There are times in our lives when we are touched by something special and it consumes us. It may be an event, a person or even a song. That brings me to Eva Cassidy. If you don’t know about her, you’re not alone.
Earlier this year I came across a 17-year-old report by ABC-TV’s Nightline. Her story is as sad as her voice is beautiful and pure. Eva died in 1996, several months after being diagnosed with melanoma. Before her death, at age 33, she recorded several albums in near-obscurity in the Washington, D.C., area. About two years after her death, she was discovered when BBC Radio 2 in England played her version of “Over the Rainbow.” Soon one of her albums, “Songbird,” hit Number 1 on the British pop chart. Numerous additional albums have been produced from demos and live recordings.
It’s another of those chilling stories of someone gone too soon.
Sad to admit, I was not familiar with Eva’s story or music prior to that unexpected introduction through a post on Facebook. Since then, I can’t get her voice and some of her songs out of my head.
Take the time to watch the Nightline report. Then listen to her music. Start with “Over the Rainbow,” then go to “Time After Time,” “You Take My Breath Away,” “Fields of Gold” and “True Colors.” Don’t stop there. You can Google her name and listen to many of her covers. Or you can purchase her CDs. You won’t be disappointed.
I have included the links to the Nightline report and the Best of Eva Cassidy playlist on YouTube, and a link directly to the video of “Time After Time,” my favorite. And you can read more about her at the website www.evacassidy.org, which is run by her cousin.
Eva Cassidy was gone before most of us could appreciate her amazing talent. Her voice remains for all of us to enjoy.
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