This mournful minor-key melody was written by the French-Hungarian composer Joseph Kosma for the ballet Le Rendez-vous, performed in Paris at the end of the second world war. The song transcends genre and has been covered hundreds of times in the decades since. The version I want to explore today is Eva Cassidy’s although I also have Bob Dylan’s splendid version from his classic album Shadows in the Night in my music library.
Eva Cassidy has the most astounding female voice I’ve ever heard in contemporary music, yet she tragically passed away without finding commercial success in her lifetime. I find her voice ‘angelic’ and richly soul driven. She died of melanoma in 1996 at the age of 33 and was virtually unknown outside of her native Washington D.C. Fortunately we are blessed to have many live and studio recordings of her songs.
Wikipedia – Two years after her death, Cassidy’s music was brought to the attention of British audiences, when her versions of “Fields of Gold” and “Over the Rainbow” were played by Mike Harding and Terry Wogan on BBC Radio 2. Following the overwhelming response, a camcorder recording of “Over the Rainbow“, taken at Blues Alley in Washington by her friend Bryan McCulley, was shown on BBC Two’s Top of the Pops 2. Shortly afterwards, the compilation album Songbird climbed to the top of the UK Albums Chart, almost three years after its initial release. The chart success in the United Kingdom and Ireland led to increased recognition worldwide. Her posthumously released recordings, including three number-one albums and one number-one single in the UK, have sold more than ten million copies. Her music has also charted within the top 10 in Australia, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
There is a wonderful page at Eva Cassidy’s web site about her connection with Autumn Leaves, which includes the recording process and her Seasonal Affective Disorder and NOT enjoying ‘fall’!:
Eva’s mother, Barbara Cassidy, told the authors of the Songbird biography that “[Eva] had Seasonal Affective Disorder. When it became September, the days got shorter and she said, ‘Mom, I can’t really enjoy fall, as beautiful as it is, because I know winter is coming.’” One can only speculate about what the song “Autumn Leaves” meant to Eva, but perhaps its seasonal melancholy resonated with her own regret about the falling leaves. Or was it a more eternal metaphor? We’ll never know.
Since you went away
The days grow long
And soon I hear old winter’s song
But I miss you most of all
My darling
When autumn leaves start to fall….
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
After listening to her, without a doubt that Eva has a wonderful voice. Too bad he died very young. His recognition came later but does not detract from his talent. Its autumn leaves will no longer have the footprints of their footsteps, but instead leaves us, to enjoy, their exquisite voice. A good article. Good for you and your writing. Greetings.
Her voice is as close to the most perfect I can recall. Almost other-worldly it’s so beautiful. It is so sad she passed away so young. Thanks for your kind words.
What a talent. Gone too soon.
Yes indeed. Terrible loss of awesome natural talent.
My wife has a hard time listening to her- it makes her feel sad.
I can see why Hans.
Loved this, very much, thanks for sharing. How many beautiful voices go too little-heard, or too soon extinguished. But you bring them back to life here.
Your welcome and thanks for your kind words Nadine.
I’m in love.
I bet you wrote that with a big smile. I was in love first!
It’s also the mellow guitar playing that enhances the overall sound of the video.
I couldn’t agree more.
I watched the video before I read your post. How sad that this beautiful voice is silenced. Great post Matt.
Sublime!
I’m glad you thought so!
It’s been so interesting since entering the blogosphere because I’ve been introduced to so many artists I’ve never heard of. It really widens the boundaries. Eva’s voice wowed me. So touching and beautiful.
I had been hanging out to read your opinion of this song and Eva’s voice. I’m so elated you found it touching and beautiful! Phew lol
Hahaha…awww, thanks for wondering! I’m definitely not a music person per se, like my knowledge of music and songs is kind of spotty and sad, but I will give my honest, knee-jerk reaction. She has the kind of voice I wish I had because I wish I could sing, and I really, really, really can’t sing at all. It really is a fantastic gift.
Yes Stacey, there are some people born with a stupendous voice. I used to sing and dance in high school and even made girls scream when I did ‘Grease lightening’. I learnt shortly after they were screaming with laughter.
LOL ! ! !
I bet they actually weren’t !!