Somewhere (Prev Unrel)

Eva Cassidy's music touches me deeply. One of the few singers whose voice is so profoundly moving that it can make me cry (her "Over the Rainbow" from Songbird does it every time), Eva Cassidy is a singer's singer, a virtuoso with a tone so pure that it's practically crystalline. I have all of her previous releases and listen to them often.

When I saw "Somewhere" at a local store, I bought it immediately. And I mean that. I saw it, I bought it. Within, like, 20 seconds. I didn't know a new Eva Cassidy release was in the works. So discovering this new Eva Cassidy album was akin to tripping over a football-size diamond while groping in the dark for a light switch.

I've been listening to it all morning. And I must say...

Wow.

No, make that double wow.

These 12 previously unreleased songs (two of them co-written by Eva) are on par with anything on Songbird, Imagine, or Time After Time (my three favorites of hers). The recordings are crystal clear. Her voice is pristine. The arrangements are superb. A few, in fact, are downright show-stopping. The album closer -- "Somewhere" (lyrics written by Eva) is nothing short of astounding. On it, her voice soars, embraces, caresses, builds, uplifts...fitting perfectly with the anthemic music recorded many years after her too-soon passing in 1996.

A new Eva Cassidy album is always a treat, made more rare with each one as the vaults of unreleased tracks are emptied. This album, however, is priceless. Her vocal and guitar recordings were made anywhere from 1987 to 1995 (the bulk of them were recorded in 1995). Yet, they sound as crisp and vibrant as anything recorded today. It's easy to tell that "Somewhere" was created with love from first note to last. It was made with the reverence, joy, and respect due a talent as large as Eva Cassidy's.

I'm so grateful that Eva lived and that she recorded so many songs. I'm also grateful that Bill Straw, founder of Blix Street Records (Eva's label) has safeguarded Eva's legacy and only releases songs worthy of her. Thank you, Bill.

I cannot possibly recommend this album highly enough. This is music for the ages, perfect for any mood in which one happens to be. The songs are exceptionally inspiring when I write or read. Yet, the magic of Eva Cassidy is that her songs can be listened to actively, too. By that, I mean you can sit in a room with just her songs, doing nothing but listening, and be amazed at what you discover with each listen.

"Somewhere," by Eva Cassidy is a must-buy album that you'll cherish for countless years to come. I strongly encourage anyone who loves well-crafted, moving, magical music to buy this.

As a long time Eva Cassidy fan this album caught me off guard. It is not the smooth flowing series of ballads one would expect from this singer yet in many ways it just could be something better! The album is a direct response to recording companies who originally tried to limit Eva to one type of music. Eva had the ability to master Standards, Country, R&B and Folk and herein lies the proof.

Fans of Eva's cover of "Fields Of Gold" will be quick to internalize the heartbreak in "A Bold Young Farmer", sung with trademark vocals which attack the nervous system faster than any virus known to man. Another folk selection, "Red Red Rose", is a close second in this emotional breakdown category because it is sung more true to it's origin as a Burns poem than as a bold ballad. This rose is a true love letter sung as if written on parchment.

The award winning album, Live At Blues Alley, might have been even better had it included two songs from this new album. "Ain't Doin' Too Bad" retains her vocals from the historic Jan 3, 1996 appearance while also adding a new backing by original band members plus a horn section. If you ever wondered what Eva would have sounded like accompanied by the full complement of musicians she deserved this is the answer. Fans of the band will applaud the piano introduction by Lenny Williams, Keith Grimes's guitar solo and Raice McLeod's "made to order" drums. Chris Biondo, Eva's long time producer and band member (bass), is superb in his producing of this track.

Eva's country music fans will immediately notice the Dolly Parton song, "Coat Of Many Colors", and an americana version of Don Hecht's "Walkin' After Midnight". In both songs, Keith Grimes offers sublime support on guitar.

Eva sings without the safety net of her regular band in "Early One Morning". The album liner notes contain a photo of Eva's handwritten lyrics offering the first of two songs that indicate her skills progressed far beyond interpretation. Dobro and slide guitar work by Rob Cooper are perfect complements to Eva's vocals.

Reinventing American Popular Song Standards was one of Eva's most unusual skills. Those who applaud her treatment of Irving Berlin's "Cheek To Cheek" on the Blues Alley release will quickly agree that she has pulled another musical rabbit out of a tophat with her version of the Gershwins "Summertime". This take is one that sits so easily under a shade tree that you will spend hours trying to think of similar versions. Don't waste your energy. Eva's folk based interpretation is a true original.

Any discussion of Eva's potential as a songwriter is now closed with the addition of the recording's title song, "Somewhere". Co-written with Chris Biondo (music), Eva's lyrics are far from casual and suggest a longing for love that may also apply to her need to create music..."and I like an arrow straight for love I went again". Fans of Eva Cassidy will only understand her full creative force when they hear this song complete with her own multi-voice background vocals, dynamics that change within verse, and phrasing that always finds the maximum emotion. To borrow from the lyrics, "for a moment or for a lifetime" this is Eva Cassidy.

I can't speak as eloquently as the reviews above - but if you love Eva, you're going to love this release. I'm so happy that I have yet another Eva CD to add to my collection. Happy Listening!!!

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