{|Simply Eva|} is another collection of posthumous {|Eva Cassidy|} recordings, but with a twist: all but one of these performances was recorded with the artist accompanying herself solely, with an acoustic guitar -- either in {|Chris Biondo|}'s studi... Read more

{|Simply Eva|} is another collection of posthumous {|Eva Cassidy|} recordings, but with a twist: all but one of these performances was recorded with the artist accompanying herself solely, with an acoustic guitar -- either in {|Chris Biondo|}'s studio or in front of club audiences between 1993-1996. {|Cassidy|}'s devoted fan base has heard her perform the material before, but not in this way. Her live-in-studio readings of {|Wayfaring Stranger,|} {|Christine McVie|}'s {|Songbird,|} {|Curtis Mayfield|}'s {|People Get Ready,|} and {|Paul Simon|}'s {|Kathy's Song|} (this one with all verses present) resonate with even more intimacy -- if that is possible -- than the previously released finished versions. The reading of {|Over the Rainbow|} featured here is the one from the {|Blues Alley|} performance from the {|Rainbow|} video. While {|Cassidy|}'s version of {|Sandy Denny|}'s {|Who Knows Where the Time Goes|} doesn't top the songwriter's, it does shine brightly, as does her brief a cappella take on {|I Know You by Heart.|} Another surprise is this reading of {|Cyndi Lauper|}'s {|Time After Time,|} which showcases {|Cassidy|}'s fingerpicking skills and canny sense of rhythm. If you're a fan, you need this; if you've been wondering what all the fuss is about, the naked intimacy of {|Simply Eva|} is among the most convincing arguments yet for her posthumous reputation. ~ Thom Jurek Less