| Sound: |    10 |
| Setlist: | 5 |
| Enthusiasm: | 2 |
| Banter: | 9 |
| History: | 2 |
OVERALL: |
   56% |
02/22/94 - Palaghiaccio, Roma, IT
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| Sound: | 10 |
| Setlist: | 5 |
| Enthusiasm: | 2 |
| Banter: | 9 |
| History: | 2 |
OVERALL: |
56% |
The Rome show is probably one of the most common bootlegs of the band in existence and is for many people the first chance they get to hear an In Utero show. This show is the one that is usually found on traders' lists if they only have a single Nirvana show. The reason being is rather simple, the band had allowed Italian radio to broadcast the whole concert live, a veritable gift to bootleggers. It is therefore somewhat ironic to relate Melora Creager's memories of the bands somewhat unenthusiastic reaction when they saw bootleggers outside the venue as they arrived.
"When the bus pulled into the venue, they were all really mad about the bootleggers and freaked out, which was against their normal nice-guy ways. They were saying things like 'that's fucked up, that's our money.' They did seem concerned with money. I don't know if they were trying to impress me or if they were just kidding around, but they were joking about how many millions each had. One was like, 'I have one million, you have 2 million' or 'I have 1 million you have 1.5 million.' I think it really bothered Krist and Dave, but it was also totally obvious that Kurt was the guy, but that doesn't make anyone feel good either."
The first thing I noticed about the show is the weakness in Kurt's voice, which sounds extremely bad as though he had severe laryngitis and can barely sing let alone scream the songs. Hearing it you expect that any minute it will give way completely but amazingly it does manage to last the performance and to actually improve as the concert goes on.
The musical accompaniment is also lacking with only Dave's powerhouse drumming and Melora Craeger's soothing Cello rising above the general musical malaise. In truth it seems to be a performance of a band merely going through the motions. The video reveals a band that barely moves during the course of the performance with even Krist scarcely moving about apart from occasional half-hearted pogoing. Kurt appears to be so rooted to the spot that you could be forgiven for thinking that he was cemented there, he doesn't even move during the solo's which is very rare even for In Utero shows.
The show though does have its good points though mainly the many flippant comments the band makes throughout the set, of which a portion of highlights transcribed from the show can be found as an addendum to this review.
At the end of the show Kurt and Pat leave the stage immediately after Heart Shaped Box while Krist and Dave stay and jam on one of Nirvana's more interesting and melodic jams that features some aggressive drumming by Dave. After the jam Krist leaves but Dave stays for a rare drum solo that showcases his powerful drumming.
The Verdict
This show is not one of Nirvana's best. While most of the songs are at least competently performed only Polly stands out, if nothing else due to the mediocrity that surrounds it. It isn't all bad however, this show has a number of memorable quotes, mainly from Krist that enliven the show and make it memorable. The most important of these is recorded below. The show is worth having for the dialogue if nothing else, it is just a shame that one of the worst performances of the tour is the one which, the Nirvana community has in the best quality.
Memorable Quotes:
Krist: "Jimmy cracked corn and I don't care"
Krist: things sure are crazy backstage I drank 6 Coca Colas backstage. Everyone else
is drinking Cappachinos and chasing them with Pepsi.
Krist: I think I see a guy with a cassette-a-phone out there. We know that people who
bootleg shows or sell bootleg T-shirts are all a bunch of paedophiles they support murder in
the third world and torture children. That's a reason not to support bootleggers.
Krist: We are Nirvana. We are from Tokyo. We are from closer to Tokyo than you are...
save me!
Krist: So all my comments tonight are out of a book How To Be Witty At Parties
Dave: Thank you I am a rock star!
Review written by Matt Seward 2002