Norah Jones - Come Away With Me
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.86 You Save: $4.03 (41%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.39 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Come Away With Me
Free Music Review: Simplex munditiis
Hit: 5 Stars
A few thousand years ago the great Latin poet Horace strung these words together in a valiant attempt to describe the scene of a young woman weaving flowers into her hair in a sea cave. Horace's poem is a record of the inherent, transient beauty in the world. The literal translation of simplex munditiis means beauty that is simple in its elegance. Debut albums rarely achieve such a timeless, breathtaking quality, but Norah Jones' new album is worthy of Horace's epithet. This is not a simple album, but one that is as naturally sublime as the subject of a Horace poem. Blue Note has just released Jones' first album, Come Away with Me, which would make it easy to file her away under jazz. But that would only be half of the story. Jones defies easy classification. Though only 22, she has created a complete, original style that straddles multiple musical genres.
Back to the jazz half. Her voice often has a sparse, vulnerable quality in the tradition of Billie Holiday, where an impressive vocal range is sacrificed for tighter, more profound dalliances on a smaller scale. Underneath the timid beauty though is a glimpse of power as raw and romantic as Etta James' "At Last". Jones has digested a healthy dose of the great female jazz vocalists, but if musical influences were colors she would be swathed in a magnificent multi-colored frock. She can take songs from a multitude of different genres and rub enough jazz on their edges to conjure the genie of Nina Simone. Jones is a younger musical sibling of Simone, but enough of her own woman as well. Both women peel back the edges of jazz music to reveal the medium's vast depth and the infinite possibilities found there. Jones' can hear enough jazz in Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" to interpret it and make it her own as brilliantly as Simone did with "Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues" so many decades ago.
Jones' version of "Cold, Cold Heart" makes it seem like Hank Williams wrote the song over a few carafes of red wine in a smoky corner of the Five Spot. Her unabashed emotional honesty on this song is as close to the essence of Williams as a ride in the limo where he died at 29 on a cold New Year's Eve. The steel-stringed clunk and twang of Williams' rhythm guitar is transformed into a majestic bass line that anchors the other musicians as they take off on Texas-tinged jazz journeys of their own. Jones, who grew up in Dallas, frequently credits her mother's record collection for her eclectic tastes because it exposed her to musicians as diverse as Ray Charles and Willie Nelson (who she recently opened for and sang a duet with).
Jones' own compositions, "Come Away with Me" and "Nightingale", are concrete evidence that she is quite familiar with the work of Carole King. King is as much a part of the piano and songwriting, and even singing, of Ms. Jones than any of the jazz singers to whom she may be compared. Both women can write songs that feel as open as they are independent .
At a recent concert at the Fez in New York City, Jones came out on stage, smiled nervously at the audience, and immediately started in on the piano. There was only time for a second or two of introductory applause. A few notes came out of the piano and then her voice, like a breeze in August, blew through the room. Our conversations stopped in mid-sentence and we hung transfixed for the next hour. The proverbial pin could have been dropped. We were grounded only when Jones, who comes across as being unaware of her immense talent, paused to introduce a song written by one of her bandmates or to refer to herself as a dork.
Jones' band, which at Fez consisted of Adam Levy on acoustic and electric guitar and Lee Alexander on upright bass, work excellently off one another. Their music has enough jazz in it to allow Levy to make a few improvised solo runs on guitar and for Alexander to prove that he is capable of much more than providing a solid backing beat. This is also true of their work on her album, as well as that of Jesse Harris who contributed a number of songs to Come Away with Me. It is a testament to the promise of Jones' music that guitar legend Bill Frisell stopped by her first recording session to play on a track. Perhaps even stronger testament to Jones' merit as an artist, she was produced by Arif Mardin, who can list Aretha Franklin, the Modern Jazz Quartet, and John Prine on his resume.
Norah Jones and her band create music that is refreshing. It is as exciting as the lights of a city skyline on a Saturday night. As introspective as a letter written by candlelight at 2 a.m. And as soothing as a deep massage. It would be hard to a lick a label and stamp it on Norah Jones' music. She has an understanding of the very essence of music, as if she had on X-ray goggles that allowed her to see its bare bones. The music is unique enough to stand on its own, without need for a genre label, and for that reason it feels fresh. If you'd like to hear an artist that's just begun to hit her stride, then come away with her.
Free Music Review: A Future Classic
Hit: 5 Stars
Norah Jones' rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. Her much talked about debut album "Come Away With Me" has been a huge success worldwide, topping both the US and UK charts - one of the first female records to do so since Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" back in 1996. The album has sold 10 million copies worldwide already, and looks like it's going to continue selling and selling. There aren't many jazz artists who can do this. It seems to me a bit like right time, right place for Jones, and her popularity has only rocketed since her recent multi-Grammy award win. All this said, I do consider Jones to be a very talented artist who boasts a brilliant debut album.
Come Away With Me opens with the soothing single "Don't Know Why." This brilliant jazz piece has a great beat and wonderful lyrics from Norah that give off a feeling of longing, yet a certain feeling of resolution without taking any action. "Seven Years" is a song filled with joy and innocence. "Spinning, laughing, dancing to her favorite song. A little girl with nothing wrong is all alone," croons Jones on this perfect ballad. Perfect to chill to. "Cold Cold Heart" is a cover of the Hank Williams song and has a great bassline which almost has a cowboy-type texture to it. The song is about someone's cold heart, but Norah's silky vocals melt it down to its simplest form. She asks why she can't melt our cold, cold hearts, without knowing she has done exactly that. "Feelin' The Same Way" is one of my favourite songs from this album. This song has a great beat to it, which is rather up-tempo (something you won't come across too often on this record) and is rather catchy. The song seems to spin around in circles, perfectly matching the title of the song.
"Come Away With Me," the album's amazing title track, is another album highlight. I have gently fallen asleep to this song on many occasions, because it is just so relaxing and soothing. The video to this song features Norah in a car in the middle of the sunny desert, but the beat sounds just like slowly falling snow. The piano solo by Norah is also excellent. "Shoot The Moon" and "Turn Me On" are two songs which I don't really enjoy much, but seem to be mentioned by other reviewers quite a lot. "Lonestar" has a great sweeping beat, with Norah's vocals on top form. It has a country music feel to it, with its two-note vocal piece as she wishes for a sign from the night sky. "I've Got To See You Again" was my instant favourite song from this album. This is now not so, but I still enjoy this song a lot. Norah's vocals are at their most soulful ...on this great song about confused love. It's the longest song on the album, so we really get a chance to enjoy it, and the addition of the violin makes for a welcome change.
"Painter Song" is just class. This amazing song is perhaps my favourite on the album with its excellent beat and vocals. All this is just brilliant, but the addition of the accordion (cheesy, but oh so classy!) is just stunning. "If I were a painter, and could paint a memory, I'd climb inside the swirling skies to be with you," wails Ms. Jones on this perfect song to doze off to. "One Flight Down" is another great song with its noticeable piano intro, followed by some great lyrics. Full of secret meanings and memories, the song showcases Norah's rather clear and song vocals. "Nightingale" has perfect lyrics and a deep sound that provokes wild memories in the mind, in an almost lullaby style. "The Long Day Is Over" is yet another good song and probably the slowest on the album - another one that is perfect to fall asleep to. "The Nearness Of You" will be the song that wakes you up with its outstanding vocals that sound incredibly fresh but old and classic at the same time.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
This album has received a lot of criticism - most of which I cannot understand why. Norah does write some of her own material, and she has a wonderful voice. Anyone who says her vocals are cringeworthy needs their ears checked. She is a truly talented and exceptional young lady who I can see going a long way with follow up albums. She isn't riding on the back of her father's (Ravi Shankar) success, as his classical Indian style is completely different. Her Texas upbringing has brought out the best in her individual style of Western Jazz. This isn't a perfect debut album (I've heard better), as it could have done with a few more toe-tappers and variety in the tempos, but give her time. Norah will prove herself as her vocals mature. Trust me.
Free Music Review: The First Of Many Masterpieces
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is the first masterpiece of many. Every song is exceptional in a humble way. It surprises me how much power the music and lyrics contain considering the somber mood of most of the songs. Don't Know Why- This is her first hit and also one the songs that she wrote herself. It's a lovely song about telling someone how un-sure you are about things, such as meeting them where they are mentally, physically, of emotionally. While also letting the person know that you do care and it is troubling you.10/10
Seven Years- This is a wonderful and very sad song about a little girl that is constantly being neglected and yet continues to be herself. Which means she remains happy and hopeful. Very important message I think. 10/10
Cold Cold Heart- This song is about the neccesity of being able to forget the past pains given to us by people and not making people in the future that we meet pay for it. Although the song does take it from the direct perspective of a woman trying to convince a man who has been hurt many times that she loves him and won't do the same. 10/10
Feelin'The Same Way- A very upbeat song musically with some very melancholy lyrics about being stuck in the same rut day after day and then realizing that you have to change eventually. 10/10
Come Away With Me- This is a very beautiful song that should be her second hit. It is also another one of the songs that she wrote herself. The title is very self explanatory...she is so tender and loving and sexy with her lyrics and vocals in just about every song but especially in this one and the Nearness Of You. 10/10
Shoot The Moon- Another up beat number that is a great song about reflecting on why people are lonely. Is it because they choose to be or is it that it's just not their time yet to find someone. 10/10
Turn Me On- Very sexy and playful and creative. The title is very self explanatory. I think though the surprise is that while most female and male singers are sexy with very vulgar and simple lyrics, this song is very sexy in a very original and non offensive way. Not that I could be offended easily of course, I mean I am a guy. 10/10
Lonestar- A song about the longing for some answers, it is sort of like Nightingale [however I like Nightingale a lot more.] 10/10
I've Got To See You Again- Sort of a dark and edgy song that is definitely one of the best songs on the album [of course as you can see by the ratings they are all great.] For the most part the title describes the song perfectly. The only twist is when she throws in some lyrics about wanting to see the person but not wanting to go to see them if they are going to be with certain people, I guess because she feels like she wants the person to herself for awhile. This is also another song that she wrote herself. 10/10
Painter Song- Very creative song. You know I don't know what the instrument is but they actually have an instument that sounds like a paint brush that plays through out most of the song. The song itself is about the desire to go back to the way you use to be with a lover and if you can't then you will paint a happy memory of when you were together and then show it to them to remind them in hopes to fall in love all over again. 10/10
One Flight Down- This song is about realizing when you are wrong and all of the things that you may have to go through or think about to realize that you are wrong. 10/10
Nightingale- Beautiful song about looking for answers from someone who you want to understand better and also the longing to hear a beautiful song that will touch you. 10/10
The Long Day Is Over- This might be my favorite song on the album. It's hard to say because I love them all. The title is very self explanatory...trust me I know I've written that for three previous songs and I'm not being lazy..its just that sometimes song titles really do describe the song perfectly. 10/10
The Nearness Of You- A beautiful song about letting someone that you love know that you only need them and nothing else. 10/10
Please note that she did write more than three of the songs on the album and that although she does not write all of her songs. Many of the best songs on the album were written by her. Plus she does play the piano and beautifully I might add. She is going to be around for a long time making masterpiece after masterpiece...hope you come along for the ride.
Free Music Review: The Miseducation of Miss Shankar
Hit: 5 Stars
Discovering that Norah Jones is in fact the real-life daughter of Indian classical maestro Ravi Shankar was what initially got me interested in her music. As an active Anoushka Shankar fan (for those of you who don't know yet, shes Norah Jones' sister, and is an Indian classical recording artist) I expected something similar from Norah. I must say though, that despite her heavily Indian classical background, Norah has chosen to take on tracks steeped in Western Jazz influences, and pulls it off with remarkable ease.It pays to know a little about Norah Jones before listening to her music. I hear the term 'Billy Holiday' being loosely thrown around when people review her music, but Norah Jones has, with great subtlety, used her classical background to create a record that betrays any trace of Eastern influences. Being as she is the offspring of an Indian father and a Southern mother, Norah's Texan upbringing is evident throughout the record. However, even though this is her debut album, she has been making music for a while (if you can find her rare 'First Sessions' EP from 2000, you should get it) and it shows. This is no wary first album, nor is it a pretentious and I'm-a-star-because-my-dad-is-one type recording. In fact, Norah's press releases strain to avoid mentioning her father's name and to promote her as an artist all her own.
I first heard Norah over the Internet, purely by chance, and I was instantly reminded of Carole King, and particularly of two seemingly different albums - Sinead O'Connor's 'Am I Not your Girl?', and Gloria Estefan's 'Mi Tierra'. The comparison may not be evident immediately, but if you've listened to these two albums you may know exactly what to expect. I do agree with reviewers who say that her voice is 'smokey' but its also 'rustic' and 'full-bodied'.
The album itself is a revelation in terms. For one, it is being released at discount price to begin with (even though it is a full length 14 track LP), a strategy that could or could not pay off, especially considering what little promotion Norah has been given thus far. Secondly, its been a long while since we've had true talent cover the great blues classics and add their own original material and input. While there are occassional instances when an artist treats a cover with respect (such as Fiona Apple's version of The Beatles' 'Across the Universe'), its not every artist that has the raw talent and energy to grasp the attention of an audience that has grown weary of the vapid material world in general. In Norah Jones, we find that promise.
Critics may argue that the two best songs here themselves are the covers that Norah has chosen. One is Hank William's torch song 'Cold Cold Heart'. The other, which has on numerous occassions been called the album's finest track, is her cover of John D. Loudermilk's "Turn Me On". Granted that these lyrics aren't exactly poetic or steeped in the mythical streams of conciousness that emanate from both her father and sister's body of work, but in a woodsy, plain way, Norah scores with simplicity with her voice, much the same way that her sibling scores with the simplicity of her instrumentation.
What I like about Norah Jones is her reserve and the ability to refrain from milking a tear-jerker ballad for all its' worth. This is not a diva in training, and we should all be so lucky. Perhaps its Miss Shankar's Eastern heritage that lends her that special mystique, but whatever it is, shes got a great first album out, and its one that we should all be listening to.
I wanted to jot down the names of a few specific albums that I felt 'Come away with me' had much in common with, in terms of spirit and ambience. In addition to the two albums I had mentioned before, it also carries the essence sported by Susheela Raman's stunning album 'Salt Rain', and by Vanessa Paradis' 2000 album 'Bliss'. Norah Jones' debut is one that fits in more with the Real World catalog - I'd be excited if she could do some collaborative work with Afro Celt Sound System or Sam Mills.
All in all, a splendid effort. If you're a fan of New Age and world music, and even if you haven't been a fan of bluegrass or Jazz, this is one album that could possibly open up new areas of musical interests for you. If only for just that reason, you should definitely get this. Highly recommended.
Free Music Review: The Miseducation of Miss Shankar
Hit: 5 Stars
Discovering that Norah Jones is in fact the real-life daughter of Indian classical maestro Ravi Shankar was what initially got me interested in her music. As an active Anoushka Shankar fan (for those of you who don't know yet, shes Norah Jones' sister, and is an Indian classical recording artist) I expected something similar from Norah. I must say though, that despite her heavily Indian classical background, Norah has chosen to take on tracks steeped in Western Jazz influences, and pulls it off with remarkable ease.It pays to know a little about Norah Jones before listening to her music. I hear the term 'Billy Holiday' being loosely thrown around when people review her music, but Norah Jones has, with great subtlety, used her classical background to create a record that betrays any trace of Eastern influences. Being as she is the offspring of an Indian father and a Southern mother, Norah's Texan upbringing is evident throughout the record. However, even though this is her debut album, she has been making music for a while (if you can find her rare 'First Sessions' EP from 2000, you should get it) and it shows. This is no wary first album, nor is it a pretentious and I'm-a-star-because-my-dad-is-one type recording. In fact, Norah's press releases strain to avoid mentioning her father's name and to promote her as an artist all her own.
I first heard Norah over the Internet, purely by chance, and I was instantly reminded of Carole King, and particularly of two seemingly different albums - Sinead O'Connor's 'Am I Not your Girl?', and Gloria Estefan's 'Mi Tierra'. The comparison may not be evident immediately, but if you've listened to these two albums you may know exactly what to expect. I do agree with reviewers who say that her voice is 'smokey' but its also 'rustic' and 'full-bodied'.
The album itself is a revelation in terms. For one, it is being released at discount price to begin with (even though it is a full length 14 track LP), a strategy that could or could not pay off, especially considering what little promotion Norah has been given thus far. Secondly, its been a long while since we've had true talent cover the great blues classics and add their own original material and input. While there are occassional instances when an artist treats a cover with respect (such as Fiona Apple's version of The Beatles' 'Across the Universe'), its not every artist that has the raw talent and energy to grasp the attention of an audience that has grown weary of the vapid material world in general. In Norah Jones, we find that promise.
Critics may argue that the two best songs here themselves are the covers that Norah has chosen. One is Hank William's torch song 'Cold Cold Heart'. The other, which has on numerous occassions been called the album's finest track, is her cover of John D. Loudermilk's "Turn Me On". Granted that these lyrics aren't exactly poetic or steeped in the mythical streams of conciousness that emanate from both her father and sister's body of work, but in a woodsy, plain way, Norah scores with simplicity with her voice, much the same way that her sibling scores with the simplicity of her instrumentation.
What I like about Norah Jones is her reserve and the ability to refrain from milking a tear-jerker ballad for all its' worth. This is not a diva in training, and we should all be so lucky. Perhaps its Miss Shankar's Eastern heritage that lends her that special mystique, but whatever it is, shes got a great first album out, and its one that we should all be listening to.
I wanted to jot down the names of a few specific albums that I felt 'Come away with me' had much in common with, in terms of spirit and ambience. In addition to the two albums I had mentioned before, it also carries the essence sported by Susheela Raman's stunning album 'Salt Rain', and by Vanessa Paradis' 2000 album 'Bliss'. Norah Jones' debut is one that fits in more with the Real World catalog - I'd be excited if she could do some collaborative work with Afro Celt Sound System or Sam Mills.
All in all, a splendid effort. If you're a fan of New Age and world music, and even if you haven't been a fan of bluegrass or Jazz, this is one album that could possibly open up new areas of musical interests for you. If only for just that reason, you should definitely get this. Highly recommended.