A year ago this month, I began a journey through a difficult time involving doctors, hospitals, surgeries and other various unpleasant things. However, what I have noticed after enduring numerous surgeries in my life, is that something amazing always occurs during my recuperation. There has always been a silver lining to go with my cloud. When I am forced to be still, a magical discovery usually emerges.
This past year, that silver lining has been the discovery of the stunning musician Eva Cassidy. I believe Eva Cassidy possessed one of the greatest voices of our time and yet tragically, Eva died of cancer at the age of 33 and was virtually unknown during her lifetime.
Eva was an extremely accomplished guitarist and a phenomenal vocalist. She was particularly distinctive and original in her vocal phrasing and musical arrangements. Anyone who keeps up with the TV show American Idol may already know that in this season alone, her unique musical arrangements could be heard in David Archuleta's rendition of "Imagine" (the LA Times noted this) and last night, Simon Cowell remarked on Syesha Mercado's "Eva Cassidy - like" arrangement of "Yesterday".
Although, Eva has been "discovered" in England, she remains largely unknown in America (even though she was born in Maryland). This has perturbed me so much, that while I was recovering from surgery last year, I decided to make a photo montage tribute to Eva and post it on You Tube. My goal was to introduce as many of my family, friends and community as I could to the music of this phenomenal artist. It was my hope that they would then tell their family and friends, etc. I posted the montage on the internet in the hopes that strangers would stumble upon it. Many of you are aware of the previous articles I've written on Gather about Eva Cassidy. My goal was to get 500 hits on my photo montage tribute to Eva.
Last night the tribute "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" surpassed the 100,000 hits milestone. Comments are left from people all over the world. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such a thing. What is clear to me is that aside from those first 500 hits, the rest of those visits are Eva's doing. I was merely the person who addressed 500 envelopes to Eva's magical concert invitation. I want to thank each of you who opened one of those invitations and listened.
Just as those 100,000 hits were beyond my imagining, so is the inspiration I have received from listening to Eva. Everything I notice, feel, discover, create or contemplate has somehow been enhanced by paying attention to her music, paintings, murals and life story. I feel that she provides a magical and creative conduit to something divine. I have enjoyed having wonderful muses in my life before, but I've never known anything like this. It's 100,000 times beyond my imagining.
For those who may be interested in having a listen or re-visiting, here are a few links to the music and life story of Eva Cassidy:
My Photo Montage Tribute: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccCnL8hArW8 I particularly love this video footage of Eva singing live at Blues Alley (interesting note: she had a bad cold on this particular night and was unhappy with her performance of this stunning version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" ~ so much so, she refused for it to be included on her Blues Alley CD): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUwTdqPkluY UPDATE: I'd like to add one more song to the list: This song,"You've Changed" remains relatively unnoticed, but I think it is brilliant and beautifully showcases the range and genius of Eva Cassidy's talents. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inj8D8rZMjA Cassidy Family websites: |
Thank you, Eva Cassidy, for being my muse:
Oil pastel and mixed media "Study of Eva" by Linda K. with thanks to Elaine Stonebreaker for the inspiration of her beautiful photograph.
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Comments: 117
How astute of you to mention that ~ for that it precisely how things began. First she comforted and then healed me. Then she did so much more ...
I love her rendition of "Fields of Gold" too! One of the challenges in doing the photo montage, however, is having the appropriate images to work with.
One of the interesting things I've found about Eva's unique phrasing and arrangements is that she can take a song I never particularly cared for, like Honeysuckle Rose and turn it into something completely enthralling. Eva's vocal acrobatics are amazing!
Thank you so much for your beautiful remarks! I dearly wish Eva had received more recognition during her lifetime.
10 4 u
Elaine, I remember your beautiful comments on my early articles. Thank you for being there then ... and being here now.
Much love to you Linda ~ You deserve all the best that life has to offer, and there is no doubt in my mind that you are a true jewel, and I am so happy to see this.
Thank you for showing me how to artistically fly!
Your Friend,
Rene
The world is richer for her music and poorer for her premature death.
Joel, in my haste to get my article properly edited, I neglected to thank you for stopping by and commenting. I really appreciate it!
Jeanette, thank you for your kind comments. Happy Anniversary! May you and your husband greatly enjoy your year ahead.
Thank you for your lovely comments, as always. And thank you for featuring this in Artistic Minds. I think Eva's mind was about as artistic and original as minds get! She was an amazing artist. Like her musical selection and her unpredictable phrasing, her artwork was also eclectic and unique.
Gwen, thanks for commenting and I hope you do take a look because so many of the photographs in this montage are practically in your back yard; you will recognize them over and over again.
I loved your comments because they really spark a conversation I find fascinating. Yes, Eva had record companies interested in her, but they hesitated in signing her because they were baffled about how to market a singer who could do it all.
Eva loved folk, gospel, blues, standards, ballads, jazz -- she could do it ALL. Blue Note Records would have signed her if she would have agreed to do an all jazz album. Eva was not willing to have someone telling her what to sing or forcing her into a certain genre.
What I find so fascinating and ironic is that while music was her great passion, she was terrible shy and audiences were very frightening to her. The smaller the audience, the better -- to her way of thinking. So here is a woman who possesses one the of the most phenomenal voices of all time, but didn't feel all that confident or comfortable delivering her gift to a live audience.
She was also incredibly humble. Her attitude was: "why would all those people want to listen to me?" Her lack of gregariousness, ambition and ease in social situations made it easier for her to hold out with the various record company folks and refuse to compromise on the music she wanted to be doing.
I think she really wanted to reach people and share her music, but she didn't have a driving ambition to be known. She cherished her quiet moments, art, music, solitude, independence and times in nature too much to be bothered by a slow career track. I find this a fascinating combination of dynamics.
Thank you both so much for stopping by and commenting! Who are your muses? Do you have any? Do they come and go, or have you been consistent in finding inspiration in one source?
Thank you so much for your comments. I think her rendition of Fields of Gold is exquisite. It always makes me cry. I'd love to do a video of it, but I think it requires some very special photographs. I haven't really seen any photo montage on You Tube that does it justice. If you know of one, let me know. In the meantime, I am providing the blue link, so others can have a listen.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I really do feel an unusual connection to Eva. I lived just outside of Washington, D.C. for many years. I frequented many of Eva's favorite haunts. I spent weekends and holidays at our family cabin on the Chesapeake Bay; in close proximity to places Eva loved to hike, cycle and walk on weekends. I somehow feel a great affinity for her without ever knowing her.
Great to see you here. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I do admire you a lot and feel the need to thank you for this beautiful article. O also love the capture of the sun light; it is like the light within you.
Be well and travel over the clouds where the sun is always hugging us!
Linda you are an inspiration!
Once one connects with you, I don't think it's possible to lose touch. Time may go by, but I feel we can pick up where we left off ... at anytime. You are extraordinary!
You've been so great to watch and listen to each one! Hope your move is going well!
Maryanne
I viewed it and the nightline clips as well the other night but have not had a chance to let you know until now.
She does indeed have a wonderful voice and she's so down to earth too. Not unhealthily skinny not all glitz and glamor. She's just real. Which isn't something you can say about many musicians out there... or at least not the bigger "stars"
It's really saddening to learn that she is no longer alive to create her beautiful music. She was so young, too.
Your oil pastel study of her is gorgeous! I had no idea you had worked in them before.
what an amazing story. your journey and the one you took with Eva. My husband and I loved the montage. We had never heard her, so it was a wonderful gift to find her thanks to you. I love how you use your creativity in the world. You are a beacon. I hope you have a great Easter.
xox
Very nicely done. I have listened to Eva Cassidy. She is awesome.
Isn't it amazing how music can touch our souls? Thanks for sharing. God bless you.
This is a lovely article....in so many ways...your honesty and humble acceptance of the gift Eva has bestowed on you.
You continue to be an inspiration to me.
I am so behind, I apologize! I have had guests galore and very little computer time. Thank you everyone for reading and commenting!
Melinda -- I laughed to read you've nearly worn out an Eva Cassidy CD! And I presume that was you who left the comment on You Tube? Thank you so much!!!
Jen, Thanks so much for listening! Had you heard of Eva before?
Delaune, I am so glad I could be the first one to introduce you and your husband to Eva. Yes, it's been a remarkable journey with Eva as a muse. What I've shared has only been the tip of the iceberg. The people I have met through this experience have been a whole other story ~ just remarkable.
G T., Thank you for your very kind words! You know the feeling and regard is mutual!
Yes, Becky, it can affect us so deeply. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Carl, Margo and Kimber ~ Thank you all so much for stopping by and listening!
Thank you for all your beautiful comments. It has been a wonderful journey joining your groups and learning what a wordsmith you are. Thank you for featuring this article in SKYWARD. A lovely thought.
I truly believe she proves the adage that 'only the good die young' - I think she had much to give and think it is amazing that she has become so famous after her death.
That is a beautiful portrait you have painted, LindaK.
I think she knows how she's touched so many.
I also am in awe of her artwork. She was quite talented all around.
UPDATE: I'd like to add one more song to the list: This song, You've Changed remains relatively unnoticed, but I think it is brilliant and beautifully showcases the range and genius of Eva Cassidy's talents.
Jennifer, I am glad you also took a look at Eva's artwork. It's the most eclectic and diverse collection -- one would be hard pressed to realize all those pieces were painted by the same artist. Very much like her music; she could sing so many different styles! I DO hope Eva has a way of knowing the impact of her legacy...
It was a truly inspired idea for Pauly Walters to get Terry to play her tracks on BBC Radio2 - it caused an avalanche of mail and enquiries about the artiste - the rest is history, as they say!
Sadly, Pauly died from cancer about a year ago - the world of broadcasting in the UK is all the sadder for his absence. He 'discovered' or 'introduced' many artistes to the British public, who might never had been heard.
I had heard about Paul Walters -- what a sad loss. He seemed like an extraordinary man; I loved him in the interview Nightline did with him while filming their story on Eva. We need people with his sensitivity in those big decision making positions!
I also think Tony Bramwell (the guy that insisted Paul Walters listen to the CD) and Mark Hagen (Top of the Pops) also deserve kudos for getting Eva discovered in England. Perhaps we could borrow those guys in America for a few months?! LOL!
And Lyla, you are so great about your comments!
I love what you wrote earlier:
"Linda, I actually spent a lot of time watching her different performances. It was like I couldn't stop. *smiles*
That makes me close my eyes and smile. I feel that way too.
You've Changed is a piece that shows where Eva was able to take her voice -- places that take you somewhere sublime.
Thank you for introducing me to her work, Linda.
PS Sorry on the delay. I just can't get used to this new Gather it's so HARD to navigate. I've had to succumb to creating friend sets just to find you, Rene and others that I like to keep closer tabs on content wise.
Thank you for that beautiful comment. I am so glad to be the one to introduce you to Eva's work. It thrills me that you, too, felt compelled to check out video after video of her work. It is hard to pinpoint what is so enthralling about her -- aside from, of course, her sublime voice. There's something mysterious and magical about her work if one really takes the time to listen deeply.
As someone recently commented on one of my videos, "I have never been as affected by someone I never knew". I continue to marvel over that remark; which holds so true for me.
Thank you for reading and listening. Yes, there is tremendous healing power in music. I love your icon with the hands [releasing ?] the butterfly!