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Amazon.co.uk Review
It's difficult not to feel jealous of the audience who were present for these shows at the Blues Alley club in January, 1996. Eva Cassidy's voice has the soul of Aretha Franklin, the smoky melancholy of Billie Holiday, the raw passion of Janis Joplin all rolled into one--and she'll never make another record. Later that same year she died of cancer, leaving behind a painfully small recorded legacy to be discovered belatedly and posthumously by the rest of the world. But those fortunate few in the Blues Alley club knew the secret long before. Thankfully, producer, mentor and (for a time) boyfriend Chris Biondo had the foresight to record Eva Cassidy for--as things turned out--posterity. So, imagine yourself in a dark corner of that tiny club and let the woman with the guitar and the extraordinary voice serenade you. The set consists of standards, mostly jazz--alternately bluesy and torchy--but with a sprinkling of folk ballads that she sings with haunting delicacy (Sting's "Fields Of Gold" being the stand out track). Perfectionist that she was, Cassidy refused to let this album be released unless a studio track--Pete Seeger's "Oh, Had I A Golden Thread"--was also included. But every track is a polished jewel in her hands: the limpid beauty of Johnny Mercer's evergreen "Autumn Leaves", the swinging blues of Billie Holiday's "Fine And Mellow", the uptempo soul of Al Green's "Take Me To The River". There are only four albums featuring Eva Cassidy, and one of those is a compilation of the other three, so for anyone who is haunted by her voice, Live At Blues Alley is a must-have. --Mark Walker
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
A couple of years ago I first heard Eva's voice and was instantly hooked. Out of all the albums, this is my favourite. A fantastic mix of Blues, Jazz and soul all delivered in Eva's unique way that will have you dancing, crying and singing along. This is as close as we will get to hearing her live - you can hear the jazz club audience in the background throughout the album. I have recommended this album to so many friends and none have been disapointed. This album will appeal to people of all music tastes. If you want to know what it's like to hear an angel sing jazz, then you must hear this album!!!
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
If I had to choose one CD to guide me through the happy, sad, inspired, painful, wistful times in my life ... this would be the one I would pick.
The ease with which Eva breezes through jazz, blues, swing, folk and gospel standards one after the other to a live audience never ceases to amaze me. You will never comment that all the songs on this CD sound the same ... although they are all interlinked with Eva's immaculate arrangements and soaring voice.
My only negative comment is that this album leaves you wanting more ... and with such a painfully small legacy, you have to come to accept that you will never hear this angel sing live.
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Various 'covers' which are raised to new levels of intensity, by a voice which carries everything so perfectly. 'Fields of Gold' makes Sting's version sound reserved and the interpretation of 'Bridge over Troubled Water'(with much more power and energy than the original S&G tune) demonstrates the range and strength in Eva's voice, coupled to some excellent instrumental backing.
The quality and production of the CD is also very good,which allows the emotion,power and control of Eva's voice to shine through.
All the tracks on this CD demand to be listened to. Her ability to move between styles, without losing control, simply amazes.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Magical Music
This is only the second Eva Cassidy album I have bought, "Live at Blues Alley", the title says it all. Read more
Published 3 months ago by alowe49
And all that jazz!
A 'live' performance sorts the wheat from the chaff and this recording displays the maturity of Eva Cassidy and confidence to tackle bluesy-jazz tracks - and no doubt an audience... Read more
Published 5 months ago by A. J. Ward
Wow What An Album
Wow what an album and what a voice. Not a Eva Cassidy fan before listening to this album. But as a lover of good live recordings I took the plunge and purchased it. Read more
Published 9 months ago by scooby265
Incomparable
This has it all. In a world where there are numerous good singers all of whom might deserve 9 out of 10, Eva scores the ten. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Denise EE
Eva
Bought this for my hubby
He is a great fan of Eva.
Loves it and never off stereo.
Great buy.
He is a great fan of Eva.
Loves it and never off stereo.
Great buy.
Published 13 months ago by Autum
Brilliant, But..
Excellent album, superb voice, great band, well recorded. But. Better than Songbird? No. To much of Eva Cassidy sings Britain's got the pop factor - too many pyrotechnics etc. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Ponk
Eva Cassidy unusual
Not being a huge Eva Cassidy fan myself I bought this for my husband and I love it. Different from her usual stuff, but very enjoyable and proves she's not just a one trick pony... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by Mrs. J. M. Hodgkinson
How Many CD Get 5 Stars by Everyone?
What else can you say? I don't know of any other CD that has 5 stars by EVERYONE who has written a review. Read more
Published on 16 Nov 2009 by C. R. Downing
Eva Cassidy - Live at Blues Alley
As live recordings go, this one is pretty much faultless. captures all the atmosphere and Eva doesn't miss a note. It's beautiful.
Published on 30 Aug 2009 by Mr. Richard S. Keys
Beautiful
I've heard the originals of most of these songs before, but Eva's versions surpass probably all of them. Read more
Published on 21 Jan 2009 by Paul Francis
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