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Norah Jones |
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Synopsis: Born in 1979, Norah Jones, daughter of Indian world musician Ravi Shankar, grew up in Texas with her mom Sue. She was exposed to jazz while attending Dallas' Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She studied jazz piano at the University of North Texas for two years before moving and settling in New York City. In January 2001 she signed a record deal with jazz label Blue Note Records and released her Grammy awards winning debut album 'Come Away With Me' in February 2002.
-- musicfolio.com 02/03
Norah Jones 45th Grammy award wins on Feb 23rd, 2003: - Record of the Year - Album of the Year - Song of the Year - Best New Artist - Best Female Pop Vocal Performance - Best Pop Vocal Album - Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical - Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
 2002
Come Away With Me
 " Imagine the voice of a husky Eva Cassidy, or Macy Gray after deep-tissue massage, singing to you in an empty bar late at night. That's Norah Jones on her debut album, 'Come Away With Me'. Though released on Blue Note, it's not quite jazz. It's a set of country-blues ballads more reminiscent of 'Eric Clapton Unplugged'. 'Come Away With Me' acknowledges its roots in tracks by country music's Hank Williams and J.D.Loudermilk. Hank's Cold Cold Heart is delicately jazz-flavoured, with skeletal instrumentation, a syncopated bass riff and Norah's voice the texture of suede; while J.D. Loudermilk's Turn Me On reveals a grittier edge. Most of the other numbers here were written by Norah and her posse, and feature her light touch on piano. Feelin' the Same Way and Lonestar by Norah's bassist boyfriend, Lee Alexander, have simple melodic lines and lyrics which don't warrant scrutiny, but the subtle and sensitive vocal performances elevate them. Tom Waits could be hiding in the shadows in the best song on the album, I've Got to See You Again by guitarist Jesse Harris. Here, the combination of Norah's controlled vocals and strains of mournful gypsy jazz violin evoke a dark mood which turns to nostalgia in Painter Song with its folky accordion and Fairground Attraction-style rhythm section. As Norah and producer Arif Mardin were switching out the lights in the recording studio, waving goodbye to the band and heading for the bar, they must have realised 'Dammit, we didn't record any jazz!' That would explain the last track on the album - The Nearness of You. It's an intimate cocktail lounge portrait of the jazz standard, with a soulful edge; just Norah accompanying herself on piano - simple but tasteful. If you're looking for out-and-out jazz you'll be disappointed with 'Come Away With Me'. It doesn't swing, it sways. But Norah has such a feel for the music that she can make her voice soar and carry you with her, then deposit you gently back in your living room. The bare bones instrumentation is a perfect vehicle for her, and her timing and feel are just right. Try it."
-- Kathryn Shackleton, BBCi
 2004
Feels Like Home "(...) Where Come Away With Me functioned primarily as a showcase for Jones vocals and piano - especially on songs like "Don't Know Why," "Painter's Song" and "The Nearness of You," Feels Like Home finds Jones piano taking a backseat, generally functioning as a part of the musical action rather than a central pivot. In fact, songs like the simple folk of "Humble Me" avoid piano altogether, with Jones simply adding a bit of pump organ to Kevin Breit's resonator guitar and Lee Alexander's bass. Another major factor contributing to this change is the album's tendency to sway toward more country/folk territory. This penchant for country was hinted at earlier with her superb renditions of Hank Williams' Cold Cold Heart , The Grass In Blue, and Waylon Jenning's Wurlitzer Prize, but its realization on Feels Like Home is much more complete. An old-styled country swagger remake of Tom Waits' The Long Way Home is ample proof, but her duet with Dolly Parton on Creepin' In is where its made unmistakably clear. (...) Jones has found it within herself to make music that's genuinely beautiful, classic, and progressive. It's still a small change, but it's noticeable... and worthy of all the praise it's likely to receive.
-- Bill Aicher, music-critic.com
Back to the Acid Jazz
Backwash |
   Come Away With Me "The literal translation of simplex munditiis means beauty that is simple in its elegance. Debut albums rarely achieve such a timeless, breathtaking quality, but Norah Jones' new album is worthy of Horace's epithet. This is not a simple album, but one that is as naturally sublime as the subject of a Horace poem." -- Scott Waldman, popmatters.com |
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