Eva by Heart
Like a statesideSandy Denny, Eva Cassidy's voice managed to be ethereal yet soulful, haunting yet warm, and evocative enough to make you believe--at least during those moments when you're listening to it--that she's the best singer you've ever heard. The purity of the late Washington D.C. singer's voice, set against tasteful strings and her own angelic backing vocals, shines on the opening "I Know You by Heart," catches fire on "Wade in the Water," and never fades throughout this 1997 studio album. And while Cassidy's gorgeous vocals may be best served by quietly reflective tracks such as "Nightbird" and "Waly Waly," it's still fun to hear her attack "Time Is a Healer" with a melismatic fervor that could kickWhitneyandMariah's asses. If you're new to Cassidy, either this CD or theSongbirdcompilation would make a fine introduction to a great American artist.--Bill Forman