This week I am featuring a relatively unknown American vocalist, Eva Cassidy. A few years back, friends gave my wife and me a recording by Eva; we instantly became fans. Eva’s story was featured on ABC Nightline and can be viewed on YouTube by typing in “The Eva Cassidy Story – on ABC Nightline.” It is an interesting story of a young, talented woman who was taken from us way too soon.
Eva was a very shy but very talented person, capable of doing magic with many genres. She was unpretentious and real, from her outfits to her lack of stage presence. Record companies had a tough time promoting her because she sang everything from jazz to pop to gospel to folk, etc. They couldn’t pigeonhole her into a category. One tune, she would rock you, and the next song, pulled at your heartstrings. It’s like riding a musical helicopter as Eva takes on one genre after another.
At a very young age, Eva began using a cane because of hip pain, which was later diagnosed as cancer. The music world lost her in 1996 at the age of 33.
After her death, her music became her story. Recording companies began releasing her music many years after her passing. Once you have watched the TV program, go to “Eva Cassidy-Songbird,” which has had over nine million hits on YouTube. From there, search out some of my favorites, which include beautiful ballads such as “What a Wonderful World,” “Tall Trees of Georgia,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Then get up and dance to “Take Me to the River” and “Blue Skies.”
My favorite Eva song happens to be my most beloved song of all time, “Over The Rainbow.” For me, Eva’s rendition ranks at the top with those by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on their Showtime CD, and of course, the original by Judy Garland. I listen to Eva’s rendition often, as it is done with great emotion and feeling. I hope after hearing some of these songs, you, too, will become an Eva Cassidy devotee. I’d love to hear from you if you were touched by her talent too.
Live Music Calendar:
Elgin Symphony Orchestra – March 23 and 24 – Club Swing, featuring the music of Benny Goodman, Louis Prima, Spike Jones, Cole Porter, and others from the big band swing era. (I’m going and hope to see you there.)
Location: Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin, IL. See website for details.
www.elginsymphony.org/1213season.php)
Elgin Community College – Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. SecondSpace Theatre – Guitarist Fran Vignola. See website for details.
www.elginedu.org
• One more thing: Gary Krewer plays great tunes on Huntley radio each Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Check it out!
1 Comment
Songbird lost
I was first introduced to Eva Cassidy while vacationing in Hawaii. A friend, Abe, from Australia found out I was a jazz lover, and he kindly bought me one of Eva’s albums and I have become a life-long fan. We truly lost a “Songbird” when she was taken from us so very early. I know your readers will also become fans if they listen just once.