[.ca] Bbc Sessions

From Amazon.co.uk:
The Cocteau Twins were one of the more distinctive recording acts of the 1980s and their dreamy, atmospheric sound provided an ethereal sonic template for many Euro-pop groups of the time. With Elizabeth Fraser's haunting vocals and Robin Guthrie's innovative use of guitars, drum machines, and other electronic instrumentation, the Cocteau Twins created a rich, textured sound that endured over a large number of recordings. This double disc serves nicely as a greatest-hits package as well as a lengthy memento of the band's evolution from 1982 through 1996. Including shimmering renditions of old favorites like "Musette and Drums" and "Ivo," as well as a stirring rendition of Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit," this collection is a must for all Cocteau Twins fans. --Mitch Myers

absolutely blissful:
Cocteau Twins blended a wonderful concoction of heavenly voices and synesthetic guitars until you were transported into realms not seen by mere mortals. I know that's inflated - but if you have ever been captured by the profound effects of truly great music then you would be well-advised to pursue this work. What Cocteau Twins attained was timeless beautiful music that could never be reproduced by any other band.

Truly magnificent:
This is an album you should enjoy and enjoy a lot. Incidentally when a BBC sessions album is released by a band it doesn't really mean it's a live album. It's just the band recording the songs at BBC's studios so that it can be broadcasted on radio at a particular time. So for those who were wondering why there were Liz's voice in the background as well as at the forefront should rest at ease - there was a little bit of studio trickery there. I just I should point that out lest someone gets confused

Pleasant enough but don't listen to it straight through:
I am not a huge Cocteau Twins fan but find their music works well as a background for when I am working. I did not find this CD as interesting as Treasure but it is pleasant enough. (Will probably get some plays while I am ironing my shirts!) Don't listen to both CDs straight through, as it gets pretty samey.

I love them, but live Cocteau Twins isn't optimal:
I'm as big a fan as they come, but live Cocteau has a problem -- there's just one Elizabeth. On studio albums, as you know, there are numerous vocal tracks, creating a rich, layered sound. I never knew how important this element was until it was gone. Live recordings (including the BBC Sessions) just feel sort of anemic, because only one melody is being sung. Yes, her voice is still beautiful, but it changes the nature of the songs. I'm not going to tell anyone not to listen for themselves, but I was disappointed.

A More Intimate Experience:
This CD contains renditions of their songs that are slightly different and, to my mind, perhaps more intimate, than the studio versions. This effect is especially pronounced on the version of Serpentskirt. This rendition of Serpentskirt is less grandiose than the version on Milk and Kisses, yet I find myself listening to this version over and over and over again, perhaps for its starkness or perhaps because the guitar sounds like something from another planet.

• Wax And Wane
• Garlands
• Alas Dies Laughing
• Feathers-Oar-Blades
• Hearsay Please
• Dear Heart
• Blind Dumb Deaf
• Hazel
• The Tinderbox (Of A Heart)
• Strange Fruit
• Hitherto
• From The Flagstones
• Sugar Hiccup
• In Our Angelhood
• My Hue And Cry
• Musette And Drums
• Hitherto
• From The Flagstones
• Musette And Drums
• Pepper-Tree
• Beatrix
• Ivo
• Otterley
• Serpentskirt
• Golden-Vein
• Half-Gifts
• Seekers Who Are Lovers
• Calfskin Smack
• Fifty-Fifty Clown
• Violaine
• Hitherto
• From the Flagstones
• Musette and Drums
• Pepper-Tree
• Beatrix
• Ivo
• Otterley
• Serpentskirt
• Golden-Vein
• Half-Gifts
• Seekers Who Are Lovers
• Calfskin Smack
• Fifty-Fifty Clown
• Violaine