I've a fair number of singles/EPs/LPs by Cocteau Twins and Everything But The Girl in the collection. Yes, I've bought much of the stuff for the music, but I've also been attracted to both bands by the talents of their vocalists, Elizabeth Fraser and Tracey Thorn.
However.....I reckon my favourite songs that they have ever sung on are by Massive Attack.
mp3 : Massive Attack - Protection
mp3 : Massive Attack - Teardrop
Protection can be found on the LP of the same name, and was also released as a single in January 1995, climbing to #14 in the charts. It's a song that I find moving and uplifting in equal measures, and it was a touch of genius to ask Tracey to take the vocal as her voice is that great mix of strength and fragility that holds together a truly amazing piece of music.
Teardrop is on the LP Mezzanine, and it was released as a single in April 1998, reaching #10, and in the process becoming the biggest hit for Massive Attack, and indeed for any record that featured Elizabeth. A stunning five and a bit minutes of beauty.....it slides along perfectly, and just as you think the vocal has finished and you're into the fade out with the music she comes back at you with a final cry of 'it's tumbling down.....' and then the gorgeous instrumentation begins again.
Oh and of course both songs came with videos that were truly groundbreaking....
(Originally posted 4 July 2009)
3 comments:
I bought two copies of the 12" version of Protection. The extended mix, I don't remember it's name, has a fantastic intro consisting of thunder, rain and Tracey's vocal. I've spent hours of my life mixing these two copies together. Wonderful.
I still think my favourite Liz Fraser vocal remains her 'Song To the Siren' with Robin as part of This Mortal Coil...
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