Born on August 29: Elizabeth Fraser, a divine voice from the Cocteau Twins to Massive Attack

She was born in the small village of Grangemouth in Scotland and is celebrating her 63rd birthday on the road with Massive Attack.

Elizabeth Fraser founded the Cocteau Twins with her friend (and future partner) Robin Guthrie in 1981. She also collaborated on the magnificent This Mortal Coil project, composed of a handful of artists from the English label 4AD, including Dead Can Dance and the little-known Colourbox. A magical interlude, the collective recorded only three albums between 1984 and 1991. But their delicate and subtle imprint remains indelible. Just like that of the Cocteau Twins, in the end!

After her separation from Robin Guthrie, Elizabeth Fraser experienced an intense but fleeting romance with Jeff Buckley. The American artist undoubtedly cherished the heartbreaking version of his song "Song To The Siren," recorded by Elizabeth in 1983. It was the very first album by This Mortal Coil. The two lovebirds recorded a duet together called "All Flowers In Time Bend Towards The Sun," which, until now, no one has had the foresight to rescue. Although an acoustic version, featuring Elizabeth's laughter, can still be enjoyed on YouTube...

For a little over a year now, she's been able to be heard on stage again with Massive Attack. It's no surprise to find her in such good company, as she now lives in Bristol, the collective's home base, and has already recorded with them several times, notably on the album "Mezzanine" (1998), for which she co-wrote some of the key tracks, such as "Teardrop" and the epic "Black Milk."

(MH with Stéphane Soupart - Photo : Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Elisabeth Fraser with the Cocteau Twins at the Vooruit in Ghent (Belgium) on April 1, 1985