You know, everyone rightly focusses on her voice, which is one of the best voices in history. (And she actually had a cold that night!) But, I just want to point out her beautiful guitar playing as well. It's as unique as her vocal approach. What an artist!
Her playing is pivotal to the magic of this performance. The guitar work is not only exceptional but so perfectly coordinated with her vocals... as only she could do.
Wow wow wow totally beautifully done... what an artist I'm gonna have to listen to more music fantastic… Guess who was just smashed up with her ....Angelina Jordan stings field of gold
Stunningly beautiful voice. 'Autumn Leaves' is my favourite as well as her version of Sting's 'Fields of Gold' - even he said she sang it better than he did!
I am an avid fan of Angelina Jordan as well as Eva. There is a mashup Duo of the two of them doing Fields of Gold together, and for me this is the most beautiful performance of this song.
@@ChessieChess I am an avid fan of Angelina Jordan as well as Eva. There is a mashup Duo of the two of them doing Fields of Gold together, and for me this is the most beautiful performance of this song.
Nick, I personally discovered Eva Cassidy about 20 years ago from a family member. After hearing this song I was hooked. I learned that Eva was from the Washington DC area and was a classics, jazz, and Blues singer and guitarist who sang during the '80s into the mid-90s. She was only known in her local areas for the most part. Unfortunately, she died in 1996 at the age of just 33, from melanoma. After her death, word spread, and her music became more known, and she became legendary, selling over 10 million albums posthumously. As you heard, her arrangements of songs are totally unique and masterful, and her voice is so delicate, yet powerful, and crystal clear. It is instantly recognizable. There was only one full live video ever captured of her and it was during this performance that this particular song took place. There were a dozen songs in this performance at the Blues Alley lounge in the Washington area. Eva passed away just 9 months after performing this song. Introduce her to all the people you know as a talent like this should never be forgotten.
Beautifully said, Ron. Thank you for all of the information you passed on to us. I knew about her tragic end and it is so sad. When she reached that point a Million Miles away (as Angelina told us) I'm sure the spirit of Judy Garland told her what a wonderful rendition she performed of this classic song.
@@RobertDeMartin Thanks Robert. Yes, A Million Miles away would be a great sequel to this reaction. They go hand in hand. Both beautiful voices and both beautiful souls.
Spot on Ron. Shortly before Eva died, she put on a concert for her family and friends. By then her cancer had progressed to the point she was loaded with pain killers and had to be helped onto the stage. The song she chose to sing for them… What a wonderful world. She is by far my favourite singer and I’ve listened and continue to listen to her songs all the time. Why is it we lose the best so soon?
"I don't want people to get it twisted and think voices have to have power" right before Eva launches into the full power of her voice was so beautifully timed. I was just waiting for him to be hit by it after that, knowing where she was going. What a voice.
Absolutely! I was watching another of these review-type videos and the guy was tearing up at the opening line. I'm thinking, how are you gonna get through this?
Gorgeous! And you know what? On the night this was recorded I believe she had a cold and her voice wasn’t at its peak. Imagine how it would be if she was in top shape that night?
I am an avid fan of Angelina Jordan as well as Eva. There is a mashup Duo of the two of them doing Fields of Gold together, and for me this is the most beautiful performance of this song.
In an interview after Eva’s passing her mother recounted the night of her daughter’s last performance. It was a special benefit concert for Eva. Attended by an overflow crowd of admiring performing musicians and adoring fans. By that time the cancer had spread to her bones causing severe pain. But finally that night, morphine and Eva’s love and gratitude enabled her to take the stage for one farewell song. She chose to perform “What a Wonderful World”. Eva’s mother: “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house”. I’m sure, just the thought makes me tear up.
Ok, sobbing, chilling, goose bumping and all the rest. I have listened to this song now dozens of times and I just never get over the emotion. Thank you sir and RIP beautiful Eva.
Don’t wait for someone to suggest another Eva song to react to. Just start listening to her now. Best singer I’ve ever heard. So soulful. Songbird and You Take My Breath Away are just amazing.
You must hear her renditions of “You’ve Changed”, “Stormy Monday”, “Chain of Fools”, “Autumn Leaves”, “People Get Ready”, “Wade in the Water”. I must give props to her amazing band. She also collaborated on an album with Chuck Brown ,songs such as “I Could Have Told You So”(they both show their scatting skills),and “Fever”.
I can't listen to Eva without tears forming in my eyes and feeling the presence of angels. Her voice fills you with such emotion. She has a beautiful body of work left behind from a life cut too short🌹🌟✨ More please🙏
Aww makes me cry everytime this is my mum's funeral song ... This version ... For me personally this is the best version and look at her playing the heck out of that guitar she was so talented wasn't she ❤️
That was such a beautiful rendition of this song. So sad that she is no longer with us. She died at only 33 years of age. I also love the version by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. Sadly he also died young at 38 years of age. At least we have their music left as a legacy.
No matter how many times I have heard her sing this, I’m still reduced to a puddle of tears each time I listen to it. This entire album Live at Blues Alley is an absolute masterpiece, she was actually sick with a cold that night and it still was perfection. No song choice of hers is a bad choice, but my recommendations for others to listen to are : Stormy Monday, Time After Time, Cheek to Cheek, Songbird, Blue Skies, Kathys Song, and Take My Breath Away
“That I heard of once in a lullaby”…. Which is exactly what it was, until it wasn’t. Every time I hear this it’s special. Her career was short but so many great tunes just the same. RIP
Just months away from her death, a benefit concert for herself filmed on a camcorder. I'm sure she was in pain on this night and still paints a masterpiece.
Excellent reaction. In my opinion, this is the best rendition of this song. She has many, many others - You Take My Breath Away, Autumn Leaves, Fields of Gold, Time After Time, etc. All of them fantastic.
I'd just like to add that as a guitar player i have learned this & dam its difficult to play, she didnt just play simple chords, she used difficult inversions & bar chords & the like.. She was a super talented guitar player both technically & theory wise, her dynamics etc is flawless.. All while she had a cold mind you.. You can hear a pin drop, that says it all..
Eva was a brilliant shooting star gone far too soon. There are lots of amazing recordings from her, and since I love the blues I'm going to recommend Stormy Monday: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XaMBFy_-LO4.html
Thanks for playing this. I have all of the songs in her catalogue and voice is always quite clean and nuanced. I particularly enjoy fields of gold, Danny boy and songbird.
Would you believe that she had a cold on this night that affected her range and power?..... And her voice was still this freaking good!!! What a talent she was. Rest in fields of gold dear songbird.
Great reaction! I'm a big Eva Cassidy fan and for you Angelina Jordan fans you've heard this before as Eva's version is played when she gets the AGT golden buzzer after singing Bohemian Rhapsody.
I love Eva Cassidy...her talent is indisputable, and, to watch your reaction to this immensely beautiful rendition of this song, an interpretation that I might argue is the best rendition ever posted...is...priceless, and so very touching! Thank you, for your reaction. The more I get to know Eva, the less surprised I am, by the astoundingly positive reactions to what the world will eventually realize was one of the singularly greatest musical artists of our modern times. Eva was not known for her original works, rather her ability to re-interpret classic, well known songs, is unparallelled. No one sings "Over the Rainbow", or "Fields of Gold" better!
Beautiful appreciation, Bro, of this beautiful song, recorded in the last year of her life. Her phrasing, her dynamics, the way she dances in and out of the melody, anticipating the changes... very moving stuff. 🙏
this song is sung more beautifully than any song ever...... The grapevine says that she sang it shortly after she was diagnosed with a malignancy, and the sense of personal pathos cannot possibly be more evident, even that final line crack in her voice . God bless her for all eternity. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.....always. We can never forget you, Eva.
Just chills, goodness! Eva was taken too soon. That in its self is sad but the lord must have needed his angel. The subtleness in her tone and phrasing is beyond good. No words really just a joy to listen to. Thank you so much for the reaction and post. As always stay safe and much love.
Immediate thumbs up before even clicking Play because I know that this version is going to / will have hit you. Her rendition of "Autumn Leaves" is another vocal masterclass.
She didn't become famous until after she died when her family released her recordings. From memory it reached the Top of the UK charts. I have known about her for a long time now and a friend sent me her CDs from USA because she felt that Eva was so special I needed to hear it. She often gigged in Washington. Died of Melanoma at 33. Sometimes the best voices are taken away from us too soon. Glad you did this reaction. Melts you heart. 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘
I'm glad you found her music, Nick. Nightbird (different song from Songbird) is my favorite and I think it will blow your mind. Bridge Over Troubled Water and really all songs on the Blues Alley album are great as well. I just discovered her a year ago when Over The Rainbow was playing in the background of a movie....didn't watch the whole movie but recorded it to see the ending credits for this song. Oddly, I had not recognized it during AJ's golden buzzer on AGT until someone pointed it out in a comment a few months back.
I’ve watched at least 25 reactions of Eva performing this song but brother I love yours the best with the words,”so delicate” , being my favorite description of it.
We played her song “Songbird” at my Mum’s funeral. Most beautiful but heartbreaking song of hers for me. Like Mum all the good ones are taken too soon…
Work hard for the short life she had and was on the brink of hitting it big when she past. If I remember correct she had just signed her record deal when became I’ll and nothing was released prior to her death. RIP Eva ❤️
We are fortunate in our time to hear this voice, this person singing what may be the best version of the best song of all time. More Eva please n thank you.
Hell Yeah - her voice is just sublime. I've been a fan since I heard It Doesn't Matter Anymore on the radio one night after the release of the cd Imagine in 2002 - and not just a little heartbroken to find out she'd already passed away (so young at 33 in '96). My favourites: It Doesn't Matter Anymore, Way Beyond the Blue, How Can I Keep From Singing, Hallelujah I Love Him So, Penny to My Name, Fields of Gold, Take Me To the River, Early Morning Rain, Chain of Fools, Natural Woman...
For those of you who never saw it, Nightline did a story on Eva in 2001, after "Over the Rainbow," hit #1 on the British charts 5+ years after Eva's death. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tKowGakjJQI.html
I’m a fan;I believe I Know You by Heart is my favorite but there are many others. Try Fields of Gold,Autumn Leaves,Time after Time,People Get Ready,Danny Boy, Time is a Healer & Ain’t No Sunshine. All are worth your while.
OK.... Now that you have heard Eva watch Young Lucy Thomas sing a tribute cover of this accompanyed by the most beautiful guitar player, James Franklin, and be blown away !!! Lucy simply owns this song !!! It is a happy version whereas Eva's was a sad version, yes I know Eva was dying of cancer when she sang this song !!! She had every right to be sad, but Lucy, in tribute to Eva put a happy sound to it of hope, Go watch Lucy and be blown away by the best version you will ever hear !!! Lucy for her young age is accomplished waaaay beyond her age her skill is fantastic !! Enjoy !!!
Hey bud as one of your many Aussie followers Eva is my American singer that JF is to you her voice is like smoke rolling around in a glass on top of the perfectly brewed bourbon. I was introduced to her by my guitar teachers wife as a duo they cover many of Eva's songs I've heard rumour that Sting himself once said that her cover of fields of gold is how that song should be sung. The video on here titled Eva cassidy live at blues ally is amazing to watch it's such a sad thing that we lost her so young as she was an incredible artist. I hope you take a moment and listen to more of her songs such a beautiful soul and talent doesnt even cover it.
She was only here for a short time sadly ..but she will live eternally because of, imo the most beautiful voice (with Karen carpenter ) to grace our ears
You should also listen to her version of Fields Of Gold. Eva took it from a great pop song and turned it into an incredible Irish Ballad. She always slowed the song enough to let the lyrics breathe.
If you imagine what an angel sounds like? It's her.....you can almost see the white wings on her back... I love all of her songs..RIP beautiful angel...
Do you know she was taken away from us before we even knew of her......Her recordings came out after she passed.....she never knew how popular she became. so sad
One of the most beautiful female Pop voices I've ever heard in my 60 years as a Musician. Eva's phrasing is like no other Singer, male or female, not to mention her dynamics and guitar playing. Eva is one of my favorite female Singers of all time. Miss Eva Cassidy is in my top five female Singers of all time. Le😎 Musician
I can only listen to Eva's stunningly beaurtiful voice for so long before I start to tear up. It's like angels are being poured out of he mouth and into the world.
Just found her, .. and then she was gone .. so, so sad. Eva found the heart of a song, always. Sting’s “Fields of Gold” sung by Eva is a favourite of mine (didn’t care much for his rendition, though.). Some artists seem to know how to musically tell a story soo much better than the actual songwriter/singer - weird! Thanks for this, Nic.
For so many reasons, she brings tears to my eyes. Your review does it justice. To see such an emotional reaction from you connects us. Thank you for sharing.
I never thought I would like any cover more than Judy Garland's original BUT I have fallen in love with this version by Eva. Eva was taken from this world much, much too soon by cancer. Her music wasn't well known until after she passed. Eva has many great performances and I hope Nick you will react to many more. While many people are all about belting out high and very long notes, I much prefer this style of singing. Makes sense that I have Angelina Jordan as my all time favorite musical artist since she treats every note of a song like it is the most important and she surprises me with almost every note, every word and every song.
Eva Cassidy's voice is one if the few voices Angelina still has to stretch for. I think that Angelina (and family) are heavily influenced by Eva's fantastic skills in arranging songs and improvisations. At Angelina's last concert in Norway in 2019, they played the album of Eva Cassidy before the concert, I imagine this was probably a wish from Michael, Sara or Angelina herself.
I only discovered her myself last week, a few days before you and it completey blown me away. She went directly into my top list of favorite vocalists. I subscribed to your channel because I am a Lara Fabian fan (please come back to her 🙏) and, with Eva Cassidy,I have exactly the same artistic vibe: full authenticity, 1000% dedication to words and the story of the song, using her insane vocal skills just when it allows her to serve the song, no unnecessary acrobatics or showcasing that would distract you from the emotions.
She sings through the periods and breathes where you wouldn't expect and even when you've seen this a hundred times, it surprises you and makes take notice all over again. That can't be taught.
This is my absolute favorite version of Over the 🌈. She also does a beautiful version of the song" fields of gold." Happy you got to react to this; it was so good to hear her voice again. ❤️
Very beautiful reaction Nick, Eva was truly a fantastic singer with a wonderful voice and a great musical intelligence, it was really a shame that she had so few years to express herself. In some ways she is one of the singers to whom I happened to compare Angelina, with obvious differences of age and path, but similar for the approach to the vocal instrument. Obviously you find a version of this song by Angie at 12 too, it's more traditional, on the Garland track, but still delicious. 💛 🧡 ❤️
