Eva Cassidy’s 60th birthday

On February 2 we remember Eva Cassidy (1963 – 1996) on what would have been her 60th birthday. On this day a new rendition of the song ‘Time After Time’ by Eva and the London Symphony Orchestra will be released. Her new album I Can Only Be Me (3 March 2023) features orchestral versions of Eva’s classic repertoire including ‘Songbird’, ‘Autumn Leaves’ and ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’.

Eva’s Cassidy redefining take on Cyndi Lauper’s classic hit is transformed into a stunning new interpretation courtesy of a chamber string arrangement by acclaimed composer Christopher Willis and the London Symphony Orchestra. ‘Time After Time’ is the fourth track released from Eva Cassidy’s landmark orchestral album, I Can Only Be Me, set for release 3rd March 2023.

Time After Time

Time After Time

“‘Time After Time’ is one of Eva’s most intimate and delicate performances,” says arranger Christopher Willis. “It’s a mysterious song: at times, we seem to be witnessing a relationship that’s disappearing into memory ‘Flash back to warm nights, almost left behind’, at others, we are assured that no, it will never really fade ‘If you fall, I will catch you, I’ll be waiting, time after time’. And in Eva’s hands, we wonder if the song might in fact be about grief and loss, especially when her voice cracks and falters as she sings ‘After your picture fades and darkness has turned to grey’.”

klok

Clock painting by Eva Cassidy

Christopher Willis wanted the arrangement to retain this delicacy, so he stripped back the London Symphony Orchestra at the start of the song to only four strings, adding more layers little by little as Eva’s performance builds. He also added an interlude and postlude for the string quartet: “I imagine the instruments as characters in a way, needing some time to converse and digest the complexities of the song. Another way in which I think the strings are almost like characters is that I think they make Eva feel less isolated and more supported and grounded. This gives the fuller parts of the song (such as the choruses) a slightly different atmosphere from the original: a gently reassuring, almost parental quality.”

Behind The Rainbow

Behind The Rainbow

A revised and updated edition of the biography Behind the Rainbow: The Story of Eva Cassidy will be published by Omnibus Press, London on 16 February.

https://omnibuspress.com/products/behind-the-rainbow-the-life-of-eva-cassidy

‘Time After Time’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCtKimvaIDc

5 responses to “Eva Cassidy’s 60th birthday”

  1. Tom Scanlan says:

    Some say she had the voice of an angel. I say God Himself is reflected in her voice. And smile.

  2. Mary Chris says:

    Please let me know when your biography can be purchased here in USA thank you And this latest CD

  3. M C says:

    Please let me know when your biography can be purchased here in USA thank you

  4. Ron Brown says:

    I hope people are planning to attend Eva’s 60th birthday celebration at Rams Head in Annapolis on February 5: https://www.ramsheadonstage.com/events/detail/459321

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