fave: title track (Paul Simon cover)

Track Listing

1. Drowning In The Sea Of Love
2. True Colors
3. The Water Is Wide
4. Hallelujah I Love Him So
5. God Bless The Child
6. Dark Eyed Molly
7. American Tune
8. It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
9. Yesterday
10. You Take My Breath Away

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15650 in Music
• Released on: 2003-08-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Album Description
2003 album featuring Eva's unique interpretations of ten classic songs. From her timeless reading of 'American Tune' (Paul Simon's reflections on an ever-changing America) to 'Drowning In The Sea Of Love' (a searing blues-rock take on the Joe Simon 70s hit written and produced by Gamble & Huff), this collection is filled with thrills and surprises. Blix Street.

Amazon.com
Eva Cassidy fans surely feel something akin to relief when another cache of tapes is opened for release. The singer's 1996 death at the age of 33, after all, rendered her output finite in the saddest and most frustrating way. American Tune's modus operandi is similar to previous Cassidy CDs in its mix of standard repertoire (here, everything from "Yesterday" to "God Bless the Child" and Ray Charles's "Hallelujah I Love [Him] So" rubs shoulders) and fine, less obvious choices (Joe Simon's early-'70s soul hit "Drowning in the Sea of Love"). The sometimes pedestrian backing does little to spoil the pleasure of Cassidy's pure tone and the surprises she's able to wring from the material--on the Charles tune, she even suggests a distaff Lyle Lovett. She'd no doubt be pleased to know that tracks uncovered at this point now sound like, well, notes from a missed, much-loved friend. --Rickey Wright

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Customer Reviews

Brilliant, but not the masterpiece of "Live at Blues Alley"
New music from the Eva estate. This album will be a huge seller, and may outdo "Songbird". I will say this though, nothing to date surpasses "Live At Blues Alley" (the true Eva CD). Nevertheless, this is still a fantastic album.

"American Tune" is a collection of 10 songs featuring covers of some very humble tracks including Cyndi Lauper's "True Colours" and The Beatles "Yesterday". The title track of course being a Paul Simon cover..

Included on this album is another version of "God Bless the Child" which she did as a duet on her album with Chuck Brown titled "The Other Side".

The highlights on the album are "The Water is Wide" and "You Take me Breath Away" - so beautiful they will bring tears to your eyes.

This may be the last of Eva's recordings, so grab yourself a copy and disappear for awhile.

Eva Cassidy - Posthumous Musical Icon
American Tune joins a formidable collection of albums that cannot be matched by any other female vocalist on this planet. Eva is in a class of her own. She brings her unique interpretations and style to any track she covers, and, in doing so, makes it her own.

The Eva magic is there. A breathtaking interpretation of American Tune, the title track written by Paul Simon, is of the highest standard. Her musical prowess and interpretation of Simon's telling lyrics of the "American Dream", conveys both the triumphs and the heartaches of immigrants' expectations once they had arrived in their promised land, America. With her voice alone, Eva can convey to the listener both the hopes and the dreams of these new American citizens. American Tune is a powerful track but Eva lifts it to new heights. American Tune now belongs to Eva. Her name will become synonymous with American Tune - America's new Anthem.

The runaway winner on the album is You Take My Breath Away. This is the most beautiful love song - lyrics by Claire Hamill 1973. The melody, the words and Eva's divine interpretation intoxicates you. I have found it impossible not to keep replaying the track, it's just so hauntingly beautiful to the ears, heart and soul. It is reminiscent of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and has that same special quality that brought Eva to the attention of the UK's music lovers. I expect You Take My Breath Away soon to be capturing the hearts of music lovers world-wide. This track is impossible not to fall in love with. You Take My Breath is pure Eva at her exceptional best.

Eva Cassidy, musical phenomenon of the 21st Century.

Another jewel
When I first discovered Eva Cassidy five years ago, through her CD Songbird, I wept to discover that she had passed away due to melanoma. Her voice was unlike any I had ever heard, at once powerful and filled with emotion, but still calming and soothing to the soul. Each time a new Eva Cassidy CD is released, I wonder how it could ever compare to the earlier work. I have never been disappointed. Time After Time, Imagine, and, now, American Tune are all outstanding.
Taking tapes from studio work and live performances, American Tune, again demonstrates Eva's incredible range and versatility. It's difficult to choose a favorite track, but her covers of True Colors and Yesterday are incredible.
For the longtime Eva fan, this will be another jewel for your collection. If you've never heard Eva, do yourself a favor, close your eyes and listen. She'll take your breath away.