I was introduced to Eva’s music in the early 2000’s by NPR as I was, ironically, driving I-95 North from D.C. to NY. Eva’s voice just plain stirs something in the soul.
Eva Cassidy, born Washington D.C. 1963, died of breast cancer, Baltimore, MD 1996…A Candle in The Wind.
Eva’s album, Songbird, was released in 1998 and went gold by 2000. Some of her most ardent fans include Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger and Sir Paul McCartney. One critic’s take, ‘there’s an undeniable emotional appeal in hearing an artist who you know died in obscurity singing a song about hope and a mystical world beyond everyday life.’
Through word of mouth, play on UK radio and some NPR coverage Eva’s music was Amazon’s fifth most purchased in 2005.
Eva’s voice says it all…
Eva’s albums, all released posthumously.
Live at Blue’s Alley
· Eva by Heart (1997)
· Songbird (compilation, 1998)
· Time After Time (2000)
· No Boundaries (2000)
· Imagine (2002)
· American Tune (2003)
· Wonderful World (compilation, 2004)
· Eva Cassidy Sings (DVD, 2004)
· Somewhere (2008)
· Simply Eva (2011)
· The Best of Eva Cassidy (2012)
· Nightbird (2015)
· Acoustic (2017)
Discussing Eva’s work with Sir Paul another commentator on Eva, “one might be tempted to write off the ‘Cassidy sensation’ … as a response to the sad story of the singer’s abbreviated life rather than as a measure of her artistry. But don’t be mistaken, Cassidy was a huge talent, whose obscurity during her lifetime was almost as much a tragedy as her early death.”
Eva was a shy, private person. Amy Redford, Robert Redford’s daughter, has attempted to bring Eva’s story to life on the Big Screen. Eva’s family, while not opposed, like Eva, are very private people. To my knowledge Amy’s ‘Eva Project’ has yet to gain any real traction.
In life, Eva never really played any venues beyond the small clubs and studios of her D.C./Baltimore stomping grounds…in death her voice has touched so many.
Peace…Wanderers in Wonder.
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