Eva Cassidy - Songbird

This album is the best album ever. Her voice is angelic. I love it so much that I've bought multiple copies to give away -- "no reason" gifts -- just because. /cbb

Wow..

Just picked this album by pure luck... and I thought I was unlucky for entire year!

This is by far the best album I've listened this entire year. I never thought a music can be this moving.. She really sings with her heart and soul. This is must have.

An 'audiophile' standard for years. Hearing the beautiful sounds of Eva
brings tears to one's eyes. And the fact that she is no longer with us adds to that pain of knowing that we lost a true talented singer.
With "Autumn Leaves", Eva leaves behind a legacy for the ages.
A humbled singer who didn't 'hit the big-time' with all the pomp,pizazz and awards that accompanies the music industry. In her albums, there is the revelation of her soul, done to the perfection of angelic like quality. As mentioned in the header,by hearing Eva on a great sounding analog rig, the effect goes even deeper and reveals how wonderful an artist she was.

I first stumbled across Eva Cassidy on a compilation of guitar songs for rainy days, singing "Autumn Leaves." A serviceable old standard to be sure, but I've heard it probably a hundred times by our most acclaimed singers, and wasn't enthused about hearing yet another version. But after listening I realized two things: that I'd never really heard Autumn Leaves before, or more accurately, I had never *felt* it, and that I had to know more about this singer who was able to bring so much new depth out of a familiar song. Why hadn't I heard of her before? Listening to others of her songs showed this effect was no fluke. Eva has a way of forcing us to slow down and feel, perhaps for the first time, what the songwriter was trying to tell us. 'Look what I found under this old leaf,' she seems to say, swaying her unerring metal detector from side to side and holding up the nugget you missed before.

And this was no accident. She reportedly chose her songs based on the effect the lyrics had on her, which gave her a somewhat eclectic but highly distilled repertoire. Some have said that Eva was unaware of her talent, but I am now convinced this was not the case, but rather she chose in her humility to subjugate herself in service to the message of the song, and its connecting power to the collective unconscious of our human condition. She bridges the synapse between songwriter and listener better than any other singer I have ever heard.

People speak upon first hearing Eva of being stopped in their tracks, waiters halted emerging from swinging kitchen doors holding plates of cooling food, of being unexpectedly and irresistably moved to tears.

At this Eva Cassidy has no peers. From what deep well of sadness she drew I can only imagine, but her airy incantations speak of what it means to be alive, to be human in a world not optimized for the care and feeding of sentient beings. You'll soon find out which of her songs do it for you. It is best, however, to take them sparingly, like a penicillin reserved for emergencies, to save your life, lest you become desensitized to the effect.

You'll know when: when life has taken all you have to give, and then it takes more; when you've lost someone you can't live without, but have to go on living anyway; when nothing can get into that hardened lump of coal that used to be your heart... Put on Eva, and turn out the lights, so it's just you, and a red dot glowing on the stereo, alone in the dark with your pain: take two sad songs, have a good cry, and call me in the morning.

This is a great CD. I would highly recommend it to anyone that likes Eva. It is as soulful and beautiful as the artist herself was.

The CD is in mint condition, and exactly as I expected. A perfect purchase.

If you are looking for music to put on when you need some quiet time or romantic background music this is great. I've been a fan of her stuff for awhile but this album is my favorite especially the song, Songbird. Eva was truly amazing and everyone should have a copy of this.

Just what I was looking for. CD is no longer available, so I emailed the Co. & they found me a used one. Thank you.

I heard Eva Cassidy's voice and knew I had to have this CD.. Field's Of Glory is just breathtaking.

Her version of Wade in the Water and Over the Rainbow give me the chills. She is an amazing singer and I am so glad that I happened to hear this CD at a bookstore....and took the chance to buy it. It is uplifting, calm, relaxing music.

Eva Cassidy was an amazing artist. This is one of my favorite albums that I go back to again and again.

I can't describe the artist's voice adequately, so take a chance and purchase. If you are a person who delights in unique finds, you will not be disappointed. Her voice is a treasure and a blessing to the ear and the heart. I will purchase the other CDs and lament that there are not more.

Eva Cassidy had a beautiful, clear voice and sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow like I never heard it before! Some songs were unfamiliar to me. A good cd for easy listening.

I absolutely LOVE Eva Cassidy's music. I use her CD's in most all of the classes I teach. Her voice is like an angel and I am sad that she is no long with us. I am amazed she could sing jazz, blues, folk among other styles. She definitely is a "star" in my eyes and would have been had she lived.

What can I say? Eva Cassidy is a voice to cherish. Her vocal range is like no other. Her powerful voice will give you goose bumps. Her songs are borrowed from others, but she puts her own spin on everyone one of them. Each song is a surprise to the new listener. Her career ended way too soon; it is a shame we will no longer hear Eva sing new songs from her heart. God must have really needed an angel in his choir to have taken her voice off this earth so soon. Had she been alive for American Idol, she surely would have won. What can I say? I admit, I am an Eva Cassidy junkie. Just buy one of her CDs and you'll become one too.

This studio album is more polished than "Live at Blues Alley" but the instrumentals sometimes overpower her voice at innapropriate times.
There are only ten songs on this album as opposed to twenty on "Live at Blues Alley".
Still, it is an excellent addition to anyone's library of her work!

I bought this CD because I was told that Eva Cassidy's voice was truly wonderful. It is a beautiful voice, but the accompaniment definitely sounds like it was done on the cheapest electronic keyboard (one that can do all instruments in poor representation.) The background music is best summed up as "UCK." And this is sad, because the voice is truly lovely. But after a couple of listenings, I probably won't listen to it again. It's cheap and nasty. I also clearly hear the echo put onto the voice to make it sound fuller, which can't possibly be necessary.

Buy this CD- all of her music is wonderful- don't miss out on Eva Cassidy-something in her voice !

An avid Judy Garland fan, I was astonished when I walked into an indie coffee shop in Houston and heard Eva Cassidy's version of "Over the Rainbow." This was in 2001, shortly after my mother, also a Garland fan, had passed and this rendition had me bawling, I mean sobbing loudly, in public, with no warning whatsoever. The coffee shop owner shared the CD (Songbird) and artist name and I bought it within two hours, having to go to 3 music stores to find it. My personal favorites are "Over the Rainbow" and "Songbird". What is most striking is the clarity of her voice, the original delivery and the way that this music will affect you. To hear of her personal tragedy makes the music all the more powerful. Buy and share her music so that her legacy may live on.

Love it, love it, love it. I can't wait to order all her CD's. So sorry she left us so early.

One of the most magnificent voices of the 20TH century. She is now with the angels were she truly belongs.

This is honestly the best CD I have ever had. I absolutely love her pure voice. It is so sad that she is no longer here to continue singing great songs. This CD is a great one to listen to whether you are happy or sad. I have actually bought a few for my friends on their birthdays because it feels great to pass on to others her great music. I would highly recommend this CD to anyone!!

Beautiful music, I had never heard of her, but a friend sent me her song, and I had to have more..

Eva Cassidy, who is "with the angels", was born with the voice of one! Bless her soul!

Eva Cassidy has a voice and style rarely heard. Her renditon of Over the Rainbow alone is worth the price of the CD. What a loss it is that she died so young.

I've had this album for about two years and I still love it. Easy listening and a real sweet spirit. Eva has a terrific voice and excellent accompanists on this collection. The songs just seem to go together perfectly. It looks like a "best hits" compilation, judging by the contents of her other recordings. I'm glad I ran across this album. She had me at "Over the Rainbow."

I don't normally review what I buy. I've never had a compulsion to tell the world what I thought of something. However, after buying this album I was compelled to add my review and second the 5 star reviews already posted.

I first heard of Eva Cassidy in a small quilting store in Syracuse Nebraska where my wife was shopping. `Wade in the Water' was playing and I couldn't help but notice that voice. What a voice! Powerful or oh so tender as the music required. Now I should say, I'm a classical violinist and not really into this kind of music. The masterpieces of Beethoven and Brahms and the playing of Hilary Hahn are more my kind of stuff. But I was taken with that voice and had to buy the CD.

After listening to it the first time I must say (almost to my embarrassment) that I loved it. Successive listenings have only impressed me more. The songs are so heartfelt, both the lyrics themselves and Eva's singing of them that I could not help but be drawn into the music. She was gifted with a marvelous voice, but even more wonderful is the way she used it. Her passion and expression makes the music sound as if she was singing directly to me and no one else. A couple of songs still bring a tear to my eye. The more I hear `I Know You by Heart' the more I think it may become my favorite simply because of the sentiment it expresses. But how can I place it ahead of `Songbird' or `Had I a Golden Thread'? Neither of them are second place songs - but I digress.

She sings with a folk/blues/gospel flavor, but I think that is irrelevant. The making of good music in any genre is a miracle that touches the heart. Eva's music is a miracle and it will touch your heart.

Eva Cassidy's "Songbird" should be in the possession of every human being on the planet.

Her voice. Her voice.

Her voice.

-David

This CD is amazing. Eva Cassidy's *Over the Rainbow* is the most moving rendition of the song I have ever heard: she reaches an emotional crescendo during her delivery of this standard that makes other, more safe and polite, renderings pale in comparison. Each and every one of the other songs on this CD displays Cassidy's tremendous range (from soulful, *all-out* African-American gospel style to light, *floaty* Allison Kraus-style folk, and many shades in between). Her stylistic range, amazing as it might be, however, is just one aspect of a tremendous, natural technique which fully supports the often heartbreakingly intense emotional truth of each song's delivery. Cassidy's acoustic guitar and keyboard work is also part of that technical underpinning. Listen to her beautiful guitar playing on *Autumn Leaves,* in which she keeps bringing back a haunting motive which underscores the searing sadness of the song. The fact that Cassidy died of cancer at age 33 adds poignancy to the CD, but this work of art stands on its own, and I give it my highest recommendation!

Of all the amazing persons who bring us pleasure Eva Cassidy has given us a voice/words/ and performance that touches our deepest emotion. I was so pleased to hear one of her songs as background for a PBS promo...... She is my favorite artist. My own heart aches that she had to leave us so early
Ruth Erhardt

I absolutely love this cd. The songs are great and her voice is pure pleasure!

Eva's voice is mesmerizing. My 17 year old niece died this past July and a friend loaned me Eva's Songbird album during that difficult time. I listen to it often and think of my girl. I wish I could have know Eva Cassidy and heard her beautiful voice live. This album should be a treasure to anyone's collection.

Eva Cassidy's Songbird captivated and mesmerized me when I first heard excerpts on a PBS special about her. Her voice haunted me. I could not get her out of my mind. You will never be the same.

Good music from an artist who passed away too young.
I wouldn't of thought someone could 'cover' "Over the Rainbow" better than the original, or Fleetwood Mac's "Songbird".

This was a gift for my mother-in-law, who loves very girly music. I didn't think it would appeal to me and then I listened to "somewhere over the rainbow." GORGEOUS. Loved it!

Eva Cassidy is simply amazing. She brings a clear, warm, and powerful voice to familiar songs - songs that we become jaded to by listening to them so often - like "Over the Rainbow". You quickly become 'unjaded' when listening to Eva's rendition of this classic. The only reason she wasn't 'discovered' by the media companies is because she refused to compromise her musical values. This album is beautiful and a pleasure to listen to.

I love her music and sound. She has a very folksy yet contemporary sound and I first heard her when I was recently in Ireland. Very easy listening!

What an incredible voice. It is such a loss for the world that Eva succumbed to cancer at such a young age. Her vocal prowess would have lasted into the next 3 decades. I am very impressed with her interpretation of standards and soulful styling of her own gospel inspired tunes.

Eva Cassidy had a gorgeous voice and this is a great album that really showcases her incredible talent. It's a beautiful record I never get tired of.

Man, where was I when this woman was singing in lounges? Oh, yah, I was listening to Seattle's Willow. Both woman are jazz singers of unusual virtuosity. If you like this albmus as much as I did, then oyu will love her "live" album.

I first heard Eva's version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on a You Tube tribute to Kelsey Smith-Briggs, a beautiful 2 1/2 year old girl who ultimately died at the hands of her stepfather. The song is so poignant and brought me to tears. It is truly the most beautiful, simple, heart-felt rendition of Somwhere Over the Rainbow I have ever heard. I plan on getting the album.

What a beautiful, crystal clear voice this woman possessed. This album is so warm and wonderful.

Quite frankly I have never been fond of "Somewhere Over the Raibow"...at least until I heard Eva's version. It quite literally stopped me in my tracks. I had to know what angelic voice was singing. I was deeply saddened to discover that Eva's life was so tragically short. I have since purchased two of her CD's and have not been disappointed. It doesn't matter what genre Eva sang in...she was a master. I also love her version of "Wade in the Water" and now have converted my husband. Many thanks to her family for sharing this voice with the world.

She will be a favorite for life. I own every one of her CD's. My 2 favorites on this CD are "Songbird" and "Time is a healer"- It stops me dead in my tracks and touches everything deep and pulls it out. I must admit, It's a crying CD- But in such a way that your insides are purified and cleansed by this Hauntingly beautiful voice of an angel. I always feel better after listening. God took her early because he must have needed an agels voice for his choir and if you don't believe in God, just listen to her voice and you will.

Quiet and unassuming, and taken from us much too soon, Eva Cassidy's postumous collection of material takes standards, gospel, country, blue eyed soul, and pop, creating arrangements even the songwriters never thought of. Record producers had difficulty pigeon-holing her since she sang whatever moved her, thus a recording contract was not forthcoming (though she did produce a couple independent CD's and thankfully has numerous studio recordings).

Before dying of cancer in 1996 at the age of 33, she left behind a plethora of recordings, enabling her family and friends to release "new material" every so often. Relegated to obscurity outside of the Washington DC area that she jammed in, she was "discovered" five years later by an English radio station DJ who was mesmerized by her very beautiful take on Judy Garland's classic "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Whereas most artists try to belt out the song in varied octaves (thanks to American Idol), Eva's version is quiet and melancholy, and stands the test of time.

Though Cassidy has numeorus CD's of material, Songbird will always be my favorite for its timeless collection of such varied material. Stand out tracks include "I Know You by Heart," "Songbird," the exquisite "Over the Rainbow," a gorgeous and lush rendition of Sting's "Fields of Gold" (which is much better than his), and my personal favorite, "Autumn Leaves" an old standard that somehow seems fresh.

Cassidy had a way of evoking so much emotion in her simple songs and soulful arrangements and would have been a joy to see live. Sadly we all miss out.

I first heard Eva Cassidy singing Songbird on "Love Actually soundtrack" and HAD TO find more of her music!! I think Eva Cassidy may have the most beautiful/most pure voice I've ever heard!! From what I've read about her, I know that she was a beautiful person "inside" as well as "outside" in addition to having such a lovely voice. I'm sorry that "our world" lost her so soon - - she's singing among the Angels now! On this CD - - so very special to me - - are -- Songbird; Time Is A Healer; I Know You By Heart; Fields of Gold; & Autumn Leaves! I luv this CD and think you will too! I purchased 6 of Eva Cassidy's CDs & am very pleased with all of them and enjoy listening to her beautiful voice on an almost daily basis!

If ever there were a more soulful female vocalist, I can't imagine who it might be. There is not a phony note on the whole album.

I wanted the "Somewhere over the Rainbow" song. I was very disappointed in all the other music on the CD.

Well worth the money ... many good songs on this CD ... a voice that should not be forgotten ... she died of cancer in her mid-30's.

This is one of three Eva Cassidy CD'S I've purchased. None of them have dissapointed. I would reccomend this CD as well as her others. Her rendition of "Over The Rainbow" is the best I've ever heard. What a shame her life was cut so short. But it's nice to have had such a talent around in my lifetime. What a voice!