Man in the Box - Alice in Chains - ABC Concert Remastered

Описание: Alice in Chains - Man in the Box (Live at The Academy, NYC 1991)

Witness one of the most powerful televised performances of the grunge era. Recorded on September 20, 1991, for ABC’s "In Concert" series, this set captures Alice in Chains at a massive turning point. Just weeks before this show, Nirvana’s Nevermind was released, and the "Seattle Sound" was about to take over the world.

The Concert Facts: September 20, 1991
The Venue: The Academy (later known as Palladium) was an intimate but legendary concert hall in New York City. The small, crowded stage helped emphasize the band’s raw, claustrophobic energy.

ABC’s "In Concert": This show was professionally filmed for ABC’s late-night music program. Because it was produced for TV, the audio and video quality are significantly higher than the bootlegs typically found from this era.

A Diverse Lineup: This wasn't a standard rock show. Alice in Chains performed alongside hip-hop legends LL Cool J and 3rd Bass, as well as the alternative/funk band Fishbone. The heavy, sludgy sound of "Man in the Box" provided a sharp, intense contrast to the other acts on the bill.

Layne’s Vocal Peak: Fans often point to this 1991 performance as proof of Layne Staley’s incredible power. His ability to hold the iconic "Feeeeed my eyes" note while maintaining a tensed, gritty tone was at its absolute height during this tour.

Song Facts and Lyric Meaning
The Meaning of the "Box": Layne Staley wrote the lyrics after a dinner with record label executives where he learned about the practice of raising veal calves in small wooden crates. He used the "doomed calf" as a metaphor for how the government and media control the public—keeping people "in a box" by feeding them specific information.

"Jesus Christ, Deny Your Maker": Despite the religious imagery, the song is primarily about censorship and the loss of individual thought. The "sewn-shut eyes" represent the public's refusal (or inability) to see the truth of the world around them.

The Signature Talkbox: This performance highlights Jerry Cantrell’s use of the talkbox. While most people associated the effect with 1970s rock (like Peter Frampton), Jerry used it to create a "groaning" vocal-like texture that matched Layne’s voice perfectly.

Grammy Recognition: Shortly after this performance, "Man in the Box" was nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. Though they didn't win, the song became the blueprint for the "grunge-metal" sound that dominated the early 90s.

Lineup:
Layne Staley: Vocals

Jerry Cantrell: Guitar / Vocals

Mike Starr: Bass

Sean Kinney: Drums