There I was in WhSmith with a £10 gift voucher burning a hole in my pocket....well being an impulsive and spontaneous person I bought Norah Jones' album (well actually while wandering around the music department I noticed it was on offer!)and i haven't looked back since!
It's simply a great 14-track album and I love every song. It makes me feel all warm inside when I listen to it and I’m pretty glad it was on offer I can tell you! It’s a mix of Jazz, Blues, Country and basically it is easy listening that you can listen to at a dinner party, in the car or just when you want to chill out completely. Anyway enough about me...on with the review.
Track 1-'Don't Know Why' (Jesse Harris) 3.05
This is a terrific opening song with strong guitar and piano beats that sound very soulful. Nice, calm lyrics that are just tinged with regret but not sadness. Beautiful, clear singing and piano playing from Norah.
My heart is drenched in wine But you'll be on my mind Forever
Very bluesy song with deep guitar sounds. It's a sad song but I’m not sure why, it just quite sorrowful. Lovely guitar playing from Kevin Breit and there’s some nice percussion as well if you can spot it! Again Norah is flawless in her singing.
Spinning,
laughing, dancing to her favourite song A little girl with nothing wrong Is all alone
Track 3-'Cold Cold Heart’ (Hank Williams) 3.38 A cover I do believe but she certainly has made it her own and its one of my favourite tracks. Jazzy and upbeat, the bass in this song is great and blends with the piano very well- it just makes you want to click your fingers and tap your toes!
A memory from your lonesome past Keeps us so far apart Why can't I free your doubtful mind And I melt your cold cold heart
Track 4-'Feelin' The Same Way' (Lee Alexander) 2.55
This is a funky, jazzy little number about hangovers apparently but i like to think it's about falling in love! That's a great thing with so many of her songs-everyone can interrupt them in there own way. Again it has lots of country-sounding guitar and also drums in this one...definitely another favourite of mine.
And I'm feelin' the same way all over again Feelin' the same way all over again Singin' the same lines all over again No matter how much I pretend
Track 5-'Come Away With Me' (Norah Jones) 3.18
This is a beautiful love song written by the lady herself. The piano tune is simple but really strong, the lyrics are soulful and ballad like but without being predicable or soppy. This is a highlight of the album and I could just listen to it over and over again...I hope she produces more like this.
Come away with me in the night Come away with me And I will write you a song
Track 6-'Shoot The Moon'(Jesse Harris) 3.57 Theres a gutair tune that sounds like rain all the way through this track and its a really nice, relaxing song thats also quite sad. It's a reflectful track with a lot of soul.
The summer days are gone too soon You shoot the moon And miss completely And now you're left to face the gloom
Track 7-'Turn Me On' (J.D Loudermilk)2.33 A husky and very sexy song this one! Another cover but she does it so well it feels like her own. I find myself swaying to this as it defiantly has a jazz feel to it and once again the musicians are faultless.
My poor heart it's been so dark Since you've been gone After all you're the one who turns me off You're the only one who can turn me back on
Track 8-'Lonestar' (Lee Alexander) 3.05
This is a bit different to the others as it sounds a bit country and western. That’s no bad thing actually as it is a good song...not my favourite on the album but still good. Lovely guitar bit in the middle and again her fantastic voice!
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
Track 9-'I've Got To See You Again'(Jesse Harris)4.13 Sultry, low, bluesy little number. The mixture of the rhythmic drums and guitar and the haunting violins make it sound really mysterious. The lyrics are interesting and you can just imagine her in a jazz club singing this!
Line on your face don't bother me Down in my chair when you dance over me I can't help myself I've got to see you again
This has a French feel to it...not sure why, it could be the accordion! How many modern day artists have an accordion on their albums? Just goes to show she is a really different and fresh artist. It's a good tune to relax and chill out to.
If I were a painter And could paint a memory I'd climb inside the swirling skies to be with you I'd climb inside the skies to be with you
Track 11-'One Flight Down' (Jesse Harris) 3.03
It's got it all this one...up-beat and relaxing at the same time and also one you can sing along to! Great mix of instruments...organ, piano, violin and guitar all feature.
One flight down There's a song on low And it's been there playing all along Now you know Now you know
Track 12-'Nightingale' (Norah Jones) 4.11
The second song on the album written by Norah. Not as good or memorable as 'Come Away With Me' but a wonderfully calm song that flows gently and has a hopeful feel to it.
Nightingale Sing us a song Of a love that once belonged Nightingale Tell me your tale Was your journey far too long?
Track 13-'The Long Day Is Over'(Jesse Harris/ Norah Jones) 2.44
Co-written by Norah and very slow and restful to listen to. There's not a great deal to it but her singing adds that special something to it that makes it so simple yet so good.
Feeling tired By the fire The long day is over
Track 14-'The Nearness Of You' (Hoagy Carmichael/Ned Washington) 3.09
One of the simplest but best songs to end a truly great album. I think it's another cover but we can all relate to it i think and she sings it so it gets right to you. It's just her and the piano and that just adds to it and makes you realise her talent...Norah I love you!
It isn't your sweet conversation That brings this sensation, oh no It's just the nearness of you
Well that’s the songs and each song is very different and captures a different mood that I urge you to buy this album. Just a few more things that you might want to know before purchasing...
THE MUSICIANS There are some of the most highly regarded Jazz musicians on this album and it’s talent that shows. Jesse Harris and Lee Alexander play on every track and have written or co-written most of the songs.
THE CASE Very simple cover of Norah (looking lovely!) staring into the distance in a romantic, far-off way!
THE PRICE Shop around for the best deal (like I did!) but will usually set you back around £14…not bad when you hear the quality of this album
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Great op - this is my most favourite Cd at the moment julie x
JuliaD 02.06.2003 21:20
At the moment this is my favourite album! I love her voice, lyrics and that feeling of getting lost in her music, sends goosebumps all over me whenever I listen to it!
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...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Having insomnia problems. She will put you to sleep Disadvantages: Sometimes sleep is not all that much of a good thing. Especially on a bike going at 150 mph
Apr 21st, 2003
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