Eva Cassidy - No Boundaries (2000)

Since Cassidy is known and loved as an interpreter, it's not surprising that the best track on the album is the only cover; her version of Gerry Goffin and Carole King's "Natural Woman" is really the only redeeming factor of No Boundaries. Whether or not the material on No Boundaries was meant to see the light of day is questionable. Consumer demand for unreleased music from late artists with endearing appeal virtually guarantees record companies' frequent "raiding of the vaults" for "new" material. It doesn't seem to matter if the material is worthwhile, or if it measures up to an artist's usual standards. There are obvious reasons why "previously unreleased" recordings aren't released during an artist's lifetime in the first place. It's frightening to think that truly insufferable material from otherwise brilliant musicians might one day be "discovered" and thrust upon the public. No Boundaries isn't very good, but that certainly isn't Eva Cassidy's fault. It's possible everything she ever recorded will be released eventually, and it's also possible future Eva Cassidy albums will be worse than this one. Her fans will certainly jump at the chance to own this, but they too will notice No Boundaries simply doesn't measure up to Songbird or Live at Blues Alley. For the casual listener, No Boundaries is a poor introduction to an artist capable of so much more. Her fans deserve better, and so does Eva Cassidy. (All Music Guide)