Video: Ryan Adams Offers Up Alice in Chains Cover

Rob Slater on October 8, 2014

As Ryan Adams’ tour rolled into Seattle on Monday night, the guitarist pandered to the home crowd by reviving a cover of Alice in Chains’ “Nutshell.” The Jar of Flies standout was originally covered by Adams on his 2011 “Acoustic Nightmare” tour, his first live performances after disbanding the Cardinals and retiring from music in 2009. The tune was released on a tour-only 7″ along with a collaboration with his wife, Mandy Moore, on a song entitled “Empty Room.”

This was the first time, however, that Adams took a stab at the tune with his new backing band The Shining and they did a particularly fine job recreating the broody, sorrow-soaked vibe created by Staley and Cantrell. Watch the replay below.

And for those of you who haven’t heard the original version performed on Unplugged, you’re welcome.