Norah Jones

Posted by: woodface on 11 March 2002

Bought her debut album at the weekend and would warmly recommend it. Its nothing ground breaking but is probably the ultimate Sunday morning record. She really does have a beautiful voice (to match her stunning looks) and the whole album is full of well written and expertly played songs.

Posted on: 11 March 2002 by Jez Quigley

Isn't she Ravi Shankar's daughter? I've only heard part of a track over real audio but she sounded like she would be worth a listen.

Posted on: 11 March 2002 by woodface

I am not sure about that one but she is very 'exotic' looking! I understand she is American and resides in NY, she could actually be my perfect women!

Posted on: 11 March 2002 by fred simon

I recently discovered Norah Jones for myself and love her music. The album is Come Away With Me, and it's beautiful.

She grew up in Texas with her mother (Ravi Shankar is her father but did not raise her), studied jazz piano at North Texas State (kind of Southwestern "Berklee" ... Lyle Mays, many others) but then started singing as well and moved to New York, hanging with songwriting musicians.

I would (amicably) disagree that it's "nothing ground breaking" ... I think it is, only the ground breaking is very subtle. She and her two songwriting partners are writing modern Hoagy Carmichael songs with a blues/country tinge and a bit of Nat King Cole. So while there is an instant familiarity about the music, there has been nothing before quite like it.

She sings very naturally, understated, minimal vibrato, little affectation. She plays wonderful piano, part blues/jazz, part Floyd Cramer country, part Nat King Cole-like unison lines two octaves apart. Drums (Brian Blade on half the tracks) are understated, mostly played with brushes used as sticks (as opposed to the more standard jazz use of brushes "stirring the soup" sound), lots of acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, National steel slide guitar, quirky Bill Frisell-like electric guitar, sometimes actually played by Bill Frisell, all medium to slow tempo, languid and soulful.

Most of the songs are originals, but she also covers Hank Williams and Hoagy Carmichael. Fourteen tracks, $10 US, you can't go wrong.

Posted on: 12 March 2002 by woodface

Cheers Fred for the information, really fascinating. The 'nothing ground breaking' wasn't a criticism as such, ultimately you can only have so many ground breaking records before it comes tedious (the next big thing etc). I listened to it again lastnight and she really is a very special singer; the point you made about the lack of affection in her delivery is very true. A lot of modern singers (especially Jazz and Soul) seem to be wilfully affected to the point where they appear to sing out of tune! I also cannot believe she is only 22!

Posted on: 17 March 2002 by jim learoyd

I've just received this CD from CD Now in the states. It really is a great CD. Superb vocals and excellent recording. BBC Radio 2 are starting to play her music as well.
Another CD I got with it was Jennifer Warnes "The Well", similar in style to Norah Jones but again a wonderful CD.

jim...............

Posted on: 17 March 2002 by David Quigley

Norah just got a very positive write-up in Time magazine - interesting story about how she was signed as a walk-in.

I'm off to try to find the CD in one of NYCs cheap spots (Discorama my favorite)

Regards, David

Posted on: 18 March 2002 by Keith Mattox

quote:
Most of the songs are originals, but she also covers Hank Williams and Hoagy Carmichael. Fourteen tracks, $10 US, you can't go wrong.

$8.99 at Tower - how much better can it get? I had to snap it up and I'm glad that I did.

Cheers

Keith.

Posted on: 18 March 2002 by Arun Mehan

Well I had to order a textbook from Barnes and Nobles and to qualify for free shipping, the buyer needs to order 2 items. So I remembered the high praise from the conference (thanks to woodface for starting the thread) and decided to pick it up. I figured you can't go wrong with a price tag of $9.48 and free shipping!

I'll let you know.

Posted on: 19 March 2002 by woodface

It would be interesting to hear what you think, I cannot get her voice out of my head!

Posted on: 21 March 2002 by steved

Thanks for this recommendation. I bought the CD
yesterday, and think it is wonderful - one of the best I've bought for some time. Q magazine only gave it 2 stars - I'll never trust them again!

Other female singers I'd recommend are Bonnie Raitt, Eva Cassidy, Alison Krauss, Lucinda Williams, Jewel, Shelby Lynne, Mary Black, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Thanks again for the tip

STEVE D

Posted on: 21 March 2002 by fred simon

quote:
Originally posted by steved:

Other female singers I'd recommend are Bonnie Raitt, Eva Cassidy, Alison Krauss, Lucinda Williams, Jewel, Shelby Lynne, Mary Black, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter.
Thanks again for the tip
STEVE D

Most of the singers on your list are some of my favorites as well, so I feel confident in giving my highest recommendation to Jonatha Brooke, a brilliant songwriter, singer, guitarist, with and without The Story, especially these albums:

The Angel In the House
Plumb
10 Cent Wings

If you have never heard her, it will blow your mind that someone so incredibly good has escaped your radar.

Also highly recommended is Sara Watkins, singer/fiddle player in Nickel Creek. If you love Alison Krauss as much as I do, you'll love Sara, too. Alison produced Nickel Creek's eponymous album.

[This message was edited by fred simon on THURSDAY 21 March 2002 at 21:47.]

Posted on: 24 March 2002 by jim learoyd

Hi Fred
don't forget the live album, this also is excellent.

jim...............

Posted on: 24 March 2002 by fred simon

quote:
Originally posted by jim learoyd:
Hi Fred
don't forget the live album, this also is excellent.
jim...............

Assuming you mean Jonatha's live album, yeah, for sure. I didn't include it simply because the songs are all covered on studio albums. The three I listed are the ones I consider essential, although you could try the live album as a sampler.

Posted on: 24 March 2002 by Jez Quigley

Isn't the old Hank Williams song 'Cold, cold heart' just fantastic on the Norah Jones CD?

Posted on: 24 March 2002 by jim learoyd

Jez
yes the track Cold Cold Heart is one of the best on Norah's album. Also check out Holly Cole's version, very different but again very good.

jim...............

Posted on: 26 March 2002 by Arun Mehan

I'm just adding to the positive remarks, this is a great CD that is well recorded. Thanks for the recommendation.

I haven't even listened to the whole thing yet and I like what I hear so far!

Posted on: 27 March 2002 by Jez Quigley

I've just come back from the local HMV where Norah Jones was being played loud and proud. I talked to the guy behind the counter who said that it wasn't on their official plug list but he loved it so much that he kept sneaking it on!

Posted on: 21 April 2002 by Todd A

I decided to pick her debut album up after reading some additional praise for Ms. Jones in the past few weeks. I snagged it for $7 at Best Buy. It's definitely worth full price, though. I'm gonna have to say that her voice is so beautiful that I just want to listen over and over. I think I've spun it four times since Friday. A rarity for me. Highly recommended. Here's to hoping she has a long, productive career.

Posted on: 04 July 2003 by steved

THE NEW NORAH?
Listening to Terry Wogan yesterday (yes, sorry!), I heard a song that I would have sworn was by Norah Jones. It was in fact a new artist called Katy Melua (not sure of spelling). It will be interesting to see how successful she is, and whether Norah Clones would be a more appropriate name!
Steve D

Posted on: 07 July 2003 by JohanR

That took a long time for the record companies to do!

When Beatles hit the clones/copies was out in a couple of weeks.

JohanR

Posted on: 12 July 2003 by Rico

I know one is supposed to refrain when one has nothing nice to say... but after wrestling with my consience for a few minutes I have been unable to resist.

This is the most boring album I have encountered in years! Come snore with me is a more appropriate title. Ms Jones apparrently enjoys her music and performing, which is of course a positive thing.

Still, millions of purchasers can't be wrong, can they. I guess I just don't get it.

I'd better go listen to some Kraftwork. Or Lucinda Williams.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 12 July 2003 by fred simon

quote:
Originally posted by Rico:
This is the most boring album I have encountered in years! Come snore with me is a more appropriate title.

Try stronger coffee. (insert emoticon here)

Posted on: 13 July 2003 by Minky

Don't go there Rico. Trust me. I tried it once (actually I tried it more than once) and the boys came round and gave me a slap.

Another thing. Don't call her "Norma" cause they don't like it. I used to call her "Norma". 17 straight hours of testicle electrocution put me right on that score.

Posted on: 13 July 2003 by herm

Dealing with the Norah soldiers is particularly tough, as they come with two (rather than one) requirements.

1 You have to agree Norah is really hot, musically, rather than a comfortable snooze
2 You have to act as if Norah is an amazing discovery you made by yourself - this debut album on a 'small' label! It's not (I repeat NOT) as if Norah has been truckloaded upon the unsuspecting crowd via every available channel, as a sort of Britney Spears for the middle-aged.

So repeat after me: Norah is really exciting, and if you've never heard of her, you should really get a copy fast, before mass market music completely takes over, obliterating genuine and vulnerable artists like Norah.

Herman

Posted on: 13 July 2003 by Minky

God I love you Herm. Will you marry me ?