I have great difficulty finding contemporary female singers that I like. I find they are either teenage Barbie dolls like Brittney spears and Christina Aguillera (sp) or how many notes can I put in one word wonders such as Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. I tend to listen to older sixties singers such as Dusty Springfield , Aretha Franklin and Carole King. Imagine my delight whilst listening to BBC Radio 2 to hear the song “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones. I was instantly transfixed by her smooth, smoky laid back vocals. Yes here was a new talent to be reckoned with and a modern female vocalist I actually liked. Her album Come Away With Me was on the top of my Christmas list and Santa duly left it in my stocking for Christmas in 2002.
Who Is Norah Jones?
Norah Jones is the daughter of 60s Sitar legend Ravi Shankner. She is a very talented young lady for producing such a high quality mature album, at the tender age of 24. As well as singing she plays Piano on all the tracks and has written or co written a handful of the tracks. If I can not persuade you by reading this opinion that this
album is a wonderful album perhaps the number of awards this album has won. Since it was released in February 2003 it has chalked up an impressive eight Grammies. including best album, best record, best female pop vocal and best newcomer
This album is defiantly one for the adults. The songs although about love are not bright breezy pop songs but more complicated songs about lost loves and unrequited love. This is defiantly appreciated by someone with a bit of experience in life behind them.
Don’t Know Why This was the song that introduced me to Norah Jones. It is such a lovely mellow late night song with smoky vocals that really sets the tone of the album. My interpretation of this song is someone waiting for their lover
Seven Years I love the imagery of this song. On the first listen it is a song about the beauty and innocence of childhood “Spinning . laughing, dancing to her favourite song” I particularly love the line “Fragile as a leaf in Autumn There is a sadder side to this song as the little girl is all alone
Cold Cold Heart
This song is sultry with a great bass line which sort of reminds me of the one from Peggy Lee’s Fever. It is about a guy who can not trust his current lover due to the infidelity of a previous woman and the current girlfriend’s plea to melt his cold cold heart. The vocal has a country feel to it especially with the subject of the song.
Feeling The same way
This song is perfectly pleasant with some strange lyrics (“my feet don’t Look like my own”? About the feeling of love but I feel there is something lacking in this song compared to some of the others.
Come Away with Me
The self penned title track of the album is a beautiful simple sing about forbidden love * Come away with me where they can’t tempt us with their lies” Shoot the Moon Another country tinged ballad about changing seasons and changing moods in lovers. Another one I am not so keen on.
Turn Me On
On of my absolute favourites on the album. It is sultry and soulful. Norah’s vocal has almost a gospel feel on this one. This is defiantly one to play when seducing a lover as the message of the sing is simple and passionate. The song it most reminds me is Natural Woman by Carole King.
Lonestar
This is another country ballad. The Lone star perhaps being a cowboy as well as the “lone star shining down on her.. Another laid back mellow song.
I’ve Got To See You Again
The violin in this song reminds me of a melody in a Russian folk song. The vocal is sultry and husky. The lyrics and the vocal have a yearning to them “ “Late in the night, when I’m all alone and I look at the clock and I know you are not here, I’ve got to see you again! There is defiantly drama in this song and the refrain is almost haunting
Painter Song
I love this song. It is lighter and very pretty. It has a whimsical quality to it and perhaps a touch of French ness brought about by the accordion. The lyrics are a pure delight “ If I was a painter I would paint a memory, I would climb inside the swirling skies to be with you again.” The song sort of reminds me of Dream A Little Dream
One Flight Down
Probably my least favourite song on the album. It is another laid back slightly jazzy number but does not quite have the same memorable and irresistible t qualities as Dom’ Know Why
Nightingale
Flanked by an acoustic guitar nightingale is another very pretty song
The Long day is Over
I love the drums in this one. The drum roll at the beginning reminds me of waves crashing against rocks. This is another soulful late night number ideal to listen to just before you go to bed to chill you out and relax you.
The Nearness of You
It is the piano that stands out in this track as it backs Norah’s bluesy vocals. A wonderful, romantic end to a fabulous album
This album is best listened to with a glass of fine win, a person you are passionate with and the lights turned down low.
If you like classic singers who do not need gimmicks to sell their records this is defiantly the album for you. In years to come Norah Jones will be up there with Aretha Franklin as a quality classic singer
More information about Norah Jones can be found at www.Norahjones.com. The album is available widely
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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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
Sep 9th, 2003
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