Eva Cassidy "remastered"


There was an interesting segment aired today (3/3/23) on NPR's  Here and Now (WBUR--Boston)  about a new release of music by Eva Cassidy paired with the London Symphony Orchestra.  Her vocals were apparently digitally "isolated" from her 1990s recordings and paired with performances recorded for the release by the LSO.  The interview discusses the concept of redoing analog recordings to create new works.  Whether you are for or opposed to this kind of digital manipulation it is worthy of a listen,  You can here the segment on NPR or WBUR at the "Here and Now"  site.

tubelvr

It's a good effort, but it just doesn't work for me, seems like a forced mismatch. The concert at  check the site Blues Alley is her best performance ever!

Can’t imagine her wanting to sing with an orchestra? Members of her band have confirmed that she indeed wanted to perform with an orchestra.

Not a good fit? Interesting as the orchestrator, Christopher Willis, went to great pains to provide only instrumentals which supported the unique arrangement presented just by her voice.

Here’s how a review from Italy judged the result: "The new arrangements, in fact, appear intense and poetic, but also refined and delicate, respecting the limpid beauty of that voice endowed with so much charisma, yet with so much measured grace..."

It should be noted that according to her piano player, she was the musical director of the group. Why this matters is that the quality of her arrangements rise far above the wonderful but sparse support of her band and are good enough to be imaged by a much larger ensemble. The version of Over The Rainbow released on the SONGBIRD album has strings which she played using an electric keyboard. Judging from this effort, the one which has become her signature, it is safe to say that orchestrations were very much part of her vision even if not fully realized.

Tall Trees In Georgia (Orchestral) promo short

Songbird (orchestral) trailer - Eva Cassidy with the London Symphony Orchestra

That said, I tip my hat to those who like only the original albums and say, "Enjoy those wonderful recordings." I respect your opinion and stand with you in celebrating her musical legacy.

As for me, I’ve ordered a CD copy from the UK where it was released a month ahead of the US. I’m eagerly waiting for my US 45rpm copy which if purchased in the delux edition also comes with a small book. BTW - it was #9 on the UK charts last week.

You need to pre-order the album. I already imagine how I will sit, listen to great music and play at my favorite canadian casino sites

I'm a big Eva Cassidy fan and own many of her albums/CDs. I previewed the new Eva Cassidy paired with the London Symphony Orchestra CD and thought it sounded good therefore I pre-ordered the CD. I received the CD several days ago and I don't mean to say the CD isn't good but it's not to my liking. Seems to lack excitement, energy, and the feeling of being present at the concert which I feel in her other CDs that I own.

I just received the LP today from Amazon after hearing it on Qobuz yesterday.  
I was very skeptical as to how the orchestral accompaniment would work, but after hearing it,  I believe it fits like a glove.  Her genius transcends the medium. There’s just no one who  can touch the soul like her.