FIRST TIME HEARING Eva Cassidy - Over The Rainbow | REACTION

[@marcgrenier9431]

What is not often mentioned is that, besides having a this spectacular voice, she was was one hell of a guitarist. The picking was superb.

[@sandrabeggs3549]

Just everything Eva Cassidy ever recorded. She was exquisite.

[@johnm506]

No matter how hard I try when this lady hits that high note the tears just roll down my face and I’m a 69 year old man. Such a talent and such a loss can you just imagine her and Karen Carpenter duetting together

[@davidmcconnaughay8191]

I'm a 58 year old man, and I too get teary-eyed listening to Eva sing this song. She packs so much emotion in this performance.

[@ConnieBrown-gu6bb]

Me too💕🥲

[@kathyk3918]

Her version of Sting's "Fields of Gold" is wonderful as well. She is one of my go-to artists when I want beautiful vocals.

[@EC-dz3fb]

Her version of it simply wrecks me.

[@ronraskind]

Eva is one of my top three favorite female vocalists as well! Angelina Jordan is also in the mix. Since he just did a reaction to Angelina for the first time it would be great if he also did a reaction to the mashup, virtual Duo, of Eva and Angelina singing Fields of Gold together. A beautifully done fan made video. In this video, Eva is probably in her late 20s estimated while Angelina is only 15.

[@keithjones8889]

​@@ronraskindEva was 32 (2/2/63) when this was performed live at Blues Alley in Georgetown Washington, DC in early January 1996. She died of melanoma that same year on November 2nd 1996 🥺 😌

[@realityboost4405]

Eva was literally dying of cancer as she sang this, and she didn't even know…She passed less than 6 months after this performance…She was just 33…Beyond heart-wrenching.

[@patrickwilder6492]

😢❤❤❤

[@lisadowney6777]

Glad you’ve discovered Eva Cassidy! This version of this song is literally stunning. Stops people in their tracks. Once you realize how talented she was and learn of her premature death, it breaks your heart. Listening to her beautiful voice, arrangement and playing-with the knowledge of her passing-is the very definition of bittersweet. Everything she recorded is worth a listen, but “Fields of Gold” should be the next reaction.

[@CAMPFIRESKY]

Exactly my thoughts! Fields of Gold and Autumn Leaves are up there on my all time favorites. Hope SalvoG listens to all of her CDs (which were released well after her death) What a shame she never new what a world sensation she would become.

[@sweetvixenca]

I'm moved to tears everytime I hear her song this song. Her singing and her guitar playing are both so beautiful. Very emotive!

[@ElizasGrammy]

I see "Eva Cassidy", I stop what I'm doing and IMMEDIATELY watch. Thank you! (RIP, Eva).

[@greenphoenix687]

I think once someone has heard Evas version of this song there is no other that quite compares.Tugs at the heart and brings me to tears everytime. Simply beautiful. RIP Eva and thank you for leaving us with your beautiful gift.

[@josephstimpfl4594]

When a live performance reaches this level of excellence it is magic. The fact that the coffee house captured this piece of heaven is so fortunate for us. And there are more in this live performance!

[@deborahdennehy9937]

What can I say? Simply just a perfectionist especially 'Over the Rainbow'. Such a beautiful singer/guitarist/songwriter. RIP Eva💔💔

[@sallymorehouse3179]

Holy smokes!! For me, that was hands down the best version of that song I've ever heard! I don't think I've ever heard her before, but what a beautiful voice!!

[@stuBdoc]

What a shame to have lost her right on the edge of fame. Her voice is amazing, but it's her interpretations and her incredibly beautiful guitar stylings that knock me out. I could listen to her just play the guitar without the voice, but the whole package is astonishing. Aside from that, Over the Rainbow is one of the most iconic and beautiful songs ever written. Amazing that it was written for The Wizard of Oz, I doubt the writers even knew how fantastic a song they created.

[@pmbrig]

She could do ballads, folk, gospel, blues, and jazz with equal mastery. For a sample of her range, listen to Autumn Leaves, I Know You by Heart, Blues in the Night, You've Changed, Stormy Monday, and Fields of Gold (Sting felt that her version was "magical") - and What a Wonderful World, which she performed at her last concert, a few weeks before she died of metastatic melanoma. If she had lived, she would be one of the premier singers of our time. Her talent went beyond her amazing voice control, her impeccable tone, her phrasing, and the simple perfection of her guitar work - she refused to sing anything that didn't touch her heart, and the depth of emotion in her songs is her real gift to us. You can feel her soul in every note.

[@RossNixon]

Yep chills. Plus tears, as she died so young and before she became famous.

[@kevinford9994]

Her take on this MELTS ME. To this day i cannot hear it without crying. Its the reason words like exquisite were created. God rest her soul.

[@toddshear1674]

The fact that she never found success before her death is a travesty 😢 her voice caresses your soul! She’s definitely flying high above that rainbow 🌈 now ❤️

[@PaintingandExercise]

"Songbird" is her beautiful rendition.

[@cottontopprintshop452]

This song... I heard this years ago. Such a beautiful version, but SO Emotional I can hard listen to it. Tears me up everytime. We lost such a beautiful soul in her.

[@ChicagoDB]

Eva is like Van Gogh...immense talent, creative vision only widely discovered and properly recognized after their deaths 😢

[@ORWELL_USA]

"The world was never meant for someone beautiful as you."

[@randyrodriguez1445]

Well said.

[@joolstrout8036]

Eva was sick with a cold when she sang this live version. You should try her version of Autumn Leaves and my absolute favourite of all time, Nightbird, from the same concert. Loved your reaction by the way, very emotional, very respectful of a talent lost too soon. RIP Eva

[@lgot123]

Her “Live at Blues Album” is perfect

[@greggary7217]

Aside from her wonderful voice, to me this is a master class in phrasing, dynamics, breath control (she had a cold btw) & in general how to make a song your own. She was brilliant. RIP

[@tadlong4566]

Great reaction! I hope you take time to learn her whole story. She didn't become famous until 10 years after her passing. The world is a better place because of Eva. We were lucky to have her. RIP Eva

[@Dan-B]

Her cover of “Time After Time” is criminally underrated, definitely worth a listen too!

[@SarahWilder93]

This song always makes me cry. The beginning hits me, and i'm gone, in tears. Eva's voice is absolutely spin tingling and you can't help but be mesmerised by her performances. This is hands down one of the best.

[@jakewayrewa5201]

Fields of Gold. Especially moving knowing that she was soon to leave this world.

[@vittoriolancia5365]

i've listened to this dozens of times. It gets me every time.

[@Ctkare4k9]

It always just amazes me that as a child of the 1960’s,I was one of those kids eagerly awaiting the yearly showing of The Wizard of Oz! We got four channels on our B&W t.v with its tinny sound and aluminum foil wrapped around the antenna to enhance reception😄! And it was magic when Judy Garland sang this song. I heard it often through the years and into adulthood. But after all those years of listening to the same version,it wasn’t until Eva Cassidy sang it that I TRULY HEARD it,felt it and understood it! I have watched many people react to Eva and so often they(and you) put their hand to their heart,because that’s where this hits us! I loved your reaction. Thank you. ❤️❤️

[@jimfussell5589]

It doesn't get much better than this. As others have said ... stunning. Literally stunning! You almost can't believe how clean, pure, powerful and angelic her gorgeous voice is. And for a second...a long, wonderful second, you freeze in wonder. This CAN'T be this perfect. And yet it is! Soaring above anything you've ever heard before. You don't want to cry, but you can't help it. What an ENORMOUS talent! Eva Cassidy. Gone wa-ay too soon! Thanks for the reaction.

[@dlbeal]

I love Eva Cassidy. Voice of an angel and could sing the phonebook.

[@critterwatcher8009]

"Autumn Leaves" from Eva is also a great cover. All of her songs are worth a listen but I especially like "Had I a Golden Thread" and "I know you by heart".

[@Bobketchup]

Fields of gold, What a wonderful world, Time after time, Autumn leaves...so many!

[@haydeeze]

I bet many people have not heard this song which is a shame, because it is pure gold. It has brought tears to my eyes every time I've heard it, including today.

[@tygerbrite]

Eva's performance of Bridge Over Troubled Water at the same concert, with the band, is mindblowing.

[@ericsicard910]

Autumn Leaves, Fields of Gold, Songbird, Nightbird, Stormy Monday, Time After Time, What a wonderful world, … She has so many masterpieces!

[@dagmar.6954]

That was such a beautiful rendition of this song. So sad that she is no longer with us. She died at only 33 years of age. I also love the version by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole. Sadly he also died young at 38 years of age. At least we have their music left as a legacy.

[@roballen5718]

you should check out the version by John Martyn, too.

[@Carolyn-fb8is]

Eva sings directly to your heart and at times it feels like it has stopped beating. I love “You Take My Breath Away” done by Eva!❤

[@MDali-el4zm]

"What a Wonderful World" sung by her at a benefit performance after she had been diagnosed with cancer. A magnificent rendition. She passed away two months later.

[@annmonaghan4360]

Fields of gold and Songbird are a couple of others you may want to check out

[@DharmaBeing]

My friend, thank you so much for not pausing . . . your reactions were perfect as well. Thanks

[@peterdennis4394]

She had a remarkable ability to take a song that either was covered to oblivion or no one in their right mind would even think worthy of covering, and turning it into something new and beautiful and incredibly poignant. Fields of Gold, Autumn Leaves, Songbird, True Colors, all benefitted from her touch. I always wonder how today's musical landscape would have sounded had she lived longer, because she was only just beginning to really make a name for herself when she passed. The world truly got a little bit darker without her light in it.

[@ShinyElfriend]

Heaven knows what we missed losing this treasure so ridiculously young. I love her music so much!

[@kerrybarnes989]

Beautiful Eva! Songbird is my favourite of hers it's so gorgeous so so very sad she passed before she became famous. sure I read some where her Dad shared her stunning voice with us all

[@classiclife7204]

Judy Garland's is the iconic version, the Samoan (?) guy's is the most popular, Eva's is the best. 😉

[@lauraallen55]

Judy's is the best.

[@randyrodriguez1445]

Judy sang with a child’s optimism. Eva sang it with an adult’s melancholy. If little blue birds fly, then why oh why can’t I? Judy sings that with determination. Eva sings it with regret.

[@YouMe-ru6wi]

Eva Cassidy was so incredible what a voice and talent. It was such a tragedy and loss to the world when she died of cancer at only 33 years old in 1996, but her music will forever live on. Some other Eva Cassidy recommendations are Danny Boy, Time After Time, Fields Of Gold, Autumn Leaves, What A Wonderful World, Songbird. Thank you for your reaction.

[@Russ_Keith]

Two singers in perfect harmony - Eva and her guitar. I see from the comments lots of good recommendations for her songs with similar treatments, all well worth a listen. I was one of those listening when it broke posthumously on BBC radio played by DJ Terry Wogan and was immediately hooked and consumed her output after until the songs ran out. A tragic loss. But a favourite of mine shows her in a completely different light wth a treatment of a blues standard called "Blues in the Night". Always a song I loved she takes it to new heights in a virtuoso performance and staggering to think that all the voices on it are hers including the 'harmonica' at the end. "Wayfairing Stranger" shows her in a jazzier mood. But with Eva you can't go wrong.

[@waybackj]

Favorite female voice of all time. Sad she didn't live to see how much she touched people.

[@zivo24]

I don’t understand why there hasn’t been a movie about her yet. Her story is SOOO compelling. I learned about her from an episode of the old news show Nightline, which told the story of how a BBC radio jock got a tape of her covering this song while visiting a friend in Washington DC and took it back to the UK and played it on his show and it soon became a top requested song. Top of the Pops wanted a video and got this from the live recording she did at Blues Alley in DC. It was a huge hit especially after everyone found out she was already battling melanoma when she made it and passed a few months after. I remember being in a mall in Sydney, Australia in 1999 and a record store had an entire end cap devoted to her because she was so popular there but in the US, her home country, she was still relatively unknown . She was extraordinarily gifted and was courted by several record labels but refused to be locked into one genre. She was also a bit of an introvert but boy could she own a room with her musicianship and voice! After she passed, her family and friends compiled all the recordings of various songs she did and releaeec them in albums with proceeds going to musical education for youth. Her renditions of ‘You’ve changed’’, a Billie Holliday classic and Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘ Bridge over troubled water’ are phenomenal but her version of ‘Danny boy’ will make you weep.

[@phoenixrising5088]

Voice of an Angel. RIP Eva. Gone but not forgotten.💟🌠💫

[@lauriebarrett6789]

Amazing singer and guitarist. Rest in peace Eva.

[@markcollins730]

Sal… thank you for reacting. I agree with all the previous comments… Autumn Leaves… Fields of Gold, which Sting was quoted as saying ‘He wrote the song but Eva owns the song’ I would like to hear what people think of ‘Tall Trees in Georgia’. This has become my favorite Eva song. But as I wrote to you…. I could name a dozen songs that absolutely gorgeous Thanks again Sal!

[@ElizasGrammy]

Thank you for not pausing it. Very considerate. "Fields of Gold" and "Autumn Leaves" will be very special to you, I think.

[@wentibbetts7833]

Autumn Leaves and Fields of Gold are stunning. She was a gift.

[@JosmenJacks]

Autumn Leaves, Fields of Gold, and Time After Time, are my other favorites of Eva's. She was an incredible musician!

[@spadams999]

Some more of Eva's songs are Time After Time, Fields of Gold, Autumn Leaves, Danny Boy, and the list goes on. They are all very emotional performances.

[@LyndaBarry-o3b]

Dat is sooo stunning absolutely sang so amazingly....dats RAW talent

[@exeterpeg4809]

Her version of Danny Boy is also amazingly beautiful. She truly was phenomenal.

[@phickle]

If that doesn't bring a tear to your eyes, you may be dead.

[@dsbauden]

Sting’s Fields of Gold is gorgeous. Glad you found her. She is wonderful. Gone way too soon!

[@juliecowen3641]

Eva cassidy singing fields of gold is one of my favourites.

[@dorothystorry1733]

Wow….. I do love her singing this song….Heavenly!!

[@danikagopcevic-levesque925]

YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE ALBUM! IT'S PERFECTION! SO HAPPY YOU GOT TO HEAR HER! ONE OF MY FAVORITES. ❤

[@RobertDeMartin]

Salvo, I've been around the block a few times if you know what I mean and this recording by Eva is something very dear to my heart. Sadly she passed away within a year of this moment and of course it magnifies even more the meaning of the song and what it meant to her. I just subscribed. I have a suggestion for you and it's something which I hope you follow up on because it's an opportunity for you to hear Eva sing another wonderful song like only she can, but the video includes another singer and the mashup type video is thrilling. Salvo, think for a moment, if Eva is going to share the spotlight with someone else in the video, who in the world can sing with her? I'll let your imagination take it from there. The song is 'Fields of Gold' and the artists are Eva Cassidy and Angelina Jordan. (If you have discovered Angelina already then you know what to expect. If you haven't, well, settle back and enjoy something very, very special.)

[@ElizasGrammy]

"Eeee-vah"

[@CarolinaCharles777]

Thank for reacting to this beautiful singer. I recommend her version of "Danny Boy!"

[@annmonaghan4360]

She had such a beautiful voice and I love this version of over the rainbow

[@michaeldavidson3155]

what a heavenly voice is the perfect comment for Eva's rendition of this song. Perfection

[@rk41gator]

How did I miss this? I know you will love her voice and phrasing. It is the best version of this epic song I have ever heard. Cassidy adds her subtle touch and brings a new level of emotion to the lyrics. Some really like Lucy Thomas's version of Eva's arrangement and her voice is also angelic. Ewwooh. Supertramp! You are so true, underappreciated. They are fabulous.

[@annb8296]

I recommend reacting to Eva Cassidy's cover of Danny Boy. It is so beautiful. RIP Eva 🙏❤️💐

[@nickey66]

I love her version of Autumn Leaves. She has a way of taking well known songs and make them immaculate. Her version of Take me to the river by the Talking Heads and her song Oh, I had a golden thread are amazing. She was ill when she did this song live.

[@InspectorVol]

She was a treasure lost waaay too soon. She brings me to tears every time.

[@ronraskind]

Eva passed away in 1996 at the age of only 33, relatively unknown. But following her death she became a sensation and sold up to $20 million albums. This performance took place 10 months before she died, and to me it is haunting, because it is said she did not know she had cancer at that time. But she sang it in a way as if she knew she did and was looking with her eyes closed many times during the performance. Beautiful and sad at the same time. She gave it a melancholy feeling that the original did not have.

[@ptrlxc]

Eva was trying to get a record deal going, I think with the help of Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac fame. But she balked at the first attempts, as the record labels wanted to more pigeon-hole her. She wanted to do any genre of sons she felt like. This night we’re lucky they recorded her, but just a few months after this video she passed away from skin cancer. Her family and a small group of dedicated fans all worked together to get out only a few albums after she had passed away. At first her albums were selling by word of mouth, but soon picked up speed. I love rendition of Sting’s Field of Gold song: Sting rarely allows other to release a song, but after hearing Eva’s version and hearing her story he agreed that she could release his song. I too of her by word of mouth, and I too passed her information by word of mouth too. Love all her songs. It’s too bad she went so young.

[@roybarbara4756]

Autumn Leaves, just as gorgeous, perhaps even more iconic!

[@cathysosnowski9496]

Thanks so much!❤❤❤

[@ApricotRse]

Eva's career was just coming to national attention when she died so tragically young. She does here what every great singer should do with a cover -- keep the integrity of what made the original great along with much of the melody as it was written, yet find a way to personalize it, convey it to the audience, and leave your own mark on it. No matter how terrific a cover may be, it is STILL a cover -- not the original. Since you asked, the gold standard was, is, and will always be Judy Garland. This was her signature song in a career full of iconic hits equaled by few others. Only Frank Sinatra could be considered a true peer of hers in show business as Judy triumphed in film, recordings, the concert stage, and television -- and all before the age of 50, having died tragically herself too young at age 47. Her version of "Over the Rainbow in The Wizard of Oz was phenomenal because she was a 16-year old singing with a unimaginably mature voice for her age. As she aged, on radio in her 20s, then mainly in concerts in her 30s and 40s, she grew into the song both vocally and personally. The richness of her voice as it matured, combined with the added ironic poignancy of the lyrics when compared in parallel to her personal trials and tribulations, made the song legendary. Again, taking nothing away from Eva....but this song is only borrowed from the great Judy Garland. May they both RIP.

[@grazynawikert-unger2122]

I highly recommend Autumn Leaves. In my opinion, her version of this song is the most beautiful.

[@elizabethrossi7604]

You should try her version of "Imagine". Absolutely incredible. She was not well when this was done before she died in 1996, and it was a tragedy for the music world. She wrote the arrangement for this and turned it into HER song. The last song she sang in public was, "Oh, What a Wonderful World". ANOTHER great one by her. Love your show when I can watch it!

[@irmaoksanen6830]

Wow...that was incredible...when I was a kid I used to play the soundtrack album to the Wizard of Oz movie on a Mickey Mouse record player and that soundtrack along with the original movie is one of my all time favorites. I'm so glad she stayed true to the original melody in the last line.

[@jandarby533]

2 songs I really like of hers are-- Fields of Gold. Sting was most impressed by her version of his song. I also really like a song called You Take my Breath Away. It's so sad that we lost Eva at a very young age, in her early 30s. Thank goodness we have her music.

[@gregcobb4066]

So glad you did this

[@buddystewart2020]

There was a quote by somebody, and I don't remember who, that went something like... when Judy Garland sang it, it was about OZ, when Eve Cassidy sang it, it was about Heaven. This is also a perfect example that 'in your face' singing, doesn't have to be loud brash and harsh, it can also be delicate, emotional and forlorn.

[@gregcobb4066]

Any ...she is heavenly

[@bubgum00]

Stormy Monday is a must listen.

[@joelliebler5690]

What an enormous talent and so sad not hardly known until after she passed away😢💔

[@BethHutter]

Another amazing singer we lost way too soon. Others to listen to are Fields of Gold as others have mentioned, but I also love her versions of Woodstock, Ain't No Sunshine and Time After Time. If this appeals to you then you absolutely have to listen to Nick Drake!

[@beverlyoyarzun3326]

From the Morning, River Man, Chime of City Clock🙏🏻 Save the awful “Pink Moon” for a much later listen. Please.

[@cathysosnowski9496]

Fields of Gold!!

[@saltrockshakers4205]

I've lobbied online for Eva Cassidy to receive multiple awards: a Grammy for (Over the Rainbow, Fields of Gold, Songbird & several others), a CMA Award for (Tennessee Waltz), Jazz or Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for (San Francisco Bay Blues), or a Dove Award for (How Can I Keep From Singing). Something, my God, but apparently the clueless music industry does not know who she is, or either is still trying to categorize Eva Cassidy. It seems simple enough to me for them (music award powers-that-be) to create a "Multi-Genre Artist Award" and let Eva be the first to receive it posthumously. All of today's greatest singers know Eva is the Holy Grail of Vocalist. Even Adele said she used to rush home from school to listen to Eva Cassidy. It's time, people!!!

[@bld9696]

Jona's performance of Patti LaBelle's version is the absolute best I have ever heard. RIP, Eva, you were amazing.

[@Dannyboy.]

If you want to hear all her vocal abilities, I highly recommend you to react to her song Oh, had I a golden thread. Mind blowing !

[@edithelizabethmellanunez7396]

Gracias a la magia que crea Angelina Jordan llegué a conocer esta maravillosa intérprete. Ambas han sido capaces de ponerle alma a éxitos ya conocidos y versionados hasta el hartazgo y traerlos de vuelta como si fuesen nuevas. La magia de la música que se expresa cada cierto tiempo en personas muy especiales.

[@ChicagoDB]

My two favorite of Eva's songs are "Fields of Gold" and "Tennessee Waltz"

[@robertpaul5065]

Just say it - PERFECTION!

[@BBaker-sf9vc]

She had so many beautiful songs, just as she was gaining notice, she got sick and passed away. Please listen to "I know you by heart" I tear up everytime. By the way She could sing anything

[@LizStewart1442]

Contemplative, beautiful.

[@shariherman34]

Next try "Autumn Leaves" and "Fields of Gold". I love Eva. Stunning voice!

[@miitheweirdartist6794]

The definition of magic...the goat..😂

[@timmathews8408]

Yes. I dearly hope she found her rainbow's end. To me, she will always feel like my little sister.

[@marke7441]

Fields of Gold. Michelle Kwan skates to her version.

[@alnorwood134]

GREAT reaction!!!