Film-makers over the rainbow as they discover new Eva Cassidy songs
SINGER Eva Cassidy — who died in 1996, and would have turned 60 next month — is to be the subject of a new documentary featuring two never-before-heard songs.
The makers tell me the film, which will also include unseen video footage of Cassidy, pictured, performing, plus an unheard audio interview, will allow the ‘complete’ story of her short life to be told for the first time when it is released later this year.
Born in 1963, Cassidy died from melanoma aged just 33. She was largely unknown, despite some success on the Washington DC blues and jazz scene.
Five years later, though, her version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow was played on Radio 2 by Terry Wogan. It started a journey up the charts and launched Cassidy’s vastly successful posthumous career. To date, 12 million of her records have been sold globally, with three albums going to No.1.
The story of Cassidy’s life and career will be told in The Essence Of Eva, by English documentary maker Malcolm Willis and Irish film maker Alex Fegan.
Willis tells me: ‘We have two songs which have never been released and which have studio quality sound; and a lot of footage of her performing at family gatherings, weddings and so on.’ The unheard numbers are a track by American singer- singer songwriter Chris Isaak; and a cover of a country standard.
Willis adds: ‘This is a considered and intimate portrait of her life. Her family have spoken to us at length and made it all possible.’
Other interviewees include Sting, whose song Fields Of Gold Cassidy covered; and Fleetwood Mac star Mick Fleetwood, who was a friend and mentor. (The film will include footage of her performing with Fleetwood at his club in Washington.)
Willis said: ‘ We first went to meet the Cassidys in January 2020 and did a few interviews, but then the pandemic hit.
‘Covid has almost helped in some ways, because the process was so delayed that the research could be even more exhaustive and thorough. Now we are hoping we will have a first draft in the next couple of weeks.’
He and Fegan are hoping to ink deal with a broadcaster soon, with a release later this year.
Willis had the idea after hearing one of Eva’s songs and wondering whether a documentary had been made about the artist.
One had — Timeless Voice in 2015 — but her family weren’t pleased with it, as it told the story of her professional breakthrough rather than her life.
He said: ‘They are a lovely family and it has been an honour
work with them and with her record label, Blix Street.’
Meanwhile, a new Eva Cassidy album is out on February 3. Called I Can Only Be Me, it pairs her voice with the London Symphony Orchestra.
CASSIDY had a day job in a plant nursery and played in local clubs around her native Washington DC by night. She cashed in a pension to pay for the recording of her first album, Live At Blues Alley, in 1996.
During a promotional event for the album, in July of that year, she noticed an ache in her hips, which X-rays revealed was due to a fracture caused by cancer.
Melanoma from a mole removed in 1993 had spread to her bones and lungs. She made her final public appearance in September, singing What A Wonderful World, and died in November.