Songbird - 9353

Amazon.com Songbird 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 Product Description Five years after her death at age 33, Eva Cassidy is an international star. Songbird, a platinum-selling smash, reached #1 in England, Ireland, and the U.S. a recent Nightline profile about Eva generated more emails than almost any other program in it's history. When you hear this album, you'll know why the Washington Post raved that "she could sing anything... and make it sound like it was the only music that mattered." (43 minutes) Review Songbird reveals a voice as sweet and pure, as powerful and soulful as any in popular music, as well as a gift for a broad diversity of styles, from gentle folk to swinging jazz-gospel.... The album opens with a gorgeous "Fields of Gold," featuring Cassidy's aching, sad voice and delicate guitars.... The songs in between reveal Cassidy as unclassifiable. She swings on the traditional "Wade in the Water," turns Pete Seeger's "Oh, Had I a Golden Thread" into a piece of blissful gospel, makes the folk song "Wayfaring Stranger" swing. She covers Curtis Mayfield and Harold Arlen, Sting and Johnny Mercer, and does them each proud. -- USA Today [T]he CD is rendered hopelessly poignant by the knowledge that Cassidy died two years ago at 33 from melanoma.... Whether in jazz, folk or inspirational music, Cassidy's potential was huge, and this album stands as a testament to popular music's loss. -- People
ASIN: B000006AKD
VSKU: 4EKGY3008PD9_ns
Condition: Acceptable
Author/Artist:Eva Cassidy
Binding: Audio CD