Elizabeth Fraser - Wonderful Woman No. 144

Elizabeth Fraser - Born 1963
British Singer and Songwriter

Added to the album by Sandy, A Wonderful Woman

Elizabeth is one of Britain's finest singers, and not a week goes by without me sticking one or the other Cocteau Twins album on... I have many memories of lying on my bed as a teenager and Liz could always soothe my troubles. And now, still, when I feel low, she can put a smile on my face. A voice of an angel...
Sandy

So many times since I began writing this blog has it been evident that other women are able to soothe us, to transport us to another place, to make us feel that someone else out there feels what we feel, hurts the way we hurt, loves the way we love, there is a woman out there with lyrics and a voice that prove somebody truly understands. Catharsis is a wonderful thing.

In 1981, aged just 17, Elizabeth Fraser became one of the founding members of the band Cocteau Twins. During the 1980s, the band were among the leading recording artists on the alternative music scene. Elizabeth sang lead vocals in soprano style, often using undecipherable lyrics, her own language, words that had to be felt rather than linguistically understood. The band released nine albums between 1982 and 1996, with a great deal of critical acclaim and praise.

Cocteau Twins disbanded in 1998. Though Elizabeth has never released a solo album she has created numerous solo tracks and contributed to film soundtracks. Moreover, she has worked collaboratively with a plethora of artists, such as Peter Gabriel, The Future Sound of London and Massive Attack. She still contiues to do live performances, for instance, at this year's Meltdown Festival.

Like many of our Wonderful Women, Elizbeth has had her share of the hard times, a nervous breakdown, addiction, lost love... she came through them though and her talent never suffered for the moments of woe.

For many, Elizabeth's voice and the music of Cocteau Twins defines the alternative, post-punk sound and feeling in the 1980s, they have been influential to countless other artists such as Prince, Annie Lennox and My Bloody Valentine (to name only a few). And decades later, the voice is still haunting, enchanting and filled with emotion.

Perhaps the word that most springs to mind when I think of Elizabeth is enigmatic... and wonderful, of course.

I made my declaration.
Elizabeth Fraser