EVA CASSIDY - Wonderful World (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In her brief lifetime, vocalist Eva Cassidy probably never thought that she would one day have something in common with rap legend 2Pac. But in the years following their deaths (oddly enough, both in 1996), studio and live recordings of the artists have continuously been unearthed and released to an eager public. Although 2Pac's musical vault seems to be never-ending, it appears that Eva Cassidy's savings box may have finally been emptied with the issuance of the Blix Street compilation Wonderful World. Mostly comprised of songs culled from her posthumous releases, Wonderful World seems to signal that there is precious little left that hasn't been heard and that a second "best-of" is an appropriate way to sum up Cassidy's recorded legacy. Meant to be a companion disc to Songbird, her first compilation that became an unexpected phenomenon in the U.K., Wonderful World features selections that excellently represent Cassidy's beautiful voice and interpretive skills. In the quiet reverence of "What a Wonderful World" or the rousing gospel of "How Can I Keep from Singing," it is evident that Cassidy did not simply sing a familiar song but dove into its emotional core, bringing to the surface a lyrical richness that perhaps had never been found before. But she never limited herself to singing recognizable oldies, and her selections of more obscure material are the real highlights of Wonderful World. Her pretty guitar strumming warmly envelopes her voice on a shortened version of Paul Simon's "Kathy's Song," while Claire Hamill's gorgeous "You Take My Breath Away" is made even more so by Cassidy's heartfelt performance. Perhaps the most stunning song is her take on the folk ballad "Waly, Waly." Originally appearing on Eva By Heart, this version features a new arrangement that further enhances Cassidy's telling of this old traditional in which she completely embodies the hopeless longing of the song's character. Both moving and breathtaking, the song is a testament to the vocal gifts of Eva Cassidy and the love she had for the music she chose to sing. Perhaps like 2Pac, a few more recordings will be discovered over time and released, but even if that never happens, it is fortunate to already have received the bounty of treasures that Eva Cassidy left behind from her Wonderful World of music. by Aaron Latham  
Tracklist :
1    What A Wonderful World 5:05
Bass – Chris Biondo
Drums – Raice McLeod
Electric Guitar – Keith Grimes
Piano – Lenny Williams
Producer – Chris Biondo
Vocals, Electric Guitar – Eva Cassidy
Written-By – Bob Thiele, George David Weiss
2    Kathy's Song 2:45
Guitar, Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Producer – Chris Biondo
Written-By – Paul Simon
3    Say Goodbye 3:56
Bass – Chris Biondo
Drums – Raice McLeod
Electric Guitar – Keith Grimes
Guitar, Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Producer – Chris Biondo
Written-By – Andrew Hernandez, Steven M. Digman
4    Anniversary Song 2:51
Guitar – Steve Digman
Piano – Lenny Williams
Producer – Lenny Williams
Strings [String Quintet] – Carole Evans, Edgardo Malaga Jr., Joanne Opgenorth, Mark Evans, Uri Wassertzug
Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Written-By – Steven M. Digman
5    How Can I Keep From Singing? 4:27
Arranged By – Eva Cassidy
Backing Vocals – Chuck Brown
Bass, Drum Programming, Electric Guitar – Chris Biondo
Organ [Hammond] – Anthony Flowers
Piano – Mark Carson
Producer – Chris Biondo
Violin – Dan Cassidy
Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Traditional
6    You Take My Breath Away 5:41
Acoustic Guitar, Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Electric Guitar – Keith Grimes
Producer – Chris Biondo
Written-By – Claire Hamill
7    Drowning In The Sea Of Love 4:19
Bass – Chris Biondo
Drums – Raice McLeod
Electric Guitar – Keith Grimes
Organ – Lenny Williams
Producer – Chris Biondo
Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Written-By – Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff
8    Penny To My Name 3:40
Bass – Chris Biondo
Guitar – Roger Henderson
Producer – Roger Henderson
Violin – Dan Cassidy
Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Written-By – Roger Henderson
9    You've Changed 4:47
Bass – Chris Biondo
Drums – Raice McLeod
Guitar – Keith Grimes
Piano – Lenny Williams
Producer – Chris Biondo, Eva Cassidy
Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Written-By – Bill William Carey, Carl Fischer
10    It Doesn't Matter Anymore 3:13
Guitar, Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Written-By – Paul Anka
11    Waly Waly 4:39
Arranged By – Eva Cassidy
Bagpipes – Ian Lawther
Bouzouki, Mandolin, Guitar – Zan McLeod
Cello – Mark Evans
Flute – Laura Byrne
Keyboards, Piano – Lenny Williams
Producer – Chris Biondo, Lenny Williams
Vocals – Eva Cassidy
Traditional