Nearly Lost You

“IT was our big moment,” says Mark Lanegan, “but in the scope of things, our big moment was really just a speck of dust.”

As philosophical as the former Screaming Trees singer may be about the period today, 1992 saw the group riding a wave stirred up by Nirvana’s success, all the way from Washington State’s windiest town to New York’s fanciest hotels and studios to record their excellent Sweet Oblivion album. “It was this weird moment in music biz where a scruffy rock band from Ellensburg could move from an indie punk label to a major label,” says producer Don Fleming.

The album’s lead single, “Nearly Lost You”, even became a surprise hit after it featured on the soundtrack to Cameron Crowe’s Singles. “There was no expectation at the label, though,” says bassist Van Conner. “‘What do we do with this band, two big fat guys and this redheaded guy who sings really loud?’ We looked like lumberjacks.”

“Fuck yeah, it stood out!” says engineer John Agnello, recalling the album sessions. “I knew that was the hit. I remember being blown away at how great the performances were on the whole album. I knew this would be one of the best records I’d ever be involved with.”

Yet the band took four years to follow up Sweet Oblivion, by which time momentum was lost and the world’s focus had moved on from the Pacific Northwest. “Nearly Lost You” –