Norah Jones first emerged on the music scene with her 2002 jazz-pop balladry debut album that sold over 20 million copies, then embarked on an ambitious musical exploration by recording with Herbie Hancock, A Tribe Called Quest, Johnny Prine duets, and creating an alternative country album with The Little Willies band.
Come Away With Me
Twenty years on, Norah Jones’ debut album continues to delight. Its seamless genre-hopping musical mix and emotional undercurrents emitted from her controlled voice are captivating.
Come Away With Me is masterfully mastered for vinyl by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and available as an ultra-silent 180 gram Analogue Productions edition. Norah showcases her mellow cafe jazz and country-music influences in an intimate, relaxing setting, supported by an outstanding band featuring guitarists Adam Levy, Jesse Harris, bassist Lee Alexander and drummers Dan Rieser and Brian Blade.
Jones shines bright in this recording with her honeyed tones and impressive maturity that belies her 23-year-old status.
Feels Like Home
Jones returned two years after her breakthrough debut with Feels Like Home and proved that her charms extended deeper than skin-deep and that she possessed unmatched talent.
Jones’ second album features production from producer Craig Street (Cassandra Wilson, Manhattan Transfer) and Arif Mardin’s legendary presence; she explores even greater musical territory on this one than before, featuring Townes Van Zandt cover songs as well as nods to country icon Hank Williams; she shows an effortless ability to navigate between genres that is both impressive and admirable.
Not Too Late
Norah Jones made her mark as an effortless vocalist who made millions selling albums and filling 3,000-seat theaters with her soothing sound. While she may be well known, Norah prefers performing for smaller venues rather than larger audiences.
Her success has opened the door for other performers whose music combines elements of jazz, old-time standards and cabaret-style pop. Jamie Cullum from the UK, for instance, has developed an acclaimed traditional musical style which has proven immensely successful.
Norah regrouped with her band in an upstate New York studio after touring to review live tracks they had performed, as well as work on some new ones and create an intimate and nostalgic collection that’s ideal for any night in.
Begin Again
Norah Jones lives a peaceful, private life with her two children. She homeschools them and prefers keeping their family out of the spotlight. Over her career she has won various awards and honors and explored a range of musical genres such as pop, jazz, folk and country.
She has appeared on several television programs such as Late Show with David Letterman and Good Morning America, as well as movies such as Two Weeks Notice with Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock.
The Fall
Norah Jones had aspirationsal goals when she entered her 20s: to become one of the highest-selling female artists of her decade through jazz-influenced albums that would push her career to its pinnacle. And that she did.
The Fall displays an expansive sound, featuring moody electric instrumentation evoking rock and soul influences. The soft guitar twang and brushed drums of “Don’t Know Why,” the opening track from this album, bring back fond memories 22 years later.
Foreverly
As many 20-somethings look forward, their hopes for success and fulfillment usually involve becoming successful individuals in some capacity. Yet Norah Jones has already accomplished both these dreams – she’s become a bonafide pop star who also performs at Lower East Side karaoke bars!
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones’ decision to record an Everly Brothers tribute album together led many people to speculate if it were just another drunken dare gone too far. But some believed otherwise; many saw it as serious business.
Day Breaks
Jones returns to her piano-based jazz roots on Day Breaks, taking inspiration from an appearance she made at Blue Note’s 75th anniversary celebration where she performed “I’ve Got to See You Again” alongside Wayne Shorter on sax, bassist John Patitucci, drummer Brian Blade, and pianist Jason Moran.
These songs and the ones to follow on this album demonstrate Norah at her most emotive, conveying both melancholic knowingness as seen on her debut as well as mature expression with subtle musicianship that provides welcome respite from some contemporary singers’ over-heated melismas.