MayEva Cassidy
October 11th 2008 10:03
Eva Cassidy was born February 2, 1963 in Washington DC. Her interest in art and music was apparent from an early age, and she would spend the most part of her life entertaining family and friends, as well as playing gigs early in her career with bands, before finding recognition as a solo artist.
After being on the brink of success with record companies, and having only had limited success with earlier studio recordings, it was decided that Eva would release her own live album. Over a two day period, she recorded at The Blues Alley, in Washington, for her "Live at Blues Alley" album. Though initially unhappy with the result, the album received a warm response.
It was during the promotion for the album that Eva was diagnosed with melanoma and given just months to live. She died on November 2, 1996, aged 33.
In 1998, a compilation album containing songs lifted from her studio recordings was released, entitled "Songbird". The album remained under the radar until 2000 when BBC radio gave it airplay. It has since found international chart success, with her songs being used in TV and movies, such as Love Actually and Smallville.
The title track Songbird is one of her most well known songs, along with her versions of Somewhere over the rainbow and What a wonderful world. They all highlight her strong, flawless voice. Her guitar arrangement sounds simple (to my untrained ear) yet always manages to create a new and different feeling to these classic songs.
My favourite Eva Cassidy song is Wade in the Water, a Negro spiritual song first published in 1901. The lyrics talk about the escape out of Egypt by the Israelites (Exodus 1:4), and the healing that takes place in the water (John 5:4). Songs of this type were born out of the American institution of slavery, and generally talked about hope, justice and freedom from the cruelty imposed upon the slaves.
An earthy, bluesy song that for some reason always puts me in an upbeat mood.
After being on the brink of success with record companies, and having only had limited success with earlier studio recordings, it was decided that Eva would release her own live album. Over a two day period, she recorded at The Blues Alley, in Washington, for her "Live at Blues Alley" album. Though initially unhappy with the result, the album received a warm response.
It was during the promotion for the album that Eva was diagnosed with melanoma and given just months to live. She died on November 2, 1996, aged 33.
In 1998, a compilation album containing songs lifted from her studio recordings was released, entitled "Songbird". The album remained under the radar until 2000 when BBC radio gave it airplay. It has since found international chart success, with her songs being used in TV and movies, such as Love Actually and Smallville.
The title track Songbird is one of her most well known songs, along with her versions of Somewhere over the rainbow and What a wonderful world. They all highlight her strong, flawless voice. Her guitar arrangement sounds simple (to my untrained ear) yet always manages to create a new and different feeling to these classic songs.
My favourite Eva Cassidy song is Wade in the Water, a Negro spiritual song first published in 1901. The lyrics talk about the escape out of Egypt by the Israelites (Exodus 1:4), and the healing that takes place in the water (John 5:4). Songs of this type were born out of the American institution of slavery, and generally talked about hope, justice and freedom from the cruelty imposed upon the slaves.
An earthy, bluesy song that for some reason always puts me in an upbeat mood.
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by May
Music Dime
I have to agree with you, Eva's voice is definitely beautiful.
Thanks for stopping by!
May