I'm a gruff old (62) biker from the back streets of Birmingham, UK, and I cry every time I hear this, the most beautiful performance ever, by anyone ❤

@AudioVile

3 ай бұрын

I'm a couple years older, and (arguably) gruffer, and I cry at this too. 🥲

@marciebulsaraorcutt

3 ай бұрын

🙏You and @AudioVile gave such a concise GRUFF description of yourselves, it made me smile instead of crying over Eva, for a change.😇

@jaywilliams-hm4ym

3 ай бұрын

You are so right, my friend

No studio version here. True live talent

@grahamtravers4522

3 ай бұрын

She never got the chance to do studio versions. The recordings of her are all live.

@dgrjazz

8 күн бұрын

I’m pretty sure this was in a small club in or near Wash DC.

There is only one Eva Cassidy. A true original. Her voice, musical prowess, genius, and emotion will live on forever. Thank you for keeping her alive for future generations. Thank you for sharing and commenting.

@user-yh3xt9dq6h

3 ай бұрын

Sam and Phil, I only come to you for reactions. I love the chemistry you guys have. Phil this is one of my favorite reactions of you. Your vulnerability and your sincere reaction is one of my very favorite aside from the Karen Carpenter reactions . Beautiful reaction, Yes heaven sounds about right.I saw the discreet look you gave each other during this Amazing song. I appreciate you both. A big fan here. ..Essence ❤❤❤❤

Every time I see Eva's stunningly beautiful performance of this song and hear her angelic voice, she brings tears to my eyes. Such a tragic loss and the world is worse off without her in it.

@willasacco9898

3 ай бұрын

I feel the same. There is an undefinable purity and honesty to her whole being, not just her singing and playing.

@jdbroders64

3 ай бұрын

Completely agree.

@willasacco9898

3 ай бұрын

@@Spo-Dee-O-Dee Even if this was her high-water mark, what she left behind was very pure and undeniably moving.

If you don’t get choked up listening to Eva, you’re not human. My gosh what a talent.

Not only is her voice so very beautiful and seemingly pitch-perfect, but I love the finger-picking!! What a talent she was...RIP Eva!

This song was written during the Great Depression. The whole country was hoping for better times.

@user-cf7kp6zc6j

2 ай бұрын

Yes. This song was released I believe, in 1939 with the bloodiest war in history starting in September of that year. For me this is a song of hope and the best version that I've heard

Eva is one of my favorites. You will also enjoy Autumn Leaves, Fields of Gold, Time After Time, Songbird, and Oh Danny Boy. She does not disappoint - her covers are so awesome.

@DavidSmith-pg1ob

3 ай бұрын

I really like "A Penny to My Name" also.

@coopm3087

3 ай бұрын

Yes fields of gold is beautiful

She completely reinvented the song for modern times.

@dwarfusinterruptus9314

2 ай бұрын

what do you mean modern? FOR ALL TIME!!

As a 70 year old woman, the Wizard of Oz was a yearly t.v. treat when I was a child and I have always loved Judy Garland. But even after listening to this song so often,I never TRULY heard the words until Eva’s version was released and still can’t listen to it without tears…it’s just so beautiful! This video was filmed in January and she died in November. She wasn’t feeling well (cold like symptoms)when she performed this and according to the family/friends that contributed to a book about her,she was so disappointed in how this turned out that she was in tears! Imagine that! A few of her notes dropped off and she felt her performance was not up to par. But knowing that her original melanoma diagnosis and surgery was in 1993,and that she passed just 11 months after this performance in 1996,I assume when she was singing this,she was already full of cancer,though it wouldn’t be until several months later that it was rediscovered. R.I.P. beautiful Eva. And thank you!You have touched many lives! Great reactions,Phil and Sam! So glad you found Eva!❤

A true songbird who just wanted to sing. Did not care about fame. RIP

Thank you to whomever captured this performance on video. RIP Eva.

@annereidy7981

3 ай бұрын

As far as I am aware, the whole concert was filmed and may be here to view on yt. There is a documentary interview of it with a commentary by the musicians who played with her that night. Sorry I can't give more info.

without a doubt THE most beautiful rendition of this song

One of the best voices of the 20th Century that nobody knew of. The song was written as a Show Tune and Judy Garland sung it as a Show Tune in the movie but Eva Cassidy sung it as almost a haunting Lullaby and for me it's the best version ever as I get emotional every time I listen to it and I've listened to it hundreds of times over the years. Thanks for the reaction video.

Isn't it terribly sad to know that only 10 months after Eva sang this incredible cover of Judy Garland's song, she was dead from skin cancer at the age of only 33. I bet if Judy had watched this beautiful video herself, she'd have been absolutely blown away as we all are, all over the world. God bless Eva & Judy. 💔 💔

Pure perfection. The arrangement, the pitch, the tone, the soulfulness. One of the best live performances ever.

Eva recorded this song Live at Blues Alley in 1996 ! She pasted away a few months later from cancer . Over The Rainbow hit number one in England and was also on the "Songbird " Album ! I wanted to go see her at Blues Alley that night but i was very sick ! Her recording of Stings ( from The Police ) " Fields Of Gold " is breathtaking and on the Songbird album too. Thanks Nice Reaction =)

@jonathanwetherell3609

3 ай бұрын

Thanks to the late, great, Terry Wogan for championing her on BBC Radio

The best version of 'Over The Rainbow' I have ever heard.

This is one of the best performances EVER! Eva was such a talent.

Eva was a treasure 🪙 we lost way too soon... Thank y'all for checking her out

That version was recorded live on a camcorder, in fact the entire show was recorded live in a little club in Washington DC

@andrewmorton9327

3 ай бұрын

It wasn't recorded on a camcorder, it was recorded on a recording desk, the visuals only were done on a camcorder.

This is a live recording and it is perfect. She was a wonderful guitar player as well. The BBC radio station started playing this song and helped her become known by the public. People called into the radio station and told the dj they had to pull off the road because they were weeping. I can't listen to this while driving either. Eva Cassidy is up there with Karen Carpenter as far as my favorite vocalists.

@peteannells4218

3 ай бұрын

Terry Wogan on BBC Radio 2 championed her music after his producer Paul Walters put her on the play-list. Other BBC radio shows had played her too (specialized niche programmes) but Terry had the biggest audience of any DJ in the UK at the time on his breakfast show. The genial Irishman got the job done and put Eva where she belongs albeit posthumously.

@debm3041

3 ай бұрын

​@@peteannells4218this was also the most requested video on TOTP2

Eva might be one of the most pure beautiful voices I've ever heard. Glad you're getting to know her.

No Phil, ,this was the live acoustic performance audio that goes with this video. There is also a studio version that she recorded for an album which has a full band. But what you are watching and listening to here is the second night of a two night performance she did at Blues Alley that they recorded audio of. (Only this audio from second night was usable because the first nights performance had a lot of static) Then surprisingly, 4 or 5 years after her death, it was discovered that a friend of hers had shot this VHS video during the performance. So, the were able to sync the audio to the video and this video is what you have. By the way she died several months later after this performance (10 months or so I believe.)

her phrasing and control is unbelievable . just when you think she has missed her timing and if she comes in at that moment she won't be able to hit the note , but does and takes the listener on an internal journey .

This was the actual live performance of the song, a record was made of this performance, and taken to England and became a massive hit.

You don't just hear Eva sing you feel it.❤

Eva Cassidy's story is one of the saddest ever told. RIP Eva.

A beautiful soul, singing a beautiful song, with her beautiful voice, making me cry again! Such a moving arrangement and her guitar skills are incredible.

That was not a studio version. Glad you enjoyed it. That performance is something special.

Eva's version of this song is almost always characterized as "heartbreaking". Of course, I don't know what Eva had in mind when she created this guitar and vocal arrangement, but when I hear it, I imagine that it is being told from the perspective of someone who's going through an extraordinarily difficult experience, and is near the end of what they can endure -- yet they maintain a grasp on the hope that things WILL get better one of these days. This, I believe, is why Eva's rendition is so heartbreaking; because the singer is about as low as possible, but clinging to the idea of a brighter future. Brilliant!

@theevagabondpoet

3 ай бұрын

Well said miss tulip.

Just seeing the title to this video starts the tears flowing , Knowing her story and most beautiful voice . RIP dear Eva !

This version gets me every time…perfect

“If happy little bluebirds fly above the rainbow, why can’t I,” Such an artful, heart gripping song. After I shared this version from Eva with my mom and brother it was so clear as they stated, we never truly understood the meaning of the lyrics. Eva Cassidy had an amazing gift. RIP sweetheart. I think of the promise of a resurrection to a paradise. No war, disease, corruption or even pain, tears or death. “Death…. The last enemy” Will!! be done away with.

Amazing song beautiful voice...we played this at my dad's funeral.

You must see her doing : Take me to the river a. Stormy Monday . 👍👍👍💕😎🇸🇪

I've listened to Eva sing this tons of times and it always makes my eyes leak.

Her rendition of Sting's "Fields of Gold" it one of the best ever. This video is from, if I reacall correctly, just before it was found that she was ill and passed away less than a year later.

@MrDaiseymay

3 ай бұрын

Sting was at home, listening to the radio, when her recording of his song .''fields of gold'' was played, he was so impressed that he called out to his wife to come and listen, saying. her version is so much better than mine.

@dwarfusinterruptus9314

2 ай бұрын

@@MrDaiseymay Would love to see this documented. I have been searching and would love to see/read/hear his reaction to her version. Please share the source.

So very glad you reacted to this. Eva is and was such a treasure. She has superb renditions of "Fields of Gold", "Autumn Leaves" - "Stormy Monday", "Danny Boy", and so many more! You won't be sorry to do a deep dive into her stuff!!

Need to react to Eva Cassidy - "Autumn Leaves", from this same live 1996 performance at the Blues Alley Club.

This song moves me so much so very beautiful, thank you so much for reacting to this, great reaction. Fields of Gold is another beautiful song by her.

I heard this song many years ago when the internet was just a puppy. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon it at the time but was tearful as I listened. I still moves me today when I remember the back story as she suffered through her diagnosis. If I remember correctly, she eventually had to be helped onstage and often had to use crutches and canes in order to perform. I had not seen the video until today nor even knew it existed. And so I am tearful again...

Eva OWNS this song. The history behind its composition is worth exploring too.

His facial expressions and eyes at the beginning of this video expresses how I felt when hearing this the first time. This is where the performer stops being a singer and becomes an emotive instrument where the voice and the musical instrument become one in telling a story in multi dimensions. She does have an ethereal quality about her performances and your comment on "heaven" is what I have also felt. This version is so much like a life story where she takes us on the journey as she leaves the living and starts to float above herself and then the song quickens as she heads for the lights and to the clouds with bluebirds in heaven.

So beautiful, so sad, her talent was accepted until she was gone and never saw her success. She always brings a tear to my eyes, I love her voice.

There are not many songs/performances that can reduce me to tears, but...this is one.

I first heard her on Sirius performing "Early Morning Rain" - I kept it on repeat all the way home so I wouldn't forget her name. Some other great covers: "Fields of Gold", "What a Wonderful World", and "Danny Boy". RIP Eva.

Beautiful voice and song. She was so talented. So sad. Fields of Gold, Songbird or Autumn Leaves are great songs to check out.

@user-us8le6lu4h

3 ай бұрын

Agree 100%

@alnorwood134

3 ай бұрын

I totally concur with your selections. Although all of her selections from Blues Alley are epic and impactful.

@GrahamG76

3 ай бұрын

@@alnorwood134 All Masterpieces

Part of the reason Eva Cassidy got so well known here in UK was due to a DJ called Terry Wogan. I am led to believe this is an actual live recording, done purely by chance by a friend Bryan McCulley.

@ratroute8238

3 ай бұрын

The video was not planned but the recording was, The band scraped up enough of their own money to hire a friend with a mobile recording studio for two nights , the first night was unusable due to technical issues so everything depended on the second night and Eva nailed it!

Not a studio version that she lip-synced, really her, live at Blues Alley several months before she passed. At the time, she wasn't aware of her cancer, and went very quickly after her diagnosis. This concert was filmed during one weekend, and she really didn't want it published because she had a cold at the time. There were sound issues during the first night of the concert, so they didn't release those songs, but 12 tunes made it to publication, and you can watch the whole evening's performance. Truly a loss to the music world, a jewel lost too soon. 😭

No, this was the live version, as performed that night. The couple of imperfections, such as the break at the end, give it away. She never actually got famous until after she was gone, and refused record deals because they wanted to change her style to be more commercial. A generational talent.

Others have probably mentioned this, but this performance is actually live.

The most gifted cover artist of all time! "I know you by heart" is gorgeous. Autumn leaves may be my favorite. Live at Blues Ally is the answer.

@carokat1111

3 ай бұрын

Autumn leaves is so beautiful.

I absolutely LOVE this version of Over the Rainbow. When you were feeling goosebumps at that powerful section I was experiencing the tears flowing. I believe this was recorded live at a club.

This live gig at Blues Alley was self funded to get a recording and video over two nights. The first night the recording didn't work so this is the second. There is a whole band there as well but not on this track obviously. Eva was recovering from a cold and was unhappy with the recording... The 'Live at Blues Alley' album had some of the set but we now get the whole set on CD plus a DVD (which this is from) : 'Night Bird ' CD.

She has a beautiful voice and gives a unique and captivating interpretation of the song. Also, her guitar play is superb. The talent she exhibits is amazing. Love it! o

There is no one like Eva, my favorite is "Songbird & Night Bird"

Thank you for reacting to this…so soulful and beautiful. I echo the comments for her cover of Fields of Gold. Keep’em coming!!

She does a beautiful version of songbird by Fleetwood Mac too.

@allengray5748

3 ай бұрын

Oops I should have read the comments first! Double the recommendation! ☮️

What a wonderful world live at the same club.

I love Eva, discovered her some years ago. 😍 I recommend her version of PEOPLE GET READY

"Autumn Leaves" and "Danny Boy" will both choke you up if you've ever lost a love.

For a good intro to Eva, check out the Nightline segment that was broadcast just a couple of years after she died. For a deeper dive, look at either "Timeless Voice" or "One Night That Changed Everything," both available on KZread. It's a fascinating story about a woman who is, I believe, the best female singer ever. On top of her incredible talent, she was very humble and unassuming, but on the other hand, was adamant about refusing to compromise her musical principles just to get recorded. She had no desire to be the latest, greatest diva; she just wanted to sing. BTW, Mick Fleetwood (of Fleetwood Mac fame) used to sit in with her at her gigs. He has also weighed in on her incredible talent.

@dwarfusinterruptus9314

2 ай бұрын

As an add on the Nightline segment is the most watched episode of Nightline.

@curtisduncanmusic7645

2 ай бұрын

@@dwarfusinterruptus9314 I was not aware of that. Thanks for letting me know!

Thank you for watching Eva's incredible version of this song. She wasn't alone on that stage as she was having a conversation with her guitar. It is her song now. Please listen to her version of Autumn Leaves. Phil in Scotland

Songbird. I have five Eva Cassidy CD's. Eva created a whole new interpretation of Over the Rainbow. Many singers now TRY to do an Eva Cassidy version of this song. The songs I would recommend by Eva are Songbird (a Fleetwood Mac Cover) or Fields of Gold (a Sting cover). Songbird was written and originally sang by Christine MacVie of Fleetwood Mac.

She is a gift. She became famous in the UK first when a disc jockey played Somewhere Over The Rainbow and the phones lit up at all the radio stations requesting this song. It made the album Sonbird shoot to #1 in the UK plus several of her other albums were all in the Top 40 at the same time. A special was made about how she was this enormously gifted singer who would not bow down to the suits and record pop music so was never signed to a record label. This special was shown late night in America after her success in the UK and we all got to discover her. Its just sad she didn't get to see she was loved for the kind of music she wanted to sing. I highly recommend, Stormy Monday, Autumn Leaves and Oh I Had A Golden Thread. The last song she gives Janis Joplin a run for her money. She is one of a kind and I am glad her voice touched you both.

Stormy Monday is also awesome.

It's criminal that her fame came AFTER her passing. Such an absolute angelic voice. She did a duet album of covers with an Blues/Soul singer named Chuck Brown that is over the top great.

@dwarfusinterruptus9314

2 ай бұрын

Chuck Brown is one of the leaders of the Go Go genre sound of Washington DC.

I like to think that Eva does know from Heaven that her songs have touched so many people ❤

She was equally talented in many genres of music. Folk, blues, jazz, gospel, and more. She turned down a record deal with a major label because she didn't want to be limited to one style. She wanted to sing songs that she wanted and do them her way.

Thank you so much. "Fields of Gold" and "Autumn Leaves" (live performance, Blues Alley) will really touch you, as well.

Loved your reaction. Everything Eva did is amazing, but among other things I recommend listening to her recording of "How can I keep from Singing". Just wonderful!

This was live not studio. One of the greatest voices ever. Need to check out some more or her work and also if you get a chance watch the documentary done on nighline about her. Find here on youtube.

Best version ever. Eva was special and RIP for sharing her voice to the world

Eva's covers of Fields of Gold, Autumn Leaves, and Songbird are absolutely perfection!

Beautiful reaction. Eva's "Nightbird" is my all time favourite song (from the same concert). This was actually a live performance and she was ill with a cold at the time. Please listen to Nightbird and Autumn Leaves, and pretty much everything she recorded.

Judy garlands version is like a child's wishfull dreaming, whereas Eva's version is an adults wishful dreaming once they've grown up and dealt with life.

@humboldtharry1289

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, well said

@digitig

Күн бұрын

A nice observation. It's not that one version is better than the other; each is perfect for its context.

That was live at Blue’s Alley

The first time I heard this was when it was being played on the radio while I drove home for work back in 2000. it took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes! The word y'all we're looking for to describe it was "pure"! I was captured by her delivery of each note and the way she played her guitar the first time and every time that I've heard it since! I did not know that she had passed and so that had nothing to do with how much it blew me away!

This was the actual live performance that was recorded at a night club in Washington DC. Recorded with a camcorder. She was sick at the time of this performance and I believe she passed about a year after this live performance.

I heard she recorded that night with a cold and not happy with her voice. Can't confirm that, but her voice is amazing.

Now listen to this amazing lady singing FIELDS OF GOLD ❤

putting aside her tragic death, this song is more wistful and longing than sad. The session this was from was Live at Blues Alley and it has such an awesome mix of music styles and her vocals move flawlessly between them.

A voice that sounds like there is no effort… therein lies the beauty x

Another song that Eva did was a song written and performed by Sting ( from the band “The Police”) called Fields of Gold. Again she put a different stripped down version of it. One of my favorites songs after Over The Rainbow. ❤

This was live in a Club I believe in Washington DC there are other songs from this same date online

No matter how many times I listen to her, I cry. It's so melancholy 😢

What a beautiful rendition! ... thank you. Yet another beautiful rendition by a performer who also left us too soon is a medley of "Over The Rainbow + What A Wonderful World" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Thanks again.

Don't sleep on her guitar playing! Its lovely. And to both sing and play that way at the same time.

Had this played at my beautiful mums' funeral ❤️.....so beautiful ❤

@karengray662

3 ай бұрын

That sounds perfect

@roseoconnor5938

3 ай бұрын

Thank you Karen, this song always gets me welling up x

@karengray662

3 ай бұрын

@@roseoconnor5938 Me too, wish I’d thought of it at the time, but you know how it is. Mam had “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra. The two of us went to see him at the Royal Albert Hall, so it was still a lovely memory I hope you’re doing ok

@roseoconnor5938

3 ай бұрын

Aaaw, that song obviously meant a lot more to you at that time.....hope you're doing OK too. X

I fell in love with all of her music years ago. She was taken from us way before her time and we definitely should cherish her beautiful voice. Love her. 🥰

I went to high school with Eva...in Maryland. You should hear her range in other songs. Her range? Off the charts. The entire Blues Alley album and any of her music with DC legend Chuck Brown are great. Cheers.

Eva Cassidy gently brings life to her music with an angelic voice. Listen to her cover of Willie Nelson's BLUE EYES CRYING IN THE RAIN. The power and restraint in which she delivers the song is just beautiful. Enjoy

Ya'll had listened to this before. Not first time you heard this. It's easy to know when someone is actually hearing it for the first time.

I've loved this song since I was a tiny girl (that means I've loved it for close to 70 years now). It is terribly sad yet so hopeful still. Things may be sad now but someday...

Fields of Gold is also so beautiful, think you would love it.

There is an expression which is commonly used for moments like this. "This was a real tearjerker!" In my book this is very near the top of the list of songs which have touched my heart so dearly I will tear up every time I listen to Eva sing it. Btw, she was performing this in a small niteclub and this was a fan video and is the only video of Eva's performance available.

@dwarfusinterruptus9314

2 ай бұрын

there is a video of her performing at a club in Annapolis as well.

Absolutely the best. I listen to this and I can see glimpses of heaven from the clouds. I heard this song from the movie Alpha Dog they played it as the intro of the movie and its innocence, peace, faith. Eva's voice was/IS truly the 8th wonder of the world.

Check out the news story of Eva and how she came to have the #1 Record Over the Rainbow in the UK Australia ect. 2 years after her death!!!!!

One is not human if you don't shed tears and get goosebumps. I never tire of her releases.