Eva Cassidy, Live at Blues Alley

Other reviewers have given this a 5 out of 5 and even though I would not class every track as a belter it's a comfortable 5 and a quite staggeringly good quality recording, showing what a true live music genius she was. And as, of course, there are precious few recordings of her before her untimely death, it warrants a certain respect that is entirely due.

A previous reviewer has done justice to a track by track review of the album, and indeed shared some background behind some of the songs, and indeed how Cassidy herself felt about the recording. A great review.

My perspective here is from a musical content point of view.

Some of the album borrows songs that also found their way on to her classic studio album, Songbird. We'll come to that later.

Where I think this recording earns its stripes is within the first 3 songs, easing as it does, quite effortlessly, from trad(ish) jazz, through deep south blues, crossing into more contemporary folk. Within the first 10 minutes of a gig this is a big ask, but the way in which it was faultlessly and so cohesively achieved is a tribute not only to Cassidy's excellent backing players (about whom I know precious little outside of their names), but also to the sheer power, energy and versatility of her voice.

Cheek to cheek is a Berlin classic and is probably a cover that has been done so many times it pains me to try to describe it. But the laid back, minimalist, jazz quad of drum, bass, guitar and piano do the whole thing justice, as it skips along supporting Cassidy's sometimes breathless melody. A warm and happy intro to any gig!

Second is my personal favourite, though I am a bit of a blues junky so no surprises ... T. Bone Walker's Stormy Monday is a wondeful 12-bar south country blues , given a gentle jazz treatment but retaining an earthy charm. Probably notable for an impressive piece of guitarwork by Keith Grimes (sp?). This song is quite wonderful on so many levels I find myself playing it over and over again.

And third is probably one of those songs where you expect something and then something completely different shows up. The song is great not only for what is played but what itn't. The restraint and finesse on this arrangement is what truly sets it apart from other versions - Paul Simon's lavishly ostentatious version, good as it is, just sounds over-produced and, well, contrived to me now.

I also love the treatment given to Take Me to the River, which is a refreshingly upbeat foil to some of the more melancholy tunes in the set. Speaking of which - even though they are on Songbird - the versions of Fields of Gold and Autumn Leaves are note-perfect, you have to remind yourself that this is live; quite breathtaking. I still can't listen to Autum Leaves without having to fight back the tears, its a beautiful song.

For those reasons and many more its a must...

This is the best live album I have ever heard in my life. One of those record that you have to listen from the beginning to the end. Perfect choice of songs. The purity of Eva's voice.

Many of us hear artists from the reality TV shows of Pop Idol and Fame Academy singing live and then when they finally get to sing in front of the world as a Pop star, they mime it to a pre-recording. Eva is one of the people who did not have to mime anything. Because she died in 1996, the songs that have been recorded and were not edited are the only thing left so but even though these songs are not perfect, the songs still sound as good as they would have if they had been recorded in a studio.

This album was released in 1996 and was recorded on the 2nd/3rd January the same year. Unfortunately, like Eva By Heart, this album did not chart in the UK. This is a largely self-financed album by Eva but she did not like it. She didn't even want to release it but finally did after being persuaded by others.

TRACK LISTING:

1. Cheek to Cheek - 4:03

2. Stormy Monday - 5:45

3. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 5:33

4. Fine and Mellow - 4:03

5. People Get Ready - 3:30

6. Blue Skies - 2:37

7. Tall Trees in Georgia - 4:05

8. Fields of Gold - 4:57

9. Autumn Leaves - 4:57

10. Honeysuckle Rose - 3:14

11. Take Me to the River - 3:51

12. What A Wonderful World - 5:50

13. Oh, Had I A Golden Thread - 4:40

INFO ON EACH TRACK:

1. Cheek to Cheek is a very lively and upbeat tune. I always feel in a good mood when I hear this song. Written by Irving Berlin, and is from the 1935 film 'Top Cat'. Eva probably sang the version by Ella. This song is about finding happiness with someone when you are dancing together. Things that could be done together would be good fun but not as much as dancing.

2. Stormy Monday is a much calmer tune written by T Bone Walker. This was one of the songs that Chris played to Chuck. Looking at the lyrics to this song now, I can only remember the first part of it! I don't think I've ever listened to the whole track! Anyway, it is about everyday being so bad because you have lost your baby and are praying to God and want someone to send him home.

3. Bridge Over Troubled Water is one that is well know by so many other artists. I personally do not like this song and it has nothing to do with the way Eva sings it, I just can't stand it! Written by Paul Simon, and is another of the songs that Chris played to Chuck when trying to promote Eva. An unreleased version does exist and the song was also played solo at Eva's friends wedding.

4. Fine and Mellow is one I keep on my MP3 player. My man he treats me so mean but when he starts to love me, he's so fine and mellow. This was written by Billie Holliday and was the first song to appear on his album 'Fine and Mellow 1939-1944'. 'Love will make you gamble and stay out all night long, Love will make you do things you always thought was wrong'.

5. People Get Ready can be found on the Songbird album. Written by Curtis Mayfield, the song is about joining God but there is no place for the bad people only those who have faith and have loved and lost as there is no hiding place from him and he knows what happens in the world. So those people should all join together and think of those who are weaker and who may not have this chance.

6. Blue Skies. It is about being in love and there are always blue skies and birds singing.

7. Tall Trees In Georgia was one of the first songs that I would play over and over again. It always seems to me to be quite a short song, and it is really although it goes on for over 4 minutes. Eva, although she did not like to, spoke on this track when introducing it:

"This is one em, that I used to listen to when I was a little little kid. My parents had em this record and I'd listen to it over and over and em, I've been wanting to do this song for a really long time, em, it's called Tall Trees in Georgia."

She later commented when playing this song again somewhere else at the amount of times she said 'em'. It is written by Buffy Sainte-Marie and can be found on her album 'I'm gonna be a country girl again'. This one is about finding someone but you didn't want to be committed to them because you were not ready, then when you do find someone it's the other way round. When you were younger you had the choice of any guy but someone older than you tells you to only give your heart to one or else you may be left with none.

8. Fields of Gold can be found on the Songbird album. Fields of Gold was first made a hit by Sting. Eva has managed to completely change the way the song was originally sung and has made it her own. Written by Sting, this song is widely known as one of her finest pieces. About two people very much in love and who lie together in the fields of barley and don't care about anything else. The song then moves on to a later time when they now have children and they will always be remembered in that special place.

9. Autumn Leaves can be found on the songbird album and also on Live At Pearls. (Live version only available through WinMX). Written by Jacques Pr vert/Johnny Mercer/Joseph Kosma and is actually a French song. The song was originally written for "Les Portes de la nuit" and has also been covered by Sinatra, Willie Nelson, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington Set when the summer has just passed a lover remembers his/her loved one as having a tan and then they are no longer around. Those happy times have passed and each day is growing longer. The time is now autumn and they are watching the leaves fall The time when they most miss the person.

10. Honeysuckle Rose. For some reason I didn't really like this song at the start because it seemed so long. I went onto a lyric site to get the words and it came back as very long compared to some others. Anyway, I finally did print out the lyrics and started to listen and sing along to the song. It still isn't many favourite but as with all her songs I do like it. This one was written in 1934 by Andy Razaf and Thomas 'Fats' Waller. It is just about someone beeing so sweet in your life that they are like sugar, and everyone else is so jealous because you have it and they don't.

11. Take me to the River. I love this tune. It makes me think of one of those singing wall plaque fish things. Written by Al Green and Mabon Hodges and Eva did not like the rock style of this song as when she sand it in the studio it had a smoother r'n'b/pop feel to it.

12. What A Wonderful World is a beautiful tune. Eva also introduced this song:

"I would like to em, dedicate this song to my mom and dad, they're here tonight. Dad taught me how to play guitar" . Into the song.

Written by George David Weiss and Robert Thiele and was the last song that Eva ever performed in public, at the Bayou tribute. Chuck actually left the stage in tears and it is understandable why.

13. Oh, Had I A Golden Thread is the only song on the album not recorded live at the Blues Alley. It can also be found on the Songbird album. Written by Pete Seeger, this song depicts life as being a tapestry and life can be woven onto it: Giving birth and the innocence of children weaving a magic spell upon the world.

This CD can be bought for around £10.99 in Amazon but it really is worth it. You wouldn't believe that all the songs but one were recorded live. Some of the songs are not perfect but that just adds to the character of the album. A recommended buy for any fan!