Nirvana Producer Breaks Down Kurt Cobain's Screams (What Made Kurt's Screams So Unique?)

Join The Waiting List For Barrett's Production Course!
bit.ly/3KcO61d
Free Voice Lessons: chrisliepe.com/free-your-voice/
My Website: chrisliepe.com
Barrett Jones KZbin Channels:
/ @barrettjonesproducer
/ laundryroomstudio
There is an extra level of 'musical vulnerability' present in the way Kurt Cobain opens up on mic. He can sound simultaneously abandoned and out of control AND, at the same time, perfectly on pitch and rhythmically in the pocket. There are not a lot of singers who can do that.
In this day and age of tech-enhanced 'performances', overthinking and too much editing, going back to some raw, tracked live, in-studio performances can reveal a LOT about what made Kurt's voice so incredibly special.
Let's dive in with Nirvana and Foo Fighters producer Barrett Jones to hear about the recording process and Kurts approach in some priceless early Nirvana songs. You'll never listen to Kurt's voice the same again!

[@Tomnedreb]

Kurt's voice is actually underrated, hands down. Fantastic singer. He had aggression, passion, vulnerability and dynamics in his voice most would dream of. Oh, and typically that they wrote those songs the same day they recorded them. lol Finally I have to say that Oh, The Guilt is surely my fav of those three. Thanks for a really great vid, man!

[@chrisliepe]

Thanks for the additional nuggets!!

[@vlcheish]

100% agree...he might have the most underrated voice in rock. There is a great KZbin video a vocal coach did on him actually breaking down why he's actually pretty incredible singer despite no training. He describe it as Kurt having a unique ability to have infinite release on his voice with no fear...he would never hit that ceiling which most singers hit. To demonstrate he was comparing Kurt's voice to Dave Grohls and Ghrol has a stiffness that Kurt doesn't. Not that Dave is a bad singer at all but it was a good demonstration to show how unique Kurt's voice was. Kurt's voice was like a chainsaw just cutting through everything like butter.

[@omardcastrod]

@@vlcheish are you able to send me that link? I’d love to see that. I watched a similar one about his guitar playing and he’s a much better guitar player than people realize too. He possibly was a much better guitar player than he even realized he was. He’s all around extraordinarily underrated as a whole. He gets a lot of being a musical genius and a voice of a generation, of which is all true and he absolutely is/was, but ge doesn’t get credit for the intricate things that made his songs. The lyrics were always last for whatever reason. Personally, I love his at home tape recordings. So intimate. So vulnerable. So passionate. It was all so great and wonderful!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🎶

[@omardcastrod]

@@vlcheish for whatever it’s worth, I never cared for Dave’s voice. There’s something about him I don’t like. There are songs that I like, but over all, I don’t care too much for Foo Fighters. There’s just something that doesn’t sit right with me about him though. Vocals aside. I loved him as Nirvana’s drummer during that time, but since then, not as much. Can’t say that I can pinpoint it.

[@vlcheish]

@@omardcastrod Sure its this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaWumJSipJicicU I like Dave's voice when he's not pushing. Marigold, Big Me, or the verse for songs like Everlong. I don't like Dave's screaming because he can't push without hitting that ceiling and it sounds stiff.

[@pianoalexander6868]

You should really look at Lounge Act, the second part with all the screaming is crazy underrated I feel like.

[@ItzBadger.]

Great suggestion

[@MrKittles1123]

THIS

[@matturner6890]

I agree 100%, that's an insanely hard part to sing. I think it's the highest he ever pushed his voice.

[@sullyvanov]

Absolutely an insane song to sing like Kurt did. Blows my mind everytime I hear it.

[@DrummerDaddio]

Kurt sang like Hendrix played guitar; embracing imperfection and turning incidental noise into music.

[@getit9066]

I really like that observation. Dead on.

[@NeXusZT]

What a rare unique opportunity this is. Thanks for this Chris!

[@chrisliepe]

You're welcome! I agree... to have THE GUY who recorded these early B-sides IN MY STUDIO talking about KURT... MIND BLOWN!!!!!

[@Lord_Verminaard]

That's incredible. I was just thinking about Kurt's screaming ability the other day. How amazing to talk to the person that helped capture that song.

[@chrisliepe]

It was really amazing!!

[@krisfrederick5001]

I love all 3 of these recordings. Their B-Sides were better than most bands best. "It sounds like he's boiling nails in there" -Dave Grohl on Kurt's voice

[@chrisliepe]

Well said Dave Grohl... It's SO true!

[@jimijames27]

One of my favorite quotes to describe Kurt's voice. I've been reading Dave Grohl's book. I really enjoyed the Nirvana portion of the book.

[@eclipse_pvp-gamez5428]

@@jimijames27 😂 where's this from

[@jimijames27]

@@eclipse_pvp-gamez5428 Lol. Dude must have removed his post. Some guy said he hated Dave Grohl. I complimented his picture for his profile. It was Mega Man

[@jvince001]

looool boiling nails

[@TargetHHH101]

Nirvana was the main influence on me becoming a musician, I never would have guessed these songs werent tracked in a big time studio, they sound fantastic, just goes go show that pro level performers and proper mic placement go a long way.

[@shaynes.9773]

This is exactly what I loved about the 90's and is missing in a lot of today's music. It was less about gear and polish, more about capturing the emotion of the song and performance. It was raw emotion, which is why it evokes a response in the listener, whether that response is repulsion or like a boost of adrenaline. My old band during the 90's had a song similar to this that we used to bring out right at the end of our set that was basically just go gonzo with all out emotion and aggression. The song wasn't trying to make a pretty tune, the goal was just capture all out sonic abandon. I think that is exactly what Nirvana was so good at doing. Kurt to this day inspires me more than I can say in words. I appreciate your reactions and analysis of the song, Chris. And Barrett, thanks so much for recording those Nirvana songs and sharing your thoughts and memories on those recording here in this interview. 🙏🏻

[@bradleydares]

Kurt was a gem of a human and his voice has resonated through so many generations….#rawmusic ❤️❤️❤️

[@hudsonahamilton]

Amazing guest! Hearing his stories and perspective is incredible. Cobain is one of those once in a lifetime vocalists.

[@juliegogola4647]

I think that Kurt had a "punk rock attitude" in how he delivered his vocals in many songs, and that is why he was so "okay with" how his screams sounded when he'd just "let loose" in a song like the one featured here. But, of course, those screams sounded great anyway.

[@Josh-ol8sy]

Kurt had complete control over his voice. In any song, his voice cracks are completely intentional.

[@juliegogola4647]

@@Josh-ol8sy Yep, I agree.

[@damonhinson4005]

His attitude and willingness to let free entirely is totally something to admire and take notes of, but I hope people don't try to imitate him 100% if they want to keep their voice. He absolutely brutalized his vocal chords

[@badgasaurus4211]

Kurt tackled every song like it was Twist and Shout. Crazy stuff

[@jeffreyval9665]

He just had a great voice and a great rock n roll scream. I doubt it did anything to his vocal chords. People trying to copy him may damage something but it was natural to him.

[@damonhinson4005]

@@jeffreyval9665 I mean no disrespect to the man. I'm a big fan, actually. But no, his grit was definitely from tension and overblowing his chords. You can hear it. Especially in live settings. Listen to how much harder it was for him to sing older material in their later concerts (granted, being strung out probably didn't help either)

[@LordStompyHarpLoonyTunes]

@@damonhinson4005 Smoking, heroin and continual screaming: it didn't help Janis Joplin's voice later in her career either

[@brianbridges8124]

One thing I noticed about KURT in music videos is he physically had a huge larynx, look at his throat in heart shaped box video. I know it's an unusual thing to say about someone but as someone who has sang in a nirvana tribute band I always wondered how kurt could sing like that for hours every night without permanently damagingvhis vocal chords. I suspect it was genetics and the fact he was still very young and could get away with it. If he kept doing that into his late thirties I doubt ie could have kept it up but who knows..... it's all conjecture.

[@fenderfox5080]

Your awesome Chris!! 👌 love Kurt breakdowns, he still has that voice that can never be duplicated.

[@chrisliepe]

I agree wholeheartedly. An amazing balance!

[@blood_sausage9620]

I forgot how great "of the guilt" was, with so many great Nirvana songs its no surprise, great break down guys 👍🏼🎸💯

[@chrisliepe]

Thank you!

[@Cee_B]

Kurt is such a big reason I don’t believe in writing and then recording on separate occasions. Maybe a couple days in between but hopefully no more. I can say through personal experience that it’s possible to hone in and make the song amazing but a self written song always feels like a hit or like a piece of your heart when it’s written and performed then and there w the raw emotion it’s easier to stay in touch w how you felt while writing this thus perfectly translating into being able to replicate that same emotion when love performing the same song again. I love Kurt’s voice. Easily the best raw emotion singer ever. I don’t think he ever took lessons just got at a high level by emotion and constant practice bc of that emotion/passion

[@GoldernT0ll]

Guy next to him is like "Holy moly this dude can go from screaming to calm butterfly."

[@HoiPolloi]

Return of The Rat was an awesome cover! The three songs Barrett Jones recorded are some of my favorite songs from the band. Awesome video!

[@silent-trouble]

Really enjoy these insights into the singing and also production aspects. And a great song choice. I think this is one of their most underrated ones. Very raw and powerful. Thank you.

[@chrisliepe]

You're so welcome! I agree... AMAZING to get the guy who actually made the recordings!! These insights could ONLY come from him!

[@originalvonster]

Thank you both. It’s great that you are documenting these memories of Kurt Cobain and the recording of this song so these memories don’t disappear with time.

[@michaelsantoro170]

The mount Rushmore of male vocalists has about 10 heads. Jeff Buckley, Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, Chris Cornell, Thom Yorke, Robert Plant, Freddy Mercury, Eddie Vedder, Pavarotti, and Andrea Bocelli- to name some of my picks. Nirvana itself gets plenty of recognition, but I've found that Kurt really doesn't get the praise he deserves as a vocalist- or an artist. He voice is so emblematic of who he was as a person. He found a way to express so much- sadness, anger, depression, happiness, hatred, calmness, love- and of course he burned the candle at both ends in terms of the potential damage he did to his voice- the same way he lived his life. Rest in Peace. Great video Chris

[@JorgeFernandez-ww2np]

And John Lennon y Dylan?

[@plazima]

You forgot Chester Bennington 👀

[@copheart]

Nirvana, not even as a rule, just naturally didn't ever discuss their songs or the methods of playing or recording them. They tried to keep it as innocent and childlike (according to Grohl) as they possibly could, so things like this were never discussed. Kurt never said "At this part I'm going to scream and let it get unhinged towards the end as we go into the solo." He just did it. And it worked because you can feel the authenticity in his voice and in the band's songs. A huge reason why the music has connected with millions of people on a level larger than that of say a Puddle Of Mudd, or some other vapid huge selling band. You can't fake sincerity in music.

[@jeroenenmaarten]

Couldn't have said it better. I think the most important thing is that Kurt just did what felt right, and just have fun with it. I feel like you can't over-analyse and say he was the greatest singer of all time. It's more that you hear him having fun, the way you can relate to the music is what makes it so beautiful. Its just people having fun. Like so many other artist if you try to look for them your local scenes

[@danw9464]

Yes, this is why I always cringe a bit at reaction videos, however good they are.

[@bgangler877]

💯 said it perfectly brother👍👍

[@bobbyt4578]

That was awesome!! Thank you so much for this, Oh the Guilt was always one of my favourite rarities, just the passion behind it and how Kurt just unleashed his voice always amazed me.

[@zachariahhenzel3518]

This has to be one of my favorite videos of yours. What a treat to be able to eavesdrop on this conversation. Thank you!!

[@chrisliepe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garrickbisogno8809]

I personally believe that Cobain's chronic bronchitis and chain smoking added to the raw, amazing sound of his voice. Absolutely memorizing!

[@Stretesky]

A good vocalist, like Kurt, can control all the rasp and cracks in their voice. It doesn’t take lung or vocal damage for that.

[@sullyvanov]

Not true. Had nothing to do with that. He could scream like that as an early teenager.

[@garrickbisogno8809]

@@sullyvanov matter of opinion Sully. 🤗

[@madhatter8508]

@@garrickbisogno8809 It's not an opinion that he could scream like that as a teen before all the bronchitis and chain smoking.

[@garrickbisogno8809]

@@madhatter8508 It's my opinion dude. And Im done with this conversation.

[@Lol-ys7nh]

Really really cool, thanks for this opportunity, Chris!

[@chrisliepe]

You’re so welcome!

[@Snipersounds]

YES! YES!!!!! Loved this one! This is one of my top 3 favourite Nirvana songs. Thanks Chris!

[@han36solo]

Fascinating stuff Barrett! Thanks Chris!

[@DeAguaMusic]

Oh my god! That was awesome, and what a valuable opportunity also, congrats, Chris!

[@chrisliepe]

It IS amazing to have Barrett here and working through stuff with me!

[@OGGOAT23]

His voice and screaming stamina..edit: this is awesome..some underground nirvana stuff

[@chrisliepe]

YES YES YES

[@schweedies4597]

Thank you for these dissections of Kurt's voice. Its nice to know why I connect to and love his vocals so much

[@jamiegunn]

Very cool analysis from vocal to the recording itself with Barrett. I would say Kurt Cobain is a good example of someone who embraced the uniqueness of his own sound and music he created, and Nirvana as a band too.

[@millennialanimal]

In two days i get a video about Buckley and now one about Kurt with Barrett Jones no less, and one of my favourite songs! The value on your channel is off the charts, thanks Chris! So much.

[@chrisliepe]

You're very welcome! My pleasure and privilege to bring you such content! Thank you for your support and engagement so that I can keep doing it!

[@millennialanimal]

@@chrisliepe as long as you put out videos I’ll be watching!

[@donadz]

Great video Chris. Love all the nirvana content

[@buffaloluis]

This is a true gem. Thanks for this, Chris. It's amazing to hear Barret's experience on recording NIRVANA in the most rawest and purest form. Friggin magical.

[@chrisliepe]

Couldn't agree more!

[@kiaviaa]

i love kurt so much, the emotions in his songs really resonate with me. i’ll cherish his work forever.

[@annekedebruyn7797]

Still, with Steve Albini, one of the few mixes in the entire ''grunge'genre that came close to the excitement from the live performances. Barrett's fantastic.

[@DiMx618]

Kurt's voice was so unique and amazing. He had the ability to make that awesome and powerful screaming while he was matching it up perfectly with the rhythm of the song. His vocals were on a different level, I am always admiring what an amazing screamer he was. Thank you so much for this vid Chris! I love your videos, you are doing an fantastic job and they are so helpful!

[@Corina-dq2my]

A good singer is not just someone who can hit notes and vocal acrobatics. The artistry needs to be there. That's the difference between average vocalists and the great artist.

[@jdrobinson3468]

It's not about technique it's about expression

[@unfunnydave5485]

It is also about the technique so that your voice doesn’t get completely lost.

[@darrenbishop1614]

It's been noted kurt didn't have great technical knowledge of singing when recording sometimes could only get through one song before loosing his voice which he eventually did go to vocal coaching for that so yeah its expression it's just what he thought sounded good and felt good

[@coldloner7453]

But after a few sessions Kurt stop taking the vocal lessons right?

[@jdrobinson3468]

@@darrenbishop1614 "you the police?" - Blac Youngsta

[@jdrobinson3468]

@@unfunnydave5485 Beethoven would agree with me.

[@fenderfox5080]

Ok Chris, can you please jump into a song like School? Or Scentless Apprentice? I want your eyes and ears on School in particular, the whole vocal is so short and simple but so powerful. Everything that man did was with full heart and soul.

[@senvguild173]

That vocal slide is so good on school

[@universitydrivemusic]

PLEASE DO SCENTLESS APPRENTICE!

[@KurtCobainWasKilled]

Having Barrett’s perspective and input regarding that minimal session was really great thank you for doing this! Butch or Steve next?

[@chrisliepe]

Oh man that would be amazing to get one of them!

[@rodandress1004]

Dope vid as always.

[@tristanzimmermann6365]

Liepe, your channel is seriously awesome

[@chrisliepe]

Glad you think so!

[@michacieslak2346]

I'd love to hear something about Blixa Bargeld's scream. I think that's one of the most unique sounds ever made.

[@getit9066]

I love how Dave brings Kurt back down to earth with those three beats at the end of Oh The Guilt's 3rd verse. My fave part of the song.

[@s_r3go7]

God I wish he never passed.. my all time favorite.. RIP Kurt 🤘🖤

[@ChinacatSunflower0]

Very nice video. I do wish you had utilized the original mix (1993) of the single for this presentation though, as the one featured on With The Lights Out (2004) removes the lighter clicks as found throughout the start of the song, as well as the mastering/mix is heavily brick-walled, compared to the original mix (1993). Other than that, great and informative video. Always love hearing Barrett discuss his process and working with bands.

[@DZobe-nz7dl]

WTF?? Why did they remove the lighter clicks? He put them on there for a reason and since he's not around you'd think they would honor his initial idea. And don't get me started on brick walking it's the reason why I steer clear of remasters

[@caiopassos95]

Make this channel reach 1mi subscribers! unbelievable good content Chris thank you so much I'm a huge fan!

[@chrisliepe]

It's been an amazing journey so far with lots of amazing interactions! All of you included! Here's to many more years of celebrating the voice!

[@benhawthorne123]

He's my favorite artist of all time. We need this skill and raw talent to inspire us to be musical at all. I will always believe in the power of music and performing to truly send a message from yourself to the world

[@Wozniak_15]

He was a chosen one...he isn't a human may be. Too great. Whatever he did was just great. Miss ya Kurt.

[@sisiejzksjjsjdudjs]

perfecf song choice, really like your videos

[@floexperiencetube]

Some gold content here. Thank you!.

[@crackedspyglass]

make no mistake, when it came to the music Kurt knew exactly what he was doing.

[@davidproject8274]

Exactly

[@leftiequixote]

Great video! I own an EP from the project Harlingtox AD which features Barrett Jones, Dave Grohl and Bruce from 9353. It's honestly one of my favorite things ever recorded.

[@BarrettJonesProducer]

So cool you have this ep! It’s one of my favorites as well!

[@leftiequixote]

@@BarrettJonesProducer I wish you guys had continued this project. I loved Bruce's vocals on this so much I became a fan of 9353 afterwards and eventually became friends with him over time thanks to the early days of the internet.

[@Huppyhuppyhuppy]

Many times I am listening to a transition in a song, and I think a Kurt scream would sound great here, it is a great way to blend from a part of a song to another

[@bellatyler7376]

So fun!! Love this!☺

[@beesechurger1460]

Awesome video Chris! I’d love to see you do a voice break down of Phoenix’s Thomas Mars. The Austin City Limits performance of “Rome” is incredible!

[@49short]

Oh the Guilt was one of Nirvana’s best songs. Such a shame it never ended up on an official release until the box set. It would’ve been awesome to have live versions of it.

[@miss-emvy]

The box set is a re-release. It was first released in February of 1993 as a split single with The Jesus Lizard's Puss.

[@chadtehan8864]

The original mix is my favorite. The box set is too loud and bass heavy, it’s Andy Kasper’s fault. I have both.

[@charlesleroyer7319]

There's 3 live versions on KZbin ;) This one has différent lyrics but the sound is the best ! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmTKc3iOmaiqn5Y

[@airworks9233]

WOW WOW WOW what a content Chris !!!!!! THANK U!!

[@chrisliepe]

You’re so welcome! It was quite the privilege!

[@robbieskokowski9786]

Very cool I loved your guest he was actually there when this all happened. Very cool

[@chrisliepe]

Yes!!! Quite the privilege to be able to sit down with him!

[@slorr55]

And hopefully we can hear some early foo fighters recordings with barett discussing daves early vocals?!

[@chrisliepe]

Oh that’d be amazing!

[@sarahsbalcony]

Love this , so helpful thanks chris !! Bullet with Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins might be a great one to do ! So many different and unique tones in Billy’s voice and some great screams.

[@solarnewborn]

Found it so funny how he leans back a bit when Chris does the loud stuff hahah Great stuff ❤️

[@chrisliepe]

I thought so too when editing this. Didn’t even notice during filming haha

[@Brahd79]

One of my favourite Nirvana songs

[@mateuszborowiak9191]

I love the smirk/break when he says "she borrows time she has to...". It's so his.

[@dylanjwebmusic]

5:37 that literally sounded exactly like a Chris Liepe exercise lol. "Ok today we're just going to take the word 'go' and play around with leaning into it, and dont be afraid to crack"

[@chrisliepe]

Hehe. Yes!!

[@anarchic_ramblings]

Kurt always said, "I'm not gonna crack".

[@reapd2576]

I love Oh The Guilt! It's nice knowing that this was the man who produced those recordings with Nirvana

[@chucktouchton398]

Oh The Guilt is by far my favorite Nirvana song.

[@chadtehan8864]

It sounds as close to live as you get in the studio. Their best session

[@Simpliband]

great analysis! :)

[@Aniki82]

OH MY GOD are you for realllll Chris!!! the producer from Oh the Guilt?!! ahah That's AMAZING !!!! :) :) :) THank you so much for us true nirvana fans, this one is such a classic :) :) :) :) :)

[@chrisliepe]

Right!?!?!? I’m still beside myself that this got to happen. Sooooo amazing

[@rexx9496]

When I hear music these days, everything is so slick and hyper-produced. Vocals are either auto tuned or robotically perfect. Then I hear Kurt and everything sounds so raw, authentic and emotional. I really miss what we had in the 90s. That type of passion, authenticity and rawness is just not there anymore in the musical landscape. Just listen to the screaming on Scentless Apprentice, it still almost brings a tear to my eye, the pain and emotion behind it. Kurt Cobain was as real as it got.

[@artvandutch6826]

Kurt reflected " the pain" of life in his voice..it was his way of expressing his pain..like Picasso painted Guernica...it's pain...fisical..mental pain...plus an incredible artistic talent..in several forms of art...painting...writing....his voice was his brushes..his mind the canvas...he painted like that too

[@mickeyleemusic]

Can we get the vocal chain? Mic-eq- compressor? Amazing content thanks Chris! PS. Please go through the other songs with Barrett.

[@kipponi]

Tarzan yells but with distortion ha ha! Kurt did great yodeling too.

[@orielcollins414]

I was just reading something his uncle had written about going fishing together with their grandfather. They were there to fish … and, well, Kurt wasn’t. 😹 He just wanted to hang out with them and goof around. He went upriver out of site and soon they heard this awful racket break the silence: bellowing, hooting, caterwauling, so he ran up to see if he was in danger and Kurt was like … what? Im toughening up my voice chords working on my screaming. I think he was still a teenager.

[@kinarlaimaura9307]

this is such an interesting story! where do you read it if i may ask

[@orielcollins414]

@@kinarlaimaura9307 I actually found it in the archives. Something Amirault? Let me see if I can find it. It’s short. It may let me copy. I thought it was so cute.

[@orielcollins414]

@@kinarlaimaura9307 GOING FISHING As Told by Larry Smith This little slice of time in Kurt's life is an elaboration of the memory I had when my grandfather took Kurt and myself on one of his steelhead fishing trips to the Wynochee River. I first related this at the memorial at the Seattle Center. I would like to be so bold as to add to what I remember here. I had related at the memorial that Kurt had been howling and screaming and generally making a lot of noise. Gramps had told me to go upstream to find Kurt because he must have hooked into a big fish . . . and of course . . . he didn't even have his line in the water! He was just kicking back against a good-sized rock in the sunshine, practicing his screaming so, as he put it, "I can strengthen my vocal chords" . . . Well, I need to relate that, driving up the road to the Wynochee fishing spot, Kurt was really just "talking up" about how he was going to really try to catch one of those big lunkers. I mean, he was nearly bragging about how he just knew he could cast his line probably even better than Gramps. Of course, he knew damn well that Gramps had been fishing for the difficult-to-catch steelheads for probably 40-plus years. He was just smiling and "getting Gramps's goat" with his comments . . . We went down the Anderson Creek road, which is gravel, and dead-ends about 100 yards from the river. From there, you have to walk through fairly thick brush to the gravel bar. Gramps got out of the truck on his side, and Kurt and I got out on the passenger side. Gramps told Kurt to "close the truck door solid, so it would close all the way." Of course, this was a cue for Kurt to overdo it . . . he gave me that wild-eyed grin, took both hands, and just "cranked" on that door! Gramps jumped about a mile! Kurt just cracked up, and was bent over laughing at this stupid little trick! I mean, I didn't think it was so funny, but Kurt sure thought HE was funny! Gramps told Kurt and I to hold our fishing poles backward, with the tip behind us, so we could get through the brush easier, explaining that if you hold it forward, it is hard to twist and turn through the heavy stuff. Gramps led the way, I was behind him, and Kurt was behind me. No sooner had we gone about 50 feet, and Kurt was somewhere behind us, squaking and bitching. Gramps looked at me and said something like: "Chrissakes, what's he got screwed up now?" We went back there, and Kurt was just tugging like a maniac on his fishing pole, which was caught in the weeds and the braches. Gramps said something like, "Well, I thought you were going to be the BEST fisherman here today, Kurt. You know, you have to make it to the river before you can even think about catching anything!" Of course, now Kurt is a little pissed. He just looked away while Gramps cut away the absolute birds-nest of entangled nylon that Kurt had created with his impatient tugging and pulling . . . We got to the river, and Gramps pointed out to us to sort of start at the top end of the "hole" where the rapids hit the deep water, and work our way down the hole with repeated casts, so as to "sweep" the whole area where a fish might lie. But, NO, NOT KURT! He said that he was going to search upstream to the next "hole" and do it on his own. Gramps just grinned, shook his head, and said for Kurt to just go ahead and do his own thing. So, the last picture I had in my head was Kurt, stumbling up the gravel bar, fishing pole jerking around spasmodically every time he half-slipped on rocks, heading for that "big fish" . . . I am not sure, but I think that Kurt never did get his lure in the water that day. Whenever I saw him, he was just screwing off, looking at log jams, skipping rocks, and turning boulders over to look at the various creatures. I do remember thinking, "What a weirdo - came to do some fishing, bragged about his fishing ability ahead of time, then goes off to do something completely different!"

[@kinarlaimaura9307]

@@orielcollins414 great! Thats very generous of you

[@orielcollins414]

@@kinarlaimaura9307 A lot of the old sites are gone unfortunately. There are so many things that used to be available but aren’t. A few were published in Aberdeen paper. Says: Larry Smith was Cobain's uncle, and knew Kurt during his teenage years, from about 1979 to 1984. Smith was in his mid-30s and lived in and near Montesano, Washington, a town fairly close to Cobain's birthplace, Aberdeen. Smith was gracious enough to post these anecdotes about Kurt in "Heart-Shaped Mailbox," a Website dedicated to his fans. I loved this one. OLD MAN REEVES Larry Smith Here is a little glimpse of a happy side of Kurt. A measure of the kind of man he was, even when he was about 15 years old. Old Man Reeves was this kind of eccentric guy who lived on Sylvia Street in Montesano. He was a loner and kids used to really give him a bad time, and do cruel things to him. He would come out on his porch and shake his fist as his tormentors and scream profanities. We (myself included, when I was younger) just loved it. Sometimes kids would throw rocks and break his windows or pull up his flowers (myself not included, thank goodness). He was known to a couple of generations of kids as a real weird and mean guy, even though in actuality he was not. The tormenting went on through quite a few years, and a new group of kids would take over for the old. Kurt, however, changed the tradition. When he was running around with Matt Lukin (I think now of Mudhoney??), Kurt saw the usual group of guys giving Old Man Reeves a hassle. He literally screamed at these guys to leave Old Man Reeves alone. He was so emotional about it (as only Kurt could be) that he stopped these kids in their tracks. They just dropped their jaws as Kurt walked up to Mr. Reeves, put his arm around him, and led him into the house. From that point on, Kurt had tea with Old Man Reeves quite often. A simple story, but it shows Kurt's sense of humility, compassion and individuality. . . Although I was in my 30s at the time, I can tell you that he was an unbelievable kid. Absolute compassion. I miss him.

[@eltonbassoli]

yeaaahh! finally something about this incredible song! one of my favorites

[@emmanuelleibniz7654]

it's funny how Barrett Jones smiles when you imitate Kurt Cobain's voice... lol

[@wesleycav1]

Bring Barrett more!

[@chrisliepe]

There will be MUCH MORE Join the waiting list link in the video description!

[@AlexFlannagan]

I really enjoyed this video. Great look into Kurt’s vocals. I’d like to see more of these where guests come in to help provide analysis and share their insights. One thing, I felt like it interrupted the flow to a degree around 5:05 and 8:05 when shifting from addressing the human in the room to talking to the fans / camera. I might be reading into it but Barrett suddenly looks a little awkward / self-conscious. The genuine conversational interaction is where the gold is & breaking the 4th wall disturbed the immersion, at least for me. I hope that’s useful feedback if Chris reads it. Keep doing what you’re doing, your videos are great 🤘Thank you

[@chrisliepe]

That IS very useful feedback. It’s a balance I’m still learning to feel out with these interview/jointly filmed videos. When to position the viewer as part of the conversation and when to do as you said and embrace the dynamic of just the people in the room. Thanks for observing and commenting!

[@BarrettJonesProducer]

Also I can be just a bit awkward and self conscious in general 😂

[@AlexFlannagan]

@@chrisliepe ❤️🤘

[@mitchman4949]

Please do an analysis on BERT MCCRACKEN!!! Love your content man

[@slorr55]

I actually had never heard Oh The Guilt but im surprised how he did the whole song without losing his voice, i bet later that must have hurt but crazy crazy vocals

[@rithvikO_o]

OH MYYYY THIS IS SO COOL!

[@soyburglar1878]

It amazes me that he’d sing like this night after night, show after show. His vocal chords must’ve been bleeding at times.

[@markdubois3614]

Cobain was incredible at connections with the crowd unique and special. And unfortunately it will never happen again that way thanks Kurt. Loved this analysis and interesting info thank you.

[@HarelAtias]

CHILL wtf am i watching chris you need 1M subs rn this is gold! THANK YOU seriously

[@chrisliepe]

I agree... I need 1 million subs for sure :) Thanks for being one of them and for watching and enjoying!

[@LoRdJack]

Great vid. Have you ever listen to Will Haven songs (1995 to 2001), i think is another good screaming style...Try to listen "Both Ways" or "I've seen my fate"...it's great to hear and certainly great to emulate. Love Kurt too...😉

[@HarelAtias]

this is the content my life needs

[@sbusbus3734]

his scream in tourettes on heyyyyyyyy omggg especially the end of the scream

[@crissvalentine1264]

Thank you ❤️📍

[@johnnylydon3724]

you should do a video on how to sing like Wesley Schultz from the lumineers, he has a very high and almost fluid flowing voice

[@ivanindahau4783]

Absolutely loved this, Nirvana is my favourite band, Thanks Chris!

[@chrisliepe]

You’re welcome!

[@MacKay1812]

Cool video. It's a beautiful song.

[@ectoplasma5]

Wow, i loved this !

[@chrisliepe]

I’m glad Jerry! Thanks for watching!

[@anthonysclafani3963]

yessss more nirvana vids

[@ghostriderinthesky6685]

6:04 Barrett’s done

[@chrisliepe]

Haha. The screaming I did caught him off guard a little :)

[@aar5233]

Yeah I LOL’d at that. Doubled checked to make sure it actually happened.

[@void0094]

Nirvana covered Return of the rat by the Wipers with Barrett. I really like Greg Sage's singing on the Wipers' songs.

[@sciexp]

Thanks for sharing this... Unique... And b sides of Nirvana were amazing too... And Kurt said there were no ideas for a new album... What a troubled mind can say and do... I'm sorry for that... They had a lot of material to make a new Incesticide kind of record... That's life...

[@Jackh3r]

this is amazing