Bentley's Bandstand
Eva Cassidy’s early death twelve years ago at age 33 sometimes threatens to overshadow the music she made in her too short life. Somewhere might be a collection of songs from different settings, but it’s a testament to a singer who was as fearless in choosing material as she was in confronting her end. What’s so fascinating about this album is just how different the styles are she chooses to sing. Cassidy sways from Dolly Parton to James Cotton to Patsy Cline to Artetha Franklin to the Gershwin brothers, with plenty of original songs along with several traditional selections. The true mark of her talent is how she always sounds like herself no matter what she sings. Taking the bluesy “Ain’t Doing Too Bad” into the alley is the album’s big surprise. From a live session in 1996, Cassidy never veers toward imitation, making sure not to set herself up to fail, but adds her own soul with a full-blooded arrangement and sassy delivery. That’s class. Same with Franklin’s “Won’t Be Long.” Anytime an artist puts themselves in the same frame as Lady Soul, it’s likely to be a losing proposition. Not this time. Eva Cassidy stays on top of the action, jumping through the verses and turning on the heat near the end to make sure we don’t miss the emotion running through this little known gem, also covered by Tracy Nelson and Mother Earth on their debut release. Saving the best for almost last, “Summertime” is Cassidy and her acoustic guitar, performing a classic that sometimes feels like it should be retired. But here, the lyrics are caressed in a way that makes the song we’ve all heard a thousand times seem brand new. The mark of greatness is when a musician touches our heart and makes us feel something we haven’t. Eva Cassidy was able to do that almost every time she opened her mouth to sing. Even though she’s gone now, she’s really still right here.
