Confession: I only like Norah Jones because so many others told me to


Norah Jones is the darling of Jazz and Audiophile press for a few years.  I've heard her albums, maybe even bought one.  Look, being a musical artist is hard as hell and I can't do it, but I realize in listening to others talk about her that I'm missing something special while listening to her.

Please, without wanting to pile on her, if you love her tell me why.  What has you going about Miss Jones that makes her a standout? No wrong answers.

erik_squires

Please, without wanting to pile on her, if you love her tell me why.  What has you going about Miss Jones that makes her a standout? No wrong answers.

Sorry, just saw this so coming in late.  Yeah, if you just scratch the surface of her more pop oriented stuff you might in some way tend to dismiss or underestimate her, but that is your loss.  As a musical talent she’s up there with Patricia Barber IMO as a performer, song writer, and musician, and to paint her as anything less is just ignorant.  Any musician can appreciate what she brings to the table — she’s got performance chops and versatility.  Check this live performance…

https://youtu.be/UXvlLGV76ZY?si=JXy956v7MoC0g0ec

And some also-ran talent doesn’t get an entire album playing with some of the most diverse, talented, and successful musicians on the planet as she does on her album “…Featuring Norah Jones.”  Here’s a track from that with her nailing Joni Mitchell’s “Court and Spark” performing with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Holland, etc.  A mediocre talent doesn’t attract this many acclaimed artists to sit and record with her.

https://youtu.be/7iAMtDmmUvw?si=R6lgyKvCybU0QffS

So I’d advise those who question her to dig a little deeper because there’s a lot of depth to this absolute gem of a performer and artist. 

OP, I have a feeling that because of your recommendations, your expectations were set too high. And your listening experience probably were not bad, but the fall from high expectations was so much that you might never like to listen to her again. I like all her albums though - some more than others.

The same happened to me with Joan Baez. Too much expectations. Initially I found that her song delivery that was not to my liking. But keeping an open mind, I decided to listen to her albums and of late, I have started liking the "way" that she delivers. Every artist is unique and that is what differentiates them. Some we might like, others we might not. So, nothing wrong in whatever way you go.

 

 

Just FYI, I wrote this 3 years ago. :D 

I can wish Ms. Jones all the success in the world at the same time I can also not be a groupie. 

I should clarify — if you don’t care for her that’s obviously perfectly fine and what makes the world go ‘round, but some here have tried to paint her as an overrated pop star and that’s just not the case as she’s certainly much more than that. 

On Feels Like Home she does a cover of Take The Long Way Home (Tom Waits) that for me (because I don't stream) was worth the price of the SACD.