SoundScene
Come Away withNorah Jones
By Eden Hurslton
Modern music is not in suchbad condition, as many of us would believe. Sure, every week wehear all kinds of noise that can barely be called music, but artistslike 21-year-old Norah Jones appear out of nowhere to share theirtalent and give us faith in the power of song. Norah Jones debutrelease from Blue Note Records, 'Come Away with Me,' is elegant,honest and poetic-nothing short of great music. From the firstcut, "Don't Know Why," which is featured on VH1, I wantedto come away with her, and she took me on a blues flavored, soft-jazzjourney that I had to share.
Norah's voice is fluid,passionate, satin smooth and refreshing as a sea breeze. Her singingreminds me of early Sarah McLachlan. Her voice floats out of thespeakers and settles on you like a warm embrace-especially ontracks like "Seven Years" and the title track. Norahalso plays a mean piano- well placed unique phrases, a spare styleand progressions that complement her voice so well that they sometimessound like one beautiful instrument. Check out her solo renditionof Hoagy Carmichael's jazz standard "The Nearness of You"for a prime example.
Her band is skilled andversatile, setting rhythmic and melodic foundations with ease,from the soul tinged "I've Got to See You Again" tothe bluegrass nuances of "Lonestar." Norah Jones, bassistLee Alexander, and guitarist Jesse Harris, who wrote the hit "Don'tKnow Why", write the original tunes on the album.
Songs like "Turn MeOn" show a sexier side, while "Painter Song" hasa lighter, fun feel with its accordion leads adding a kind ofParisian twist. She even does a version of Hank Williams classic"Cold Cold Heart" that would make Hank Sr. smile withpride.
'Come Away With Me' is inits' tenth week at #1 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart andinching up the Billboard 200 at #37. Obviously, Miss Jones genre-bendingtalent is not going unnoticed. It seems that her music is as brightas her future. The production and dynamics of the recording areabsolutely top quality-rich, clear sound and transitions thatare in a word, perfect. The CD liner notes include full lyricsof the original material and musical credits as well as a coupleof photos of the sweet and lovely Miss Norah.
So, if you're looking fora light and soulful side to today's music, Come Away with NorahJones and see where she takes you. Trust me, the journey is asmagical as the destination.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Until next time, keepthe beat beneath your feet and let your soul sing.
Eden
Hottrax