Eva Cassidy - I Can Only Be Me - by Stevie Wonder

Eva Cassidy's rendition of Stevie Wonder's "I Can Only Be Me".

When Eva selected a song to sing, the lyrics were extremely important to her. The more I listen to this song and the lyrics, the more I marvel over Eva Cassidy's incredible musical gift and the fascinating dichotomy of being uncomfortable on a stage before a large audience, yet possessing one of the finest voices of our time.

Her music, her art, her life, her struggle with her own paradoxes provide enormous inspiration to me. Her unique life has imparted some kind special magic and courage that somehow helps me to be me.

As always, my heartfelt appreciation goes to Barbara and Hugh Cassidy for bringing Eva into our world, and to Chris Biondo for believing in Eva, encouraging her to perform before an open mike, and making it possible for us to still hear her.

This song can be found on Eva's "Imagine" CD and is available through one of the fine web sites listed below.

For more information about Eva Cassidy's incredible music, art, life and legacy of inspiration, here are two beautiful websites created by members of Eva's family:

http://www.evacassidy.com (Eva's artwork, CDs, songbooks and Eva's biography are available on this site)

http://www.evacassidy.org (an excellent wealth of information)

Here is a link to a documentary on Eva Cassidy's story:

ABC Nightline Program Eva Cassidy (aired nationally four times):

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/rainbow--10170062

BBC Eva Cassidy Story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sfRvXIictA

This montage is made as a Tribute to Eva Cassidy (February 2, 1963 ~ November 2, 1996)

My thanks to Elaine Stonebreaker for the beautiful photo she took of Eva Cassidy and from which I worked on the oil pastel and mixed media "Study of Eva".

UPDATE!!!!!

A new Eva Cassidy album " SIMPLY EVA" is due out at the end of January 2011.

If you have PayPal, it is possibly to order the "SIMPLY EVA" CD through this fine Cassidy family website:

http://www.evacassidy.com/

Or you can pre-order the "Simply Eva" CD through Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywo...


Article on Eva Cassidy posted in the Seattle P-I by Steven J. Patrick:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/theconstantvalentine/archives/179380.asp?from=blog_...

For those interested in purchasing the DVD of Eva Cassidy's live performance at Blues Alley, it is available from Amazon.com in the UK. Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eva-Cassidy-Sings-DVD/dp/B000684110/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF...

Note: Because the DVD was produced in the UK, the disc is "coded" to play on UK discs only. In the US the disc commonly does not play on cd players but is viewable on computers.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Eva
• Cassidy
• Stevie
• Wonder
• I Can Only Be Me
• folk
• jazz
• r&b
• love
• song
• Shell
• Beach
• Santa
• Barbara
• Bora
• Marie
• BBC
• SimplyEva

[CasaLucita]

A new Eva Cassidy album entitled "Simply Eva" will be released at the end of January 2011. It is an acoustic album of Eva and her guitar. I have always been enchanted with a story Eva's mom, Barbara Cassidy, tells about Eva singing on the rooftop of the hotel where they were staying in Greece. A few minutes into Eva's impromptu concert, people of the village gathered in nearby windows to listen. This CD will give Eva's fans the opportunity to be on that rooftop.

[CasaLucita]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Eva! You are very much on my mind today (2/2/9). Thank you for this incredible gift you have given us! No other singer, musician or artist has ever affected me the way you do. I will now spend the rest of my life telling others about your beauty.

[rkm0003]

Thank you so much for your beautiful visual interpretation of her extreordinary vocal talent. I always enjoy watching them. I end up going to a more peaceful place.

[CasaLucita]

rkm0003,

Eva always takes me to a better place as well. Thank you.

[funkyfox63]

First time i ever heard this song today. It gave me goose pimples all over my body. Eva was one in a million, but all us Eva fans now that, Don't we?

[sue1699]

beautiful song, beautiful singer, beautiful vid, beautiful art of Eva, too. thanks.

[christianlennon1979]

Such a Song ..it can be comparable to No-one, Never has grace ever shone So directly & abrubtly with elegance into our world, She did the impossible. A connection with everyone, through a subtle note change, a slight pitch lower & then, like silk. Her voice just seems to flow, there is not one word to describe the greatest female, the greatest artist/singer that has ever graced us with her presence. Everyone knows that their simply will never be another Eva!

[hearts0ngs]

Eva's voice and interpretation of songs often brings me to tears. That was a rare gift of hers, to be able to express the human heart like that. Bless her.

[reallyrolly]

THE most wonderful voice in the world - like no other - bless you EVA..rest in peace

[birthofeternity]

Thank you Stevie and Eva. :)

[merviar]

de steve tenia que ser esta preciosidad de cancion...

[iwantsav]

Oh my... Thank you for a incredible song...... Im going through a new and exciting time in my life and im thinkin this is my new themesong.... I CAN only be me... and im embracing it and cherishing it SO much!!!

[Thommohank]

What can we do together to make her the very best singer we have ever heard on the planet earth , I don,t have any tears left in my body what a angel ,what a voice i thought i heard it all at 60 i discoverd new life a new way of living with Eva

[mepmug01]

Thanks for posting this beautiful song, performed by Eva Cassidy (RIP).

So much appreciated!