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Norah Jones Photos (by Danny Clinch)

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Not Too Late

Feels Like Home

The Little Willies

It pays to know a little about Norah Jones before listening to her music. I hear the term 'Billy Holiday' being loosely thrown around when people review her music, but Norah Jones has, with great subtlety, used her classical background to create a record that betrays any trace of Eastern influences. Being as she is the offspring of an Indian father and a Southern mother, Norah's Texan upbringing is evident throughout the record. However, even though this is her debut album, she has been making music for a while (if you can find her rare 'First Sessions' EP from 2000, you should get it) and it shows. This is no wary first album, nor is it a pretentious and I'm-a-star-because-my-dad-is-one type recording. In fact, Norah's press releases strain to avoid mentioning her father's name and to promote her as an artist all her own.

I first heard Norah over the Internet, purely by chance, and I was instantly reminded of Carole King, and particularly of two seemingly different albums - Sinead O'Connor's 'Am I Not your Girl?', and Gloria Estefan's 'Mi Tierra'. The comparison may not be evident immediately, but if you've listened to these two albums you may know exactly what to expect. I do agree with reviewers who say that her voice is 'smokey' but its also 'rustic' and 'full-bodied'.

The album itself is a revelation in terms. For one, it is being released at discount price to begin with (even though it is a full length 14 track LP), a strategy that could or could not pay off, especially considering what little promotion Norah has been given thus far. Secondly, its been a long while since we've had true talent cover the great blues classics and add their own original material and input. While there are occassional instances when an artist treats a cover with respect (such as Fiona Apple's version of The Beatles' 'Across the Universe'), its not every artist that has the raw talent and energy to grasp the attention of an audience that has grown weary of the vapid material world in general. In Norah Jones, we find that promise.

Critics may argue that the two best songs here themselves are the covers that Norah has chosen. One is Hank William's torch song 'Cold Cold Heart'. The other, which has on numerous occassions been called the album's finest track, is her cover of John D. Loudermilk's "Turn Me On". Granted that these lyrics aren't exactly poetic or steeped in the mythical streams of conciousness that emanate from both her father and sister's body of work, but in a woodsy, plain way, Norah scores with simplicity with her voice, much the same way that her sibling scores with the simplicity of her instrumentation.

What I like about Norah Jones is her reserve and the ability to refrain from milking a tear-jerker ballad for all its' worth. This is not a diva in training, and we should all be so lucky. Perhaps its Miss Shankar's Eastern heritage that lends her that special mystique, but whatever it is, shes got a great first album out, and its one that we should all be listening to.

I wanted to jot down the names of a few specific albums that I felt 'Come away with me' had much in common with, in terms of spirit and ambience. In addition to the two albums I had mentioned before, it also carries the essence sported by Susheela Raman's stunning album 'Salt Rain', and by Vanessa Paradis' 2000 album 'Bliss'. Norah Jones' debut is one that fits in more with the Real World catalog - I'd be excited if she could do some collaborative work with Afro Celt Sound System or Sam Mills.

All in all, a splendid effort. If you're a fan of New Age and world music, and even if you haven't been a fan of bluegrass or Jazz, this is one album that could possibly open up new areas of musical interests for you. If only for just that reason, you should definitely get this. Highly recommended.


I'd Rather Stay Here   February 6, 2003
 247 out of 437 found this review helpful

Norah Jones is part of a popular trend that's going on right now: putting a pretty girl behind a piano. I really expected more from Norah because of the ravishing reviews and Grammy nominations, I really did, but this CD turned out to be as tasty as a rice cake. Norah has "sultry" voice, but she lacks any kind of vocal range and doesn't display any kind of emotions throughout her songs. "Come Away With Me" starts off on a smooth note with "I Don't Know Why" and makes you think that you'll be in for something more, but after that song everything that comes after it just goes downhill. If you're not paying attention to the CD it would be hard to find out if a song has just started or ended because they all sound the same; there is nothing unique about any of them. I was hoping there would be some experimentation with certain sounds and that she'd have some East Indian influence in her music, but there is none.

How is her music considered jazz and who had the nerve to compare her to Billie Holiday? After I listened to Norah's CD I listened to Billie's CD- immediately and thank goodness it was close at hand- and I realized that there is nothing similar between the two of them. While Billie was able to express emotions through an array of beats and melodies, Norah's "sultry" voice- along with the music- remains stagnant and monotonous throughout "Come Away With Me." I didn't feel relaxed or inspired at all, just bored and anxious. Sure, Norah wrote some of the songs, but that doesn't make her better than other *real* jazz greats like Billie and Etta like one reviewer tried to imply. It's not *what* you do but *how* you do it. Billie didn't write many songs, but it was her voice and feeling that she put into the songs that touched many people. Norah writes lyrics, uninspiring and dead lyrics, and puts no magic into them.

While Norah Jones may want you to "come away" with her, she ultimately leads you nowhere. Don't believe the hype about this CD. It's definitely the most overrated album of the year. "Come Away With Me" has just tied with Sade's "Lover's Rock" CD for being just one long boring song. If you want to listen to REAL jazz, skip this floozy and get Billie Holiday or any of Sade's earlier work.


Perfect for a Mellow, Lazy Summer Day   November 8, 2003
 168 out of 202 found this review helpful

I, like all of you, have a lot of stress in my life. I'm a freshman in high school, and it isn't easy, plus cross country after school. So I just really like to kick back and try to de-stress myself with some of Norah Jone's music. By the way, yes, I am 14 years old. I just have a hatred for my older sister's rap music and this is my revenge. I prefer either oldies like Elton John or Fleetwood Mac, or women who either play their own instruments or write their own songs, like Jewel (except her new cd, which I hate), Fiona Apple, Sarah MacLachlan, etc. So here's my synopsis of her cd

1) Don't Know Why-an obvious mellow hit. Absolutely beautiful 5/5
2) Seven Years- another great one with a mellow tune and one of my favorites. 4.5/5
3) Cold Cold Heart- I don't really like the tune-too different from all of her others. 2.5/5
4) Feelin' the Same Way- A really good summer song with a sunny beat. 4.5/5
5) Come Away With Me- Great. One of my favorites and great for the bath on a rainy day. 5/5
6) Shoot The Moon-Another great summer song. Sounds like track #4, but better.Another one of my favorites 5/5
7) Turn Me On- Kind of dull and boring lyrics. 2/5
8) Lonestar-Different and Great. 4.5/5
9) I've Got To See You Again- A very, very sexy song with great piano music. 5/5
10) Painter Song- Absolutely no tune but ok. 3.5/5
11) One Flight Down- Relaxing with an ok beat 4/5
12) Nightingale- In a strange way, very uplifting. 4/5
13) The Long Day Is Over-Sounds like track #11, but way better. Sssssooooo relaxing. One problem: way too short. One of my favorites. 5/5
14) The Nearness of You-She performed this one as herself in TWO WEEKS NOTICE. Is ok, but like #10 doesn't really have a beat. 3.5/5

All in all I really loved it and liked most of the songs. Great for anyone of any age.


Smoke & Honey   October 5, 2002
 151 out of 171 found this review helpful

"This is really the record I wanted to make." -Nora Jones

Norah Jones was born in Brooklyn and raised in Dallas, Texas. Her love for Jazz evolved while attending Dallas' Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She then majored in jazz piano at the University of North Texas for two years.

She then took a trip to New York and while this started as a summer vacation, Norah was soon found herself hanging around local songwriters and became inspired to write some original songs.

"The music scene is so huge. I found it very exciting. I especially enjoyed hearing amazing songwriters at places like The Living Room. Everything opened up for me. I couldn't leave."

She has performed with the Laszlo band and in Wax Poetic. Eventually she joined a band with local songwriter Jesse Harris where she sang and played piano.

In January 2001 she signed with Blue Note Records. This is her first Blue Note release and was produced by Arif Mardin, Jay Newland and Craig Street.

Norah includes classic tunes from Hank Williams', "Cold, Cold Heart," J.D. Loudermilk's "Turn Me On," and Hoagy Charmichael's "The nearness of You." Then she delights with originals by her bandmates. Jesse Harris', "Don't Know Why" and Lee Alexander, "Seven Years" are beautiful songs that leave you so nostalgic for the past, yet they are new songs.

She is inspired by the music of yesterday and loves Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson and Ray Charles.

I can't believe she has just tuned 23!

Ok, so I listened to this CD about 10 times today! Here is what I think of each song:

Don't Know Why - A slow seduction of words that evoke a feeling of absolute longing, yet a certain resolution instead of taking action.

Seven Years - Innocence personified.

"Fragile as a leaf in autumn
Just fallin' to the ground
Without a sound"

Cold Cold Heart - Norah's voice melts this silky smooth song.

Feelin' The Same Way - Nice twisty little number that seems to spin in circles. This song brings out the smoky elements in her voice.

Come Away With Me - The pace drops to melting snow. It is terribly romantic as she sings of wanting to wake up with the rain falling on a tin roof in the arms of the one she loves.

Shoot The Moon - Moody Blue Song.

Turn Me On - The pace picks up and Norah sings of a flower waiting to bloom and a light bulb in a dark room. Cute song actually. One of my favorites.

Lonestar - Country flavor. She wishes for a sign in the night sky.

I've Got to See You Again - Pure seduction. Norah's voice really comes alive in this song. I'm thinking this is what we can look forward to in the future!

Painter Song - Fun, dreamy melody about being a painter. French café flair fantasy about being in a painting.

One Flight Down - Almost matter-of-fact. Norah's voice is very clear in this song and quite strong. I like trying to figure out Jesse Harris' song with all their secret meanings.

Nightingale - Almost has a lullaby quality.

The Long Day is Over - Perhaps the slowest song, perfect to fall asleep to.

The Nearness of You - Then, this will wake you up a bit, yet it still has a sleepy and breathy quality.

Smooth Sexy Selections in a Dreamy World of Jazz, Soul and Country. Nora Teases the listener with her voice, mercilessly.

~The Rebecca Review
Author of Seasoned with Love: A collection of
best-loved recipes inspired by over 40 cultures


A Class Act   February 27, 2002
 85 out of 91 found this review helpful

What an auspicious recording this is. We've only just begun to witness what Norah Jones has to offer. This album is a gem. Norah Jones is a humble, polished performer who never lets her own ambition cloud her purpose -- performing brilliant, deceptively simple and beautiful music. "Come Away With Me" is eclectic in feel, ranging from jazz, country to almost R&B. Jones is a musical chameleon -- you never realize what style you're listening to -- you simply know it is extraordinary. The caliber of each musician is phenomenal and Jones herself possesses a voice that is all at once smokey, rich, warm and intimate.

Norah Jones is not solely a jazz pianist with a great sound -- she is a sensitive songwriter as well. Several of her own songs appear on the CD, including the title track. I found the original material by Norah and multi-talented band members, Lee Alexander and Jesse Harris, to surpass the "classics" which are also offered. The original material on the album is a divine marriage of first-class music with marvelous lyrics. There is a universal quality to every track that makes them stand out of time and place. The lyrics are unique -- yet so personal they almost feel familiar without seeming cliched. Jones and her ensemble never allow the material to become bland or mundane.

If you purchase "Come Away With Me" you'll be let in on a big secret. Norah Jones is an up and coming talent who has just begun to establish herself among the upper echelon of true American musicians.