god it is just absolutely insane how calmly and effortlessly she delivers one of the greatest vocal performances ever

@gordonmathers4413

3 жыл бұрын

she also co-wrote and sang teardrop with massive attack - a true talent

@brandonbentley5453

Жыл бұрын

Shes not human

@damagejacked

11 ай бұрын

Yep.

@joeltunnah

11 ай бұрын

No exaggeration.

@ACTUALLYRICH

4 ай бұрын

Her vocal control is unbelievable. With that little Celtic flair

me: damn i love cocteau twins cocteau twins: AhmAAAAHHn grrrAaaahhHvr

@Orellanamafer11

3 жыл бұрын

facts

@zackzallie8735

3 жыл бұрын

she's speaking the language of gods.

@pecanpiee

3 жыл бұрын

when Liz sang "AhmAAAAHHn grrrAaaahhHvr" i really felt that

@leae3750

2 жыл бұрын

Edgy af pfp

@burningskiesofelysium7778

2 жыл бұрын

@@leae3750 thank u

I love how she does the squeak in her voice during the verse even in live performances

@chrisdavie8163

4 жыл бұрын

She did a lot more squeaking in 1994, I can tell you!

@jonathanleblanc2140

4 жыл бұрын

That vocal overtopping is my favorite part of her performances, c.f. Pink Orange Red (The Tube version), Love’s Easy Tears, Hitherto (live version) etc.

@scottanderson9711

4 жыл бұрын

when i heard that squeak live for the first time, i nearly lost my mind

@lisafolmar5321

4 жыл бұрын

And the purrr

@spinglasshydra

4 жыл бұрын

Contrary to what people say is a, "squeak" in Liz's voice is actually a vocal method called, "breaking" which is very difficult to do and control. Most oftentimes you'll hear it in old American Country music. However, only Liz does it so well in many of her songs, that it became her hallmark of perfection.

Massively underrated band. Liz Fraser's voice is hypnotic.

@codedlAnguage

Жыл бұрын

Respect your elders. 💝

i met her once, in 85 or 86 on a London underground tube train. I had seen them the night before outside London and i just happened to be in London heading to Liverpool street. I looked up and there she was sitting opposite me on the tube. She looked just like she does in this vid. I was in a state of shock. I got off at her stop just to speak to her for a moment. She was so other-worldly and beautiful to me and it was as much as i could do to approach her. I told her i was at the gig the previous night and she pulled a face, because that gig was a nightmare for the band and they even spoke about it years later in the music press. She was crying on stage because she couldn't hear herself singing, the sound was so bad. I told her 'Don't worry about it, it was a shit venue.' Nobody played in that place. They certainly never went there again.

@lardosian

3 жыл бұрын

Great story!!

@lj7169

2 жыл бұрын

Back when famous music acts could get on the tube 😂 Also, nothing worse than a bad sound guy doing your levels at a gig. I feel for her now even if this happened 30 years ago!

@ggghhjd

2 жыл бұрын

@@lj7169 That gig was Chelmsford, a small shitty hall that rarely did gigs. I think Half-man half-biscuit were the only other band i remember playing there, and that was shit too

@andy2950

2 жыл бұрын

If that was the Chelmsford Chancellor Hall gig, I was at that gig. We saw Liz, pre-show, leave the venue, with couple of guys and walk down the road, into a Boots chemist. She can back, a few minutes later, hold a little bag. I looked straight into her eyes, but was unable to speak, it was a religious experience. We exchanged shy smiles - magical. Later, in the venue, I was told by Simon, too move away from the lighting/mixing desk . I saw his hand written set list, the song Loves Easy Tears, was written down, as Loves ZZ Tears. 💘 In total I was blessed to see the Cocteau Twins play live 7 times.

@ggghhjd

2 жыл бұрын

@@andy2950 yes that was the gig. You must have seen her crying on stage and the band actually stopped playing and i think they left the stage for a while. I know they talked about that show in interviews later almost as something that bothered them a lot. I was at the front to her right and i felt for her because it was like she had nowhere to hide and the problem with the sound wasn't being dealt with. My work friends hung around and met the band after the show but i had already gone home. According to them, the band got pissed to forget the gig, or the men did, as I think they mostly talked to Robin and Simon. It was the next day i met her on the underground. The look on her face when i told her i had been at the show the night before was almost unbearable, as if i was the last person she wanted to meet to remind her of what had happened. So clearly it did bother her probably more than the others. I also saw the band at sadler's wells in London in 84 before that other gig, which was a much better show.

Mesmerizing. That bass line...

@mufandduff

3 жыл бұрын

was even better when Will Heggie was the bass player

@gmar7836

3 жыл бұрын

Yes

@randylee716

Жыл бұрын

Like simom Gallup bass

@memphiskash

3 ай бұрын

​@@mufandduff one of the biggest reasons why Garlands slaps so hard is cuz of Heggie that man wrote so many bass hooks

I saw them live in the mid 80s, a Brazilian living in Japan at the time. It was a virtually empty theatre in Tokyo, so it was like listening to them in my living room. This is how I remember them. Including the tape recorder at the side.

@aaronvigil9910

6 ай бұрын

Wow that's so cool!!!! Thanks for sharing :)

You kids today are lucky to have this at your fingertips for free. In my day, we had to walk 15 miles in the snow, barefoot, blindfolded just to buy one or two tapes. Then we'd listen to those tapes 300 times, even if they sucked.

@one4320

4 жыл бұрын

300! You were lucky! Mine chewed em up after 30!

@jeffferoce2633

4 жыл бұрын

@@one4320 Oh we used dreammmm of 30 replays. In my day, we were lucky if we got 3 replays before our dad would smash the tape-player over our heads and cry, "halelujah". - paraphrasing the The Yorkshire Men

@johngreenhorn8853

4 жыл бұрын

Liar,it was 20 miles.

@discosecret6363

4 жыл бұрын

Joe Additionally, I first heard the Cocteau Twins when I was 17 and it took me until the age of 49 to see this footage!

@forumknight

4 жыл бұрын

Or press record when it was played on John Peel

Beautiful song and 35 years later I still can't understand a single word! The best things in life stay the same.

@oehlda2000

Жыл бұрын

That makes the music better. Less thinking. :)

There’s just something about this song that’s both incredibly beautiful & haunting at the same time.

Christmas Day 2020: the day I learned of the Cocteu Twins.

@saman9592

3 жыл бұрын

A good Christmas then

@alancroke2543

3 жыл бұрын

WOW!

@tmlafrance

3 жыл бұрын

better late than never. welcome to the fandom

@daveparry6642

3 жыл бұрын

Wow do you have some wonderful songs in store for you. I discovered them when i was 15, back in 1985. Been a fan ever since, never stopped listening to them and never will. Enjoy the journey you have ahead.

@capgage1

3 жыл бұрын

@@daveparry6642 Really I think, it's too good. I also discovered them around the same time, 1986 at 17. It was so good, now nothing compares. And the times it reminds me of. Never will be again. Got to get over this!

My father turned me on to the cocteau twins when I got out of the army in the early 90's, he was online talking to people in Europe about music they were listening to and this band was one of them, I have been listening to them ever since, thanks Dad.

She has to be the greatest singer of that time.

@TheSpikehere

Жыл бұрын

Not quite. That accolade goes to Billie Holiday. Which might be why Cocteau Twins did a version of "Strange Fruit" for Peel.

@h4r4

Жыл бұрын

@@TheSpikehere so Billie was still singing in the 80s? Read man

I'm sorry, but there's The Cocteau Twins, and there's everything else. They are THAT unique.

@bartholomewmiller

3 жыл бұрын

You're spitting facts Big Dan

@thedudeabides4829

3 жыл бұрын

You can definitely hear New Order (specifically Peter Hook) and The Cure as influences for the boys on instruments but I’m convinced, Liz Fraser, is celestial. Liz is what sets them apart from every other band I’ve ever heard and makes them so unique. Before someone tries to say I’m wrong about the influences The Cure goes back to 1978 and obviously Peter Hook’s bass playing in Joy Division was similar to his bass playing in New Order.

@DanHunterSportsWriter

3 жыл бұрын

@@thedudeabides4829 I think you are spot on. Liz Frazer's ethereal nonsense warbling is as essential to their sound as Jonsi is to Sigur Ros.

@Watcher4111

3 жыл бұрын

@@thedudeabides4829 sorry but the cure isnt in same league as cocteau twins. The cure after masterpiece that was Pornography, started to record lesser pop. Smith should disband after Pornography and name New band something else. Cocteau twins never released crappy record, maybe Four calendar Cafe was a Little worse but they never record Such a bad music like the cure after Pornography.

@dinospumoni5611

2 жыл бұрын

I adore cocteau twins but if you think they're the most unique artist of all-time you're unaware of ungodly HEAPTONS of music

So dreamy and haunting.

Still one of my favourite bands after 36 years....

I can’t really understand a bloody word she’s saying, but this probably my favourite vocal performance I’ve ever seen. Incredible.

@Dreadtower

Жыл бұрын

She is known for developing a ‘wordless’ musical language. Here it is half and half. Later in her career she abandoned ordinary language entirely.

@rexx9496

11 ай бұрын

That's the charm, you only hear the melody and texture of the voice devoid from lyrical meaning. Conceptually I think this is an awesome technique.

@dsrtsnw

6 ай бұрын

its gibberish! :)

@nektekket852

6 ай бұрын

@jokuko all is yellow to the jaundiced eye...

@danbur17

5 ай бұрын

@@dsrtsnwit’s the best gibberish I’ve ever heard

We are so lucky to live in a time that lets us listen to a band like this

@ozeri

3 жыл бұрын

TRUE.

@bobdobalina838

7 ай бұрын

No, you are not lucky. My generation was lucky that we could see them live and there were a hundred other bands almost as good. Now popular music is completely dead killed by technology and social media

Hearing this as the last song of Halston was an emotional out of body experience for me. I love this song, to hear it in a show that already had touched my heart.

@MulletRecords

3 жыл бұрын

• I'm with you there ... goosebump moment

This had to be amongst the finest of all Cocteau twin's songs ever.

@DrunkenPostie

4 жыл бұрын

Iceblink Luck.

@93455Driver

4 жыл бұрын

Spangle Maker

@TommyRibs

4 жыл бұрын

Heaven or Las Vegas is my favorite.

@lukechandra6233

4 жыл бұрын

Lay your hands on me, Doctor Doctor, King for a day, Hold me now. So many to choose from

@theone456

4 жыл бұрын

Pur

I bought this on 12inch when I was 18..Ive still got it 32 years later...beautiful!

One of the most beautiful voices ever

I don't think this band have done a bad song...ever

@gabrielfinlay4396

7 жыл бұрын

I can confirm - they never did. Pure, utter, absolute, undiluted magic.

@basehead617

6 жыл бұрын

A few things on Four Calendar Cafe aren't great, but yeah mostly.

@user-gf3wn1ne9n

6 жыл бұрын

Every band has bad songs; they are no exception.

@kennethtoddhoback2424

6 жыл бұрын

SunSky you are very correct!

@charliez077

5 жыл бұрын

@@basehead617 I don't even think any song on FCC sucks tbh - on repeat I found out even a track like My Truth has something to it :) maybe some b sides like Frosty the Snowman

This is the house band up in heaven. No words in the lexicon to describe how unique, priceless and important The Cocteaus were.

Unreal how good this band was. So grateful I was able to see them twice.

@martinpercival63

5 жыл бұрын

I was a lucky person.....16 times in 1984 alone....

@marionchatelin2809

5 жыл бұрын

@@martinpercival63 "lucky" isn't enough to describe how lucky you are.... I wish I could see them. This band is unique

@nope5445

4 жыл бұрын

They rarely played America... saw them once '92 I think it was

@imaginationunreal

4 жыл бұрын

Saw them around 92/93 in Atlanta -- Mesmerizing.

@Telssa1

4 жыл бұрын

@@marionchatelin2809 I'm not a concert goer, but I made the effort for them, and saw them twice, thank heaven, in February and May of 1994. Could they reproduce that sound live? Yes they could; so put on a record, close your eyes, and you just might be there.

Why does my heart ache when I listen to songs from my past?? It literally hurts like I just got dumped by my true love..When I was 11yrs old, the 1st two cassettes I bought were Cocteau Twins & The Cure. Fortunately it was the start of my favorite music to this day. Music is very emotional for me, I had a hard time not stopping the video.🖤🦇🕸🕷

@fabiovargasadv

4 жыл бұрын

Christa Pryor i feel the same! Love From Brasil

@soundpilatesandyoga8531

3 жыл бұрын

Feel the same.

@bubthezombie1985

2 жыл бұрын

Probably because they remind you of youth. There is something very special about coming of age; the learning, the heartbreak, the discovering who you are, what music you like. You were still young and full of potential. And as we age, we discover less new and great things, start seeing how the world truly is, your potential gets stifled by adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it. In hindsight, nothing is ever as good as youth, just the feeling of still having your whole life and whole world ahead of you. Music just takes us back to that place. A place we can't get back to. That's my opinion anyways. It is how I feel. Hope all is well.

@cdog9559

2 жыл бұрын

Nostalgia is a powerful drug especialy these days

@bravesirrobin1793

Жыл бұрын

Every time I listen to music from the 70's and 80's I feel like that, sometimes I tear up it's so heartbreaking, I miss those decades so much.

Damnnn, I want music like this again!!!!

@mskcrc

6 жыл бұрын

You're aware that dream pop is huge and there are tons of new artists doing similar stuff, even if it's not as good Liz.

@deniseshaharkrivosh

6 жыл бұрын

That's my problem, none of the newer performers in the genre have made me cry the way Liz has

@abangemirzaihanabangzulkip9502

5 жыл бұрын

Listen to any bands under the Ethereal Wave genre, there are number of modern bands which influence by CT, this include Drab Majesty, Autumn's Grey Solace, Faith Disease etc. there lots of CT influence band that are still active today.🤘🏼🤘🏼

@keithremedy

4 жыл бұрын

emir 97 none of them are as good though with the exception of a few

@mskcrc

4 жыл бұрын

@WilshirecityBlues Beach House is about as good as we get today

This brings me to tears and I HAVE to share it with my adult children so that they can understand what I was listening to when I made them beautiful beings with their Momma's!!

There is no precedent for this band and especially the transcendent alien siren song of Elizabeth. I would melt for that voice in perpetuity. Cocteau rule.

I love the fact that she’s called “Liz Fraser”. Just the ordinariness of that name. It makes her sound like a staff nurse from a Glasgow acute receiving ward. Don’t know why but I just like that.

@TheGadge67

4 жыл бұрын

Having attended my fair share of parties at the "Sou Gen" and "Gartnavel" during the 80's and in a transcendental state, I can confirm that this is quite true

@waz3128

4 жыл бұрын

I also find her look is quite ordinary, which makes it all the more mesmerising when you hear that voice

@gavinreid5387

3 жыл бұрын

Liz Fraser was also the name of a comedy actress who appeared in Carry On films.

@nodiggity9472

3 жыл бұрын

Her real name is Tourmaline Froo-froo Zappathrusta.

@lindawinchcole9962

3 жыл бұрын

Diddnae change her look or name, went to school with Lizzy all those years ago in Grangemouth

This is the only song I've heard whose recorded and the live versions sound almost identical to the point that you can't differentiate between the two at a glance. Other songs just sound so different in the on-stage versions. Also, her voice is absolutely incredible!

@juanlopera929

4 жыл бұрын

I totally agree. This is one of the few instances where she sounds almost the same!

@emma-cb6wh

3 жыл бұрын

imo the live version is even better

This is the song that introduced me to this amazing band. When I first heard it I was in a state of bliss. A pathway to heaven you might say.

So glad we had music like this to listen to back in the day.

I have heard millions of bands in my time, but this is one of those you recognize after first measure, profile of the sound, amazing vocals, particular ambiance whether its from early days or 1997, that's CT for you. Jewel of a music concept I will always cherish.

It doesn't matter when or where I see her sing ....I fall in love every single time

Cuantos corazones, inspirados para amar, voces inspiradas a cantar, espíritus inspirados a elevarse. Gracias a la música de Cocteau Twins. Y gracias a quienes comparten la pasión por ella.

At 33yo at the time, this band was the first time I bought something nobody I knew had even heard of, just because I liked it. My peers were still Rocking, younger friends were more Punk & New Wave. Still have 3 LPs, and no, they are not scratchy! I never worried about the indecipherable "lyrics", I just loved the rich sonic landscapes. Just searched & found this great vid when I realised it had never even occurred to me that they might have done live appearances. I had always imagined such stuff was purely done in the studio.

@bravo2038

5 жыл бұрын

flamencoprof aint she beautiful,a gift from god for all of us to enjoy

One of the best songs of those times. My childhood hopes, fears, pretentious ideas and self doubts all wrapped up in 3 mellifluous minutes. A sonic wall of beautifully rendered pubescent angst.

elizabeth is a literal angel

@todessehnsucht

3 жыл бұрын

YES

@nektekket852

3 жыл бұрын

Given that "angel" means " messenger " absolutely.

@mattwarrensocal

3 жыл бұрын

@@nektekket852 Debbie downer

I don’t really understand what she’s saying but this shit is beautiful

@keithremedy

4 жыл бұрын

Tu Madre she sang in a made up language for a few albums it’s reminds me of Pakistani

@marcosusmelj8631

4 жыл бұрын

I think that Liz's voice is difficult to understand even by a native English speaker, her splendid way of singing is not immediately intuitive. But not for this, I would not always listen to it

@pavement422

4 жыл бұрын

Keith Remedy Thought she sang in Esperanto?

@dmartinjohnson

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed!

@keithremedy

4 жыл бұрын

MusicalElitist1 did I fucking say it was Pakistani

Taught Liam Gallagher everything he knows about how to stand in front of a microphone

@spartan876

3 жыл бұрын

Damn you’re right!

@cheziJi

3 жыл бұрын

lol

@soysaucehairdye7869

3 жыл бұрын

Funniest comment of the year

@GregoryPaulDavis

3 жыл бұрын

.....yes..bloody funny.. true...

@jakobglocke7764

3 жыл бұрын

@@GregoryPaulDavisnot funny learn english ya wank

Every song, new to me in 2019, a revelation. Best, most pleasing and innovative band to emerge since the 60s: Beatles, Stones and Byrds... And then along comes Liz...all i can add is a humble 'thank you '. The post 'cultural revolution' era. can and has been redeemed by this music. Sorry that overall America has lost sight of its soul; its ability to feel;. mesmerized by our compulsive, consumptive.corporate defined 'self'. .. we missed the best band of a generation. Cheers from Minnesota, Jon

Thank you very much Liz, Robin & Simon. Your art is my salvation.

This killed me way back then and still kills me now. What a beautiful unworldly talent Liz was - but the music is hypnotically beautiful here too. And this is live. Jesus.

Love the way that bass player scrapes that bass line around, on par with anything Peter Hook ever played

Uff that vocal performance hits me so hard. It’s that perfect and well performed

I still get goosebumps listening to this - how many years later from when I saw this on the BBC? Cocteau Twns at the peak of their powers (1984-1986). There will never be an era like the 1980s.

True 80's classic. Caught them live on this tour, only bettered by Heaven or....

@FoggyCottageDweller

8 жыл бұрын

+Andy Baul-Lewis I'm so jealous!

The hiccup in her voice at :48 still amazes me to this day. It never was about actual lyrics to me in their music. It's the places the music took me. Music that touches the depths of your soul.

This was my favorite band growing up and I give them so much love and credit for getting through those years. No one can ever ever trump Liz Fraser,

I'm so happy to see that they are more popular now than they ever were in their heyday.

Genius. They never did a bad track. This mortal coil. Sound of the siren. Wow. What a band. 4AD were great at putting out unusual music. Love this band. Dave Fielding and Ooshka.xx

The Cocteau twins are amazing and Liz is a musical Goddess with a voice of an extremely powerful angel, none like her!

Brooding and abstract... you can tell that Johnny Marr incorporated this sound into the next year's Meat is Murder, particularly "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore."

@rock_and-or_roll

3 жыл бұрын

I hear a lot of 90's shoegaze in The Headmaster Ritual.

Absolutely stunning. Her voice is like no other and I am obsessed. Thanks for sharing.

One of the bands that changed my music perception forever fundamentally. Love them to the core.

Amazingly haunting music. Loved them forever.

Criminally underrated, undiscovered and unknown by too many. Their sound and style were unique.

More a vocalist than a singer in any particular language, pure beauty.

My dad introduced me to this when i was 12....31 years ago...took me to a live show at 15 in manchester...still love the music now as does he at 63.

I'm from Philippines where people are not that open minded to other genre of music specially during the 90's. Some of my friends heard me listening to Cocteau twins and they said its like music for lunatics. i Guess being lunatic is a good way because i can feel the soul of this music.

@KoLjAx

17 күн бұрын

Talaga ba?

That sent shivers up my spine! The most Artistic band ever! Thanks for upload SOFTLADI !!

I knew the name in the 80s and 90s but never got their music - until now when I am 50yo! I have pretty much uploaded all their LPs on iTunes.

She sounds like heaven in this performance!

I don’t know how I got here, but I feel like I’m back in the 80’s... and I think I like it! 😎😁

Every time this comes up in my recommended, it is an obligated view.

I saw these in around 88 oh my God no one ever had they're sound and they were magicall no sound like them and her voice was wonderful! Oh how I miss bands of this originality which aliss no longer exists

I’d forgotten how much I have loved this band and all the wonderful times I’ve spent with their music in my head.

Never enough credit is given to Robin Guthrie's distinctive guitar style. It was very much of it time but remains as fresh as ever and provided the perfect counterbalance for Liz's voice.

this sounds great live, just magnificent

As has been said already but the most underrated British female artist of all time.

i recently discovered this band, i get chills everytime i listen to their songs. this is one of my picks, i love it very much

@hsnnsr7067

2 жыл бұрын

Who came from Halston netflix movie

Her vocals are friggin flawless...

Oh, how I love The Cocteau Twins forever and ever!

Genius, one of my favorite bands.. So underrated 🙏🏻

Thanks for uploading and sharing. This group of people had a very special chemistry. A gift to us all.

💚😢miss my brother xx

Saw them at The Royal Festival Hall in 84. Amazing live!

@NickHarman

3 жыл бұрын

I was there, as I recall the tape machine was being very awkward that night

Bloody hell, I absolutly adored these as a kid.Elizabeth Fraser sings like an angel, wonderful. Thanks for posting mate.

Just amazing... I'll never grow tired of the Cocteau Twins, Iv'e been listening to Victoria Land solid since it was first released in 1986, now 2021!

i get chills everytime i watch their live performances

Had this on 12" Vinyl. Classic.

Love, love , love. Transports me back to my mid teens.

Watching this on the TV in 1983 changed my life xx

Superb, this will never date.

christ this is magnificent.

God must,ve breathed directly into her lungs,and out came that incredible voice,love you liz

This is MY FAVORITE BAND EVER!! Discovered them in ‘82!!

beautiful!

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. It's her own song and i'm still surprised that she knows when to come in.

Elizabeth is an Angel. A defiant voice of beauty.

Thanks Cocteau for bringing beautiful music to the world. One of the greatest ever!

It's like the light entering my soul.

When she sings the line “Taciturn and pillow”,the way she delivers the pillow lyric sounds like the mating call of some exotic bird. In all seriousness,her voice is so otherworldly it sounds like it comes from a different reality,and she delivers it so effortlessly it seems almost surreal.A proper Liz Fraser solo career would have been immense.

First heard The Cocteau Twins in 1982, on ShortWave Radio via John Peel's BBC World Service Show. Hooked instantly. Was interesting to see their popularity gradually grow and grow.

Takes me back to some great years of my life had this album and more from them and played some great awesome music on weekends after working all week ....

Wow. How come i have never seen this before despite being a fan from the start. Superb quality. Thanks for posting.

@jeffferoce2633

4 жыл бұрын

You think that's bad? I was a fan for years, thinking that there were two female singers all that time. LoL!

This is honestly better than the studio version.

Oh wow. So glad you did. ❤️

It reminds me of the good old days.