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Eva Cassidy - SongbirdSongbird cherry-picks tracks from the three locally released albums of Eva Cassidy, whose hauntingly beautiful vocals went virtually unheard outside her native Washington, D.C., during her short 33 years with us. Lost to melanoma in 1996, Cassidy sang with an unaffected purity and an astonishing ability to make both classic and contemporary songs sound like they were written just for her. Sting's "Fields Of Gold" finally lives up to its title through the alchemy of Cassidy's transcendent rendition, while other tracks on this anthology showcase her ease in the realms of pop (Christine McVie's "Songbird"), soul ("People Get Ready"), gospel ("Wade On The Water") and traditional standards ("Autumn Leaves" and "Over The Rainbow"). Framed by understated jazz and pop arrangements, Cassidy's clear, soulful voice and exquisite phrasing make her that rarest of vocalists whose interpretations are a complement to any song. A fine introduction to a true talent. --Billy Grenier ... Read More »
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Average User Rating: 100% (157 Reviews) | |
| 5 / 5 | Pure gold; a voice that stopped me in my tracks.
mpurves@blaxhall.fsnet.co.uk (Suffolk, England) - 3 April 2002 Of all the places to have a trancscendental experience, Terminal 2 at London's Heathrow airport would not come to mind. But that's where I first heard Eva Cassidy's 'Fields of Gold' for the first time playing in a music store, and bought it at once. That track, and 'Over the Rainbow' have the power to bring tears to the eyes of a cynical, middle-aged Englishman and believe me that takes some doing. Her note-perfect purity,, sensitivity and interpretation, added to the tragedy of her own story, make an overwhelmingly powerful musical experience. If there are angels, I imagine that they would sound like Eva Cassidy.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | A WONDERFUL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
- 16 February 2001 I discovered Eva like many others via the TOTP2 'OVER THE RAINDOW'recording. I felt I really needed to do myself a favour and find out more about this beautiful voice. I bought Songbird for Valentines day and shared the experience with the woman I love. She listened,cried-in particular to the songbird track-and stated afterwards that it was the most moving voice she had ever heard. Eva Cassidy is by far the best female singing artist we have ever heard.It seems such a damn shame she left this world so soon. But she has left us all the immortality that is her voice and in the way it can touch peoples lives. Buy this album and don't cheat yourselves from experiencing something so beautiful,in what often seems to be such an ugly world. Autumn Leaves, Fields of Gold,Songbird and I know you by Heart are the highlights of this excellent Album,and the other remaining tracks complement it perfectly. My orders for the remaining albums of Eva Cassidy are on their way. Thanks Eva for making the world a better place!.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | A moving musical experience
Clive G. Cross (United Kingdom) - 9 March 2001 Having just purchased two Eva Cassidy albums "Songbird" and "Time after Time" I just had to write to express my total overwhelming experience of listening to Eva sing and play the Guitar. I first heard 'Somewhere over the rainbow' on the radio recently and Eva's singing stopped me in my tracks as I walked past the radio. I am a musician (keyboards and churchorganist) of some years now and just occasionally I hear some music, singing or playing, which totally astounds and amazes me, and this is just one such occasion. The version of 'Somewhere over the rainbow' and 'Fields of Gold' will be songs that will stay for the rest of my life. I am moved to tears each time I listen to this disc and having played the first song over the CHurch system to the choir and seen the similar reaction, we can appreciate why it is said that this woman had some deep emotional and spiritual involvement in her songs. Oh such a pity that she had to die from cancer at 33yrs old and that it is only after her death that there should be such a sudden and massive response to hearing her music played on the radio and TV. Only last week she was featured even on the noon news with video recordings of Somewhere over the Rainbow. Clive Cross. |
| 5 / 5 | A talent lost before it was truely found
C. R. Williams "rockinhepcat" (UK) - 22 December 2000 As most people, I discovered Eva after her untimely death. My first encounter with Eva's angelic voice was when I heard "Over The Rainbow" and I have been besotted with her voice ever since. This selection is the best of Eva's existing three albums with gems such as "Wade in The Water", "I Know You By Heart" and Stings " Fields Of Gold" not to mention the pride of the collection "Over The Rainbow" this version of the old Judy Garland classic will fill the emptiest of souls and mealt even the coldest of hearts. If you enjoy the unique, and love beautiful music then this album is a must for you.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | A 'Must-have' CD
- 3 March 2001 If there was a six star category, this would be one CD that fits the bill. I think that we are privileged to have heard Eva's fantastic vocal range. I do hope that this woman's voice and arrangements get worldwide accord. I first heard 'Fields of Gold' on Terry Wogan's Radio 2 and was really taken with it, and reckon it is better than Sting's own version, which is good in itself. This week my wife told me about the CD 'Songbird' which she found on Amazon, and fortunately her colleague at work had brought the CD to play on her computer and lent it to my wife. I was so captivated by 'Over the Rainbow' which is a beautiful rendition of a mediocre track everyone knows. But the deep feeling that Eva is able to portray in this song is a No.1 hit in my opinion. Thankfully it is out as a single. Do buy it. I bought this CD one day after hearing it, and also purchased 'Time after Time', which is not a 6 star, but a good 5 star. 'Autumn Leaves' is really smooth and silky. I would have loved to have been in that audience in Blues Alley to have heard this talented woman. Eva clearly had a strong Christian faith and pulled no punches in her music. Good on you Eva. |
RRP
£10.99
Release Date
1 August 2006
Price Range
£5.00 - £10.43