Eva Cassidy - Live at Blues Alley (2LP, 45RPM)
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Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Eva Cassidy [click here to see more vinyl featuring Eva Cassidy]
Bass Guitar – Chris Biondo
Drums – Raice McLeod
Electric Guitar – Keith Grimes
Piano – Lenny "The Ringer" Williams
2 LPs, Gatefold jacket
Limited edition
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 45 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Live
Record Press : unspecified
Label : Blix Street
Original Label : Eva Music
Recorded at Blues Alley, Washington on January 3, 1996
Recorded by Sound By Charlie
Engineered by Roy Battle
Produced by Chris Biondo, Eva Cassidy
Remastered by Robert Vosgien
Originally released in 1996
Reissued in October 2021
Tracks:
Side A :
- Cheek to Cheek
- Stormy Monday
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
Side B
- Fine and Mellow
- People Get Ready
- Blue Skies
- Tall Trees in Georgia
Side C
- Fields of Gold
- Autumn Leaves
- Honeysuckle Rose
Side D
- Take Me to the River
- What a Wonderful World
- Oh, Had I a Golden Thread
Reviews:
“The late Eva Cassidy gained a loyal following in the Washington, D.C., area through appearances in small clubs, utilizing her pitch-perfect singing voice to interpret a variety of tunes ranging from standards to modern-era pop songs. A notoriously shy performer, Eva Cassidy had a somewhat stiff stage presence, but she endeared herself to her audiences by performing songs she obviously loved, combining elements of soul, gospel, blues, and jazz. Live at Blues Alley is an excellent showcase for her vocal talents and her ability to make even the most familiar tune uniquely her own. Admittedly, the titles on Live at Blues Alley seem like a set list for a bad Vegas lounge act; songs such as Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek" and Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" have been done to death for decades. Fortunately, Eva Cassidy had an obvious affection for these standards. She sounds as if she had a ball performing the Irving Berlin number, while her subtle reading of the Louis Armstrong tune is nothing less than extraordinary. She was equally successful with more contemporary pop classics like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Take Me to the River." Ultimately, the slower songs are the most stirring, particularly her rendition of "Fields of Gold." Her tear-jerking version of the Sting tune could very well be one of the greatest cover songs ever recorded. Eva Cassidy's popularity slowly began to spread outside of the D.C. area upon the release of this album in early 1996. Unfortunately, Eva Cassidy passed away later that year, just as she began laying the groundwork for what could have been a stellar career in music. However, her posthumous success has been astonishing, with worldwide critical acclaim and extensive exposure on British television that helped her album Songbird climb to number one on the British album chart in March, 2001. Live at Blues Alley was the only solo album released during Eva Cassidy's lifetime (an album recorded with Chuck Brown, The Other Side, was also released), and it's an excellent introduction to a performer who never lived to witness the impact her voice made on her fans all over the world.” AllMusic Review by William Cooper
“A tragedy occurred in November, 1996, when the music world lost Eva Cassidy to melanoma. She was mostly known in greater Washington, D.C. where she performed in local clubs. She often sang with D.C “go-go” legend, Chuck Brown, but her career had not really taken off. It was only after her death at only 33 years of age, did she gain the acclaim that she was due. When BBC radio in England began singing her praise, a posthumous following for Eva took off.
It is such a shame that her glorious voice was not recognized while she was alive. Her soprano vocals were magnificent. Comparable to Laura Nyro in soulfulness, Eva could excel in R&B, jazz, and folk settings. Her version of “Over the Rainbow” helped captivate English audiences, and led to three number #1 albums in Great Britain.
Nearly five years after her death, in 2001, ABC News Nightline broadcast a short documentary on Eva’s life. Almost immediately afterward, her recorded output began to sell heavily in the United States. She now has over ten albums under her name with material recorded in the 1990s.
One of her most recognized issues is a live set of music recorded at the famous D.C club, Blues Alley. Recorded in early January, 1996, just ten months before her passing, Eva was still strong enough to put on a bravura performance. Covering a wide range of genres, ranging from show tunes, blues, Simon and Garfunkel, gospel, and folk staples, Cassidy captivates, going from tender to full blast from track to track. Whether it be “Cheek to Cheek, “Fine and Mellow,” or “Honeysuckle Rose” (which can be a bit boring and predictable in the wrong hands,) Eva makes each her own. The heat is turned up on “Stormy Monday” and “Take Me to the River.” Even “Tall Trees in Georgia,” “Fields of Gold,” and “What a Wonderful World” make a statement that Eva Cassidy could have handled the most pedestrian material, and pleased an audience.
Twenty five years after her death, it is a bittersweet experience listening to her, ready to break out to a wider audience, but knowing that she would be gone so soon after. It is a pleasure to recommend the purchase of this anniversary edition. The original album recordings have been remastered by Robert Vosgien, from the unprocessed mixes. Vosgien mastered the original album, and the updated digital mix helps bring out the range and dynamics of Eva’s vocal gifts.
Although Eva’s life was cut short before she could enjoy the fame she so richly deserved, we still have the opportunity to both recognize and appreciate her talents twenty five years later. Don’t miss the opportunity…” Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition, December 2021
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4.5 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.39 / 5 ; Audiophile Audition : 4 / 5