At the risk of 'thread drift' and bombast, Eva Cassidy was/is probably the single best all-around singer of the 20th century. Have friends in DC who knew her and have said she wasn't interested in becoming 'a star' as there were SO many compromises the 'big boys' wanted her to make. She simply wasn't willing to 'play ball'. She knew she was good, not in cocky self-perpetuating way, but wasn't going to be told what and where to sing. She was very much her own woman. That's why she was never a major label act. Be thankful to Chris Biondi's foresight in giving her access to his studio carte blanche and free of charge. Otherwise we wouldn't have the documentation of her other worldly giftings. Physically, she was unimposing, attractive enough, but not a head turner, as they say. A little on the chunky side by showbiz standards, but when she opened her mouth...the whole room would come to a standstill.

Susan Boyle possesses many of the same attributes, but hasn't demonstrated the breadth of chops Eva had...yet. Most great singers have 2/3 elements of the 5/6 across the board. Eva had them all...seemimgly w/o effort.

Susan Boyle's performance will go down as one of the greats in TV history as she turned and entire world on it's head in 15 seconds...quite remarkable. We're ALL Susan Boyle at some level which is why she touched such a universal nerve. But if one listens closely one can hear slight pitch struggles w/t low notes in the song...probably because she couldn't hear herself over the applause. The performance wasn't flawless, but it's the first time I've been moved to tears since the opening strains of 'Field's Of Gold' on Eva Cassidy's 'Songbird' CD. Wept through that CD in much the same way I wept through Susan Boyle's performance.

Beauty and purity of spirit personified.