———-
1999 Guestbook Entries. These begin in April, 1999, about a month after the Eva Cassidy Web Site itself was launched. (See https://evacassidy.org/about-this-web-site/) It took a while for anyone but family and friends to discover the site. I corresponded via email with some lovely people who were active on the Bob Harris “Whispers” discussion group, which helped. (Some are still friends today!) It was the radio airplay in the United Kingdom that really got Eva-awareness going. The SONGBIRD album, released in 1998, was already getting airplay on BBC Radio. In April 1999, LIVE AT BLUES ALLEY and EVA BY HEART had just been released in the UK, and at the end of the year, the hour-long radio documentary narrated by Terry Wogan was broadcast for the first time.
———-
Name: Colin Hewitt
Hometown: Fordingbridge UK
Songbird (thus far)
Autumn Leaves
Sent: 10:50 PM – 4/16
Just to say thank you to Hugh, Barbara and Dan Cassidy for giving us your daughter/sister in song. I have never known music bring me to such a state of peaceful emotion before and I treasure her gift to us all.
Name: Simon Beards
Hometown: Ealing, London, UK
“Songbird” – the only one I’ve heard so far
Wayfaring Stranger
Sent: 12:46 AM – 4/17
I first heard Eva’s music on the BBC Radio 2 late night Saturday show presented by the much cherished English DJ Bob Harris a few months ago. Just before Christmas 1998 my wife and I bough a modem and discovered first hand Bob Harris’ “Whispers” page on his website and I began a fruitful correspondence with a certain Gerry Evans, who I eventually discovered lives a couple of miles away from us in West London. Gerry is an enormous fan of Eva’s music and frequently puts up messages on the “Whispers” page to keep her profile high amongst us like-minded fans of quality music from all corners of this beautiful globe! It was my 48th birthday last Saturday and armed with the present of a music voucher earlier this week I managed to track down a copy of “Songbird” (released over here on the Australian ‘Didgeridoo’ label). It’s totally brilliant and appreciated by all the family through from my 12 year old daughter to my 85 year old mother-in-law! “Wayfaring Stranger” I have in my album collection via a version by Joan Baez as a duet with her sister Mimi Farina on the “One day at a time” 1970 release, which I’ve always thought pretty good. Eva’s rendition is simply outstanding! What a sad loss that her recorded musical contributions should be so relatively few but
equally what a blessed and wonderful legacy she has given to us all in terms of the quality and maturity of her gifted performances. My friend Gerry provided the link to your site via a recent e-mail he has sent me. Well done on providing such a full, informative and sensitively
arranged picture of Eva’s life and music. Thank you and please carry on!
Name: Isabel
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song: How Can I Keep From Singing
Sent: 12:57 PM – 4/18
This is my favorite today. I’ll have a new one tomorrow.
Name: Danny
Hometown: Washington D.C.
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song: I know you by heart
Sent: 4:54 AM – 4/27
I’m afraid I’m another latecomer to Eva’s talent. I remember seeing her gig listings here and there in the local papers but at the time I had grown jaded and tired of the local music (an on & off again musician myself) and had pretty much quit the scene both as a fan and a player, plus I was always suspicious of any white artist identified as a jazz or blues musician. Then one day late in 97 I came across “Eva By Heart” at a listening station in a local music store. Before the end of the first verse of “I know you by Heart” I knew I had stumbled across something extraordinary, I was nearly in tears (not an easy thing to do to a jaded Rock’n’Roller). I quickly bought Eva’s other recordings. My appetite for information about Eva’s life became nearly insatiable. Thanks a lot for yours and others sites.
My preference is for Eva’s pop, rock and folk oriented material. While jazz and blues was obviously Eva’s preference I hope more of her aforementioned material will be released (Chris B. are you checking these sites???). I seem to remember reading somewhere that there is some original material of Eva’s that might be released, I hope that is still part of future plans.
Besides “I Know You By Heart” my other fave songs are “Waly Waly”, “Tall Trees in Georgia” and “Wade in the Water”
Name: Gerry
Hometown: Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Wales
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song: I know you by heart (currently)
Sent: 1:14 AM – 4/30
Just getting into ‘By Heart’ recently after overdosing on Songbird since November. Favourite song is a tough one. Mostly, I tend to gravitate to the more folksy stuff she did. Yesterday it was Waly Waly (see, it changes daily daily) but overall it is probably still Autumn Leaves or Fields of Gold. The repeated last line on ‘Leaves’ has it all for me–encompassing just about every vocal effect these ears could wish for…until the final word with the (involuntary?) crack in her voice on ‘fall’ which absolutely finishes me off every single time (and I may have heard it 200 times by now). If Whitney, Celine, Aretha or Mariah had done it, it would be an automatic Grammy. The thing is…. not ONE of them would know how to….Less is more, and none of the so-called Divas remotely understand this. They couldn’t hold a candle to Eva…. … Am I right?…. Agree entirely with Danny below…we could do with
some more of the tapes being released even if it’s just Eva and guitar…change that, ESPECIALLY if it’s Eva and guitar. Thanks, Laura for a great job putting together this site in tribute to Eva!
Name: Alan Lowe-Jones
Hometown: Dukinfield Cheshire UK
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song: Over the Rainbow
Sent: 11:46 PM – 5/2
Having only recently discovered the music and marvellous sound of Eva, I feel very much a relative newcomer to the scene. Having fallen in love with Eva’s voice and talent, and then wondering how to find out more, I am so saddened to learn of her short life. Such a genius taken from us all. My heart goes out to Eva’s family. My sympathies are with you.
I am musician/classical & folk guitarist/singer. I am so captivated by this lovely lady’s music that I can’t resist working out the guitar picks, virtually note for note. I am presently working on ‘Over the Rainbow’, and it’ll take a few weeks of studious listening and writing. I am not too sure how this sort of thing fares with copyright rules, but I’m hoping to make the music/tablature available for those advanced/intrepid guitarists out there. If
this has gained your interest then please contact me. I am doing this purely for pleasure, voluntarily, and to allow anyone who wants, to learn Eva’s music at home. Now as for singing like Eva….well, I doubt whether anyone could ever charm the angels the way that Eva now does. Eva, you will live on in our hearts. Thank you for your music.
Alan.
Name: Dorlyn
Hometown: Harpers Ferry, WV
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song: How can I keep from singing
Sent: 11:57 PM – 5/2
I feel greatly fortunate to have met Eva and enjoyed her in several live performances. What a beautiful woman with an extraordinary voice. This is a great site, Laura.
Name: Barbara
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Sent: 7:45 PM – 5/4
Terrific job, Laura. Thanks a lot
Name: Hugh
Sent: 7:52 PM – 5/4
Hugh sez, pretty classy.
Name: Luis
Hometown: San Jose, Costa Rica
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song: Fields of Gold
Sent: 5:14 AM – 5/6
I started listening to Eva’s music in 1997, while living in DC. I listed to part of “Live at Blues Alley” on a listening station at Tower Records in 2100 Penn. What a voice!!! I bought it immediately and has been one of my favorite albums ever since. Last year, I was back in DC
working and bought a copy of “Eva By Heart” and “The Other Side” (as well as couple extra copies of Live at Blues Alley for friends who in their words “had to have it”) only to learn of Eva’s tragic death while reading the liner notes to one of them. Eva was truly one of the greatest voices of our time. Your site has done an excellent job of commemorating this outstanding singer. Sites such as this one may help her once achieve the wide recognition she deserved. Keep it up.
Name: Art
Hometown: Ayrshire, Scotland
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird (so far)
Favorite Eva Song: Fields of Gold
Sent: 8:33 PM – 5/23
“Fields of Gold” was the first song that I heard from Eva Cassidy and was captivated not only by her crystal voice but also by the intensity of feeling that it carried. I have recently bought the “Songbird” c.d. and her portrayal of Autumn Leaves and Over the Rainbow as well as Fields of Gold paints a series of pictures of the same emotion, with her voice channelling you into living the experience that she’s singing about. The other songs on the album are equally as brilliant in their own right.
On reading the available information about Eva it shows her as a person who seemed to encapsulate all of the fundamental decent things that we were taught at junior school on how we should be in this life and this was what was displayed in her beautiful voice.
Perhaps some things about Eva Cassidy, both in music and in social studies, should be taught in schools throughout the world, then maybe there would be some hope for future generations.
Name: David
Hometown: Milton Abbot
Favorite Eva Album: Live at the Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song: Wayfaring Stranger
Sent: 9:57 PM – 5/23
Firstly, what a marvellous site.
It is a great sadness that I was only introduced to Eva’s music after she had died and I am just thankful that she was recorded. Her performances are to be treasured. Her singing is so honest, passionate and dynamic (also….what a band!).
Name: Amy
Time is a Healer
Sent: 10:25 PM – 5/24
Cannot say what an incredible effect Eva Cassidy’s music has had on my life; heard “Time is a Healer” on local public radio in Connecticut and immediately scribbled the name of the artist in order to bring it to our local music wizard (Sally in Westport), because her voice and style were so unusual and quality. Accidentally, I miswrote her name, and Sally said she’d get back with me later in the week to find this mysterious artist.
Sally and I got to talking for the next twenty minutes about the type of music I’m into and that I’m learning to play guitar, that I write, etc…and she said, “Then you MUST listen to Eva.” You must understand that anything Sally recommends is to be heeded; I went home, started
listening to “Eva By Heart,” and went numb when song number two played. It was the song I was searching for!
For so many reasons, I have needed time to heal me…and her music and voice definitely speak to my heart (she is also the only artist I can completely sing with…our voice range is the same, but her amazing styling has really inspired me).
I waited until I heard the entire CD before I read the liner notes, which was probably a good idea, since I proceeded to absolutely lose it (my boyfriend thought I was nuts)…Let’s just say I relate to her in a lot of ways, and had to cry because her story is so beautiful — it made me feel like dreams really can come true — and has inspired me to live out my own gifts. Thank you, Eva (and thank you, Chris Biondo, for your part)!
Name: jo rochford
Wade in the Water and Fields of Gold
Sent: 5:54 AM – 5/30
Well, I only recently discovered Eva Cassidy and like someone mentioned before, the first song I heard of hers was a crystal clear sounding ‘Fields of Gold’. What can you say? – Exquisite voice that never fails to give the listener goosebumps, sweets tunes and altogether a beautiful sound. Why do all the good ones die?
Name: Alan Pert
Autumn Leaves
Sent: 12:39 AM – 6/9
Eva’s vocal genius is no more apparent than in “Autumn Leaves”. Her rendition of this poignant song transports me to a timeless world of bittersweet memories, of those good times gone forever, but we are grateful that we had them. My favourite album is “Live at Blues Alley”, with the Eva Cassidy Band in great form. his album is especially moving because of Eva’s heartfelt introductions to ‘Tall Trees in Georgia’ and ‘Wonderful World’ and her generous thank-you to the audience at the end of the concert. How many performers’s express such sincerity? Apart from her consummate technique, Eva’s singing is so honest it just goes straight to your heart. Thank you Eva for a legacy we will always cherish.
Name: Shantel Major
Everyone is a gem in my book!!!
Sent: 12:38 AM – 6/25
I have always had a ear for beautiful ad honest singers and when I heard “Fields of Gold” on my public radio station I knew immediately that this woman had something that I loved. I immediately bought her CD “Songbird” and I can’t wait to get the other two. She was truly a gem. I really miss her and all the beautiful music she could have made but then am happy that we have the songs we have. I know that she’s surely bringing heaven to the angel’s ears. Thanks Eva!!!!
Name: TONY BRAMWELL
Hometown: HOT Records
Sent: 12:36 PM – 6/25
it is my pleasure to promote Eva in the UK
and would like to thank everyone for
being so helpful
HOT RECORDS is releasing THE OTHER SIDE this week
Michsel Parkinson Terry Wogan and Bob Harris are
already on the case
Did anyone see the piece about Chris Evans and Eva in the Daily Mail?
cheers
Tony Bramwell
Sent: 1:42 AM – 6/26
What was the piece about Chris Evans and Eva in the Daily Mail? Surely ‘The Ego has Landed’ didn’t make a fool of himself, did he?
ANSWER FROM LAURA: I have added the article (a paragraph,really) to the “What’s New” section of the website.
Name: Derek Regan
Favorite Eva Album: Blues alley
Favorite Eva Song Time is a Healer
Sent: 7:51 PM – 6/28
Eva Cassidy is the only singer ever to move me to tears! The lyric “I miss you my friend” in “Time is a Healer” just hit a nerve as I recently lost someone. But with every listen it gets more & more cathartic. For this I will be forever grateful to Eva Cassidy and her music.
Name: Paul Ainsworth
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song Wade in the Water
Sent: 7:47 PM – 7/14
Not much more can be said.
I wish there was more to listen to.
Does anyone know where I can get the words to all the songs?
Name: Gordon Gavin
Fort Atkinson, WI
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song People Get Ready
Sent: 11:04 PM – 7/18
A friend in Scotland just recommended Eva to me and I purchased the “Live at Blues Alley” CD just yesterday. It is absolutely wonderful so much so that I started searching on the Internet only to discover that Eva is no longer with us … what a tragedy. Her music will take pride of place in my collection for evermore. My condolences to Eva’s family and what a sad loss to the world.
Name: Derek Rutherford
Hometown: –
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song Tall Trees In Georgia/Say Goodbye
Sent: 9:34 PM – 7/22
I heard Say Goodbye one morning on Radio 2 (thanks Terry Wogan!) whilst driving to work and made a mental note to search out Eva Cassidy. I was puzzled as to how come I hadn’t heard of Eva before – just that one song was more than enough to convince me that here was a major talent that surely everyone in the world except I must have already been aware of (especially as she was being played on Radio Two!). I experienced the same shock as so many other people when I bought the album and read the sleeve notes…And like so many others I now have all the albums and pine for more. A beautiful person, the finest singer I have heard in oh so long, and a sad sad story. Thanks Eva.
Name: gail grier lewis
Georgia
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow
Sent: 12:43 AM – 7/26
thank you for doing this page and for the wonderful tape you sent me.
Name: Adrian
Blackburn, Lancashire
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song Fields of Gold
Sent: 9:39 PM – 7/26
I heard Eva on Radio 2 and have just bought my first Eva CD, I shall collect them all.
I had never heard of Eva until her music was played on Radio 2, sorry Sting but Eva’s version of Fields of Gold can move me to tears. Why had I never heard of Eva before?
A sad loss to all.
Name: K.T. Mae
Favorite Eva Album: Love them all.
Favorite Eva Song Too many to note.
Sent: 4:03 AM – 7/27
I was very moved by Eva’s music…I could write for ages and ages on what her music has done for me. But I will leave that for another time because if I were to really write something special about Eva I would have to sit down for a whole day and give it some serious thought as to what I would like to say about her. For now…all I can say is ‘Thank you’, to her and to all the people that made her recordings possible.
However, there is a really important question I need to ask and if anyone reading this has the answer, could you please e-mail me immediately. On Eva’s album ‘Eva By Heart’ there is a picture that Eva apparently painted/drew of a house. Half brown, half white. It is absolutely vital that I find out the history of this piece of art work. What inspired her to paint this picture? Is it in some way significant to her life? Does anyone out there know?
It involves a premonition of some sort. Please help me if you can.
Thank you, From K.M. (Australia).
ANSWER FROM LAURA: I will try to find out about this, and e-mail you directly. If any of Eva’s friends happen to know about the painting,
let me know!
FURTHER UPDATE: According to Chris Biondo, the painting is of a church on St. John’s in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Name: Alan Sharratt
Favorite Eva Album: only heard Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow
Sent: 5:55 PM – 7/27
I have just discovered Eva after listening to her on a radio station here in the U.K. and just had to hear some more and bought Songbird.
Regards Alan
Name: Jerry Choi
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song Please don’t ask me to choose
Home town: Norristown, PA
Sent: 3:33 PM – 7/28
Thank you so much for having this web page up. Back in September of 1998 I went on vacation in Bar Harbor, Maine with a friend. While up there we went into a shop that sold books, music, etc. While looking around, the cashier put ‘Live at Blues Alley’ on. First I noticed the piano and then that voice came on. I was totally in shock and was frozen, I could not believe what I heard. Without thinking, I bought the CD. When I came back home I listened to the entire CD and I could not stop playing it. When I tried to find out who she was on the net, I found out that she passed away. Like everyone else, my heart sank to find this out. But I also found out that Songbird and Eva By Heart also existed. So I got those as well, I love ‘Over the Rainbow’. I could not believe that while I was going to school at GWU in DC from 1989-1993, that I never heard of her. And trying to find any info about her is next to impossible. I am so happy that I found your site. I so much want to be able to see all of her artwork. Is this possible? It is so sad that she was with us only so briefly, but thank you Eva for the wonderful gifts that you gave us.
Name: Jennie
Home town: North Wales, UK
Sent: 10:40 PM – 7/31
A couple of days ago I was driving along when I heard the Christine McVie song “Songbird” on the radio. I had never heard anything like it before. I am a music nut, music is m life and I have a huge CD collection. I have also seen and heard many great talents.
But nothing, I swear nothing moved me like this. The voice was amazing, it just totally blew me away. At the end the DJ said it was ‘Eva Cassidy, who sadly is no longer with us’. I had to find out more.
Having tracked down the various web sites and discovered the tragedy of this wonderful singer’s death, I was moved to tears reading about her … the tributes … and the fact that others have shared that experience I had that day driving along in my car.
I don’t have any of her records, but needless to say I soon will have.
God bless Eva Cassidy … she sings with the angels.
Name: Tony Bramwell
Home town: TOTNES DEVON
Sent: 2:08 PM – 8/3
I’ve just received confirmation
from BBC Radio 2 that they will make a One Hour Special
to be broadcast on Radio 2 on Tuesday 28th December
at 9.00 p.m. British time
Anyone having difficulty finding EVA’s discs
can always call HOT records on+44(0)1903 783385
but the HMV stores and Our Price have all in stock !!!!
Cheers
TONY B.
Name: John Elliott
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song Fields of Gold
Home town: Montreal
Sent: 7:10 PM – 8/4
Strangely enough I discovered the magic of Eva Cassidy in exactly the same fashion as did Jerry Choi (a prior letter poster). I was in Bar Harbour Maine on August1/2 1999 and walked into a shop called “Domus Isle” and Eva’s CD “Live at Blues Alley” was playing. I was completely entranced by her remarkable, haunting voice and her ability to transcend the music. I talked to the owner, bought the CD, played it in my car during a tour of Acadia National Park (a wonderful fusion of music and nature occurred)and immediately returned to the store and purchased the two other CD’s by Eva. I have since loaned the live CD to friends who are all taken by the talent that she was. The tragedy of her passing is eased by the legacy
of her music. To paraphrase : “Eva, we hardly knew ye.”
Name: Jennie
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird (so far)
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow (so far)
Home town: North Wales, UK
Sent: 8:06 PM – 8/4
I wrote to the guest book last week when I heard Eva on the radio for the first time. Today I drove into Llandudno and was lucky enough to pick up two albums in the record store there – ‘Songbird’, and ‘The Other Side’.
Since I came home this afternoon they have been playing non-stop and I am on my knees!! What a voice .. it defies description. On one track she sounds like Aretha (only better) on another she sounds like a Celtic princess!
‘Over the Rainbow’ is not a favourite of mine. Only last week I was playing an album by the English singer/songwriter John Martyn which includes a cover of that song. He massacres it … and every time it came on I would fast forward through it (sorry John)!
But Eva’s version is something else. So beautiful … I still can’t believe what I’m hearing.
Name: anthony izzard
Favorite Eva Album: all of them
Favorite Eva Song all of them
Home town: Liverpool, England
Sent: 9:04 PM – 8/11
I would just like to say thank you to radio2 for bringing the most enchanting voice I have ever heard into my life.
The first song I ever heard by Eva was somewhere over a rainbow. I went straight out and bought Songbird followed by all the other albums.
God Bless you Eva
Name: Dianne
Home town: Gold Coast, Queenland Australia
Sent: 9:49 AM – 8/13
A friend just handed me a tape and said, “you have to listen to this singer – unfortunately she passed away”. Deja vu! I heard the haunting strains of another mystically-inspiring singer, sadly deceased, by the name of Jeff Buckley. The album ‘Songbird’ has just ended and my eyes are dry no longer. As an astrologer, researcher and writer, I’d be grateful to know Eva’s date, place (and time if possible) of birth. A lovely site Laura.
Name: K.T. Mae
Favorite Eva Album: The Other Side
Favorite Eva Song If You Leave Me/Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Home town: melbourne. Australia
Sent: 2:37 PM – 8/13
Hi again. I just thought I would check in with all you Eva Cassidy fans. I am still really enjoying listening to all her recordings. Her voice absolutely blows me away. Her whole story does actually. I have yet to purchase a copy of ‘Live at Blues Alley’, but I am looking forward to sitting down with a bottle of red and getting into that one as well. Seriously people, what a voice!!! She sounds like an angel-or how I would imagine an angel to sound.
Laura and Chris…did you get my e-mails?
Speak to you all again soon.
I just love her!!!
Name: K.T. Mae
Sent: 2:44 PM – 8/13
I am such a dill. The reason I even re-visited this site and signed the guestbook again was to ask if anyone knows if Eva has any of her performances on video. She sings with so much passion, I would just love to see her expressions when she performs. Can anyone help me?
Name: Simon
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird (so far)
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow
Home town: Welwyn Garden City, UK
Sent: 8:18 PM – 8/15
I first heard “Over the Rainbow” on Radio 2 one afternoon while I was re-decorating my house. At that time a caring family friend stopped by with my frail and elderly grandmother, who was more ill than she would admit to. She was quiet and withdrawn but was moved to tears when Eva’s version of the song was played. Sadly, this proved to be the last time I saw my gran, for she passed away a few days later. So, when I heard “Over the Rainbow” again shortly afterwards, the poignancy of the words moved me enormously. I just had to buy a CD with this song on. Since then, each of the other songs have become favourites of mine. Her voice and the feelings she conveys to the listener are just so beautiful. Imagine my renewed sense of loss when I read the sleeve notes about Eva’s premature death. It isn’t such a bad thing to be reminded of just how fragile life is. Thanks Laura for bringing some of Eva’s fans together. It’s nice to know that other people have been as moved as I was when they first heard this incredible voice.
15 August 1999
Name: Jim Young
Favorite Eva Album: Song Bird, so far
Favorite Eva Song Fields of Gold
Home town: Pitlochry Scotland.
Sent: 8:59 PM – 8/16
I am so sorry it took so long for me to discover Eva, what a sad loss to the world.
Name: Linda Stefkovic
Favorite Eva Album: All of them!
Favorite Eva Song Autumn Leaves
Home town: Mt. Rainier, MD
Sent: 5:23 PM – 8/19
The first time I saw Eva was at one of those Washington, DC outdoors festivals. Literally five seconds after she began her first song, I was stunned and almost paralyzed! I think it was Baby, I Love You, an Aretha Franklin cover. I felt so connected to her, too connected for having never met this woman. At her memorial service, I discovered we had the same birthday; I realize that doesn’t mean much but it shook me because of my strange obsession with her. She was in my dreams a number of times. I have never figured any of this out, but I am happy to know Eva any way possible, be it her recordings or my dreams!
Name: Stuart Harvey
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song Fields of Gold
Home town: Germantown, MD
Sent: 4:05 PM – 8/21
Laura, Isabel pointed out this site to me. It’s great! I’ve spread the word about Eva, and played her music every chance I get, for my friends. A dear friend from New Orleans, who is now an enormous fan, is going with me to visit Isabel & learn more about Eva. Thanks for this tribute to a remarkable spirit.
Stuart
Name: Linda
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song really not able to choose
Home town: Yeppoon Queensland Australia
Sent: 1:56 AM – 8/22
I am in awe of her powerful voice and the way these songs make me feel. I often listen to her when driving and when I want to be on my own. I heard her first on the local ABC radio with “Fields of Gold” and of course I had to have the CD so I’m keen to gradually collect all of her music Her music makes me happy ,sad, rejoiceful and at times full of life. How can you feel all of these things at the same time? I’m listening to her while I write this and it’s a little hard not to be swept away. Thanks for this space.
Name: barbara
Sent: 4:01 PM – 8/26
dear Laura, you’ve done a beautiful job. many, many thanks
Name: dan wash d.c.
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Home town: tall trees in georgia
Sent: 9:00 PM – 8/27
thanks , Laura, for creating this wonderful website!
Name: Steven Digman
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song How can I keep from singing and Easy Street Dream
Home town: Jax Beach Florida
Sent: 10:54 AM – 8/28
Thanks Laura for the interview with Chris Biondo. Thanks Chris for even remembering me.
I always enjoyed working with Chris in his studio in Rockville Maryland… and having Eva sing for me was like listening to the Radio from Heaven! Eva had the ability to make a bad song into a good song…a good song into a great song and a great song into something even Greater!
I will miss her!
Steven
Webmaster’s note, 2024: Steven’s songs “Say Goodbye,” “Easy Street Dream,” and “Anniversary Song” are
Name: Sim Barr Fidel
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird (for sentimental reasons)
Favorite Eva Song Waly Waly, Songbird, Autumn Leaves, Tall Trees
Home town: Provincetown, MA
Sent: 4:01 PM – 8/28
Thank you Laura! Your site is truly wonderful. I especially loved the interview with Chris. How exciting to know that all these other songs are out there! Someday you should make your way to P-town . . . where everyone knows Eva’s name . . . her CD’s are in the juke boxes, and her voice can be heard every day coming from various shops on Commercial Street. The way it should be everywhere!
Name: Derek Taylor
Favorite Eva Album: All of them
Favorite Eva Song How can I keep from singing & Over the Rainbow
Home town: Portland, OR (originally Blackpool, UK)
Sent: 10:29 PM – 8/28
God gave Eva the purest singing voice I have ever heard; as soon as I first heard her she instantly became the benchmark against which I measure every other singer, and none of the rest of them come close. I find myself listening to my CDs of her incessantly; her music resonates deep within me. What a gift she had, and how well she used it.
To the creator of this website, many many thanks for providing the world with so much information about our favourite singer, and also for administering the Songbird site at onelist.com. I for one am very grateful for your hard work, and find it an invaluable reference.
Note from Laura: Thanks for your kind words. I can’t take credit for administering the onelist.com information, though; that’s done by Lola in New York.
Name: Reggie Elliott
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song I Know You By Heart, How Can I Keep From Singing, Nightbird
Home town: Mitchellville, MD
Sent: 6:04 AM – 8/29
I just wanted to say no other musician has touched me the way Eva has. I was listening to I Know You By Heart one day and I just broke down in tears. Now mind you, not that I’m “macho” or anything but I never cry, not even at funerals. Yet here I was bawling, why? Because I realized my calling in life…to tell Eva’s story on the big screen. I’m still committed to making a film about the life of Eva Cassidy. Thank you Eva for touching me.
Name: Simon Beards
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Wayfaring Stranger
Home town: Ealing, London, UK
Sent: 11:43 PM – 8/31
I last left a message here in April. So it’s nice to be back again! Such great news that Tony has given us that, for UK Eva fans, ‘Auntie Beeb’ is going to screen an hour long documentary over the Christmas period, presumably an ‘Omnibus’ or ‘Arena’ special or some such. I can’t wait! Are you involved with this particular project, Laura, since your involvement and devotion to promoting Eva’s extraordinary talent is so strong and well directed? Joan Baez, whom I mentioned in my last guest-message, is appearing in the UK soon but sadly I won’t be able to catch her concerts this time. I’m glad that Eva was a fan of hers too. Well that’s enough from me. Looking forward to the TV slot and any further CD releases that may possibly surface in the future. In the meantime I’ll treasure the material currently available – jewels of a very special kind.Reply: Thank you for your compliments, Simon. The BBC program is for radio, as far as I know, not television, and I’m not involved with it. When they come to the U.S., I hope they will be interviewing Eva’s parents, friends and musical associates, all of whom have more to say than I do! But it has been rewarding to know that I am helping Eva’s fans around the world to find out more about her, through this wonderful international medium of the Internet.
Name: Gerry Evans
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Still “Autumn Leaves”
Home town: London
Sent: 1:56 AM – 9/1
Just read your interview with Chris Biondo, Laura. Thanks to you both. Absolutely right, success isn’t everything. “If you know you’re good, that’s enough”. Eva’s legacy will always be more substantial than the likes of Britney Spears or the Spice Girls etc. There’s no substitute for that “emotional connection” Chris was referring to. Thanks for all your work on this website…I visit every week or so and it gets better and better all the time. Keep it up! I’m now itching to hear some of these other recordings! (Easy Street Dream, True Colours, Time After Time etc etc). Hoping it won’t be too long.
Name: Susanne
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song Stormy Monday, Autumn Leaves, Somewhere Over the Rainbow — it’s hard to choose!
Home town: Salt Lake City
Sent: 10:54 PM – 9/2
As so many other people on this list have already posted, Eva was an incredible talent, and I feel very fortunate to have stumbled across her music. Recently when Salt Lake City was slammed by a freak tornado, I had the privilege? duty? of putting our radio station, KRCL 91FM, back on the air during my show, Thursday Breakfast Jam. I used Eva’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” to start sending our signal out again the morning after all that devastation, and lots of my listeners called to say how comforted they felt by that version of that song. Even after she’s gone, she’s still giving gifts to so many of us!
Name: Tisha
Favorite Eva Album: I can’t decide!
Favorite Eva Song Golden Thread/Nightbird
Home town: DC
Sent: 4:52 AM – 9/7
Thank you for creating such a wonderful website! The only time I saw Eva was at the benefit show at The Bayou in DC where she performed “What a Wonderful World.” Since then, Eva’s music has been a big part of my life…Daily. Reading all the kind words in this guestbook has already brought me to tears! I will come back to your website often. Thanks again!
Name: Keith Emigh
Favorite Eva Song I know you by heart
Home town: New Orleans, Louisiana
Sent: 9:15 PM – 9/9
Laura,
Stuart did indeed take me to Harper’s Ferry to visit Cass and Isabel. I was quite moved by Isabel’s surprise for me. I do my part in spreading the beauty. The albums are my favorite gifts to give. Thank you.
Name: Roger Crane
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song “Autumn Leaves”
Home town: Lomita, CA
Sent: 3:48 PM – 9/10
Given Eva’s short life and tragic ending it is very easy to wonder if you are being moved by her voice or by her story. Well, when I first received and played her compilation album, titled “Eva Cassidy – Songbird” I did not know of her tragic short life. I simply assumed that she was a wonderful new talent. The magic was all in her haunting voice, in her impeccable intonation and in her control. It is one of the most extraordinary and singular voices I have heard in a very, very long time. Simply put, the lovely Eva had “magic.” I love her and it saddens me to know that there will be no more “Eva music.” /Roger Crane
Name: Frank Versace
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song I Know you by heart
Home town: Melbourne, Australia
Sent: 3:01 PM – 9/11
We need to get this music to a wider audience- Eva’s music makes me realise that life is all too short but that something so beautiful can last for eternity. “I know you by heart” sends a shiver down my spine and the occasional tear to my eye. I feel very fortunate to have discovered Eva’s Music. Eva will live longer in our hearts due to the legacy left behind. I obviously didn’t know her but somehow feel connected to her. We would be the same age if she had lived(born in 63)- thanks for a great page dedicated to Eva’s memory.
Name: Peter Wyman
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song I Know You By Heart
Home town: Montville, NJ
Sent: 6:17 AM – 9/12
Like two others on this thread, I first heard Eva’s music at a shop in Bar Harbor, Maine….we immediately purchased Songbird, and fell in love with her music while driving through Acadia National Park. I became a “spread the word” fanatic…I emailed Vin Scelsa, a legendary radio voice on WNEW-FM in New York City, and after purchasing Eva’s CDs, he has introduced her to many new fans by playing her music on his Sunday evening radio show. I also recommended Eva’s music to Jay Lustig of the Star Ledger in New Jersey, and he named Songbird to his Top Ten best CDs of 1998.
Eva lives on through her wonderful music!
Name: Jennie
Favorite Eva Album: Not Sure!
Favorite Eva Song Time is a Healer
Home town: Sussex, England
Sent: 9:20 AM – 9/12
Congratulations on the comprehensive interview with Chris Biondo, Laura. It made fascinating reading. Thanks too for all the work you put in on the site which is greatly appreciated. Eva’s music continues to enthrall, and for me now … all other singers pale by comparison. She was
unique.
Name: Robert Tilt
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Fields of Gold
Home town: Redditch UK
Sent: 6:39 PM – 9/19
First heard Eva`s singing on the radio only a few days ago…
Too late.
Name: Simon Forrester
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song keeps changing!
Home town: Welwyn Garden City
Sent: 5:33 PM – 9/21
Since I last wrote in mid-August, I have added ‘Live at Blues Alley’ to my collection and have listened to it many times already. I really love the sequence of Tall Trees In Georgia / Fields of Gold / Autumn Leaves. In fact, having the applause adds something to the listening pleasure – I can shut my eyes and imagine what it might have been like to actually be in that audience and hear that beautifully powerful voice. Not many renditions of simple songs can send chills down the spine, but oh what I would give to be able to sing as well as that! God bless you Eva for the legacy you left behind. I only just realised through reading other entries in the guestbook that Eva and I were also born in the same year.
By the way, I recently discovered a lovely track called ‘Dante’s Prayer’ by Loreena McKennitt which moved me almost as much as ‘Over the Rainbow’. Anyone out there who likes music that goes straight to the heart might enjoy listening to it. ( I don’t work for LM’s record company
or anything – I just love great music!)
Name: Richard Thomas
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Autumn Leaves
Home town: Blaenafon, Gwent, United Kingdom
Sent: 10:09 PM – 9/21
I have only discovered Eva within the last two weeks – the impact Eva’s precious contribution to music has made on me since this time is second to none. Heartfelt thanks to all who have ensured that Eva is now internationally heard – she will remain an inspiration.
Congratulations on an excellent web-site.
Name: Hilary Yorke
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley
Favorite Eva Song Fields of Gold
Home town: Auckland, New Zealand
Sent: 1:51 AM – 9/22
My sister introduced me to Eva’s haunting voice, she said Autumn Leaves made her cry. I have never seen my sister cry, so I had to listen to this music that evoked such emotion in her. It’s easy to see why, Fields of Gold does it for me. A truly remarkable woman.
Name: Jimmy and Marie Campbell
Favorite Eva Album: Method Actor
Favorite Eva Song “Stay”, “Take My Breath Away”, “Forever”
Home town: Pittsburgh, PA
Sent: 6:55 PM – 9/23
Laura…. Nice, really nice! I am so pleased to see the recognition that Eva truly deserves, and has so for years. Eva inspires me to sing… though, no one will ever hold half the light of a candle to Eva, I feel her in my heart when I sing.
My husband, Jimmy Campbell, played drums with Eva in the late 80’s early 90’s. I never got the chance to know her like he did, and I sure wish I had. I am envious of all who did get to know her and perform with her, but I am happy they at least were blessed with that pleasure!
A quick note to Al Dale, Chris Biondo, and Tony Taylor: Put “Emotional Step”, and “Take My Breath Away” out there, I have her old demo tape with these and others on there, and they NEED to be heard by these 30,000+ fans! You owe it to us! 🙂
Thanks again!
Marie Campbell
Name: Jeff Morley
Favorite Eva Album: The Other Side
Favorite Eva Song What a Wonderful World
Home town: Washington, DC
Sent: 9:05 PM – 9/23
Your site is a great way to keep Eva’s music and spirit alive, Laura. The interview with Chris is terrific combining both his characteristic humor and honesty with affecting memories of Eva. I wonder if other musicians who worked with Eva might sit for similar interviews.
Name: Peter Fitzgerald
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow
Home town: Orpington, Kent UK
Sent: 5:35 PM – 9/24
Like many others, I have only become aware of Eva recently. A few weeks ago I attempted to sing her version of Over the Rainbow at a poetry and song evening. It was really difficult but I felt that I had to do it as a tribute to her unique voice, phrasing and ability. I am writing this whilst listening to “Songbird” and its quite difficult to see the screen through the tears. I would urge anyone who appreciates music, honestly performed, to seek out her recordings. Seldom have I been so moved.
Name: Dave Mitchell
Favorite Eva Album: I can’t decide!
Favorite Eva Song How do you choose?
Home town: Great Sutton, Cheshire UK
Sent: 6:17 PM – 9/24
Thanks Eva for leaving a taste of heaven for all of us. Heck I thought I was on my own with these incredible feelings. It’s so nice to find I’m in such brilliant company. Everyone who has taken the opportunity to express their feelings have done so in such beautiful ways. See there are an awful lot of really nice people out there! Well done Laura … a truly moving website … a truly moving tribute to an angel.
Name: Ian Topham
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird ( the only one so far)
Favorite Eva Song Fields of Gold/ Over the Rainbow
Home town: Northampton, England
Sent: 7:21 PM – 9/28
I know that I have been blessed for having been introduced to one of the most remarkable and honest voices that it’s ever been my pleasure to hear. My only real sadness comes from knowing that Eva died before the majority of the world had a chance to see or hear her. I know that anybody hearing her sing will be in awe of such a talent and hopefully everybody will realise what a loss we have to suffer in her tragic, all too early death. The fact that she gave us her recorded voice does not compensate for the loss of one so tragically young. God bless, Eva.
Name: Brigitte Hyam
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird (so far)
Favorite Eva Song Songbird
Home town: Penryn/Cornwall
Sent: 7:48 PM – 9/29
We were quite simply moved to tears when we first heard the CD. We realised we heard something very special when we heard a track on Radio 2 but hearing the whole CD without any distraction is out of this world! Saving up now to get all of Eva’s CDs.
Name: Carly McQueen
Favorite Eva Album: Can’t decide
Favorite Eva Song Can’t decide
Home town: Corby, Northamptonshire, England.
Sent: 3:06 PM – 10/2
I was given ‘Songbird’ as a birthday gift. I had not heard of Eva at that time and I thought it strange that somebody would buy me a CD not knowing whether I’d like it.
I’ll never forget the moment I sat down and listened and I will be forever grateful to the person who bought me that CD and introduced me to Eva.
As so many of the contributors to this page, I am haunted and inspired by such a perfect voice. I also crave to know and hear more. Eva has given us all such an incredible gift. Thank you Eva.
I tell everybody I know about Eva and there is nobody who isn’t moved. I have four albums now and I feel as if Eva has changed my life. It’s good to know so many people feel the same way. Let’s keep spreading the word!
I actually present a programme on a community radio station in the small town of Corby in Northamptonshire. Since receiving the most amazing birthday gift of my life, ‘Songbird’, I have bombarded the listeners of Corby Radio with all of Eva’s songs and so many of them have personally thanked me to introducing them to her wonderful music. The sales of Eva’s albums in our one record store have gone through the roof and they’ve even had to order more. I also have all the other DJ’s on the station play her songs. So, in Corby, thanks to Corby Radio and Radio 2, Eva has a large following.
I will be giving EVERYBODY I know Eva’s albums for Christmas. Eva is like a precious secret that we all want to share with each other.
Name: Kirsty & Alice Johnstone
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Fields of Gold, Wade in the Water
Home town: Fleet, Hants, UK
Sent: 10:12 PM – 10/2
A friend of ours gave us the CD to record on to tape so he could take it on holiday with him. Being so much older than us he thought we would not like the style but Eva has a voice of an angel and a way of bringing a song like Over the Rainbow a whole new life, depth and meaning. We would very much like to build up a collection of her CDs as Songbird is all we have so far.
Name: Mary Lou Lord
Favorite Eva Album: Each
Favorite Eva Song All
Home town: Salem Ma
Sent: 8:08 AM – 10/3
I have heard many singers in my day, but I think Eva’s voice is the closest to what heaven must sound like, out of any other voice I’ve heard .Simply stunning. This is a beautiful page and I’m thankful Eva’s recordings and her spirit live on…
Name: sheila
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Home town: bearsden
Sent: 7:33 PM – 10/4
I have only recently been introduced to Eva – what a wonderful voice – what a sad loss…
hope more songs can be released
Name: Dwight D’Aguilar-Gooden
Sent: 2:50 PM – 10/9
Having heard some of Eva’s music on the radio, I am here to find out more about the lady behind the voice.
Name: Megan Gassert
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Fields of Gold, I know you by heart
Home town: Cincinnati, Ohio
Sent: 1:54 AM – 10/10
I first heard “Fields of Gold” on NPR one evening this week…I was blown away. I ran out the record store and purchased Songbird and have been listening to it over and over…just a few minutes ago I stopped to read the liner notes and was heartbroken to read that she is no longer with us. I felt as though I’d been punched in the stomach…I’d finally found a vocalist who sang right to my heart and now this powerful messenger is gone. Thank you for this wonderful website and I will continue to listen and love her music. What a voice…and what a loss.
Name: Keith Balaam
Favorite Eva Album: Blues Alley if I had to choose
Favorite Eva Song Autumn Leaves if I had to choose
Home town: Weston Super Mare, UK.
Sent: 2:21 PM – 10/10
Heard Autumn Leaves on the BBC Radio and for the first time in years (since hearing Cat Stevens) I had to stop what I was doing…. A great site well done
Name: Wayne Alexander
Favorite Eva Album: Live at Blues Alley – if I must choose!
Favorite Eva Song People get ready.
Home town: Worthing – UK
Sent: 6:02 PM – 10/11
There are no words to describe Eva’s heavenly voice. But it is not simply her voice, it is her. She is not “just singing”, she is singing with integrity, it comes through her voice so clearly, that just as we are moved incredibly as we listen, she is moved as she sings. I have never heard music like this, it blows my mind and moves me to my core. I have to introduce her to anyone I can. What an amazing gift to pass on. Although I yearn to hear more, she is in a better place now – God is cherishing her and enjoying the special voice that He created. Thank you to her family and everyone else involved in releasing her music. Most of all, thank you to Eva, you have given us something eternal and precious, I would have loved to have told you this to your face.
Name: Linda
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird at the present
Favorite Eva Song whole album
Home town: yeppoon Australia
Sent: 7:52 AM – 10/16
I love to visit this site, it’s great to know that there are so many people who love Eva’s music and are spreading the word. I plan to buy all that I can in the future and cherish it forever even my children 14 &17 enjoy her soulfulness and the sweet joy of her voice. It relaxes me so much and makes me feel …. .. I really can’t think of the right words but I’m just so glad I found her.
Name: John Shaw
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song I Know You By Heart
Home town: Liverpool, United Kingdom
Sent: 7:42 PM – 10/16
What can you say about Eva Cassidy that hasn’t already been said in these messages? The remarkable thing for me is that so many other people have experienced the same feelings that I have on discovering Eva’s music and subsequently learning of the tragedy behind her story. I have never contributed my thoughts in a public forum such as this before and I think it is because of the effect that Eva’s music has on me that I want to share my feelings with others. Usually when I am introduced to an artist for the first time I listen to their music so much that I tire of it and turn to something else. That has not happened with Eva. Since March, when I first heard “Songbird”, I have listened to Eva’s songs almost to the exclusion of everything else and never tire of listening to them. Like other fans I tell everyone I know who shares my love of music about the wonder that is Eva Cassidy. Nobody should go through life without enjoying her beautiful voice. I, too, have wondered whether it is the sadness behind Eva’s story that captivates as much as her music but then I realise that only the quality and honesty of her singing could sustain long term interest. Eva was the antithesis of the modern day spoilt rock star and it was that simplicity, combined with such a remarkable talent, that was refreshing. I feel cheated that we have been deprived of this wonderful singer. I hope that Eva’s family and friends take comfort in the knowledge that her legacy is appreciated by an increasingly large number of music lovers. Through this wonderful web site I realise that I am part of a community of fans that has been touched by something rare and very special.
Thank you, Eva. Thank you, Laura.
Name: Karen Borawski
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow
Home town: South Windsor, Connecticut
Sent: 5:25 AM – 10/21
To: Laura, Hugh & Barbara
How blessed you were to have had such precious time with Eva!! I was on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts last weekend and heard Eva’s “Over the Rainbow” playing in a shop — both my girlfriend and I stopped dead in our tracks to listen to her soft smooth voice — she ranks right up there with Karen Carpenter!!! Unfortunately the store was sold out of her CD but I definitely plan on getting all of her CDs.
Thank you for this website. I, too, felt deprived when I heard of her passing. I do believe that her music will endure . . . Although I never knew or heard of Eva before this weekend I do feel a great loss as well. Again, thank you for giving me the opportunity to listen to such a wonderful voice. It is quite evident that she was born with a gift to interpret music as well.
Karen
Name: Ruud Rozemeijer
Favorite Eva Album: All of them
Favorite Eva Song “Over the Rainbow” since that was the first time I heard Eva sing.
Home town: Beverwijk, The Netherlands
Sent: 1:55 PM – 10/22
Hello Laura, thank you for the website and the guestbook.
I appear to be the first person to add a note to your guestbook from The Netherlands. I do not know if Eva has reached’ our little country yet, although a Dutch on-line store has "Live at Blues Alley". I usually listen to Wogan on BBC Radio 2 in the morning, and one morning December ’98 he was playing "Over the Rainbow. I didn’t realise it was this song until I recognised it half way through. Such a wonderful and amazing arrangement. I must admit I have never been a fan of female guitar singers, but song and voice just blew me away. Something like that only happened once in my life before, when I first heard the music of John Barry. Something just clicks in the right place and that’s it. When Terry Wogan mentioned the title of the album, "Songbird, I started a frantic search for the album in record shops here in Holland. To no avail. So I started a search on the Internet and bought the album on line. At one time I was in an elevator with one of Holland’s most famous and influential disk jockeys. But since I hardly ever listen to his programme, I didn’t have the nerve to ask if had ever played Eva’s music. Fool! Last September I was walking through Harrods record department in London one morning, heard a voice singing over the loudspeakers, and I stopped at the very spot. That voice. It must be Eva’s. I noticed the album and yes, it was Eva By Heart. Now, I have all Eva’s albums from on-line stores; Eva By Heart and Live at Blues Alley arriving today. And I don’t know where to start or end playing them. Sadly, we have all the time in the world. As Alan Pert says below, Eva’s singing "goes straight to your heart. I couldn’t agree more. Thank you, Eva, for the music.
Name: john higgins
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song too hard to choose
Home town: east kilbride
Sent: 9:23 PM – 10/22
The greatest voice that I have ever heard. What more can I say.
Name: John Fenn
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song People Get Ready
Home town: Maidstone Kent.
Sent: 12:19 AM – 10/23
Great singer great albums, thanks to Paul Walters for discovering her for me.
Name: Marea Murray & Candis Gillette
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow
Home town: Boston, MA
Sent: 12:54 AM – 10/23
The reason Boston is such an Eva Cassidy town is that FRED TAYLOR, a living legend in the music promotion business, who by the way turned me on to “Manhattan Transfer” way back in 1971 when I was but a teenie-bopper, heard her CD and was blown away by her. He went back to read the liner notes after experiencing “Over the Rainbow”. He wanted to hire her for his club “Scullers” and was horrified and saddened to hear she had died. The Boston Globe newspaper ran a story in its arts section sometime last winter (Feb?) based on Fred Taylor’s experience and hordes of people, myself included immediately went to all the music stores and bought out all their stock (we bought over 20 copies of “Songbird” to give to friends and family). Every store in the area was on “reorder” mode within days! We have given this CD to many friends as a gift or token of thanks and enjoy sharing our discovery with them. As it gets close to the anniversary of her death Nov. 2nd,it is truly amazing how connected we feel to her, as if we knew her and feeling the loss without ever meeting her. My spiritual leader/mentor passed away in July of 1997 and it was difficult, still is, but I get a warm feeling thinking they are together in heaven or whatever! The song “Over the Rainbow” is a miraculous recording and yes, Sting, Eva improved on “Fields of Gold” but didn’t she always make a song her own?
Webmaster’s note: Yes! That was a wonderful article by Joan Anderman in the Boston Globe! It was published January 31, 1999.
Name: T.M. Land
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird & Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song All
Home town: South Portland, ME
Sent: 1:43 PM – 10/28
I instantly fell in love with her voice the first time I heard her sing. I have 2 of her CD’s and I could listen to them everyday and never get tired. She is sadly missed by many and I hope that they discover more recordings. I have told many people about her and they too have bought her CD’s. Even though she is not with us now, she will always be with us through her music and in our hearts. Thank you Eva.
Name: Claire Spinks
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song I know you by heart
Home town: London, England.
Sent: 9:27 AM – 10/30
I’m listening to her right now, as I try and find some words to describe the effect this incredible woman’s’ voice has on me. But, the language is inadequate. It was on a national radio station that I first heard her – some d.j. of rare good taste played “Over the Rainbow” and I just stood there, transfixed. I love music and am a fan of many different styles and genres, but, can truthfully say I’d never heard such a voice before ever. Eva’s voice cuts through all the crap, all the trappings and seductions we like to wrap ourselves in- it’s only concern, only aim is to get to the core- the truth. Conveying the spirit of the music from one soul to another. That’s why so many of us who have signed these pages say that when we hear her we become rooted to the spot. It MAKES us listen…. .! and check ourselves. It would be too easy to lapse into eulogy, in the light of what happened almost 3 years ago and I wouldn’t want to dishonour her beauty or courage or talent by getting too maudlin and focussing on that. This is so hard to avoid when people are taken too soon I know. But, from reading about her in several sites, about her spirit and passion, maybe she would have said to all of us.’ just concentrate on the music’. So, Eva – that’s what I’m going to do…. Listen and concentrate on your music for a very long time. I just wish, like all of us, there was a lot more of it around …God Bless You Angel
Name: Leon Purdham
Favorite Eva Album: All 3 that I have
Favorite Eva Song everything
Home town: Hagerstown, Md.
Sent: 6:10 AM – 11/8
I first heard of Eva from the Wash. Post review and had to travel to D.C. to find my first CD and was awe struck. I believe that she could have ranged from blue grass to Broadway musicals. A great loss to the music world.
Name: Scott Bennett
Home town: Alexandria, Virginia
Sent: 8:46 PM – 11/8
I was lucky to be there, with Eva in many small venues. I fell in love with her and was consumed by the emotion she conveyed in her work. I remember walking up to her just to tell her how much I loved her voice. I’m so happy I did.
Name: Delyth Jones
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Wade in the Water
Home town: Bangor, North Wales, UK
Sent: 12:34 AM – 11/14
The first time I heard Eva Cassidy was on the radio singing Fields of Gold – I was so overwhelmed I just had to park at the side of the road to listen and catch her name … since then I have been a big fan. A special thanks has to go to Radio 2 here in the UK who have promoted her music (Bob Harris in particular and Terry Wogan although I am not a great fan of his in general). And thanks Laura for this great site – it is especially heartwarming to find fellow Welsh fans among your devotees. Her untimely death was a great loss but her music will love on….
Name: Rob Harding
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow
Sent: 3:27 PM – 11/21
I have only recently been getting into Eva’s work having never heard of her before. I read various reviews in specialist music magazines and decided to go out and buy something by her, that being the single What A Wonderful World. I was so moved by her voice that I went out and
purchased everything else available by her! My favourite song choice was very difficult to make as I love them all, but Over the Rainbow gets me every time I play it. I never really appreciated it before, thinking of The Wizard Of Oz whenever I heard it, but Eva makes it all her own. Absolutely stunning. Such a sad loss at such a young age, one wonders what would have been had she lived. I doubt she would have avoided stardom for long. It is some comfort that her wonderful voice was discovered and recorded for posterity and that there is still more to be released. God bless you Eva and thank you.
Name: Rob Harding
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow
Home town: Wigston, Leicester U.K.
Sent: 3:35 PM – 11/21
I would love to hear from other Eva Cassidy fans. Please write to me at:-33 Ashbourne Road, Wigston, Leicester le18 1fe England.
Name: Graham Smith
Favorite Eva Album: Only have Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Too early to say for sure but “People Get Ready” or “Over the Rainbow”
Home town: Bruton, Somerset UK
Sent: 4:58 PM – 11/23
I heard the Songbird album being played in a music store and bought it on spec. It languished unplayed for several months and now I’ve finally dug it out I wish I played it so much sooner. What a truly stunning voice, powerful yet gentle by turns and always crystal clear. Thank god somebody got this lady on tape and released this music. Simply stunning. A great talent borne away far too soon.
Name: Stewart Kirk
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song What A Wonderful World
Home town: Macclesfield
Sent: 8:40 AM – 11/24
I heard Bob Harris play What A Wonderful World a while ago now and I thought it was fabulous. Since then I’ve hunted out all of the albums. They seem to have been re-released recently so are easier to come by. She has a great voice and the arrangements are simple and effective so that you can hear everything that’s going on. So thanks, Bob for introducing me to Eva’s music. I think I’ll be playing these albums for a long long
time.
Name: Lola
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song I know you by heart, Time is a Healer, Waly Waly, all of them…
Home town: New York, NY (and soon, Oxford, England)
Sent: 3:24 PM – 11/24
Thank you so much for the beautiful site, Laura – I’ve been meaning to sign the guestbook since the summer. I came to Eva through my friend, Sim, who I worked with in a record store in Provincetown, MA. It was amazing to see how Eva’s voice touched so many people. I find that her music gets me through some of my toughest times – a bit of peace in the chaos – some serenity. I hope everyone will join our Eva discussion list, Songbird on Onelist (http://www.onelist.com) We’ve been very quiet for awhile and it would be nice to be buzzing again! All my best…
Name: Paula DeMichele
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Over the Rainbow
Sent: 1:20 AM – 11/25
Hi Laura
Your website is really great. Thank you for keeping the spirit of Eva alive. I got into her music through Lola, my dearest friend in the world. You know, with her and me, it was one of those cosmic moments when I heard Eva’s voice. I had to go out and buy everything she has done (thank you, Sim, for helping me with this!). I think a lot of us like “Over the Rainbow” best of all — but tonight is Thanksgiving Eve, which means I will be cooking. And I always put on “Blues Alley” for my cooking stints. I really enjoy the way she sings “Cheek to Cheek” and “Honeysuckle Rose.” Makes me want to bake pies all day long!
Name: michelle
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song i know you by heart & say goodbye
Home town: md
Sent: 3:31 AM – 11/26
What can I say, the first time I heard “I know you by heart” I was lying on my bed sobbing. It’s a truly amazing song and is portrayed with such emotion that I’ve never heard by any other singer. Ever. I thank god for letting me stumble upon it. Just amazing.
Name: Therese Sandini and Rachelle Dargie
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Songbird
Home town: Marlborough, MA
Sent: 12:45 AM – 11/28
Enjoyed this website tremendously! First heard Eva while getting my hair done at the salon!!! Such a soulful and beautiful voice, and such a sad ending to a young life with much promise.
Name: Joe Moore
Favorite Eva Album: Live @ Blues Alley (As of Yet)
Favorite Eva Song Tall Trees/Autumn Leaves
Home town: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sent: 11:50 PM – 12/2
My father and I live quite some distance apart. One way in which we stay connected, is to turn one another on to music that really moves us. He had mentioned Eva’s name to me before, but it wasn’t until my 25th b-day that I actually received “Blues Alley” in the mail from him. When I put it on, I found myself “Blown Away” by the beauty of her voice! I immediately fell in love with Tall Trees in Georgia, and Autumn Leaves! I found Fields of Gold so beautiful that I actually got Goose Bumps all over…Thanks Eva!!! Thank You Bill for turning me onto Eva…I am now a fan!
Name: Gareth Kelly
Favorite Eva Album: Eva By Heart
Favorite Eva Song Say goodbye
Home town: Winsford
Sent: 5:14 PM – 12/3/1999
Hello to all Eva fans worldwide. Why must it be that one of the greatest voices in the world only receives recognition when their time has been and gone. Whom ever I play Eva’s song to, they have to stop and listen. I have never seen a reaction like this to any other singer. Just imagine what it must of been like to have seen Eva perform live. Those of you who were lucky enough too have seen her perform live, must have had a truly wonderful experience. May her presence continue to spread across the world. Thanks and prayers to her family.
Name: Robert Paterson
Favorite Eva Album: Songbird
Favorite Eva Song Autumn Leaves
Home town: Milngavie Glasgow Scotland
Sent: 9:50 AM – 12/4/1999
First heard Over the Rainbow on the radio in the car while in Belfast on business. Had to stop the car and listen I was so knocked out by it.
WEBMASTER’S NOTE: Unfortunately, the rest of 1999 and the early 2000 entries are missing. During this time period the BBC Radio 2 documentary about Eva (written by Kevin Howlett and narrated by Terry Wogan) was broadcast. I may have these as paper print-outs. For the flavor of the period, you can read the reactions to the Radio 2 documentary here: https://evacassidy.org/bbc-radio-2-documentary-reactions/