Simply Eva

"Simply Eva" is the best look fans have at Eva Cassidy's past and quite possibly her never-to-be future. The ninth album on Blix Street Records is an all acoustic "bare bones" look at one of the rarest of musical talents. Fans heartbroken over never hearing Eva Cassidy in concert will find this is as close as possible to experiencing a live solo song set. That's the promise behind "Simply Eva," and one that the album satisfies in abundance with the pure musical quality that Eva is known for."Songbird," the Christine McVie cover, opens "Simply Eva." Stripped of her trademark multipart harmonies, this sound reveals the basis for her charted (#54 UK) hit. This arrangement yields singing that is a shade more intimate.A folk based version of "Wayfaring Stranger," complete with Eva's own picking style, is a highlight of "Simply Eva." Sung with complete confidence, had this been the original release one might never have guessed that her musical insight would extend to the jazz (Wes Montgomery) based arrangement found on other albums. It is pared down, yet still very elegant and is testimony to her musical "dead aim" when applied to delivering a folk ballad. The last verse, "I am only going over Jordan,(softly) I'm only going over home" is sung as if she is telling her audience that she accepts the fate of a final journey.A folk tempered treatment is applied to the gospel based Curtis Mayfield classic, "People Get Ready." Especially for a solo setting, this is a more fitting approach. Eva's strumming, like her singing, has a wonderful dynamic range disclosing yet another original arrangement of an otherwise familiar song.The centerpiece of the album is a live version of Eva's hallmark arrangement of "Over The Rainbow." Taken alone, this recording is all the justification needed to purchase the album. In actual performances Eva asked the audience for quiet, suggesting they would be responsible for any slips. Here is Eva at her most vulnerable. Any mistake will be exposed, yet in this recording she is nearly flawless. For Eva, it truly sounds as easy as wishing upon a star.Inclusion of Paul Simon's ode to a far away love, "Kathy's Song", will be applauded by die-hard Eva fans for a more complete lyric, shortened in an earlier release. This version will be viewed by many as being meaningful to Eva personally, particularly with the verse which includes, "I don't know why I spend my time writing songs I can't believe." This echoes Eva's legendary insistence on musical integrity to her point of view; songs had to be ones she identified with.Nothing less than a total musical make-over is applied to the blues standard, "San Francisco Bay Blues." Cassidy's diverse musical pallet could always produce the unexpected and here is proof. Blix Street President Bill Straw explains, "she cuts the normally frenetic tempo by half and delivers the blues within the lyric with passion and melancholy. Her own unique acoustic rhythm stylings slip around extended major and minor chords with the agility of Atlanta Braves switch hitter Chipper Jones."Of the remaining full length songs, "Wade In The Water" and "Autumn Leaves" deserve the most attention. For people who not only listen but nearly inhale Eva's work, taking notice of the new arrangement of "Wade In The Water" is like examining a precious gem, one which always sparkled in wonderous color but only from one side. This recording shows what the song was like before she started to polish it and together with the later version offers a glimpse at her musical thought process from start to finish. The song, "Autumn Leaves," is also a Cassidy triumph and deserves this bare solo musical snapshot.The best is left for last, a short clip sung a capella of the song "I know You by Heart". It is appropriate for an album which spotlights Eva's solo talent to end with just the beautiful sound of her voice. This is pure "Eva magic".An irony of "Simply Eva" is that as much as it is a look at her talent in the past, it is also a glimpse into her known plans at the end of her life to sing folk music - at least for a period of time. Listen to this album and you'll know that the path she intended to pursue would have continued to yield a musical insight that few musical artists will ever match.A final side note about the quality of the recorded sound. The album cover was recently photographed atop the latest audiophile equipment at a major electronics show. Eva's recordings have long been used to represent the highest standard in female Americana vocals. The quality of her voice on this recording will continue that tradition. Her voice and guitar sound crystal clear and are worthy test instruments for the most expensive sound equipment.

A collection of some of the same songs on other albums but different renditions . Yes they are different and special .There are some songs that are on this album that are spectacular Over The Rainbow " will make you cry "A great great talent , Forget the cloud you want this one to hold in your hands it is that special

Eva Cassidy is a wonderful singer, perhaps the best I've ever heard.

Can't help but like anything by Eva Cassidy, but this CD is not her best. Disagree with five star reviews. Tops: Nightbird (2 CD set, live, filled with feeling), Time After Time, Songbird (her breakout CD). Second tier: Imagine & Simply Eva. Can't go wrong with any, but not all are 5 *.

I have a very good sound system and this album sounds great. Eva's vocals stand out against the guitar and the guitar stands out against the vocals, and they sound great together. Many albums, CD or vinyl, I've purchased these days aren't usually worthy of my cash or time, but this one is worth it. Not rock, but jazz folk blues genres - relax and enjoy.

Simply Eva is quite simply the best Eva Cassidy CD ever. I recommend it very highly and it is a particularly good release for any one not familiar with her work.While all but one of the songs have appeared on other discs, these are new and sometimes very different arrangements. While I think of Cassidy as primarily a folk singer, she has performed songs in a wide variety of styles. What I love about this disc is that it is all solo guitar/vocal perfomances. It gives the material a stylistic unity that enhances its charm. Most of these songs are wonderful and the performances are outstanding. Ironically the one arrangement that I really don't care for is San Francisco Bay Blues which is the only song that is not any of the other CDs.The disc opens with Christine McVie's Songbird. This is a gorgeous performance of a gorgeous song. There is a wonderful version of Curtis Mayfield's People Get Ready. The covers of Cyndi Lauper's True Colors and Time After Time are excellent. Sandy Denny's Who Knows Where the Time Goes is brilliant and I love Cassidy's version. Over the Rainbow is one of my all time favorite songs and I love Cassidy's arrangement. Her version of Paul Simon's Kathy's Song is yet another beautiful cover of a very pretty song.I give this one my highest recommendation. Music does not get any more satisfying than this.

As good as Eva was in a studio and backed by other musicians, the soul of her music can be found in her live, solo acoustic performances. That's where I feel most connected to her musical spirit. It shines so subtly as to defy description. She can NOT be properly appreciated through casual listening alone. Only after hearing and actively listening to one of her songs many times did I come to recognize and appreciate her consummate musicianship and ability to communicate through song.So thrilled that this CD came to be after a fairly long dry spell of unearthed tracks. Thanks again, Chris Biondo and Eva's family for making all this possible.

It's very sad that Eva Cassidy died so young, but her voice lives on. "Simply Eva" is one of the best, if not the best, of her albums. Her voice is particularly touching and magical on this one with only her acoustic guitar as background. Whether you have heard her sing before or not, you can't help but be emotionally affected (positively) by the wonderful, ethereal quality of her voice and the "new versions" of a number of songs appearing on her other albums. I hope there are more of these previously unreleased songs to come in the future. Eva is a gem!