IMAGINE




AVAILABLE NOW!  The Eva Cassidy album IMAGINE was released internationally in August 2002.  During the week of August 25, 2002, IMAGINE was the #1 album on the album charts in the United Kingdom!

If you can't find the album locally, you can order from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk .  If you use those special links, and place an order, 5% of the merchandise total will be donated to the melanoma research fund at Johns Hopkins University.  


The songs on the album are:  

1. It Doesn't Matter Anymore
2. Fever
3. Who Knows Where the Time Goes
4. You've Changed
5. Imagine
6. Still Not Ready
7. Early Morning Rain
8. Tennessee Waltz
9. I Can Only Be Me
10. Danny Boy


ALBUM DETAILS:


The information given here is drawn from the album notes, from conversations and interviews with Eva's family and musical colleagues, from e-mail from Eva's fans, and from my own personal knowledge.





THE ALBUM COVER


Bee Barbara Cassidy tells me that the beautiful picture of Eva on the cover of the album was taken by Eva's cousin Walter Wunderlich, the son of Barbara's sister Dorothea.  The setting was Green Hill, Nova Scotia, which is a little village next to the huge green hill where Walter snapped the photo of Eva.  On the interior of the album cover, the charming drawing of a little girl embracing a honeybee is Eva's own artwork, from a label she designed for a honey jar.  The girl looks remarkably like Eva herself as a child!  The black-and-white closeup photo of Eva was taken by Eva's friend Larry Melton, who also photographed Eva for the cover of LIVE AT BLUES ALLEY.


ADDITIONAL ALBUM INFORMATION:


To read the complete press release about IMAGINE from Blix Street Records, click here.


July 27: Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk have added details about the forthcoming IMAGINE album:

From Amazon.co.uk critic Mark Walker (this is on both the Amazon sites, in slightly different versions): 'For anyone who suspects that record companies will soon be releasing Eva Cassidy's voice mail messages, it's extraordinarily pleasing to note that IMAGINE is more than just a bottom-of-the-barrel-scraping exercise. All of these tracks are previously unreleased and most are live recordings, but listeners who already own LIVE AT BLUES ALLEY know just how refreshing Cassidy's live performances were. Check out her take on Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" to feel a shiver of delight at another effortlessly ideal cover, or listen to her laid-back "You've Changed" from the Blues Alley sessions to experience more of her soulful jazz. Elsewhere, the solo acoustic reading of Gordon Lightfoot's "Early Morning Rain" shows off her guitar skills, and if "Imagine" doesn't ever scale the heights of Songbird's "Over the Rainbow" it still demonstrates how she always had something new and uniquely compelling to say when performing a familiar standard. Studio recordings "Still Not Ready" and "I Can Only Be Me" are, oddly perhaps, the least successful cuts. Happily, the album concludes with another lovely solo standard, "Danny Boy." The recording quality varies noticeably from track to track, and there are a few awkward fade-outs--presumably to remove audience noise--but still the sparkling music comes across quite vividly. Imagine may not be the best way to discover Eva Cassidy for the first time, but established fans will warmly welcome this new collection. --Mark Walker'

This additional material appears on Amazon.co.uk only: "Album Description: Album compiler Bill Straw writes: 'IMAGINE continues our tradition for showcasing Eva Cassidy's genius for mixing and matching various musical genres with an unerring sense of style that transcends their differences. Among the highlights in this collection of previously unreleased tracks are Eva's interpretation of "You've Changed", the jazz standard most associated with Billie Holiday, a version of "Fever" that is more reminiscent of the 1956 Little Willie John original R&B hit than the Peggy Lee pop cover two years later, a haunting redefinition of Sandy Denny's classic "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?", Eva's starkly moving tribute to John Lennon's masterpiece, "Imagine", her "true to the original spirit" expansion of the country/pop standard "Tennessee Waltz" and her diva version of Stevie Wonder's "I Can Only Be Me".'"


Hot Records in the UK have made up some beautiful promotional postcards for the IMAGINE album.  Paul in Wales sent me a few for me to share with Eva's family and friends.  If you live anywhere near Hot Records' shop in Angmering, stop by and pick up a few!  Keep your eye out and you might find some at CD shops as well.  They aren't an exact reproduction of the album cover photo, they feature Eva's wonderfully imaginative drawing of the little girl embracing a honeybee!


ALBUM REVIEWS:


The first review of IMAGINE is here!  Critic Johnny Black of MOJO, reportedly the most important music magazine in the United Kingdom) calls it "inspired" and "perfect" in his review, which will be in the September 2002 issue of the magazine, on page 115.  Here are some longer quotes: "If there's one song in this world that sets great pretenders apart from transcendently brilliant singers, it's the album's closer, Danny Boy. Routinely mutilated every Saturday night by sentimental Celtic drunks from Kilarney to Kirkcaldy, the song has acquired a reputation as perhaps the most cringe-worthy traditional Irish air ever written. Unable to deal with its heart-wrenching mix of resignation, death and eternal love, 99% of all known interpreters, amateur and professional alike, will over-emote Danny Boy for all they're worth. Eva Cassidy's version, which closes this album, is an object-lesson in how to get it right. Recorded live in 1994 with just her voice and guitar, a beautifully judged combination of emotional restraint and understated but idiosyncratic phrasing gives Danny Boy a setting in which it can deliver the impact its long-forgotten writer intended."   Also, "At her best with just her own accompaniment, Cassidy shines brightest on Imagine, It Doesn't Matter Anymore, Tennessee Waltz and Early Morning Rain where her acoustic finger-picking sparkles and flows effortlessly under melodies well-suited to her voice. Pop tunes at heart, each of these is subtly re-shaped as a contemporary folk show-stopper, with the kind of performances that make audiences feel guilty about breaking the fragile time-stopping magic by breathing too loud."


The on-line music store CD NOW has a review of IMAGINE.  Thank you, Matt, for this link.  Here's a quote from their reviewer, Drew Wheeler: 'Taken at face value, some of her repertoire choices could be considered commonplace, but that may be beside the point. A singer who could remake the ubiquitous classic "Over the Rainbow," and turn it into a smash hit, was no less than a master interpreter of song. The familiar melodies included on IMAGINE may prove to be another canvas upon which Eva Cassidy painted her artful, unpretentious musical miniatures.'


There is an article about Eva and IMAGINE in the Haagsche Courant.  I can't read Dutch but the author is Tom van Rijswijk, who is a big Eva Cassidy fan, so I am going to assume it is favorable!  UPDATE: Frits wrote in the Guestbook, "The article in the Haagse Courant about Eva was very favourable of course!! Imagine is coming out next Saturday in the Netherlands..."


SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY contained a review of IMAGINE by Colin Somerville.  Joe sent me this excerpt: "Almost as tragic as her premature death is the modern music industry's failure to recognise the potential appeal of Eva Cassidy's vocals when she was alive. Her posthumous success makes it good business to scour the vaults for more material, but this collection is at least of a comparable standard to the last record. The title track is further proof that Cassidy was as far from a carbon copier of pop standards as you can get."  Joe says, "We in Scotland jealously guard her memory and what Eva means to us - after all Eva is a quarter Scot and we always look after our own."


The BBC's website now has a review of IMAGINE, "Songbird Still Soaring High,", written by Michael Hubbard.


Jørn in Norway found a review of IMAGINE in a Norwegian newspaper called "Aftenposten" ("Evening Post").   He tells me, 'They gave it 5 of 6 points, and the journalist calls it: "New-discovered recordings from a songbird from heaven." He says that her songs are beautiful, with "Imagine" as one of the highlights."  A quote which Jørn translated for us: 'The CD isn`t quite as strong as "Songbird" was, but ìf you liked "Songbird," you`re guaranteed to get some "revelations" of this CD too.'  


Saturday, Aug. 24:  IMAGINE is reviewed in today's Los Angeles Daily News .   Look for the gray box headed "CD Reviews."   Critic Bill Hetherman writes, "Melanoma cut short the life of this brilliant songstress nearly six years ago at age 33. But those who hear her voice for the first time on this CD of previously unreleased tracks shouldn't be surprised if their own hearts stop...."


The Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet published a review of IMAGINE yesterday, August 23rd.  Critic Magnus Eriksson wrote, "...There is an expressively fragile version of 'Tennessee Waltz' in a low voice, a laid-back 'Fever' with a bluesy violin by Dan Cassidy and an incomparable jazz tune, 'Still not ready,' recorded as early as 1987.   But there are also insignificant songs like 'Imagine' and Stevie Wonder’s bombastic 'I can only be me' where Eva Cassidy, believe it or not, becomes insensibly loud. But her voice was so unique that I am happy for every song not previously released."  Many thanks to Torbjörn, who translated the review into English for us.


Jørn in Norway has some good news: 'The two biggest newspapers in Norway have reviews of "Imagine".

The 2nd biggest paper called: "Dagbladet", (www.dagbladet.no) has given "Imagine" 4 of 6 points. They say something like this: 'It is quite unbelievable that they have found so much material after Eva Cassidy's death in 1996. It is even more unbelievable, that the songs are of such high quality, even if they weren`t meant to be used for a CD. The American folk artist only released one solo album ("Eva by heart" in 1997)' [Jørn notes, "I know it`s wrong but I forgive them."] '...but this is live- and demo takes. She had a big hit with "Songbird" (1998) with her fantastic version of "Over the rainbow". Cover versions are seldom interesting, but Eva Cassidy`s versions are an exception. "Fever" and "I can only be me" aren`t that great, but there are some brilliant versions of "Who knows where the time goes", "Early morning rain" and a stripped demo version of "Imagine". But as far as I know, this is the 6th album of Eva since she died, and something says me that they have squeezed the most out of the artist. The songs have been "washed and cleaned", but there is varialble technical level of some of the songs. But...what a voice on phrasing!'


More from Jørn in Norway: 'Here`s another review from the biggest paper called VG (www.vg.no): They gave it 5 of 6 points, saying something like this: '"Songbird" has got a worthy "follow-up" ,with this album with Eva Cassidy. The American artist Eva Cassidy died of cancer in november 1996, only 33 years old. With her album "Songbird" she got a renaissance over the whole world. Now is the follow-up album released, with ten new songs that she had recorded but never released before. This is not a speculative "rip off" album, but a delicate album with a simple purity and Eva Cassidy`s beautiful, heartfelt voice in the centre. This album is beautiful, impressive, but not sentimental. Her version of "Imagine" has "class". The same has "Fever" and "Early morning rain." Listen and be touched ...by Eva Cassidy.'


The Daily Mail's website, www.female.co.uk, has an article/review about IMAGINE that is different from the articles in their paper.  I wish their big article were available on-line!  Thanks, Gerard, for this link.


There was an article about Eva in the Los Angeles Times "Calendar" section on August 27th. Click here to read it.  Thanks to Alan for the alert.  "Another Hit Record for the Late Eva Cassidy... The bittersweet success of Eva Cassidy's music continues."


"This is London" has a nice article about Eva -- though with a lot of minor inaccuracies that I'm sure many of you will notice!  If I ever get out from under this pile of e-mail I may list them all just for fun.  Here's the first paragraph, which I love: "Walk into any record shop in London today and in between the posters of pouting pop idols are pictures of a flaxenhaired woman in a cornfield. She's not remotely glamorous, she looks as if she's been caught unawares and poses awkwardly for the camera. She does not look like a pop star but she's Britain's favourite singer."  UPDATE: It turns out that "This is London" includes the web version of the London Evening Standard.  Andy explains "This paper is read by many London commuters on their way home from work."  Audrey adds that "it is a jolly good site if you ever need to do any 'homework' before coming to London."  (I wish!)   The article was published on August 29, 2002.  


Doug in Pennsylvania found another German review of IMAGINE here.  "This woman can sing!" 


The Los Angeles Times printed another, different review of IMAGINE from the one posted earlier.  Don Heckman is the critic.  Thanks to Doug in Pennsylvania for this link.  An extract: '...Cassidy's singing can do no wrong. Two tracks-- "Imagine" and "Danny Boy"--are exquisite displays of musical artistry. Accompanied only by her guitar, she touches the caring heart of the former, and poignantly restores the too-often-abused life spirit of the latter. Further illustrating her remarkable versatility, "You've Changed" reveals how comfortable she was with jazz, "Fever" reinvents the old Little Willie John soul classic and Paul Anka's "It Doesn't Matter Any More" has the easygoing accessibility of a potential country hit.'


Hugo in the Netherlands found a Dutch review of IMAGINE on Planet Internet, one of the biggest ISP in the Netherlands.  "It has its own portal. Their music pages are very popular."  A quote from his translation: "Cassidy mastered many many styles: jazz, blues, pop, gospel, folk and country, and it was her versatility that made it too complicated to 'market' her. But just as on 'Songbird' it appears on 'Imagine' that her versatility on the contrary was her strength. With her nightingale like voice she has it all her own way with the songs of Paul Anka ('It Doesn't Matter Anymore) and Gordon Lightfoot ('Early Morning Rain'). Beautiful song material, just like that of British folkie Sandy Danny and of Stevie Wonder."


The Manchester On-Line website gives IMAGINE a well-written five-star review and suggests, "It would have been yet more heartening if Eva was around to enjoy it in person."  Amen.  


Another nice review of IMAGINE, from the website "Kevin's Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews."  Thanks to Tim in Australia for this link.  "And, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the proof is in the often-tortured "Danny Boy." Now wait before roiling up and tossing those brickbats. Cassidy's version is subtle and haunting, veering far from the maudlin and melodramatic rendered by so many others. Simply utilizing her vocals and solo guitar was a wise decision here..."


Doug in Pennsylvania spotted this review from Soundstage.  "Her cover of John Lennon’s "Imagine" is heartfelt and introspective enough to make you really think about the meaning of the lyrics...."


IMAGINE is reviewed in the September 19th, 2002, edition of Rolling Stone.  Randy tells me it is a four-star review (out of five) and notes, '4 out of 5 stars is quite good -- only "The Rising" has received a 5-star rating from Rolling Stone in 2002.'  The magazine calls the album "an odds-and-ends collection culled from diverse sources that holds together, thanks to Cassidy's torchy interpretive genius."  On-line, you can add your own opinion about the album here.


September 11, 2002:  A RAVE REVIEW FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL!  Run right out and buy a copy.  The critic is Earle Hitchner.  The headline is "Recording This Wonderful Nightingale," which some of you will recognize as a reference to the message that Grace Griffith sent to Blix Street Records along with LIVE AT BLUES ALLEY.  

A sampling from the WSJ article:  'Now this growing global fascination with Cassidy's singing should only become stronger through Blix Street's "Imagine," the impressive new album of songs drawn from pop, folk, soul and jazz that she recorded between 1987 and 1996....  Cassidy's life was like her music: honest, sensitive, straight from the heart. She loved the outdoors as much as a good song, and for a time she worked in a garden nursery by day and sang by night. Her three-octave soprano could rise to a defiant blues shout, as in T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday," or drop to a confessional whisper, as in Johnny Mercer, Joseph Kozma and Jacques Prevert's "Autumn Leaves."'

Also, 'Hugh Cassidy, Eva's father, shares Mr. Straw's belief that her recent success stems from her undiva-like integrity. "She never sang a song publicly that did not have some core meaning for her," he said from his Maryland home, "and it obviously has meaning for her listeners. Many write and tell me where they were when they heard certain songs by her, and how those songs got them through some tough times. My daughter made every note she sang a telling one."'

UPDATE: The recent Wall Street Journal article was not available to read on-line because the Journal's website is fee-based.  However, critic Earle Hitchner has kindly given me permission to reprint his excellent article.  Click here to read RECORDING THIS WONDERFUL NIGHTINGALE.  If you're an Eva collector, you still will want to try to find a paper copy of the article, because it included a caricature drawing of Eva.  


From Tim in Australia: "A review today 12/9/2002 in Melbourne Age Green Guide by Mike Daly, who if memory serves me well, also gave nice reviews to Songbird and Time after Time."  The best quote: "Cassidy's vocal authority almost redefines these classics."


September 2002: 'I saw a billboard advertising IMAGINE just outside Waterloo Station in London this morning. The image on the billboard is the IMAGINE cover, beside the bee picture. I can't remember the exact "blurb". The book was advertised on posters everywhere, but I think that's the first time I've seen Eva on a billboard,' writes Dan L.  WOW! Can anybody get a digital photo of that for me for the website?


Kirk in California sent me the link for an excellent review of IMAGINE from the San Francisco Chronicle.  The critic is Joel Selvin.  "Pieced together from various sessions and live recordings, the album nonetheless burns with the brilliance of her talent."


From Henrik in Denmark: 'On September 17 IMAGINE was reviewed in Jyllands-Posten -- one of the largest Danish newspapers-- by one "salle" who I think is identical with Finn Smed Sahlholdt who has previously reviewed TAT. The review, under the heading 'Evergreens', is brief but extremely favorable: 'The American Eva Cassidy, who died in 1996 only 33 years old, had a unique voice. Even hackneyed classics she takes to a new high level with her crystal clear voice and sparse musical accompaniment. So, so beautiful. This new collection from the archive of pop, blues, jazz and country classics shot to the top in England, and Danish music lovers should not miss the experience."  IMAGINE gets five stars out of six !'


More from Henrik in Denmark: '"Lytteposten", a Danish "web juke box", where you can listen to half a minute of each track from a lot of new CDs, has this brief and factual description of IMAGINE: "Another posthumous album from one of the best female vocalists of all time. Ten tracks that have not previously been released."'


Here's another New Zealand review, which Kiwi Greg sent me: Critic Graham Reid in the New Zealand Herald writes, "None of these recordings - some live, others just studio run-throughs - was intended for release, which is even more persuasive evidence of her particular genius. Others could work for months trying to create music this affecting, intimate and impressive. Cassidy just seemed to put them out there, right up in 1996 when she died at 33. Extraordinary."  The review is dated Friday, September 20.  Gotta love that International Date Line!


Greg in New Zealand writes, 'Nick Bollinger has a weekly 1/2 hour slot on New Zealand Public Radio where he showcases new music releases that he likes. He also has a weekly column in the major NZ weekly TV listings magazine [The Listener] - and it is read by about 10-15% of the reading population in NZ. In the edition of the NZ Listener dated September 7 2002 [page 53], he devotes half his 'A4' sized "page" to Imagine, admittedly about 1/3rd of the A4 page is taken up with a photo of Eva singing [no credits given for the photo], and 1/3rd is about another CD, so 1/3rd of the page is a review of Imagine. The written review is pretty close to the radio review he gave a week earlier [which I listened to]. [It] is very good, considering this guy does not like much of the (commercial) music that obviously comes across his desk each week and so only reviews a tiny fraction of it, and most of it is not the "top 50" type material.'  

**UPDATE!** Greg went to the trouble of contacting Nick Bollinger to get permission for me to reprint the full review, which was graciously given.  Thank you, Greg and Nick!  Click here to read the full review from the New Zealand Listener.


Ellis Widner of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette was one of the first music critics to write about Eva, back when SONGBIRD first came out. In this weekend's paper he reviews IMAGINE.  The article is on-line but you have to register to read it, and I couldn't figure out how to register without simultaneously subscribing to the print edition... Many thanks to Jo in Arkansas who sent me the review.  Widner gave the album a "B+" and wrote, 'Accompanied only by her guitar, she offers exquisite takes on the John Lennon title tune and the poignant "Danny Boy." She strips away the layers of cliched emotionalism inflicted on this powerful song by a multitude of uninformed singers and reclaims its original spirit.There are some technical challenges where the live material is concerned, but nothing obscures the fact that Cassidy was a unique and gifted singer.'


Johan Bakker in Rotterdam, who wrote an article about Eva for the Nederlands Dagblad last year, has reviewed IMAGINE for that same national newspaper.  He sent me a translation, of which this is an excerpt: "Ten new songs have been discovered and collected on the new cd IMAGINE. Cassidy who did not witness her own success, sang only songs from others. Her power was her many-sidedness. She mastered several styles like gospel, blues, folk and soul but she was able to transform them into typical Eva Cassidy songs. The cd opens strongly with Paul Anka’s ‘It doesn’t matter anymore.’ The singer accompanies herself on guitar. This is Eva’s best side. She knows exactly where she has to step back and where she can belt out."


GREAT EXPOSURE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM -- HMV MAGAZINE FEATURES EVA:  David in the UK writes, 'In the monthly free HMV magazine, "HMV Choice" (September/October Edition), there is a 2 page article about Eva, including a review of IMAGINE. There is also mention of her on the front page ("Eva Cassidy - newly discovered treasures from the reluctant star"). The 2 page article headlines with "Songs from Over the Rainbow", with a sub headline of "Eva Cassidy was one of the most versatile and spellbinding singers to grace the world of music. But it took her tragic death to bring her to public attention and earn her the recognition she so richly deserved." The article is written by a Jill Goldman and has a large photo (the IMAGINE Cover) and 2 smaller ones (SONGBIRD Cover and one of Eva singing on stage). There is also a discography, with small photographs of the 5 cds and short reviews of each of them. HMV are currently offering all of the cds, with the exception of IMAGINE, at a sale price of £9.99, and this is shown in the discography itself.'


The New York Daily News published a review of IMAGINE by Jim Farber.  I can't tell from the on-line story when it was in the paper edition.  Thank you to Eileen for this link!  The article is a review of two other albums in addition to IMAGINE, but it is wonderful, one of my favorites so far. "Perhaps no modern singer expressed wise regret better than Cassidy. With her solemn tone, careful phrasing and restrained volume, she was a master at capturing the sounds of repression - the muffled cry, the held-back yell. Like Joan Allen's acting, Cassidy's singing was all about indicating what can't be said, the silent vocabulary of situations beyond repair. The role made her a fine interpretive singer, with a persona all the songs could be filtered through."


I came across another Australian review using the new Google News search service, from the Australian Financial Review.  Shane Nichols is the critic.  "She has a purity of tone, reserves of power, and phrasing that really gets to the heart of songs. Due to her widespread celebrity now and her short career, there has been every effort to uncover everything and anything she recorded. If that sounds like a bottom of the barrel exercise, be assured that this latest album, all previously unreleased tracks, is first-class even by Cassidy's standards."


Henrik in Denmark has translated another review from his country.  He writes, "On September 20, a Danish regional newspaper, Fyens Stiftstidende, published a very positive review of IMAGINE written by Lene Kryger.  Here is a particularly quotable part:

'"I have the easiest job in the world. All I have to do is sing and play the guitar", Eva Cassidy once said.

That is just what she does on some of the most beautiful numbers on the CD: Paul Anka's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore", Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" and her deeply personal interpretation of John Lennon's "Imagine".

Cassidy's exquisite flair for the essence of jazz is evident in her delightful interpretation of the Billie Holiday standard "You've Changed", while there are just tons and tons of genuine country feeling in the wistful "Early Morning Rain", the languidly loitering "Tennessee Waltz" and the heart-rending "Danny Boy". But Eva Cassidy also sings Stevie Wonder's "I Can Only Be Me" as if it was written for her. Chillingly beautiful and with complete serenity.'"


Here's a short review of IMAGINE from a local newspaper chain's site (I think?) in the UK, Thisiswirral.co.uk.  Short but very quotable: "The late Eva is back, with a rendition of songs more than matching her rich soul stirring voice. Her delivery makes every one a winner as far as I'm concerned.... Let's have more of whatever is left, please."


From Torbjörn and Mona in Sweden and Henrik in Denmark:   There was a review of IMAGINE in Expressen, 'the second largest tabloid (evening paper) in Sweden. It's short and not of the highest quality and consequently containing some (minor) faults. However the article is very positive and it ends :  "…and she is big almost everywhere except in Sweden, actually. This will be changed now." Let's hope so.'


The Dallas (TX) Morning News printed a short review of IMAGINE by Mario Tarradell on October 17, 2002:  "It was 1998's Songbird album that got her noticed. Now, here's another collection of unreleased tunes from a singer with a passionate, piercing voice.... A beautiful album that also deserves an audience."  Thanks to Henrik for finding this one.


From Henrik: "I found a review of Imagine from the Austrian paper OÖNachrichten which I do not think has been noted so far. It was printed on September 10, 2002.  The review was written by "rgr." 'Her crystal clear voice on Gordon Lightfoots "Early Morning Rain" brings you in ecstasy, Paul Anka's "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" is a folksong full of feeling, and Cassidy's version of Lennon's "Imagine" is in no way inferior to the original. The previously unreleased songs on this album are evidence of a great female vocalist whose singing was full of soul.'


cd coverFrom Greg, a radio DJ in North Carolina: "Here's a brief review of IMAGINE in the Charlotte, NC version of a news weekly called 'Creative Loafing' which also publishes in major cities such as Atlanta, Tampa, etc. It's not the New York Times, but at least will get Eva's name out to the 20 year olds whose exposure to decent music is probably sorely lacking."  An excerpt from the review: "Part folkie, part jazz diva, part blues chanteuse, Cassidy had the whole package: clarion tone, impeccable chops, natural interpretive savvy and that intangible ability to get inside your heart."  The critic is Eric Snider.


CD coverDoug in Pennsylvania has spotted another review of IMAGINE on the Virgin Megamagazine website, where apparently it was the album of the week a short while back. The critic is Michael Jolly: 'The secret to Eva Cassidy's appeal is a simple one-she chose classic songs to sing and she nailed them effortlessly. In this era when we expect every female singer to be a “diva,” it's refreshing to hear a vocalist with enough sensitivity and humility to use her talents solely in service of the song.'


German flagThe German website "Laut" has a review of IMAGINE by Nathalie Fritz.  Our favorite polyglot, Henrik, has translated it. Here is an excerpt: 'You may well ask yourself why some artists only win fame and glory after their death. Eva Cassidy died almost six years ago from skin cancer. In March 2001 her album "Songbird" suddenly occupied the top position in the English charts. Her fellow-Americans even helped the record achieve gold status after her death. Now her parents and Hot Records release another album, on which she covers well-known classics. Her killer voice, acoustic guitar playing and the congenial soul and jazz elements make "Imagine" a musical masterpiece.'


Imagine There's a new review of IMAGINE on "Kevin's Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews," dated November 9th.  I remember having liked his previous review of SONGBIRD from a couple of years ago. The entire site is worth an extended visit.


BBC There is a review of IMAGINE on the BBC Radio 2 folk music website.  It's a nice review and they also have a link to this website.  Here's a quote: "As ever, jazz (Billie Holiday's You've Changed), country/pop (Tennessee Waltz) and folk standards (Gordon Lightfoot's Early Morning Rain and Sandy Denny's Who Knows Where The Time Goes) show Cassidy's vocal range and empathy with her material. Some are simply accompanied by her own guitar, some with full band: Larry Melton's sultry bass on Still Not Ready, written and produced by pianist Chris Izzi, underpins a standout track while brother Dan Cassidy adds fiddle to a version of Fever owing more to its R&B 1956 original than Peggy Lee's popular version a couple of years later."


Here's another nice review of IMAGINE, on the MusicOMH.com website.  "The compilation, put together by the man behind 'Songbird' and 'Time After Time', begins on a vulnerable and mesmerising note with Cassidy’s take on the Buddy Holly standard 'It Doesn’t Matter Anymore'. Armed with just her voice and an acoustic guitar, she instantly grabs the listener’s attention with her heartfelt interpretation and delicate performance skills. By the end of this song we’re acutely aware once more of a singular talent lost."


Historical Chart Information for IMAGINE:

(Items from the "What's New" page that I somehow couldn't just delete, I had to move them somewhere....)

August 25, 2002:  IMAGINE is officially #1 on the album charts in the United Kingdom, with sales of 57,956 - over double the sales of the #2 album!  Congratulations to everybody who helped make this happen.  You know who you are -- from the people who nurtured and supported and encouraged Eva during her lifetime, to the ones who have dedicated their time and talents and enthusiasm to promoting her music in the past five years.  You're all NUMBER ONE!


UPDATED AGAIN:  Early September 2002:  IMAGINE will be #1 on the Billboard "Indie" album charts when they are next released, according to Blix Street Records!  In the UK, IMAGINE is up one slot to #2 on the album charts.  Likewise in Australia it went up one place, to #7.  Markus in Germany writes that IMAGINE is #39 on the German album charts!  In the United States, IMAGINE is #4 on the Billboard "Top Independent Albums" and #105 on the Top 200 chart.  SONGBIRD is #54 in Australia this week.  In New Zealand, IMAGINE is up two places to #22.  In Norway, Jørn reports that IMAGINE is #7 (#6 last week), SONGBIRD is #34 (#22 last week).  IMAGINE is #36 in Switzerland, #89 in the Netherlands, and #9 on the general European chart.  Thanks to Lynlea in Australia for those last three!


Sept. 12, 2002: Bill in Scranton took a look at the Billboard Charts for me (their website always crashes my browser so I refuse to go there anymore). He writes, 'Imagine debuted in the US at #62 three weeks ago, then fell off the top 100 in the 2nd week. Now, according to the Billboard website chart released today, Imagine is up to #32 and is noted in red as the "Greatest Gainer," from 105 to 32 in 1 week.'  I think this is the highest Eva has ever been on the Billboard charts.  I've got the "Billboard March" running through my head today!  UPDATE: On the Billboard "Pop Catalog Chart," Songbird is #3, Blues Alley #44, Eva By Heart #173.


Later in September, 2002:  Bill in Scranton writes, "Imagine is still sitting pretty at #63 on the Billboard US Album Charts (released today). It also moves from #2 to #1 on the Top Indie Album Charts (GO, EVA!!!!!!!). Songbird is at #6 on the Pop Catalog Albums. On the Top Internet album sales, Imagine is #6, Songbird is #7, Blues Alley is #18, and Time After Time is #21."


skateOlympic Gold Medallist Kristi Yamaguchi is skating to Eva's recording of "Imagine"!  For more information, visit the "Kristi Yamaguchi Page."


Norway Jørn in Norway has translated a wonderful review of IMAGINE from a site called www.multimediasenteret.no.  The critic is Sigmund Bødal.  Here are some extracts:   'It`s more or less a sensation that there are still new releases from this lady.... Typical for Cassidy is that most of these songs are classics, which most of us has got a relation to. But as a magic touch, she gives some fantastic versions, that noone ever thought could exist. Most of us were waiting for some worthless versions, but no! I just have to admit that the way Cassidy interprets these well known songs, makes them into exiting new musical "roads to travel". Her musical landscape has a great width, from John Lennon`s "Imagine" via "Fever", and to Sandy Denny`s beautiful "Who knows where the time goes."  Cassidy switch into jazz on "You`ve changed" and "Still not ready" in a quiet and soft way, and then finish the CD with the beautiful and simple "Danny Boy." Every song is performed with a lot of respect and love, making them into some beautiful songs, that we thought we had heard before, but rediscover in some new delicate wrapping. Nice arrangements, together with Cassidy`s beautiful and melodic voice, gives these songs a "lift into another world." It makes them into classic classics. "Imagine" is a enjoyment from the beginning to the end.... So even what kind of genre you like, this CD will (like her other CD`s) touch your inner musical soul."