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Kurt Cobain: The Last Session
In August 1993, when Nirvana was in New York to perform at the legendary Roseland Ballroom, Jesse Frohman photographed them for the London Observer’s Sunday magazine — the last formal photo shoot in which Cobain participated before he committed suicide on April 5th, 1994.
Over the course of ninety photographs, Cobain seems an almost feral creature, by turns gentle, playful, defiant, suffering, or absorbed in his music. There’s a diverse range of shots of Cobain with fellow band members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl and on his own, posing, performing, and greeting fans. Jon Savage’s original interview, which appeared with Frohman’s photographs in the Observer is also reproduced, giving us Cobain in his own words. The book is a touching tribute to Cobain twenty years after his tragic demise, and following Nirvana’s recent induction in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Over the course of ninety photographs, Cobain seems an almost feral creature, by turns gentle, playful, defiant, suffering, or absorbed in his music. There’s a diverse range of shots of Cobain with fellow band members Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl and on his own, posing, performing, and greeting fans. Jon Savage’s original interview, which appeared with Frohman’s photographs in the Observer is also reproduced, giving us Cobain in his own words. The book is a touching tribute to Cobain twenty years after his tragic demise, and following Nirvana’s recent induction in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 10, 2018
I picked up this book by chance. I only know one song by Nirvana (thanks MTV) but the the cover looked interesting so yeah. I’m glad I read this book. The commentary is by the author and photographer of this shoot. The information isn’t groundbreaking but definitely worth reading. The photos are great but repetivive at times but they had to work with what they got. Check it out let me know what you think https://youtu.be/H-0qW8Im8aA
November 17, 2017
Nearly 150 pages of photographs of Kurt Cobain hiding behind the same pair of sunglasses in three different settings. As a special bonus, the photographer includes two images of Cobain without the sunglasses on!
The interview at the back has a few interesting tidbits, but the book as a whole seems less necessary than, say, a book of the collected interviews.
One-and-a-half stars.
The interview at the back has a few interesting tidbits, but the book as a whole seems less necessary than, say, a book of the collected interviews.
One-and-a-half stars.
October 15, 2019
Intimate look at Nirvana not to be missed great pictures very personal
June 30, 2015
My intrigue with Nirvana came after Kurt Cobain had passed. These are the last photos and a rare interview with the English punk/rock writer Jon Savage. Being a Folk-Americana artist I always had the wishful desire to be a rocker and reading this interview gave me an insight to Kurt's artistry and the angst which haunts so many musician, artist types. I especially enjoyed reading about his process which was mostly poetry/prose that were on his earlier albums and then the more personal lyrics that were written for his last album "In Utero". No doubt he had some large devils hanging around him but I loved reading about the sensitive soul he was and how troubled he was by the press who wrote such far fetched damaging articles about Kurt and his wife Courtney, even going so far as digging in their garbage. He deserved better and I wonder where he would be now if we lived in a country where artists were more supported despite their flaws and faults.
December 4, 2014
I love this book. It gives us awesome photo shoot pictures in both film style and full page shots. I personally enjoyed the Black and White ones. There is also some reading about Kurt and Nirvana as well as an interview but the bulk of the book is photos. I can't believe it has been twenty years already. It feels like not too long ago I was wanting to go to the show rather than to work. This book is a great tribute to him!
March 23, 2015
Taken as a study of photojournalism and portrait photography, using Cobain and Nirvana as the study subjects, this is an excellent book. It is fascinating to see the contact sheets of a cooperative work between photographer and subjects.
As a study of Cobain and Nirvana's final few months, you won't learn much new here.
Set your expectations accordingly, and you'll read a fantastic photo book.
As a study of Cobain and Nirvana's final few months, you won't learn much new here.
Set your expectations accordingly, and you'll read a fantastic photo book.
January 12, 2015
Although the photos were new, I didn't learn anything new about Cobain the man.
April 9, 2016
Amazing pictures of my idol
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews