! "Love Hate Love" has been getting a lot of votes, it's currently at the top of my next AIC reaction list! Yay!

[@td315]

@@annavaskelainen awesome, I can’t wait

[@tameu1309]

You should do more Alice and Chain reactions Please?

[@unbroadcastnet]

One of my favorite song that I grew up with…Even though the band’s consequences were predictably tragic, the song is still haunting and resonates… good job Anna, love your reaction…

[@mikeycheeze2498]

This was the best of the MTV Unplugged series and that is saying a lot. This performance immortalized Layne Staley and Alice In Chains. I remember watching in my early 20’s and it still hits me as hard today as it did then. Fabulous breakdown and video 👏

[@lesliecalvert3458]

Layne Stayley had an amazing voice and delivery...

[@reaganp6731]

This is the proper reaction to hearing this for the first time . Tragically Beautiful

[@nightgoblin29]

Layne was sooooooo good

[@annavaskelainen]

Yes!

[@GHofSchnidle]

More Layne please!!❤

[@annavaskelainen]

Gotcha!

[@iLuseMy1v1s]

This is probably the best song to react to. There's so many layers to this song, it gives me goosebumps every time.

[@M0rket]

This particular version especially has layers upon layers, considering Layne's health and situation at the time.

[@iLuseMy1v1s]

@@M0rket totally agree

[@Nomis3586]

the whole show is just amazing. A lot of good stuff to pick out from it.

[@iLuseMy1v1s]

@@Nomis3586 agree with that!

[@ridley3704]

Thank you for appreciation of this music that was the soundtrack of my youth. My daughter discovered them and fell love at age 4 today, singing and playing her ukulele until I got in trouble for letting her jam to one before bed. Your mixed language was a surprise but I started watching knowing you understood, and deeply the feels, glossy eyes all around. I hope to be more multilingual myself someday.

[@josephstude5638]

Thanks for the reaction, Anna. I've always been fascinated with Layne's vocals despite (or maybe because of?) his technique being so difficult to replicate. For another emotional banger and vocal clinic I highly recommend the live version of Love Hate Love (assuming you haven't already reacted to it).

[@casey10bb]

To answer one of your questions Anna, Layne used his voice and sang several different ways, ex: of songs: Man in the box, Am I inside, Bleed the freak, (the chorus on), Heaven beside you, No excuses,.....list goes on ---- He can be extremely powerful to very beautiful sounding.

[@newyorksfinest9394]

One ❤for you and one ❤ for Layne

[@Refu5e]

You must hear "Nutshell" it's from the same MTV Unplugged concert

[@jasonhebert4200]

So beautiful. His music and also you 😊

[@Deeplycloseted435]

There aren’t a lot of live recordings that outshine the original studio recording in my brain, but this is one for sure. When I think of this song, this is the version I hear in my mind. Layne is my favorite vocalist of the Grunge era, and it isn’t even close.

[@reasonablefacsimile]

I really appreciate your reactions and insights! It's so wonderful how you let the music flow into you and allow yourself to deeply experience the emotions of it, instead of approaching it at a purely technical level. About Layne's and Jerry's voices not blending, it's true. Even though they harmonized, there was always a kind of dissonance in the result. Yet somehow it worked, creating a vague sense of unease and tension that meshed perfectly with the tone of their music. It's sort of like running a guitar's naturally clean sound through distortion--the result *should* be unpleasant, but in reality it combines with other elements of the music to achieve the artist's desired emotional effect.

[@traviscotrel438]

Jerry Cantrell is super talented! Alice in Chains was a staple of rock at this time!

[@troyswisher9413]

Subtitles are awesome - I LOVE your reactions! This is on my top 5 albums of all time - it has grounded me in my life.

[@annavaskelainen]

Thank you so much for your feedback Troy! :)

[@kswwhodat]

you should see the whole show, it was legendary

[@dmwalker24]

Hyvää päivää. Toinen hieno reaktio. I saw this when it originally premiered. I had been a fan of Alice in Chains, but this performance added another level to my appreciation of the band. It's quite amazing what Layne was capable of, given what he was going through. There is unfortunately a correlation between art and suffering, that all too often has tragic consequences.

[@andrerossi9337]

I would like to see her analyzing Nutshell from the same show, in addition to the techniques, how heavy these lyrics are and how they move me every time I hear them. Thank you and your work is beautiful.

[@brentpitts7879]

The words on the guitar are “friends don’t let friends cut their hair”. This was filmed around the time Metallica released their album “Load” and all of the members had cut their long hair. Metallica was in the audience during the performance and the writing on the guitar was a joke aimed at them.

[@MrSerdean]

İ love this song since 1996

[@annavaskelainen]

❤️

[@aidenroqz]

Layne was such an amazing vocalist. RIP 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻. You should analyze more grunge era vocalists 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 so many talented voices. Much love and support Anna ❤❤❤

[@thomasknudsen7184]

Wonderful reaction! More Alice In Chains imho. His vocal ability is like none other.

[@tonyh6640]

Nutshell from the same performance is just as haunting as Down In A Hole

[@tomwolfe6063]

There’s something about this era of music (the early 90’s ) that cuts so deep. It’s so brutally honest and sad that it’s beautiful. I highly doubt we will ever see anything like it again.

[@rikki030381]

When this was recorded until Layne came out during the first song they had no idea of he would be on stage. He backed out last second many times at reunion attempts. And he was barely 100lbs at this point He was in such rough shape to sing so amazingly and powerfully well is unreal.

[@vital.harmony]

Thanks for this reaction, Alice In Chains, amazing band 🖤

[@annavaskelainen]

🖤

[@JV-mw7gv]

Ok, I guess I’ll ruin my day and watch this. Compliments to Anna though.

[@annavaskelainen]

😅

[@nicklabelle9573]

Definitely check out the rest of this performance, very good acoustic and the originals album version are great too.

[@markarpin3686]

you have to study the grunge sing it is as they do not open there mouth as much but when they do there is so much power

[@jurgengierkink4322]

Always a pleasure. Thank you Anna for serving us something a bit more different 🥰

[@annavaskelainen]

🥰 A pleasure!

[@echofive1178]

Alice In Chains, one of the best sounds ever. Love Hate Love, great song.

[@yamyamyams2629]

I absolutely love the bass line in this track.

[@nicklabelle9573]

Amazing reaction to an amazing performance! You pick up on all the good little details.

[@maestroblloyd]

My God, your reactions have always been amazing. Your insight has always been incredible. And yeah, let's be honest, you've always been very very pretty. But I can't tell you the last time I've seen anything more legitimately beautiful than watching you tear up while completely losing yourself in the emotion/pain of a performance. You, my dear, are truly one of the best.

[@annavaskelainen]

❤️

[@utikahk4538]

This was not only one the best unplugged concert, it was one of Alice in Chains best performances.

[@peterpelletier176]

Definitely going to check this out. Waiting for another reaction to my favorite singer(Lara Fabian) by you. One of the best reactions to her on You tube.

[@LukeHimself]

😳I love this language and accent! (vocal coach lol) Lane Staley's voice and the whole band is amazing!

[@patrickbernardy3100]

Yes, you want expressive Layne? You HAVE to do "Love, Hate, Love" Live at The Moore. I LOVED your reaction,. especially that you switched languages throughout.

[@rodneyfelker8142]

love him from NY use thank you for shearing it

[@carlhammill5774]

When I listen to this song its clear we are watching a person let go and say goodbye in a most beautiful way...yet painful to watch. As former ICU nurse I want to jump into action and help him but powerless now. I am stunned by the energy & power in his voice.

[@JaredBozarth-w5h]

Love Hate Love, It Ain’t Like That, Sunshine, Brush Away, Rotten Apple, Right Turn, Sludge Factory…etc. All of the songs are great but these are a few of my favorites.

[@ryanwoolsey6972]

Hopefully you dive deeper into this particular album, it doesn’t have one bad song…:) also check out Love Hate Love, or Bleed the Freak, both Live at the Moore..

[@annavaskelainen]

Noted!

[@jamiejones5269]

It’s very interesting to see how emotional you get by listening to these artists from time to time. I say emotional because I see it in your eyes not your reactions, It makes me wonder if it’s because you feel their pain or the music just moves you as an artist or perhaps both? Im not an artist but I have been told I can sing well, however, I only sing the songs that resonate within and move me with barely minimum music theory.

[@DavidHames-j7d]

Anna, thank you. Your honesty and straight forwardness. Danke

[@jaso83balishag]

You should just listen to the whole performance. It’s one of if not the best of the unplugged series

[@markvanderstelt8999]

STP was great unplugged also.

[@overtimeracing9367]

You can tell by the way your eyes light up as soon as they start singing that we were in for a good reaction video lol this is my favorite song of all time.

[@kellybarnett3743]

Love Hate Love live shows how extraordinary he truly was. ❤

[@lenculpepper9150]

Such a powerful voice and a tragic story! Same goes for many of the great vocalist from the grunge era.

[@discgolfchainhigh]

Saw someone say it’s like Layne is singing at his own funeral