Nirvana In Bloom solo

WinterSun · 25th June 2009

Hi Butch!

I'm curious about the guitar solo Kurt did in "In Bloom," mostly because Kurt is not really known for his solos, but this one is pretty wicked. I'm wondering if Kurt had every note planned out, or if it was improvised, or just a comp of a bunch of different takes?

Either way it's very unorthodox, yet works so perfectly well in the song (which was Kurt's charm in his music).

Thanks for any info!

Steve

audiogeek · 25th June 2009

yes, and any specific processing going on here? sounds like a slight phasing, or maybe just a close mic/room mic combo?

this solo might be my favorite moment on the whole album. the sound of it just... burns. whenever it comes on in the car i have to turn it up to 11... love it!

staticwhitesound · 25th June 2009

This was always one of my favorite solos as well. As bizarre and unorthodox as it is, Kurt seemed to play it fairly close just about all the time.

The original Smart Studios recording had pretty much the same solo:
YouTube - Nirvana - In Bloom (Smart Studios Demo)

And I know live he always had it pretty approximately the same.
Butch, do you have any memories about this? Did he have it completely figured out by the time you went to record that first version at Smart? Did you double track it on 'Nevermind'?

And... I know you get this in every thread, and I was trying not to gush the same sentiment, but I have to. This album changed my life, so thanks for that

-Pat

ButchVig · 25th June 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinterSun

Hi Butch!

I'm curious about the guitar solo Kurt did in "In Bloom," mostly because Kurt is not really known for his solos, but this one is pretty wicked. I'm wondering if Kurt had every note planned out, or if it was improvised, or just a comp of a bunch of different takes?

Either way it's very unorthodox, yet works so perfectly well in the song (which was Kurt's charm in his music).

Thanks for any info!

Steve

I don't think it was planned out, but Kurt hated "solos"...either he would play something noisy, or something melodic, usually based on the vocal melody.

kevynosborn · 26th June 2009

WinterSun, I love that solo. I'm slow to use the word genius about many people, but Kurt came up with beautiful parts that I'd never expect to hear.

In fact, Butch, that solo sounds really Siamese Dream to me. Certainly you have a gift for pulling performances out of musicians and tones out of equipment.

25th June 2009	#1
WinterSun Gear nut Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Alton, IL / St. Louis Posts: 137 Thread Starter	Nirvana In Bloom solo Hi Butch! I'm curious about the guitar solo Kurt did in "In Bloom," mostly because Kurt is not really known for his solos, but this one is pretty wicked. I'm wondering if Kurt had every note planned out, or if it was improvised, or just a comp of a bunch of different takes? Either way it's very unorthodox, yet works so perfectly well in the song (which was Kurt's charm in his music). Thanks for any info! Steve __________________ Winter Sun Recording Steve Cox Owner/Engineer

25th June 2009	#3
staticwhitesound Gear addict Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 450	This was always one of my favorite solos as well. As bizarre and unorthodox as it is, Kurt seemed to play it fairly close just about all the time. The original Smart Studios recording had pretty much the same solo: YouTube - Nirvana - In Bloom (Smart Studios Demo) And I know live he always had it pretty approximately the same. Butch, do you have any memories about this? Did he have it completely figured out by the time you went to record that first version at Smart? Did you double track it on 'Nevermind'? And... I know you get this in every thread, and I was trying not to gush the same sentiment, but I have to. This album changed my life, so thanks for that -Pat __________________ The Silence Kit : Indie rock / Post punk band

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26th June 2009	#5
kevynosborn Gear Head Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 61	WinterSun, I love that solo. I'm slow to use the word genius about many people, but Kurt came up with beautiful parts that I'd never expect to hear. In fact, Butch, that solo sounds really Siamese Dream to me. Certainly you have a gift for pulling performances out of musicians and tones out of equipment.