Cocteau Twins - Bluebeard (Live)

[@k8fan]

I put it up because it's rare. Nobody else had it, I did, therefore I uploaded it. It's something for big fans.

[@patrickcostello4146]

It's 2021, still love it!

[@Scanlan71]

Thanks so much

[@mompvti2408]

@@patrickcostello4146 it's 2022 and I love it!!!

[@neshiah4747]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🇬🇧

[@SW-wf3gy]

Thank you for this! Amazing

[@madsketcher]

This performance is a sign of her maturity... if you notice her earlier performances, she usually just sings the song the way it is on the records. In her later years, she became more fearless on stage - resulting in the kinds of deconstructions/improvisations you see here. I can understand why it's jarring for some ears - but I like what she's doing. You're seeing who she is!

[@eboethrasher]

No, untrue.

[@SrTucanKamon]

Nobody, nobody, nobody. Absolutely no one sang like her! Ever!

[@orlandovision]

Still makes me cry from pure joy. Love this performance and this song is one of my all time favorites. Let go of yourself and FEEL people!

[@melybarragan9124]

I agree :)

[@pmlsantos]

The initial guitars are so awesome makes me wanna cry too. So perfect this song live. Those guitars...

[@loveadumb]

this version is my favorite. she's so in her moment. it's beautiful to watch an artist just lose themselves.

[@NathanZadworny]

Those of you who are saying that Liz blew it with this performance may not have seen them live later in their career. I saw them twice for HOLV and FCC tours and both times Liz used the recorded material as a springboard for amazing improvisations. I love that it's nothing like the recording, especially for this particular performance. :)

[@jg769]

I saw them on this tour and her vocals were disappointing. She went full Yoko Ono. The rest of the band sounded great though.

[@eboethrasher]

She didn't sing like this on the HOLV tour, there is recorded video of it. And for Milk and Kisses, she was back to her normal singing style. This tour was the only one where she did this vocalization style.

[@rasecphd]

@@jg769 People sometimes over intellectualize art, and try to fool others and even fool themselves. Like the Nathan posting above. Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade...she clearly is warbling here...let's be honest, it's not pleasant to the ear. She's being self-indulgent. To those calling this beautiful or falling back on the you are not as 'high-brow' to see the nuance of her singing argument. You forget one thing, if the whole album had all her singing like this throughout you would thrown it out the window and would have never bought or listen to another track from her. We all know she can do better than this...go listen to her live performance of teardrop from massive attack.

[@Buggy.MealwormsTV]

The best live TV performance by them I've ever seen. I know she's happy about this one. The sound mixing was stellar.

[@musetteanddrums1970]

I absolutely LOVE it when she sings exactly what she feels at that moment, not constrained to what the word is SUPPOSED to sound like; man, free yourself from the "lyrics" and FEEL it, really FEEL it, cuz that's what makes liz truly one-of-a-kind, like no other past, present, or future. She has a gift like no other; I am ALWAYS in awe!

[@pygmalion5361]

jesus christ what she is doing with her voice is so incredibly beautiful

[@GlamifiedGoddess]

this is very important

[@JBAikensMusic]

Thank you for seeing this I understand

[@kathryng7815]

It is.

[@orlandovision]

I always come back to this one. My all time favorite performance of my all time favorite CT song.

[@nickmarinatos3512]

American debut - and they get introduced as one of the most influential bands of the decade, and Liz decides to scat through all the lyrics. Disrespectful to the band, and any new listeners were just like "huh?". I love the band, but I wouldn't if this was the first time I'd heard them. RRRRR-A NAP BEEP BAP BOOP!!

[@masivepractice9800]

Such a powerful performance. Bluebeard gave her the chance to let all her anger and frustration out, and watching and listening to her vent in this live performance, just gives me chills.

[@CriticaImpura]

This performance by Elizabeth Fraser is truly incredible. Look at the moment of her gazing at the end of the song, in which she realizes that there's still a reality around her...wow.

[@Mudget]

i don't think she made any mistakes. during that period of time, that's how liz was singing. in fact, rumor has it that it really pissed her husband (also in the band) off. her lyrics are always hard to understand. there are websites devoted to deciphering them. but during this phase of the cocs, she was really off in outer space. personally, i love it. one of the most unique voices ever.

[@chazmann108]

I saw this when it aired and remember thinking, WTF? But I was oddly compelled and later bought the CD (when that was still how we acquired music). While clearly not mainstream, it took guts to go on Letterman and perform this unusual and puzzling vocal. I still like watching it today in 2023, still cutting edge.

[@jesseemullen]

Liz's singing here reminds me of a guitar solo. It's like she's having a duel with Robin. Which, given their personal lives at the time, she kind of was.

[@TheGlippe]

This is my favorite vesion of this song. The videos dont do her justice. In this video you can see just how insane her vocal techniques are. Aside from some reverb, it really is just her.

[@dbtrain1665]

Absolutely brilliant - and the previous comment is so right - this is such an important recording - and it's the 'Thank you' at the end that really gets me! She knew exactly what she was doing. x

[@22Phantasm]

I like this. History in the making, and her vocals tell any story Liz, and only Liz, wants.

[@stevebuschemi2205]

So unique they way she controls her vocal chords, mesmerising!

[@jeffkazaka8721]

Incredible performance, thank you for posting. The band was on point, wow all that sound! Liz voice is amazing, it’s an incredible work of art each time.

[@pitchforkcustom]

she is a rare talent.. utterly spellbound by it..

[@ytcarol]

So glad this clip is still here. I have been so impressed at Liz's vocal creativity that I Iook at this performance as her improvising on the spot somewhat and also the nervousness of being on that show. She does look pretty humble and seems to gratefully respond to the J's hug. She can do no wrong in my book. Just saw Robin perform live in D.C. last month - he delivered this amazing wall of beauteous sound that washed over my soul and cured me of any regret at being human.

[@hw343434]

Much more interesting than the Studio Version imo. You either get it or you don't. She's an artist, not a commercial sellout for US television. Cocteau Twins are EPIC!!!

[@klocke5247]

I see. Now your burden is to prove your opinions are not personal preferences but instead fact.

[@hw343434]

@@klocke5247 true, just opinion nothing factual about it

[@klocke5247]

@@hw343434 Thank you

[@opwave79]

I remember watching this on tv BUT I DIDN'T HAVE A VHS TAPE READY TO RECORD IT. Gaaahh! This is why KZbin exists :)

[@jamesobrien1440]

God bless. I love them so much. Much more than words

[@tropenator]

The rumor is that Liz was mad at Robin & she made this performance less "accessible" on purpose. If she'd played it closer to the recording, they would have been mega stars.

[@bettycoffey671]

Nah.. she said the whole song was releasing her anger or anger song including in the studio

[@bettycoffey671]

And this song did make it on the US charts

[@bettycoffey671]

+Betty Coffey She stayed true to herself expressing anger. . not going fake, it takes a true woman to express yourself and Elizabeth did it

[@bettycoffey671]

+Betty Coffey surely most men will brush it off ignoring truth...

[@EagleOne76]

+tropenator I actually liked her different representation of the song, but I was wondering the whole time why the heck she would do such a thing the first time on American TV.

[@caramason56]

Hauntingly beautiful voice and song 😊❤️🎶🎼

[@tropenator]

The performance that prohibited them from becomming famous. I love her.

[@tita4ewa]

She is genius. Seeing it live now that I'm older I have a completely new appreciation for their music especially the vocal style. Superb.

[@lauraderig5056]

I saw them in Seattle Wa paramount theater in 1991.And couldn't wait for the next tour....which sadly never happened.IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE !Liz Frazier's VOICE ALONE?Ughhhh..it was MESMERIZING!!

[@eboethrasher]

They played at DV8 in 1996. There is video of it on KZbin.

[@madsketcher]

i was going to post the same thing basically but you did it for me yesterday. this is just how she was singing at the time. also, this was around the time when she finally started getting over self-esteem issues. like it or not, she's pretty comfortable here. her vocal control here is great! i wouldn't be surprised that this was pissing Robin off! he's a sour grape, although i love him anyway.

[@ytcarol]

I saw this days ago, then lost it. It was really hard to search without mentioning the name of the large-jawed host - but finally success! Thanks again for keeping these rare clips around

[@karlmalone4958]

y’all this brought a tear to my eye, and a smile.

[@fractaljack]

Totally transfixing... What a superb live band and great camera work so we can see how Liz creates the sounds she does. I'm kicking myself for missing their live performances - #$%!!

[@jcasper2011]

Love it Anytime I can see Liz Fraser sing live it's a great day..

[@Queenella-ooo]

this is one of my favourite favourite live performances

[@drewhufsey2744]

Rolling Stone didnt put her or Jeff Buckley on their list of Top 100 Singers of All Time. They are interchangeably #1 and #2 in my opinion. Control, creativity, range, improvisational skill, and everything else about their over all musicality is of a different class.

[@valiumland]

It wasn't Elizabeth with the drug problem, it was Robin. Emotionally draining for her as well, no doubt, but Robin had been clean for some time by early 1994. The real story about this vocal performance is that in addition to her near breakdown during the Four Calendar Cafe world tour, she had also recently hooked up with Jeff Buckley. She was greatly influenced around that time by his technique of wildly improvising live vocals. As you can hear, the audience's reaction was mixed, at best.

[@MirandaRights008]

Saw them in 94 and it takes a hell of a lot to impress me THAT much. Granted she was making up words. DIDN'T MATTER SHE AND THE ENTIRE BAND WHERE INCREDIBLE. Making up lyrics would be unforgivable had it not sounded SOOO GOOD. Her voice was incredible,

[@ricardogarcia4163]

This music lights my spirit up!! I loved them since the first time I heard their music. I was a teen looking for my own identity.

[@celticsoulboy]

What an incredible vocal! God only knows what the chat show watching masses in the States thought of this - but it is an incredible display of technique, harmony and extemporisation from the 'original single' - she is my favourite vocalist/singer ever!

[@sherdelune]

I saw them live in Los Angeles, CA at the Palace Theatre in September of 1985. Stunning.

[@chloe685]

i never get tired of this performance. 100x better than album version

[@deussolinvictus]

Wow! I remember this from 1993 and I thought Liz seemed uncomfortable playing a live talk-show. Thanks for posting!

[@e-care-books9867]

Yay, Twins!! 500 Comments! Such beautiful atmospheric music.

[@producer73]

Thank You for posting this.......I just found it. DAMN RIGHT known of them for years and years, though I have to say in my opinion 4 Calendar Cafe is on of the BEST albums of the 90's.....along side with Mellon Collie.

[@kendavid891]

Liz is wonderful for your eyes and ears,saw them live in NYC absolutely stunning vocals.i def enjoy my 10 albums from them

[@adamaglaia]

I LOVE THIS. THIS IS LIVE, AND OF THAT VERY MOMENT!

[@nemmjenba]

I've finally understood why she sang like that. She is really a genius. Everybody was expecting to hear the album version, but if she had done it, it would be like to trhow diamonds to the pigs. Their concept goes beyond to be assimilated on a stupid TV show.

[@sampedro9316]

I think she's being possessed by a powerful spirit from beyond.

[@NickHarman]

@@celestialroad I think there was some kind of problem, it may not have been a planned idea to off like this when it was a big chance for them. Her body language when the host turns up looks a bit apologetic

[@JBAikensMusic]

This was just Liz. This is the way she felt it at the moment. Also, if you know the background what was happening at the time of this performance between her and Robin… This was pure emoting of that And this is what Liz does best. Musically speaking, this was genius. And it shows her vocal mastery

[@barkinstarfish]

Forget all the deep ethereal rubbish. It’s just shit.

[@srimaddukuri]

Yeah, this network in particular is especially stupid.

[@jamiebrownmaxwell]

i really trust her, and that makes it such a beautiful thing when she embraces me and takes me on a journey.. i've failed to analyse exactly what it is i've discovered about her soul, but i do know it's good and it's real. she knows there's a light.. she's seen it.

[@antoineburgos4222]

Thank you Liz, my love forever !

[@prinnyhunter7303]

nothing will ever top this

[@svanhoogstraten]

I have to say that she is killing the song a bit with her ammended lyrics. This was you chance to show your self to a massive US audince. Not sure If people would take to this song.

[@truecentral718]

Licensed 2 style America did not deserve Liz Fraser.

[@k8fan]

They are called "in-ear monitors" or IEMs, and many - maybe most - performers now use them. The idea is that by having these, they don't have monitor speakers on the stage blasting the performer and requiring the sound system to be that much louder. The end result is much better concert sound.

[@x_vidrios]

with all the rumours around this performance, for me, liz performance was just stunning, she blew me away...

[@simonjacques5343]

I love this, good on you Liz for doing what you want and how you could do it at the time. I don't think she is a creature to be caged with structure, let her fly people & only then can we see and hear the beauty and magesty...

[@TheMichaela67]

2022 still watching it, still loving it 🥰

[@antunivanovic]

To me this sounds super close to their early, nervous but amazing performances (the one in mind is where they play "Wax & Wane" and "Alas Dies Laughing" back in 1982/3, available elsewhere on YT). So nothing is that different at all... Her voice is raw here but no less a diamond.

[@jasonhudson73]

That guitar tone!!

[@k8fan]

@funnygreat She's fiddling with her "in-ear monitor" or "IEM", which is a type of high-end earphone. It's how she is hearing the other musicians and herself. And for some reason it is not fitting well in her ear. Either that, or she is pulling it in and out of her ear, which a lot of performers do to change what they hear, mixing between the sound from the monitor and the sound from the rest of the band live. This was early in the use of IEMs, and they came up with techniques that worked better

[@cabrini99]

thanks a lot for uploading this - still sounds so fresh, love them.

[@ytcarol]

Well she is certainly entitled to sing the way she wants to - she's just Liz! I really enjoy seeing this performance - whether it's less palatable for mainstream listeners, it is THEIR art! Thanks very much for posting.

[@eboethrasher]

Huge CT fan and I hated this tour because of this vocal choice she made. She was more intelligible on the record and immediately went far less accessible live.

[@jeeveswinston2545]

Was something to see…4 Calendar Cafe at Boston Orpheum was one an amazing show. Love you Elizabeth!

[@Metatron141]

She's doing scat vocalizations. It's a jazz term for vocal improvisation.

[@cyanasmr7203]

I have to say, I saw this tour and wasn't sure I understood what she was doing with the vocals, I thought maybe they were having audio problems, I remember it sounded like her mic was cutting on and off. Now seeing this, I understand she was improvising, she sounds much better here than I remember at SaltAir. Four Calendar is one of my favorites.

[@chortlesmitten]

beautiful and flawless!!

[@mtedora]

she was having terrible difficulties at the time w/ drugs and emotional issues. right around the time of this performance there was another on a late night British program of the same song, and she absolutely tore it up! last i checked it was also posted here at KZbin.

[@drstevie]

beautiful band in every sense,guitars are cool as ! Liz is the most amazing vocalist , unique & brilliant.

[@skylinkdave]

I missed this when it aired because I was at their show in Las Vegas that night. Their appearance on Jay was why they were late getting to the show. They had literally just flown into Vegas from LA and went straight to the show.

[@puacino2]

Fantastic band! Fantastic song! Fantastic Liz!

[@Amishitman]

love this thanx for posting

[@GT-vs2fm]

Finally someone gets it!

[@danielpayne500]

Love to have seen this Live Wow

[@abortiongonewrong]

DO IT GIRL!!!!

[@LUKAPOOKIE]

wow... , did not see this before (??!), Thanks !

[@skinnymexicanbuddha]

because she picked her lyrics at random from foreign language books and dictionaries, she only remembered them by the melody. therefore, whenever she performed live, she improvised. but her voice always overpowered the rest of the band. she said once that anyone who claimed to be able to translate her lyrics was fibbing. she's a genius and let's leave it at that.

[@eboethrasher]

Not true, at all. Watch any other performance from any other tour and you will see, that is bullshit.

[@garycumner6804]

simply the best

[@brianwhitney]

Ive seen Cocteau Twins three times and was blown away. On this tour however, I thought maybe she was pissed at Robin or something. Its definatly interesting stuff, but I really missed the melody and lush vocals she is famous for. I cant imagine hormones would do this to your voice,as i am a singer and have had a child. I just think she was experimenting and trying something new.

[@eboethrasher]

Lucy was like 5 years old at this point, tho.

[@LockedPig]

Great performance!

[@frostbiteblog]

Thanx for posting this! Totally awesome!

[@scaredypicker]

I'm a new fan. This gets me in my soul

[@Descargamx]

Love the song, that much that sometimes I need to stop it, cause it makes me feel desperation...!! anxiety and want to cry!!

[@frostbiteblog]

Thanks for posting this!

[@BassCommunion]

It's so saddening how people disregard the rest of the band

[@itmfl2046]

this is nothing short of EPIC

[@D-777i]

Amazing talent and amazing eyes!

[@MaraRobinsonPhotography]

... this is absolutely beautiful...

[@pureecstasy]

one of my fav songs of all time

[@TeacherKaile]

Love this version!

[@oryanashelley2609]

I saw Her Live in Paris in the 90's, I thought she looked like she was blind, you know standind with her eyes closed and balancing her body like Stevie or Ray, Pure BLISS!!!

[@MaraRobinsonPhotography]

@ytcarol Nicely put. The strength and honesty in this performance is inspiring. All in.

[@TackJamblyn]

awwwwwww when she says 'thank you!' at the end :') my heart lit up

[@svohljott]

make me cry at the end..this is son beatifull..

[@rphuntarchive1]

what a brilliant and heartbreaking jam!

[@andreaneilcmc]

This was weird. The Cocteaus first time on prime time American TV. Robin looks wasted. Liz looks gorgeous(as usual) but extremely scunnered(pissed off). This might have been their big chance to get exposure to a big audience and Liz "scats" her way through the song, probably to piss Robin off but he's too wasted to notice. The rest of the band looked bemused/embarrassed. I enjoyed it though

[@ReubenWalton]

What was Robin wasted on?

[@jamesmccown2024]

Just look at the date. The reason Liz and the band seemed distracted was because Kurt Cobain's body had just been discovered that morning. I think that they, like the rest of us, were in shock.

[@Juancarlos2016]

they are incredible..............

[@59nerevar]

Absolutely beautiful! Erin go bragh!

[@todessehnsucht]

goddamnit it, liz! just sing it like you did on the recording!