Up until yesterday i had no idea who Eva Cassidy was. the night started off innocently enough with me downloading some tracks of various versions of "Knockin On Heaven's Door" which led me to a version by Mark Knopfler (from the Dire Straits fame). Mark Knopfler is one of the best guitarists in history and one of my fav cd's is of him partnering up with the country guitar legend Chet Atkins. anyways... Mark Knopfler also did an acoustic version of the song "Imagine" by John Lennon. I then proceeded to download all versions of "Imagine" which also includes a version by Eva Cassidy. Such a beautiful and clear voice as of which i have rarely ever heard. I was intriqued and needed more from her so started downloading everything I could find. 55 tracks later and I am so completely blown away. I became so curious as to what this gifted songbird looked like so googled her up and was surprised that the pictures actually matched her voice. I was hooked and began to read up everything I could find about her. she never had any major record company backing and always lived life simply. Her hobbies included hiking, biking, and making art projects for her family and friends. She suffered from severe shyness and never had any formal musical training. She was such an unassuming and down to earth woman who never gained huge fame nor fortune.
In July 1996 she went to the hospital after experiencing pain in her hips and was diagnosed with a cancerous malanoma. Her final performance was in September 1996, when, after using a walker to reach the stage, she sang "What a Wonderful World" in front of an audience of friends and admirers. It is one of the most beautiful version that I have ever heard. Eva Cassidy died on November 2, 1996, at the age of 33. It wasn't until after death did she finally receive the mass popularity and recognition that she long deserved. in 1998 a compilation cd of her recorded works was made and floated into obscurity for several years until in 2001 it was played on the BBC Radio Two in the UK and quickly reached #1.
In Rememberence of Eva Cassidy (February 2, 1963 - November 2, 1996), Thank You for touching my heart and soul with your special voice.
| Artist: Eva Cassidy |
| Song: What a Wonderful World
|
| I see trees that are green, red roses too
I watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more, than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, oh what a wonderful world
The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of the people passing by
I see friends shaking hands, saying, "how do you do?"
But they're really saying, "I love you"
I see trees that are green and red roses too
I watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, oh what a wonderful world... |
|