In the 80's we referred to Elizabeth Fraser ( Cocteau Twins) and Lisa Gerrard ( Dead Can Dance) as the voices of aliens been sent to earth to communicate with us on a higher level. This song, however, was done in behalf of a formation called 'This Mortal Coil' and was set up by Ivo Watts...founder of the record label 4AD. You might be interested to listen to the 3 records this formation made, because they are jam-packed with all kinds of very high talented musicians. " It'll end in tears ", "Filigree and Shadow "and " Blood " These records contain covers from well known recording artists all over the world and you feel the respect TMC has for the original songs...it just gives you goose-bumps. Thank you for this wonderful video.
I still remember hearing this for the first time on the radio. My reaction was much the same. I stopped working and just listened in awe. It's still my favourite song of all time.
she has great musical intelligence, talent and passion for music, that makes a great artist whoerever instrument He or she plays...but yes, vocals are the most personal musical instrument of it all.
"Song to the Siren" was originally a Tim Buckley song, and it's interesting that a decade after this, Liz Fraser ended up working with - and in a relationship with - his son Jeff Buckley.
@@gabe.absolute If you had just heard that voice then see the town where it was nurtured you would be stunned. Like myself she comes from the town of Grangemouth in Scotland a town built on the petrochemical industry with an oil refinery in centre of it.That voice of hers is from another world.
Your reaction did this song justice. I can't think or a more moving, haunting and luscious song. Thankyou for this reaction. I bet you've listened to it a bunch of times since 🙂
This song was the inspiration for the Twin Peaks soundtrack. David Lynch wanted to use for Blue Velvet, but they didn't have the budget. He tasked Angelo Badalamenti to create similar music, Angelo recruited Julee Cruise and they recorded Mysteries of Love. The three of them then worked together on the Twin Peaks soundtrack. Lynch had more budget for Lost Highway, so he finally was able to use the original.
Remember the first ever song I heard, when I was 16 - Pink Orange Red, when it came out (I'm 51) I was like: "What the HELL was that?" I was hooked. No one throughout my life has ever heard of them.
Not sure i’ve seen anyone react to this song, it deserves recognition for sure. Saw the Cocteau Twins live at the Albert Hall and her voice was incredible. Keep up the good work 😎👍
@ Gabe 4You --> Now after more than 30 years ago this artist lit up my soul, even now I am amazed to see people like you being touched by this heavenly voice. Now you also know what I was allowed to feel back then.
It's such a pleasure for me to see a first time reaction from a dude prepared to listen to 'unknown territory' music. I heard this song nearly 40 years ago and had the same reaction. All 3 of This Mortal Coil albums have cover versions of obscure and beautiful songs. I believe this was the first 12" single. Judging by your reaction, which I loved BTW, you may want to listen to 'My Father,' also by TMC. The original of 'Song to the Siren' was by Tim Buckley. His son, Jeff Buckley, produced (IMHO) the best album ever... 'Grace.' I suggest you listen to his classic 'Last Goodbye' single as well. Take care.
I met Liz once after a CT show in the early '90s when I was on mescaline. Which made the experience even more surreal. She's a very talented and lovely woman. She couldn't have been nicer to me. Cheers, Liz!
OK... you need to just start reacting to Cocteau Twins please. She’s the singer for them. Song to the Siren is beautiful but IMO it’s nothing compared to her work with CT. You haven’t heard anything yet. Start with: Ivo, Lorelei, Iceblink Luck, Spanglemaker, Pandora. Song to the Siren is a cover. Important note: in regards to her lyrics with CT... don’t look them up cuz they’re wrong and don’t attempt to decipher what she’s saying. She’s known for listeners not understanding what she’s singing due to the majority of her lyrics are not necessarily cohesive. She prefers to use lyrics based on fluidity and simply by the way they sound. So just LISTEN and enjoy her voice and the overall sound... 😀 (And for what it’s worth she’s up there with Sinead in terms of vocal prowess IMO.)
The is from a project put together by the boss of the 4AD record label Ivo Watts-Russell, called This Mortal Coil. He pulled together musicans from various bands on the roster (Cocteau Twins, Pixies, Dead Can Dance, Cindytalk, Modern English), and they released 3 LPs and a few single. This track is just Elizabeth Fraser & Robin Guthrie from Cocteau Twins, and is without doubt the single greatest recording ever made (but I may be biased!).
It's interesting to hear Liz use her lower register. Usually, she uses her high register or she harmonizes with herself using both low and high. I highly suggest listening to songs by Cocteau Twins like "Alice", "Flock of Souls" or "Carolyn's Fingers" to fully be aware of what an amazing instrument she has. And yes, she was labeled as "The voice of God" in the 80s, the label most of her admirers agree with, but she dislikes.
She can sound like so many things. So glad you like her voice. She’s my favorite. Please consider “Another Day” by This Mortal Coil , also with her vocals. Totally different register like a flute, but such an impression-making song,
@@gabe.absolute Liz Fraser actually had a relationship with Jeff Buckley. Sadly he died. Check this song out. He also had an awesome voice. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XjO4IenAyUw.html
Glorious singer, one of the best we ever had. Summehread and Carolyn's Fingers are some of her best, but she is just a beautiful force of nature. React to more of her Cocteaus stuff , viz Summerhead etc if you can.
@@Astrofrank tis good...what do you think of her first appearance backing Jesus and Marry Chain? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7EgB__YratE.html
I think that vocal technique at the end of certain lines is influenced by Bulgarian choral singing. 4AD, the label that released this song and the Cocteau Twins also reissued an album by the Bulgarian State Radio & Television Choir. Check out the similarities ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SD83L4kI3qY.html
You should reallyt listen to her version of Another Day (this mortal coil) by Roy Harper, it is also a masterpiece and one of the most beautiful, haunting and emotionally charged songs i’ve ever heard, her voice really shines on that one, she sounds like an angel, well…she does every time but you know what i mean. You be the judge ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ChyBuKMDwIk.html
Great reaction to a great cover song. In the same album (This Mortal Coil "It'll end in tears") Elizabeth Fraser did another fantastic cover of a Roy Harper song: "Another Day" in which her voice is even more impressive (higher range a bit like Kate Bush). There's no video for it, but if you listen to it, I'm sure you'll love it as much as "Song to the Siren": ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JcNOaxrOYN0.html But Kate Bush (you already reacted to) also covered "Another Day" in a duet with Peter Gabriel and there was a video for it: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Bvt5YnocRp8.html I think it could be nice to react to both versions, they're equally amazing (allthough I tend to prefer Elizabeth's version). Beautiful lyrics. Keep on reacting to those great voices (Kate, Liz, Sinead). They're gifts from heaven.
GABE. Absolute.. do yourself a favour and review the the three following songs. 1. Cocteau twins when mama was moth 2. Cocteau twins Omminmak 3. Cocteau twins How to bring a blush to the snow. And buckle up. The first is from the eighties.. imagine.
Liz is a genius vocalist. I dont think she's a good live performer...I've seen her live a couple of times. She's a brilliant studio artist. Boundless creativity. Cocteau Twins is the band. Suggestions > Blue Bell Knoll, Cherry Coloured Funk, Pandora
