Eva’s rendition of this song is so far beyond beautiful, I get lost in it every time I hear it. Sadly she’s no longer with us and passed in 1996 at the age of 33. RIP, Eva.
What left me in awe about this performance was how she took this iconic song and made it totally her own. That, besides her amazing voice, was her incredible gift. Such a loss to us. Think of what she could be putting out if she had lived.
Such a talent...hard to make a perfect song better but she did...such a sad loss ...she passed so young....huge loss....what a voice..try her version of Fields of Gold next
Eva Cassidy was so incredible what a voice and talent. Some other recommendations are Danny Boy, Time After Time, Fields Of Gold, Autumn Leaves, What A Wonderful World, Songbird.
This song was made famous by Judy Garland in the 1939 movie "The Wizard Of Oz". Eva Cassidy did 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.
She had a loyal, local following & recorded a few albums before she died. There are a couple of short documentaries around about her life. Check out her version of “Fields of Gold” and “Wonderful World.”
Oh thank you so much for reacting to this. I always stop what I'm doing and watch when I find an "Eva Cassidy" reaction. No words to describe her gift.
LOL ... I do the same thing, Elizas. I love watching tough men approach her music and record reactions, ending up with toilet paper rolls or Kleenex boxes, unable to speak. LOVE that. Men need to do that more often. It helps the spirit.
Stan, try "Autumn Leaves" (Eva's acoustic version, just herself with her guitar) and "Fields of Gold". You called her a songbird. She had a compilation album (and a single from it) called "Songbird". So sad that she's gone so young but she's left us something beautiful.
She is singing for the Master Composer now and though, we're jealous that we no longer have additions to what she has done, we can be thankful that when we get Over The Rainbow, she'll be there in full performance. WHAT a talent!
8 months ago Nice reaction! This recording was done in January 1996. In June of that year Eva was diagnosed with metastasized melanoma and she died in November. She was really only known in the Washington DC area when she passed. Her first solo album, Songbird, was released after her death. It wasn't until two years later, when a couple of DJs in England played her recordings of Over the Rainbow and Fields of Gold on the radio and TV, that she really began to be noticed. Since then, her albums have sold over 10 million copies. I first learned of her in 2000, when NPR included her version of Over the Rainbow in a list of the top 100 recordings of the 20th century. I have loved her ever since. It was only last year that I learned that a friend of hers had recorded this performance at Blues Alley on the night they were recording her live album. As far as I know, the 13 songs on that video are the only full videos we have of her performing live. I am so grateful to get to see her perform.
Your natural reaction is all that is necessary. It's not about her mastery of vocal technique - that's just the starting point - it's her use of that technique to touch our spirit with authentic emotional messages. Marcel (below) is right -- Autumn Leaves is another masterpiece. But there are otther sides to Eva too - listen to Oh, Had I a Golden Thread, or Blues in the Night, or Stormy Monday, to hear her power (always coupled with emotion). There are many many wonderful Eva performances out there to enrich your life (and ours).
Have to say, both Eva Cassidy and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, manage the near impossible, each was able to take this iconic song, that's been covered by everyone under the sun and create a rendition that is entirely unique, gorgeous and blows every other version out of the water, including the original. If you haven't heard Israel Kamakawiwoʻole's version, I highly recommend doing so, unfortunately, like Eva, he too passed away far too young and didn't become known, until after his death, much like Eva. But don't ask me who has the best version, because they are so different and equally beautiful, it's impossible and unfair to really compare the two.
She has a phenomenal voice! May she rest in peace. Amazing video as always my awesome friend! You are so talented Life With Stan! Keep up the amazing work! And I was wondering if you could do Home Free’s cover of Life is a Highway? I’m asking because my birthday is coming up in nine days and I really want to see your reaction to one of the best Home Free covers ever! Please could you do it either on or just before October 12th? It would mean so much to me if you could!
Autumn Leaves - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xXBNlApwh0c.html Oh Had I a Golden Thread - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DCF9ndtB89A.html Stormy Monday - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XaMBFy_-LO4.html So many more ...
Haley Reinhart just released a brand new music video of her original tune "Broken Record". I would love to see you react and comment to it because to me, it is by far her finest performance ever. Oh yeah her vocal is pretty good as well. Anyway, you can click on the link I provided below. It's a wonderful performance, it really is and I think you will agree. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fxNbql44jwQ.html&ab_channel=TheBlackDog
