As I was searching through some of the numerous music albums my family recently inherited, I came across a beautifully outstanding voice. A diverse concoction of jazz, blues, and folk ... just what I needed to complete a relaxing three-day weekend.

Eva Cassidy has some set of vocal chords.

A native of Washington, D.C., Cassidy began her career at the age of 18 in a local band named Easy Street, playing guitar and singing. Music wasn't the only form of artistic talent Cassidy shared with the world. She loved to paint, especially murals. Some of her artwork is displayed on her album covers.

Cassidy's most popular album, reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom, titled “Songbird,” is a compilation of classic, traditional songs. It was released in 1998, two years after Cassidy died of cancer at the age of 33.

Cassidy gave more than enough tribute to already famous songs.

Her twists on Sting's “Fields of Gold” and Christine McVie's “Songbird” are absolutely phenomenal.

Her warming voice pierces your ears as it climbs up and down the scale in ways you wouldn't expect from a seemingly simple vocalist in Pete Seeger's “Oh, Had I A Golden Thread.”

Promise me that once in your lifetime, you will listen to this song.

A few select songs can be listened to on her MySpace page.

Cassidy produced about a dozen albums in her short life, and she's unfortunately relatively unknown. But nonetheless, she should never be forgotten.