Jeff Buckley and Elizabeth Fraser - All Flowers in Time

Anyone who really knows me knows of my especially deep-rooted affections for one Mr. Jeffrey Buckley, perhaps my ideal everything. I also love any Elizabeth Fraser project (Cocteau Twins, Massive Attack…I just recently realized that was her singing “Teardrop” which I’ve loved all these years). Put them together onstage as ex-lovers and listen as this raw, heart-wrenching gem is unleashed.

While it’s been years since I’ve done any heavy Jeff song-hunting (as I am privy to almost anything he’s ever created from commercial albums to silly Shonen Knife covers recorded off tape players in crowded clubs), I’d never had this rare little piece in my possession and finally set out to find it, which through traditional methods was actually kind of challenging. I’d heard it sung by Jeff alone, but this rumored duet interested me far more. And now I know why! How can you not feel it in your gut as Elizabeth Fraser lets out those cutting Scottish vocal jabs juxtaposed next to sweet, sweet joint harmonies and cooing pleads. You can even hear her giggle awkwardly in embarrassed asides by the mic before and after to her partner in song. And then those lonely later guitar parts just bring the bittersweetness all together.

This makes me think of my Bluebeard and all those special early days in the flux we spent together discovering the wonders of Jeff and each other…as you once wrote, “Pieces of the Peace That Brought Masha and Brandushka Together, Bless My Black Beauty’s Heart and May That Flock of Yellow Butterflies Follow Her Always”. May it follow you too, sweetie ;-) …

Tags: all flowers in time, elizabeth fraser, jeff buckley, song of the day