While researching my previous article on Eva Cassidy, I came across her beautiful cover of Paul Simon’s Kathy’s Song and was enamoured with it. It showcases her signature acoustic guitar fingerpicking and pure, emotive vocals. When I hear her voice, it’s as though a light surrounds it. There’s something angelic in its aesthetic and tone that I haven’t really heard in another singer.
Eva was blessed with such a wondrous and authentic voice and, when you consider her tragic passing at such a young age, it makes you wonder if she was sent down here to give us a fleeting glimpse of what heaven sounds like.
I agree with Arun Starkey, writing for Far Out, who opined that Cassidy’s version of Kathy’s Song could make a “strong claim to be better than the original“. She recorded the song on January 3, 1996, just ten months before her passing from melanoma on November 2, 1996, at the age of 33.
She was virtually unknown outside her native Washington, D.C. area at the time of her death. Her music reached a global audience in late 2000 when BBC Radio 2 DJ Terry Wogan began playing her version of Over the Rainbow from the compilation album Songbird. Since then, her music has featured in countless films and continues to receive significant airplay.
Eva’s version of Kathy’s Song was released posthumously on Time After Time (2000), four years after her death in 1996.
Kathy’s Song was from Paul Simon’s 1965 debut album The Paul Simon Songbook and re-recorded for Simon & Garfunkel’s second album Sounds of Silence, released in 1966.
It has been described as one of Simon’s most personal songs; it is dedicated to Kathy Chitty, Simon’s girlfriend and muse during his mid-1960s sojourn in England.
References:
1. Kathy’s Song – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
It was Paul Simon himself who suggested Eva’s version of “Kathy’s Song” for the soundtrack to the movie “Maid in Manhattan,” instead of his own. Now THAT’S a fan!
Now if that isn’t some fascinating trivia to conclude with! Thanks so much.
This was the very first song I heard of Eva’s, listening to it over dinner with my sweety at our friends’ home (which has been ours since they moved and sold it to us in 2002). The song holds that special memory plus of course the heavenly loveliness of her voice.
Your description of Eva’s voice and short presence here is incredibly beautiful, Matt. I’m so glad I had a chance to drop in here to take in this lovely article and song.
What a stunning song to be introduced to her music and share dinner in your soon to be abode. Very nice.
Thanks so much Steve for your kind words. It means a lot. It was so nice of you to drop back in.
Cheers friendo.
It truly mesmerized us, and our friend bought me the CD for my birthday soon after, which stoked an enduring love for Eva’s music.
Life has been too busy for blogging but I was glad to have a chance to stop in and see this, matey!
I think ‘Songbird’ was the first song I heard by Eva and I had a similar reaction of complete awe. What an unforgettable gift from your friend!
I can see you have been busy and I hope all is in order. I noticed you posted after your break, so I’ll head on over there shortly.
Cheers Steve.
Thanks, Matt… she sure has that effect!
Yes, a post yesterday, then back offline for about a week. “See” you soon, mate. Cheers.