Okay . . .I just got a bunch of live shows done by Norah Jones on CDs. I have Chicago House of Blues in '02, Live in New Orleans, the Kennedy Millenium Stage, Live at Bonnaroo, and an NPR bit that she did. I'm just into the Kennedy cd, and this is great music, folks!
I've been anticipating her new album for months now, and it's still due out January 30, but I wanted to get into the groove of her sound again when it comes out, so I started listening to these live shows to hear different variations of her tracks. The playfulness she radiates in her live music is so much fun to hear, and it puts you in just the right mood to hear more.
I've been a big fan of Norah's since the beginning (My ex and I were going to dance to "Come Away With Me" at our wedding when it was new), and I can't get enough of her sweet, charming voice. Not even 30 yet and holding eight grammies to brag about, Miss Jones has all the prestige that should come with the success of her art.
But we're on a review . . .of her live album collection. I digress. I'm into her Live At Bonnaroo cd now. "One Flight Down" is hitting the spot. The drum beat is keeping the tempo from lulling me into a trance, but the rest of the song is leaving me swaying.
There's also a very early version of "What am I to you?" in here, and it's very raw, but it's a song you can tell she's having a ball singing, and the finished product is actually my personal favourite song of all time anyhow, so I'm glad she likes it this much too. The lyrics are foremost in her songwriting, which is apparent, since she hasn't changed a single lyric in the song through it's development. With so much depth to the song, and a really hard to define mood behind it, it works for a lot of moods. I personally enjoy it for it's happily-resentful tones . . .it seems like an argument with no response from your ignorant significant other. I have fun with that thought when I listen to the song.
"Comes Love" is a song I haven't heard her cover yet . . . she's got it's number for sure here. The passion behind her voice in this very sexy song is breathtaking, and she makes your heart melt with every stanza. All I have to say to this single song is WOW . . .
There is also a very young performance of "Toes" following that, probably her first on record. I was a little doubtful that this song would contain much, being a very quiet song as a finished product, but done live, this song is fantastic, and full of love.
And the last song in this lineup is "Tennessee Waltz". In another show I heard (Chicago House Of Blues), she belted out the notes in an amazing way. In this version (Bonnaroo), she's got chorus backup from Alex I think, and she's taken to a more mellow drive in the song. She's still putting out the notes, but it's got a silkier feel to it. It moves slower and makes you sway to the amazing guitar solo in the end. Reminiscent of BB King's playing. Lucille would be proud.
Next up is the Live in New Orleans cd . . .lots of good songs on here, starting with "Seven Years", which is really cute to hear, as usual, but really mellowed for live playing.
"What Am I To You" seems to have a completely different sound to it with every play. I love this!!! In New Orleans, she turned it into a twangy country feel, with excellent pickup and an awesome synth organ to accompany it. This song alone is proof of Norah's ability to create wonderful music . . .more than once!! With so many musical variations of the same song, it's no wonder the audiences go crazy for her!
And now for the most playful song I've ever heard, "The Painter Song". She obviously has so much fun doing this, and she should! Full of happy lyrics and obviously heart-felt, "Painter Song" sounds like it was being imagined by a little girl. I can't get enough of it.
Finally, my review on her NPR appearance with Marian McPartland on piano. After a quick chat, they get right to "September in the Rain", which I've never heard until today . . .nostalgia and love through the whole, smooth song. Doing only the vocals for it, she's immersed in the mood of the song as she gets great accompaniment from the host. If you enjoy soft cabaret, this is where it's at, and it definately makes it's point.
Back to another cover of "Comes Love", and I'm in love again! Only on piano this time, this song makes you crave a cigarette after it's over. So much passion behind her soulfully slow voice, she makes this song your's to keep like a dream.
All in all, these live recordings have won my heart all over again, and have definately gotten me in the mood to hear her new album in three weeks . . .I can't wait! So, once again, Norah's new album, "Not Too Late" comes out January 30, and if you haven't heard much of her previous albums, check out the unreleased tracks . . .they're a lot of fun, and they definately don't downplay her released tracks. Enjoy!
~Mac
I've been anticipating her new album for months now, and it's still due out January 30, but I wanted to get into the groove of her sound again when it comes out, so I started listening to these live shows to hear different variations of her tracks. The playfulness she radiates in her live music is so much fun to hear, and it puts you in just the right mood to hear more.
I've been a big fan of Norah's since the beginning (My ex and I were going to dance to "Come Away With Me" at our wedding when it was new), and I can't get enough of her sweet, charming voice. Not even 30 yet and holding eight grammies to brag about, Miss Jones has all the prestige that should come with the success of her art.
But we're on a review . . .of her live album collection. I digress. I'm into her Live At Bonnaroo cd now. "One Flight Down" is hitting the spot. The drum beat is keeping the tempo from lulling me into a trance, but the rest of the song is leaving me swaying.
There's also a very early version of "What am I to you?" in here, and it's very raw, but it's a song you can tell she's having a ball singing, and the finished product is actually my personal favourite song of all time anyhow, so I'm glad she likes it this much too. The lyrics are foremost in her songwriting, which is apparent, since she hasn't changed a single lyric in the song through it's development. With so much depth to the song, and a really hard to define mood behind it, it works for a lot of moods. I personally enjoy it for it's happily-resentful tones . . .it seems like an argument with no response from your ignorant significant other. I have fun with that thought when I listen to the song.
"Comes Love" is a song I haven't heard her cover yet . . . she's got it's number for sure here. The passion behind her voice in this very sexy song is breathtaking, and she makes your heart melt with every stanza. All I have to say to this single song is WOW . . .
There is also a very young performance of "Toes" following that, probably her first on record. I was a little doubtful that this song would contain much, being a very quiet song as a finished product, but done live, this song is fantastic, and full of love.
And the last song in this lineup is "Tennessee Waltz". In another show I heard (Chicago House Of Blues), she belted out the notes in an amazing way. In this version (Bonnaroo), she's got chorus backup from Alex I think, and she's taken to a more mellow drive in the song. She's still putting out the notes, but it's got a silkier feel to it. It moves slower and makes you sway to the amazing guitar solo in the end. Reminiscent of BB King's playing. Lucille would be proud.
Next up is the Live in New Orleans cd . . .lots of good songs on here, starting with "Seven Years", which is really cute to hear, as usual, but really mellowed for live playing.
"What Am I To You" seems to have a completely different sound to it with every play. I love this!!! In New Orleans, she turned it into a twangy country feel, with excellent pickup and an awesome synth organ to accompany it. This song alone is proof of Norah's ability to create wonderful music . . .more than once!! With so many musical variations of the same song, it's no wonder the audiences go crazy for her!
And now for the most playful song I've ever heard, "The Painter Song". She obviously has so much fun doing this, and she should! Full of happy lyrics and obviously heart-felt, "Painter Song" sounds like it was being imagined by a little girl. I can't get enough of it.
Finally, my review on her NPR appearance with Marian McPartland on piano. After a quick chat, they get right to "September in the Rain", which I've never heard until today . . .nostalgia and love through the whole, smooth song. Doing only the vocals for it, she's immersed in the mood of the song as she gets great accompaniment from the host. If you enjoy soft cabaret, this is where it's at, and it definately makes it's point.
Back to another cover of "Comes Love", and I'm in love again! Only on piano this time, this song makes you crave a cigarette after it's over. So much passion behind her soulfully slow voice, she makes this song your's to keep like a dream.
All in all, these live recordings have won my heart all over again, and have definately gotten me in the mood to hear her new album in three weeks . . .I can't wait! So, once again, Norah's new album, "Not Too Late" comes out January 30, and if you haven't heard much of her previous albums, check out the unreleased tracks . . .they're a lot of fun, and they definately don't downplay her released tracks. Enjoy!
~Mac
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