The last Norah Jones record I listened to was the 2013 Everly Brothers tribute made with Billie Joe Armstrong. It did nothing for me. Her Blue Note debut in 2002 hit the spot, and 166 Grammys later, her follow-up, 2004's "Feels Like Home" was even better. I was now officially a fan and would see her perform live a half dozen times over the course of a few years. But then, rather than keep me on my toes with the genre-hopping and side projects, the way Elvis Costello, Todd Rundgren and David Bowie would, I lost patience and I started to care less and less about Jones' releases.
I'm not sure what made me listen to her new record "Visions." "Running" and "I Just Wanna Dance" were the first two songs I heard and I didn't like them at all! But, I still went back with a clear head and I am happy I did.
There is nothing groundbreaking here and I'm glad. Instead, there are a number of truly lovely songs, highlighting Norah's beautiful phrasing and vocal chops. "Alone With My Thoughts" sounds more than a little bit like "Ingenue"-era k.d. lang. "Swept Up In The Night" feels like lost Aretha ballad. And both the title track and "Paradise" have melodies to die for.
I don't love all of "Visions," but it was a nice reminder of what I loved about Norah Jones in the first place.
9 comments:
Nice. I'm not sure I would buy that for my personal collection, as they used to say on American Bandstand, but nice.
I'm with you ... I like the record, am reminded how talented Norah is, and I'm not sure it is a "Must Have," still it is in rotation. We can disagree on Running -- I like it very much.
Speaking of Norah and likes did you ever see / listen to the live stuff she did from the Empire State Building in homage to the Let It Be rooftop concert. Good and Fun!
i used to write off Norah as music my wife likes, but then i listened to Jones' session with Marion McPartland on Piano Jazz and was completely charmed.
The flip side of "music my wife likes" ... I would play a record and my wife would say "who is this again" which was code for "TURN THIS CRAP OFF RIGHT F*CKING NOW!"
These days I no longer have the wife and play whatever music I want! :-)
lol Jayessemm, my wife just says "What is this shit?"
My relationship with Norah is exactly the same as yours. I'm looking forward to digging into this and being reminded why I loved her so.
Re: Today's Song of the Day
Note to self: No need for morning coffee if you listen to this first.
Have you listened to Puss 'n Boots, her trio? I like it very much...
Yes, I enjoyed both Puss N Boots records.
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