Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
2002
Album Summary
Come Away with Me is the debut studio album by American recording artist Norah Jones, released on February 26, 2002, by Blue Note Records. Recording sessions took place at Sorcerer Sound Studio in New York City and Allaire Studios in Shokan, New York.Come Away with Me peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200, and received Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. It was later certified Diamond by the RIAA on February 15, 2005, for shipments of over ten million copies in the United States, and has sold over 27 million copies worldwide as of 2016, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.In April 2022, Blue Note released a 20th anniversary expanded edition of Come Away with Me, with demos from the First Sessions EP, previously unreleased demos, and outtakes.
WikipediaThis was fucking huge when it came out, like there had never been a singer songwriter before. It's chuffing boring.
I used to be very harsh about this album and say it was boring middle of the road rubbish but now I’m old I can appreciate that it’s actually really nice and relaxing.
This album is perfect from the second you hit play. She hits her stride on the jazzier tunes, but I can absolutely appreciate the low-key singer/songwriter tracks. Best album we have been given so far.
Gorgeous voice. Album is platform for showcasing it. Instruments are just an afterthought. Slow melodies, light piano makes for a lullaby, soothing type of sound throughout. Standouts are "Don't Know Why" and "Come Away With Me"
This is a fine album. Nice easy to like songs with jazzy arrangements. Perfect background music for a dinner party with friends. 3 🌟
Shame this came so soon after Coldplay. Another musical blancmange of nothingness... Again it gets a 2 because it wasn't bad enough for a 1 but this just goes to demonstrate the futility of rating things on a five star scale.
Really silky voice, gorgeous instrumentation, at one point during the title track I saw the moon, big and gold, on my walk, and had a bit of a moment. Speaking of Glastonbury, I imagined lying in the sun early on a Sunday afternoon, as these sweet sounds floated over me from the Pyramid Stage, and it was pleasant. But, yeah, pleasant, sweet, silky, but nothing that really hit me for six. As the album went on I started thinking more about my potential scoring system than the music, which wasn't a good sign. I then started thinking the album was mostly parts that sound like music from The Sims, with parts that would fit the background to a middle class garden party. If I was planning to hand out 3s like social media references to Big Jet TV, then I would to this, but instead it gets a...
Like being stuck on a slow moving train next to a Toby jug full of warm urine that has learned how to sing
"Come Away With Me" is just not what I desire when I seek out music. Everything is pleasant and agreeable, and it's the competent performances that carry the disc rather than any clever tricks or notable new songs/arrangements from Norah Jones & her team (although Jones' own contributions, as few as they are, were marginally above batting average compared to the rest of the tracklist's assortment of tried-and-true standards and quasi-modern traditional cuts). This album's wide success is certainly some sort of cultural barometer of its time of release, but I can't fully speak as to why it attained the reach and absurd sales numbers that it had. I'm trying real hard not to call this a Starbucks promoted CD of amiable light clap-alongs for enjoyment while waiting in line for your coffee, but I'm fairly confident there is some significant vis-a-vis going on between Norah Jones and this particular manner of minimal commitment music consumption. If you find there's nothing wrong with "just average" or have a stronger appetite for garden variety Vocal Jazz, then you may get more from this than I did. I just prefer when something consciously made to be middle-of-the-road has more bumps and snaking patterns than this ultimately does.
I want to tank its gpa or whatever dude. i didnt listen to it but nobody really liked it so a lower number is more comical
Interesting blend of jazz and pop that feels like a pioneer for modern songwriting. Steady, yet provocative.
Love this album by Grapevine, TX-bred Norah Jones. She's a north Texas treasure. We went to the same middle school, but she went to a rival high school, but that's forgiven. Such an amazing voice and fantastic musicality. These are classic tunes and amazing that she was only 21 when this was recorded. Sounds like a veteran; a natural. Great listen and so happy this is on the list. Although, this album is not included in my 2018 version of the Book. Still happy to listen to it.
This was a great way to start off the list! Jones has very fine, detailed control over her voice; I really love how she’s able to demonstrate her range while not going overboard or getting too loud. She has a gentle, soothing voice that suits the material of her songs perfectly. It was entrancing; I like the light use of percussion, and how she wasn’t afraid to use a gentle touch when it came to the instruments to really let her voice shine through. Also, they were the perfect length. Overall, even though I usually don’t care for this type of music, I totally loved the album and will listen to this album and the rest of her music in the future.
Fantastic. I'd forgotten how good this is. Intimate and soulful. Brilliant.
A comfy blanket of an album. It wraps you up and makes you feel at home/loved. Excellent work by Norah Jones. The soft piano on 'Come Away With Me' is enchanting and uplifts her voice and the song so much. 'Painter Song' also stands out as a wonderful song on this album. They're all wonderful!
I love Norah Jones and I love this album. Her vocal performance is incredible and the music is so soothing.
absolutely gorgeous voice and songs are so soulful. lovely album and singer/songwriter
This is the perfect album to listen to when it's pouring rain outside on a crisp fall afternoon while drinking tea. Feet propped on the settee and your faithful friend Nico is laying by your feet lounging as you are. You can never go wrong with Norah Jones.
Always a classic - I love the strange nostalgia of the early 2000s coffee shop vibe this album has.
I don't think I properly appreciated this album when it came out. But now, 20 years later, I understand why Norah Jones was such a phenomenon. Listening to this album just feels so good. Like slipping into cool, clean sheets after a long day. Or like a glass of whiskey, a comfy chair, and a good book. It's such a comfortable listening experience without being boring in the least. I've got absolutely nothing negative to say about this album. What a treasure.
Este disco es una joya: para empezar, la voz de Norah Jones ya es una garantía, pero encima tiene una calidad en la parte musical y en la instrumentación que ya quisieran muchos discos del estilo. Cortito y variado, que se va rápido. Quizá mi pequeño 'pero' sería que no hay una canción realmente movida, por lo que es un disco ideal para una mañana de domingo, pero no para otro momento.
Sweet jazz, blues, pop fusion singing and instrument playing. Lots beautiful o guitar and piano solos and fills.
Sweet, smooth, ooey-gooey mix of pop, jazz, folk, and country. Delicious!
It’s been a minute since I listened to this album from start to end, but I have done so many times in my life. This is also an album that I recommended to many along the way. It was a perfect soundtrack to my evening walk along the beach.
This one is a little subjective, as the title song was my wedding song. So it's a well loved album already. I love Norah Jones' voice, the lovely instrumentation, and the songs are all wonderful.
Mellow and relaxing. Perfect to listen to after a three day weekend and returning to work.
Prime, essential jazzy pop as smooth and as sweet as caramel. Beyond pleasant listening.
This is the perfect late night headphones album. That voice! Lovely songs that slowly invite you to a place of peaceful joy.
I wish more music was like this music. Such a smooth yet balanced sound between jazz, blues, and acoustic. Listening to this, I feel like I'm personally sharing a cup of hot chocolate with Norah in a cozy café on a snowy winter's night. I almost took away a star for personal music tastes, but then I put it back because, honestly, I don't feel there's much in this arena of music that's coming out on top.
I was in my early 30s when this album was released, and it was everywhere. I did like it when I first heard it, and, sure, it was played so often on the airwaves and elsewhere that I grew tired of it, but giving it another listen all the way through for the first time in probably 15 or more years, and well past the context now of that time when it got played too often so it was all-too-easily mocked, I think it's great. She's a solid songwriter, assembled some fantastic musicians, and it all coalesces nicely around her gorgeous voice. I would love to hear her take on some real bluesy, dark jazz (she very well might have; I haven't looked into it).
I've never heard this album but the songs here are nostalgically familliar. Wonderful and soothing voice pairs perfectly with the acoustic accompaniment. Sooo 2002 A lot of the songs on this 14 track, to my ear, sound very similar. That could be because this isn't a genre for me but it's worth noting the high volume and low diversity
Entspannt, zurückgelehnt und minimalistisch, auf jeden Fall schön. Die Blues und Jazz lastigeren Nummern toll, die Balladaen bissl süßlich. Sie und die Band Hammer Musiker, gefühlvoll und trotzdem präzise, selten überladen. Es schimmert - auch gut geeignet für die Weihnachtszeit, wenn man sich den gelegentlichen Kitsch wegdenkt
Die ist schon sehr gut, keine Frage. Zur Begleitung bei Geburten nur zu Empfehlen!
skroz solidno, poslusala sam prvo slucajno live verziju i zenska piva identicno, bas wow, 4
Lovely chilled out tunes that just waft over the soul. She has a great voice that’s very versatile, mellow and smooth, you almost get drawn in whilst listening to her. Would listen to again and again
I thought this would be bland Starbucks music, but Norah won me over with her charm. Her voice is great and I found this album to be really calming. Still, I never want to hear "Don't Know Why" again since it was SO overplayed when this album came out.
Lindo álbum, la voz de Norah Jones siempre me ha gustado, pero nunca me había detenido a escuchar un disco completo de ella. Para un momento tranquilo, todo en calma, "chillin'". 8/10
Though it does have a yuppie coffee shop vibe, it is still pretty cool and the bass lines and groove is better than expected. I get a hip daughter of jackson browne feel. enjoyable.
Quite a pleasant sound throughout. I had heard the first song, but I enjoy the overall texture of her work a lot.
A beautiful voice on a record where all the songs sound the same. Title track's still a standout after all these years, though.
I unironically love smooth jazz like Norah Jones writes here. It’s beautiful Melodie’s combined with very heartfelt lyrics. I could understand why some folks may not really appreciate this music, but I don’t think there’s anything to not like here.
Nice and bluesy. Jones' vocals are smooth as butter. The jazzy textures on Cold Cold Heart are really cool. Album feels like a warm blanket, would return to this for sure in the right mood.
She has a beautiful voice. One song at a time I love Norah Jones. This entire album at once became a bit boring. Not enough diversity to keep me interested the whole way through.
She has a nice soothing voice. Easy music to relax and listen to. Enjoyed this album.
On regarde la pochette et on essaie de rester neutre. Toute neutralité s’évapore quand Norah commence à chanter. Norah, je t’aime.
I have a soft spot for Norah Jones, and "Don't Know Why" is one of my favorite songs of hers. But she's borderline soft rock, and I just can't take it in large batches.
This album was a very pleasant listening experience. It was the type of sad, wistful romance stuff that you'd hear in like 2000s dramedys or something but its still good on its own.
This album was absolutely inescapable for a time, so enjoys a significant nostalgia bump. It's chilled and it's mellow and it brings back good memories! Fave track - "Don't Know Why"
A childhood album and family favourite. While a bit long a run time given the slow tempo of the songs, her voice perfectly blends to each composition and brings the emotion of them to life. Not a genre defining album, but one of those great surprises at a time when music lost authenticity.
Whenever I listen to Norah I feel like an adult listening to music for adults. Maybe it’s been the string of bad albums lately but ima give this a 4 (Note: I’ve been traveling and not had reliable internet. I happened to have this and Hail to the Thief on my iPod already. Will have to fill in some gaps in a few days)
Very lovely and soothing but super middle of the road. I could maybe stretch to 5 stars if she had a couple more of her original compositions on there.
20th July 2022 Listened on the drive back from London having been in the office. Seb round in the evening to stay, chilled rose. Really lovely, chilled album with Norah Jones’ amazing silky, husky voice.
I liked this one more than I expected. Very soothing, fantastic for the background while working.
I liked this when it came out, but haven’t listened to it in many, many years. It feels like I’ve just come in from the cold to listen to it now. Norah Jones has such a warm voice… takes everything down a few notches and makes me want to drink hot cocoa. Really nice.
Love the small combo and the simplicity of the arrangements which allows her breathy delivery to shine.
Wow, a meaty chime of relaxation. Perfect dinner music when stressed. No real standouts, but all over Rancho Relaxo
I could have rated this album without listening to it as I have it memorized since my sister and I used to listen to it over and over in high school (but I did for pure enjoyment). Norah Jones has the perfect voice for this genre of music and her lyrics are poetic
It's a little poppy, sure, but that's what I like about it. Super easy listening, very pretty, and engaging. Not for every day, but in the right situations, its the album you want to put on.
I used to be one of the bros you see on here snarking about Starbucks, but a fresh listen won me over. Great voice, great tunes. Best track: Lonestar
She has a fantastic voice. Even though all of these songs are slow, I really liked this record. Don't know why was a great song. Same with come away with me. I would like to see what she could do on a more upbeat track. This was really good though!! 7/10
Didn't really love the laconic lead single when it came out so my enthusiasm was a bit tepid upon playing this ... But I'm glad I stuck with it - it's a nice easy-listening album but not without complexity. As is often the case, the single is the least-interesting song on the album. Probably what I appreciate most is the space within the album. One can easily envision themselves in a very small club listening to the band perform these tracks as is. The tracks are tight in an intimate way; raw yet still polished but not overly smooth. Again - picture a very small stage with 4 musicians playing to a late-night Sunday gathering. Highlight of the album is "Nightingale" - a great example of taking a simple 3 chord progression and turning it into something special, both in vocals and instrumentation (n.b. especially outstanding drumming). Although i can't necessarily see myself always in the mood for it it's just a real nice album for a quiet night. 7/10 4 stars.
Honestly I really liked this album. I think she has a beautiful voice. This type of music is never really my style because it’s very calm and sad but it was soothing. She had a really good voice and executed well.
Not my style at all but she is just so damn talented. Great background work music too.
Lounge music at its best. She has an incredible voice and writes songs that take full advantege of this. However it is not something that I am going to add to my playlists, as it really is not my style and it does tend towards 'sameness'.
A little repetitive. Pleasant. Definitely gave (re?)birth to that raspy old fashioned style of singing that I don't really like and has become overdone, but there's something very charming, lovable, and sincere about Norah Jones.
Ganz nett wenn man daneben was anderes macht und passt grad gut zur Jahreszeit. Insgesamt zu süß.
cozy but kind of doctors office waiting room-y. fiona apple but not as good. and all the songs are kind of the same. i really love the first song though and her voice is beautiful
A debut album with a force of clarity that doesn't need much wind in the lungs or adornment in the arrangements to be heard over the din of popular music and appreciated. Norah's vocals delicately blend aspects of Jazz and Country with the touch of a smoke ring and are irrefutably alluring and playful. Tracks like the cover of Hank Williams' "Cold Cold Heart" show the playfulness, while tracks like "Turn Me On" show the allure. Upon first listening, I'd say I'm most fond of the track 'Nightingale'. It layers and unfurls like silk sheets. What I enjoyed about it the most though is that the whole band had more of an opportunity to stretch their legs on this track, than on other tracks. Overall, the album is smooth and comforting like the hum of a loved one's voice while they hug you, and every distinct part is beautiful in its tone and simplicity.
A great first effort, with some big hits. Unfortunately, it's also packed with middle of the road content that didn't engage with me.
A bit soft for my liking, but she is very talented. Cool songwriting, powerful lyrics. Glad I listened.
The album that inspired young musicians around the world to make perfect background music for a local coffee shop. (Legitimately great at times, though)
She has a lovely voice and a couple of the tracks were very good but I wouldn’t choose to listen to a whole album of a female singer and I gradually lost interest. To be fair........low 3*
Interesting mix of folk, jazz, country? My wife enjoys this, I'll give it a few for staying engaging. This album would have been ahead of it's time.
not massively my type of music, but she has a great voice and enjoyed the album overall 3.3
I don’t think I’ve heard anything from her other than “Don’t Know Why,” which is still tolerable despite ridiculous overplay. Anywho, this feels good for a chill Sunday morning. Contemporary pop really isn’t my thing, but her voice is great, she’s a good storyteller, and the arrangements here are super tight and varied. All this being said, this is a loooooonnnnng 45 minutes. Not that there are any particularly bad tracks, it’s simply too much for my tastes, I struggled to hang on as “The Nearness of You” wrapped. 3/5
This defied my expectations in a way I seriously didn't expect- it really started picking up steam as it went along. I thought that the last few songs were the best and most exciting, and honestly wouldn't have minded a couple more like that. The rest of the album is fine, but not really my thing. Jones has a very nice voice, but she's not the commanding force that Sinatra was that makes this kind of music sound as appealing to me as his does. But I can understand why this caught on as much as it did- it's the perfect album for a mid-American mom to play when she needs "alone time". C-
1. Don't know why doesn't do anything for me, probably because I've heard it a million times (like everyone). 2. Seven Years had some cool slide guitar after I thought it was going to continue doing the arpegiated guitar forever. I liked that. 3. Cold Cold Heart's slight bass swing is pretty cool, and I like this song. 4. Feelin' the Same Way was pretty boring. 5. Haven't heard a song that really stood out since Cold Cold Heart 6. I've Got To See You Again is a cool song. Little bit of a gypsy swing thing going on. 7. Last few songs are pretty. Good way to close out the album. 3/5
First time listening to this record. Norah Jones has a great voice, but most of the songs in the top half of the album just don't do much to grab my attention. "I've Got to See You Again" is pretty good with it's slow syncopated beat, and I started to like this album a little more starting here. "Painter Song" was interesting, and "Nightingale" had some great instrumental lines in it. So a few decent tracks in an otherwise very bland album.
I enjoyed it. I really like her voice, and the songs are very chilled. Obviously knew the hits, and the ones I didn't know were fine.
This is good. Not quite enough oomph and energy to warrant a 5, but a really nice listen. Went back and played it again straight after I finished it the first time around. Her voice is incredibly soothing, it's a nice, gentle listen. Don't know if I've heard the album as a whole before, obviously knew the opener and a couple of others sounded familiar. In contrast to the Kate Bush album, it keeps up the quality right the way through - although it is a little bit same-y. Reminded me a lot of an Eva Cassidy album that my parents used to have on all the time.
I kind of got what I expected to get. Easy listening. Norah's soft, smooth voice dominates all the songs which pretty much have piano and/or guitar in the background. Very similar sounding songs but, there are some notable ones, her hits ("Don't Know Why" and "Feelin' The Same Way") and "Nightingale" which has good guitar and piano interplay. The music is harmless enough, best suited (for me) for reading a book to or background music while you're eating... I'd also say taking a nap too but that's probably going too far. Some classified this as jazz??? Not sure having piano and acoustic guitar alone automatically puts it in that category. Her voice accompanied by actual jazz would actually sound pretty good though.
Pros: She's got such a genuine, romantic sound that is so alluring. Cons: Maybe I'm jaded by the prevalence of amazing current soft-female-vocal led indie bands these days but the energy of this album isn't really dynamic and doesn't show much besides the one sound that she has. I know that that's like her sound right? it's soft, piano driven pop-jazz, but even the softest cats in jazz get some fast meows in sometime. The most energetic song IMO is "I've got to see you again" which is a wonderful moderate dance-like track that is perfectly ambiguous with it's lyrics that i have no choice but to steal a few lines for my own songs. Misc: production is very clean and well done. I did hear a blip of clipping on her voice on one track, "one flight down" at 2:42 which is hard to find on any professional mix of the last like 25 or so years.
She is good at what she does, but I would have liked at least ONE up tempo song… either way it was great for sipping coffee in the morning!
Very coffee shop esq. inoffensive but also not amazing. Classic 2.5 out of 5 fodder!
Un album qui a fait un malheur à sa sortie. Je travaillais comme disquaire et on vendait ça à la pelle. Pour faire le contrepoids à Bitches Brew, ici on est dans un jazz qui plaira à un grand public. Elle a une belle voix et j'avoue que c'est ma première écoute sérieuse de l'album dans son ensemble. C'est pas mauvais, mais ça ne réinvente rien. J'ai beaucoup de difficulté avec le jazz vocal et ici ça passe bien. Par contre, je préfère de beaucoup son album Little Broken Hearts produit par Danger Mouse. Ça rejoint plus ce que j'écoute habituellement. Elle a également fait un album avec Billie Joe Armstrong de Green Day. C'est une artiste que je respecte et à laquelle je porte une attention aux nouvelles parutions même si ce n'est pas toujours dans mes goûts. Même si on parle d'un album des années 2000, on peut parler d'un classique.
Bien qu'on l'ai sur-entendu partout pendant des années il y a une raison pour ça et c'est que c'est vraiment bon! La prod est juste malade, la contrebasse sonne vraiment bien, ainsi que tout le reste, le bass drum est deep comme ça se peut pas (Brian Blade quand même!) . C'est smooth et délicat comme son. Les musiciens sont excellants. Wiki dit que Bill Frisell est juste sur la piste 13 mais l'autre guitariste l'imite très bien😄 C'est simple harmoniquement mais c'est terriblement efficace (malgré quelques redondance). Des échos des standards du great amercican songbook, teinté de pop et une touche de Tom Waits par moment. Un peu trop smooth à mon goût pour que j'y retourne souvent mais c'est clairement un album qui mérite d'être sur cette liste . content de l'avoir écouté dans un système correct et non dans un speaker cheap de café avec juste le right channel pcq le left est dans l'autre pièce😄
A big part of me wants to be snarky and say that I don't want Spotify thinking I'm the kind of person that would actually choose to listen to Norah Jones. Or say that I'm in cheesy lounge singer hell right now. But I listened the whole way through and it was perfectly pleasant. Just because this isn't my scene doesn't mean I need to tear down Norah. She's a fabulous singer. And this album was a huge moment in time when it was released. Even if it wasn't a moment for me, it has definitely earned it's propers and its place on this list.
Classic pop jazzy from beaging of 2000. My mom love it so much, I dont have the choice to give it a 3
Very good for an easy listening album, probably the best one for a hot beverage at the local cozzy Café. It's really not a bad album, it serves its purpose, but is it really one of the 1001 albums to listen to in your life? I think there's so much more incredible stuff out there than the soundtrack to an afternoon at the local cozzy Café.
Everything very pretty, but nothing to stick with me. By the halfway point I was ready to be done listening. Highlights: Cold Cold Heart.
I respect Norah Jones, she does a thing extremely well and is typecast as a pop musician but she does have a. strong Jazz/Country/Folk sound. Not the type of thing I want to listen to all the time, but I wouldn't mind throwing it on once and awhile. Oh to be able to listen to her in some lounge before she got big, I would of fell in love big time.
Sort of like a wallpaper that is so out of fashion it comes back around to being curiously compelling and quaint. You think to yourself, "huh...that's kind of interesting..." and then it simply fades into the background again.
I really wanted to like this, unfortunately the well-known ones are both the best and the template for the rest. Disappointing as an album
Is this album 20 years old already? Nice, but not much more. Very jazzy and light.
This album was released when Norah was some old music dude's daughter. She is her own attraction now. Pretty easy on the ear. Never been a fave though
People went out of their way to throw hosannas at Norah Jones when this was first released, and then seemingly continued to over-praise it until the world just agreed that Norah was the new Billie Holliday or Ella Fitzgerald. It was all just a bit too much, and waaaaaaaay too soon. But that doesn't take away from the fact that this is a gorgeous debut album. Norah Jones may not be Billie or Ella or Linda Ronstadt, but she certainly seems to be the inspiration for the Sirius XM Channel "The Blend".
Not bad, that first song is a trademark sing. I think we all know Nora’s music limitations (not in execution) so it’s a nice record and that’s it
Norah tiene una voz encantadora y mientras toca el piano puede generar una atmósfera por demás agradable, aunque se estanca y no sale ya de ahí.
No ja nie mówię że to jest złe. Przyjemnie się słucha, tylko że brzmi tak jak 5 rzeczy, które już w ciągu tego challenge'u były. Warstwa instrumentalna i produkcyjna oczywiście bez znaczenia jak to w tym typie muzyki śpiewanej. Ale ze względu na ładny głos dam 3.
Easy listening album which gives out this naturally soothing and relaxing atmosphere. Would have preferred a little bit more diversity to push it up to 4 stars though
A few standout songs, and she does have a nice voice. The running time is a little long though
It's a nice album with a sweet voice and smooth jazzy at times. First song the biggest hit probably. 6/10.
I certainly didn’t dislike this, and it’s pretty enough... but there’s not much variety in the vocal delivery, and the musical accompaniment and lyrical choices are all pretty safe and bland.
This seems so long ago now.......it was played everywhere so listening to it now is refreshing. It's jazz and very laid back. She's got a lovely voice. I guess the young kittens don't like it 'cos there's no shiny objects but it sounds good for me at the end of the evening.
This is one of those albums I’ve always meant to listen to as I remember all the hoopla surrounding it after it came out. As much as I appreciate her talent, ultimately, this album just isn’t my taste. Good to finally listen to it, though!
This is American singer Norah Jones' debut album. It's an acoustic pop album that incorporates elements of jazz, blues, folk, soul, and country to highlight Jones' voice. The music is heavily focused on the vocals instead of the pop, jazz, or funk of the instruments, and this can be seen as a positive or a negative depending on the listener, but it paid off for this album. Come Away With Me performed well at release - being certified platinum in the US six months later and earning diamond certification 3 years after release. This album won a list of Grammy's in 2003 too: Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best New Artist, and Record of the Year & Song of the Year for "Don't Know Why". All of the praise and awards this album has received is for good reason, because it's a well produced album that will delight most listeners.
I thought people were joking about this being Starbucks music, but literally the reason this album became of the best-selling albums of the century was due to Starbucks' rise in the dawn of 9/11 and them promoting this peaceful music. How I see it is there's a spectrum between two genres she performs: (1) the 50s vocal jazz of Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan, reaching into the 60s R&B of Aretha Franklin, and (2) the country folk of contemporaries like Lucinda Williams. I can't believe "Turn Me On" isn't a cover... between the vocals and organ, it sounds straight from the 60s. Her voice is soothing, never too flashy, and gives Nelly Furtado vibes sometimes when she shows her personality. There are invitations to sing along, like "Feelin the Same Way" which helps make this a very accessible album. I think many of the tracks are strong, especially the titular track, but suffer from a number of issues. Let's be honest that the highlight is Norah Jones's voice with relaxing background instrumentation. In almost all the tracks, I can say there's little to be said about any of the jazz or acoustics. It purely serves a supporting role, a nice break from the jazz-absent pop music of the time. She branches off into different styles, from waltz to bossa nova to street Italian(?), which serves its purpose to maintain engagement, but can be tiring. I see little merit in listening past the halfway mark. So yes, this is Starbucks music. This is cocktail party gala music. Not for home listening. Just remember to put it on shuffle to avoid the latter gimmick deep tracks. Fun fact: Norah Jones is the daughter of the legendary Ravi Shankar, as a result of an affair.
I'm not sure I'd call this a jazz album, it has some jazz players and some of the arrangements are a little jazzy but this is really just a tastefully pleasant pop album. It's a good soundtrack for a casual dinner or maybe the start of some day drinking.
I can appreciate the craft. Every song is beautifully sung and they are well chosen and arranged. It's just a bit meh for me. I could only see myself putting it on as background or mood music, and tbh if I was doing that I'd probably go for some Ella instead.
Fun, simple acoustic guitar with a mellow, soulful voice. I really enjoy the vibe and I'll likely come back to the album for some calming influence. The lack of musical variety will be a sticking point for me, though. It began to wear on me about halfway through. It feels like the kind of album you pick two or three songs off of and move on.
Another that is technically impressive but that does nothing for me personally. Just makes me want to listen to Randy Newman (3.0)
This album came out during my skater phase being obsessed with Avril Lavigne so I HATED Norah Jones. As an adult I appreciate her coffee house style but it’s still my not my favorite.
She has such a unique enjoyable voice. I wish there were so more up-tempo songs on the album though. It was putting me to sleep by the end with slow song after slow song. Still a good album but needed more variety IMO.
Idk, weird day, ebb and flows again which is kinda disappointing, cool that I can kinda hang out though
Very enjoyable. I haven’t listened to this record since it came out, but still liked it. Jones has a very smooth voice with just interesting enough phrasing to avoid being bland. But it’s really just a chill adult-contempo / jazz album, not sure why it makes the list.
lights down low.. check, candles lit.. check, didn't burn dinner.. big check, love of your life at the table... check.. time to que the norah jones.. So it's good background music but too far to the pop scale than the jazz scale for me.