On October 26, Music Compound’s Album Ensemble – comprising members and instructors at the local music school – presented two performances of Nirvana’s legendary acoustic album, “MTV Unplugged in New York.” As with previous efforts, there was a fundraising component: these concerts benefited Operation Warrior Resolution. A check totaling $1,000 is being presented to the nonprofit.
“MTV Unplugged in New York” is the first live album by the American rock band Nirvana, released by DGC Records on November 1, 1994, nearly seven months following the suicide of lead vocalist/songwriter Kurt Cobain. It was part of the cable television series MTV Unplugged and features a mostly acoustic performance. It was recorded at Sony Music Studios in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, on November 18, 1993 and aired on MTV on December 16, 1993. Songs featured during the performance included “Come As You Are,” “About a Girl,” “On A Plain,” “Pennyroyal Tea,” “All Apologies” and more.
“MTV Unplugged” debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and was certified 8x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2020. It won the Best Alternative Music Performance at the 1996 Grammy Awards, Nirvana’s only Grammy Award. The album is widely considered to be one of the best live performances of all time.
Previous Music Compound Album Ensemble concerts have featured Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours,” and The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Each concert has included a fundraising component to benefit select area nonprofit organizations. A total of $3,642 has been raised to-date to benefit the following organizations: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of Sarasota and Manatee Counties, SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center), Meals on Wheels of Sarasota, and Operation Warrior Resolution.
“This program provides an intensive collaborative experience – between players of all ages and skill levels – and enables the participants to really get inside some of the best music ever made. It aligns so perfectly with our commitment to fostering collaboration and providing intergenerational opportunities for our students,” said Music Compound president Jenny Townsend. “To be able to present musical showcases at such a high level while raising funds for important causes makes the whole experience even more meaningful for all involved.”
Music Compound instructors Taylor Galford and Iain Harris conceived and lead the Album Ensemble effort.
Operation Warrior Resolution is a Sarasota-based, veteran-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide innovative, holistic treatments for mental health to veterans and their family members; alleviating PTSD, anxiety and other mental health-related issues. Visit operationwarriorresolution.org for more information.
To learn more about Music Compound’s programs for all ages and skill levels, visit musiccompound.com.
