I am in a mellow mood. I have no right to be, I have an ironing pile taller than me, washing in every room of the house waiting to go into the washer, a 3 year old daughter screaming for sweets and demanding that I put Barbie on the television for the 3rd time, and it is only 10am!! The reason behind my peace and serenity this morning is that whilst my darling daughter was engrossed in her Barbie DVD, I escaped upstairs to listen to this CD in my bedroom, and in an instant my blood pressure dropped along with my stress levels!
Brooklyn based 22 year old, Norah Jones is amongst the increasing number of female singers who are breaking into the UK and US charts without resorting to mainstream pop music. They have come along at the perfect time, because the majority of music lovers and listeners are tiring of manufactured pop, and the stereotypical warblers who seem to rule the singles charts. This album was released in early 2002, and was instantly given a big thumbs up from the music critics, but the acid test was the record buying public, and they answered any doubts by buying her album in their thousands.
The single which brought Norah Jones to my attention is the opening track. Written by Jesse Harris, 'I Don't Know Why' is a ballad, but her sultry voice gives it an edge, and it certainly puts you at ease. Easy Listening Jazz with a country twist is the only decription that comes to mind
which sums up this album, but please do not mistake me, this is certainly not middle of the road background music, this is music at it's finest, and it would suit so many different moods and occasions, but ultimately, this is music to relax to and it certainly creates a mood of romance, and I loved this from the first time I ever heard it.
'Seven Years' is a song which really gets me everytime I listen to it, it reminds me of a lot of sad events in my life, but it makes me feel that there is hope, and things can be better. The guitar playing here accompanies Norah here, and it is a winning combination. This song is very similar to the slower songs that Eva Cassidy released, and I cannot find fault with it even if I wanted to. 'Cold Cold Heart' is a Hank Williams song, but Norah Jones makes it her own, and out of all the tracks on the album, this is probably the one that couples have chosen as 'their song'. The lyrics are just so magical, but it is quite a funky song, which I could imagine would be well received at most jazz clubs, as whenever I listen to the bass, I always get a picture of Norah standing a stage in a smoky club, accompanied only by her bass player whilst she astounds the audience with her version of this song.
'Feelin The Same Way' is about a hangover! A strange choice of subject matter for a jazz/blues song, but Norah seems to have The Midas Touch, and it works so well, and it could be interpreted in many different ways. It is a more upbeat song than the majority you will hear on the album. Title track 'Come Away With Me' is one of the few that Norah has actually written herself, and out of all of the tracks here is probably the one that will endure the longest, as from the first note it has classic written all over it, and it is about as perfect a love song as you are likely to find in the minefield of music nowadays.
'Shoot The Moon' is a lyrically brilliant song, but I am not sure if the musical arrangement is good enough to make it one of the tracks that would come to mind when you think of this album. The mood of 'Turn Me On' is given away by the title. I doubt it will ever rank up there with the likes of 'Let's Get It On' because it is not commercial enough, but if you are looking for music to put you in the mood for love then you need look no further. Her voice just oozes sexiness here, and she hints at what she expecting when her partner arrives home.
'Lonestar' is my favourite song on the album, and I dedicate to my little boy Jay who never got the chance to take a breath and enjoy any time in the world. The lyrics are so touching, and they put my feelings into words that I never seem to be able to find..."Lonestar where are you out tonight? This feeling I'm trying to fight. It's dark and I think that I would give anything for you to shine down on me". Even writing about this song brings a lump to my throat, and I see it as my lullaby to my baby boy who I never got the chance to know.
'I've Got To See You Again' is about the relationship between a man and a stripper, although the words could make it suit many other scenarios. It has a moody feel to it, and her voice becomes quite husky and seductive. This is when I like her voice best as she seems to stretch it and the results are magnificent. 'Painter Song' is a plain love song. Nothing flashy here, but so well produced. It is a guitar based song with real dreamy qualities, and Norah is so laid back here it hardly sounds like she has to try hard to get these great results.
'One Flight Down' is a song that I have not managed to fathom the subject matter for. It is a classic piano bar song, and I admit that is probably doing it an injustice, but I can imagine Norah at the piano playing this at a huge party, as although it is a nice song, it tends to blend into the background too much. 'Nightingale' is another of the self penned tracks on the album, and I hope that on the next release Norah writes the songs herself, as her talent shines through even more so when she is singing words that she has written herself. It is another song that has a real lullaby feel to it.
On the next track, Norah teams up with Jesse Harris to co-write 'The Long Day Is Over', and it is easiest the slowest and most relaxed song on the album, and is the perfect way to introduce the last track on the CD. 'The Nearness Of You' is a song which makes me think of past relationships, and why they did not work. (Good job really or I would not be with my hubby!) Originally a Hoagy Carmichael song, but this is the first time that I have heard it, and it is with this song that the CD comes to an end, and if you do not feel relaxed and rejuvinated, I want to know why!!
At just over 45 minutes and 14 tracks long, I think this is the perfect length, and not too short as I have read in many other reviews. It has the perfect balance between beautiful music and superb vocals, which do not try and compete for the spotlight, they jusy compliment each other. Nominated for eight Grammy's in 2003, it is easy to see why 2002 was such a successful year for the beautiful singer, who has shown maturity way beyond her years, and I hope that she does not prove to be a flash in the pan.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
In Come Away with Me, it is not just the timbre of Norah Jones's voice that is mature ... more
beyond her years. Her assured phrasing and precise time are more often found in older singers as well. She is instantly recognisable, blending intimations of Billie H...
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Jan 25th, 2003
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