Reviews (page 10 of 14)
Whatever happened to Norah Jones? Enchanting voice, beautiful songs. I actually have this album. Not played it in years.
Have to agree with the majority of the other reviews. This is palatable background music while you sip a latte at a cafe. I do really like Norah Jones’ voice. But none of the songs are particularly amazing or different than dozens of other performers. 2.5/5
Her voice is so smooth and relaxing. Great album, really enjoyed it.
This album is a lovely calm listen, the mastering is sublime, it sounds amazing. This was so close to being a 5 but the last song just lets it down a bit. Shame.
This album is nearly perfect.
perus poppia ihan kiva kuitenkin...
This one was amazing, a course on how to play more by playing less, lovingly minimalistic... No hits, so no individual song stays with you but you'll remember the overall feeling of the record...
sorry Norah I'm staying here where there might be... friction? conflict? tension? I don't know. whatever this is missing. I'm not going, ok. music: hated. (⌐■_■)
Great voice, tap water songs. Nothing objectionable about it, but none of it sticks with me and I’ll probably never think “Hey I should listen to Norah Jones.” It lacks any amount of chaos or something, I dunno.
Calm
I had a very scathing review of this written out. But it has been lost, and the anger has left me. Safe to say I found it deeply irritating.
Wow she's so pretty! What a unique voice. There are so many of these songs that are way overplayed. But I do like the sound. Her music makes me want to be in a coffee shop while it's full on fall outside. I'll give this one a 4
So smooth. so easy to listen to. I could listen to her all night and all day. Great album and a great voice. she is spectacular!
Really like her and the mood of the music. Easy to listen to and enjoyed the whole thing.
sehr ruhig, etwas für kalte Abende am Kamin ;-)
Akkora öt csillag, mint a ház, full vibe!
nagyon sok ötöst adtam mostanában, szóval próbáltam szigorú lenni, de ez nagyon régi szerelem, gyönyörűszép még mindig, és pont esős őszi délutánokra való
...naaah!
It only took me a year, but finally summoned the granular capabilities to listen to this. My sister listened to this upwards of 5 times each day, frequently the same four seconds looped... Anyway, detaching from that, pretty good honestly. Not the most eventful, but not unpleasant (particularly heard in full lol)
This got boring a lot faster than I expected.
I actually think this is a 2.5 "Don't Know Why" is leaps and bounds ahead of everything else on the album IMO.
The love of your life is the closing act at your local jazz club
some of the instrumentation was cool and her voice was beautiful but overall it was pretty uninteresting. i respect it and i can see why someone would love it but its just not for me at all.
Yeah... can I get uhhh... an iced espresso.... with uhhh.... no sugar..... and uhhh.... pickles.... *dies instantly in a gamma ray burst that evaporates the entire planet*
Norah Jones has a nice voice. The album gets a bit boring at times though, but it's mostly because the mood doesn't change a lot.
Possibly the blandest album on the list so far. Smooth, easy-listening jazz and a smooth voice.
Good singer. Too slow and mellow for my tastes. Has its place
Very nostalgic.
Pleasant
...
Great voice, great phrasing
Cool guitar and voice. Nice lyrics as well. Can feel a bit same-y though.
Snoooze
Take jazz and blues music, sand off all the sharp edges, and plug a pretty white lady at the front. This is safe music that like a Disney movie promises to not make you uncomfortable and hand you a happy ending. A warm boring hug that I guess people really resonated with after 9/11. The recordings sound great!
Personal favourite, so it's hard to be unbiased. Her voice is soothing and beautiful. Admittedly, there's little in the way of daring or interesting, hence the four, and not five, stars. Still love it.
Relaxing listening that I remember in high school that we would listen to in art class.
Loved this record when it first came out. It was my jazzy fase. Still like it very much but don't listen to it as much as I did once.
If a doctor ever decides that I need to be induced into a coma, I hope they accomplish it by playing this album for me on loop. It sounds GORGEOUS; from her voice, the instrumentation, the engineering, the mixing - lush, warm and clear in a way that few recordings accomplish. But the performances thus captured are just SO boring.
I thought I would enjoy it more, but it was a little too contemporary for me.
I remember when this won album of the year at the Grammys. I was in high school, and I remember thinking it was super lame that an album like this won. I was young and stupid of course, it’s a gorgeous album. Don’t Know Why is an all time great vocal jazz song, what a masterpiece that track is. The title track is fantastic too. The album maybe runs a little longer than it needed to, but it’s one of those albums that is perfect in the background in the right scenario, like a rainy Sunday morning.
Pleasant but a bit too smooth
Not bad… not good.
Achieves epic levels of pleasantness
Not a heavy rotation but solid soulful melody and voice.
Chill
Relaxing and smooth. I really enjoyed this one.
This is the first time I have listened to this album. I thought of picking it up several times in the past but never got around to it. Smooth and soulful with beautiful, intimate instrumentation and an amazing voice. It is worth the listen. A little too mellow to be in my regular playlist but it is a definite listen for when you want a relaxing experience.
Beautiful voice. Every song. I understand why this was so highly received and she won Grammys. Just not my type of music. Be happy to listen to in the background of a cocktail party or coffee shop. 3.25
Have heard the album a few times. Beautiful voice. Nice arrangements. Can't figure out why I don't like it more. Maybe it needs just a little more edge, or verve, or something. A soft 3 stars. "Does it seem like I'm looking for an answer"
I enjoy this as much as the first time that I heard morsels of the album while in the south of France on vacation. Just so very enjoyable.
It's hard to separate the music from the good memories associated with this album.
Excellent smoldering jazz.
Not something I would normally listen to. Beautiful voice...strong album.
Klingt alles gleich aber nett zum loungen
Complete nothing music. Everything blended into each other and nothing caught my attention
Fine
Nice easy listening album and quite chilled, but no stand out tracks
So we got the Shankar's daughter today! She's a great singer and this is a really good album! 4 stars.
Very talented, just not my kind of music
ITS A VIBE OKAY
I had first heard of Norah Jones a while back when my parents had gone to her concert. I looked up this album and turns out it swept the Grammys, which is kind of crazy. The album seemed pretty simple, and was nice to listen to. Some songs were kind of boring but nice vibes. Low 4.
makes me feel like i am a white kindergarten mom in 2004. 3/5
This was good enough I guess, but I wasn't really feeling it. I don't see myself listening to any of these songs again. high 3.
6/10 - It was kind of boring. I was pretty distracted the whole time tbh. We were making chatgpt sing random songs in baby voice. It was pretty funny. The songs sounded pretty similar so if you like the sound youll like the album.
A few really good songs and a bunch of solid ones
Standout Tracks- Dont Know Why, Seven Years, Feelin the Same Way
Great lounge music. Wonderful voice. Most of the album doesn't hold up to the hits
Aburridillo y moñas, un estilo que no me dice mucho, quizá un 2 sea muy cruel porque tampoco es pecado, pero bueno, que conste que es un 2,5 bajo.
There’s absolutely no way I can listen to this front to back
Oh wow, I'm a sucker for a beautiful female voice and jazzy melodies, aren't I?
**Album Review: *Come Away With Me* by Norah Jones** Norah Jones’ debut album, *Come Away With Me*, released in 2002, stands as a seminal work that blends jazz, folk, soul, and pop in a way that has resonated with listeners across generations. The album, which won eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, introduced Jones as a major new voice in contemporary music. This review delves into the album’s lyrical content, musical composition, production quality, thematic elements, and its lasting influence on the music industry, while also providing a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. ### **Lyrical Content** The lyrics of *Come Away With Me* are characterized by their introspective and often understated nature. Jones, along with other contributors like Jesse Harris and Lee Alexander, crafts songs that are deeply personal yet universally relatable. The lyrics frequently explore themes of love, longing, and melancholy, but do so in a way that avoids melodrama. Instead, there is a quiet, reflective quality to the words, making them feel genuine and heartfelt. For instance, in the title track "Come Away With Me," Jones sings, "Come away with me in the night / Come away with me and I will write you a song." These lyrics capture a sense of intimate invitation and romantic escapism, wrapped in a gentle simplicity that is both evocative and tender. Similarly, "Don't Know Why," one of the album’s standout tracks, explores feelings of regret and confusion with lines like, "I waited 'til I saw the sun / I don't know why I didn't come." The straightforwardness of the lyrics belies the complexity of the emotions they convey. One of the strengths of the album’s lyrical content is its ability to evoke strong emotional responses without resorting to overly complex or obscure language. The simplicity of the lyrics allows listeners to project their own experiences onto the songs, making the album feel personal and accessible. However, some might argue that this simplicity can sometimes border on being too simplistic, lacking the poetic depth or narrative complexity found in other genres or works. While the lyrics are effective, they occasionally risk being seen as too safe or predictable. ### **Musical Composition** Musically, *Come Away With Me* is a masterclass in subtlety and restraint. The album’s sound is a seamless fusion of jazz, blues, country, and folk, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that complements Jones’ smoky, understated vocals. The arrangements are sparse but richly textured, allowing the music to breathe and giving each instrument space to shine. The instrumentation on the album is predominantly acoustic, with piano, guitar, double bass, and drums forming the core of the sound. The use of these instruments is meticulous, with each note and chord carefully placed to enhance the mood of the songs. For example, the gentle piano on "Don't Know Why" is both haunting and soothing, perfectly complementing the melancholic tone of the lyrics. Similarly, the slide guitar on "Cold Cold Heart," a Hank Williams cover, adds a touch of country blues to the mix, highlighting Jones’ ability to navigate different musical genres with ease. The album’s melodic structure is another strong point. The melodies are memorable without being overly catchy, which suits the reflective nature of the songs. Tracks like "Turn Me On" and "The Nearness of You" are prime examples of this, with their lush, jazz-inflected melodies lingering in the listener’s mind long after the album has finished playing. However, the album’s reliance on mellow, mid-tempo tracks can also be seen as a limitation. While the consistency of the sound is one of the album’s strengths, it can also lead to a sense of monotony for some listeners. There is little variation in tempo or intensity, which might leave those looking for more dynamic shifts feeling underwhelmed. ### **Production Quality** The production on *Come Away With Me*, handled by Arif Mardin along with Craig Street and Jay Newland, is nothing short of exceptional. The album has a warm, organic sound that enhances its intimate feel. The production is clean and uncluttered, with a focus on clarity and balance that allows the nuances of the performances to shine through. One of the standout aspects of the production is its emphasis on Jones’ voice. Her vocals are placed front and center in the mix, with the instrumentation serving as a delicate backdrop. This approach works well given the nature of the material, as it allows the emotional subtleties of her performance to be fully appreciated. On tracks like "Seven Years" and "Lonestar," the intimate production draws the listener in, making them feel as though Jones is singing directly to them. The album’s production also reflects a high level of attention to detail. The placement of instruments in the stereo field, the use of reverb, and the balance between the different elements are all carefully considered, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience. For example, the subtle use of reverb on Jones’ vocals adds a sense of space and depth, without ever feeling overpowering or artificial. However, some might argue that the production is almost too polished. While the clarity and warmth of the sound are commendable, there is a certain level of risk aversion in the production choices. The album is impeccably produced, but it rarely ventures into more experimental or raw territory, which could have added an additional layer of emotional intensity or unpredictability to the music. ### **Thematic Elements** *Come Away With Me* is thematically rich, with recurring motifs of love, loss, and longing woven throughout the album. The songs often explore the complexities of relationships, from the joy of new love to the pain of heartbreak and the bittersweet nature of memory. One of the central themes of the album is escapism, as evidenced by the title track "Come Away With Me." This song, along with others like "Shoot the Moon" and "Nightingale," speaks to a desire to retreat from the world, whether into the arms of a lover or into the solace of nature. There is a sense of seeking refuge from the harshness of reality, a theme that resonates with many listeners. Another prevalent theme is introspection. Many of the songs on the album, such as "Feelin' the Same Way" and "Painter Song," reflect on personal experiences and emotions, often with a sense of quiet resignation or acceptance. The lyrics and music work together to create a mood of contemplation, inviting the listener to reflect on their own experiences and feelings. The theme of nostalgia also runs through the album, particularly in tracks like "The Nearness of You" and "Turn Me On," both of which are covers of classic songs. These tracks, along with the overall vintage feel of the album, evoke a sense of longing for a simpler, more romantic past. This sense of nostalgia is further reinforced by the album’s jazz and blues influences, which harken back to earlier eras of music. However, while the album’s themes are relatable and effectively conveyed, they can also be seen as somewhat limited in scope. The focus on love and introspection, while beautifully executed, leaves little room for exploration of other topics or more complex emotional landscapes. As a result, some listeners might find the album’s thematic content to be a bit narrow or repetitive. ### **Influence and Legacy** *Come Away With Me* has had a profound influence on the music industry, both in terms of its commercial success and its impact on subsequent artists. The album’s blend of jazz, folk, and pop helped to pave the way for a resurgence of interest in these genres, particularly among younger audiences. Its success demonstrated that there was a market for music that was understated, soulful, and rooted in classic traditions, at a time when the music industry was dominated by more commercial, pop-oriented sounds. The album’s influence can be seen in the work of many artists who have emerged in the years since its release. Musicians like Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae, and even some aspects of Taylor Swift's work can be traced back to the style and approach that Jones popularized with *Come Away With Me*. The album’s emphasis on authenticity, emotional honesty, and musical craftsmanship has inspired a generation of singer-songwriters to pursue a similar path. Moreover, *Come Away With Me* has also had a lasting impact on the recording industry itself. The album’s success helped to shift the focus away from heavily produced, radio-friendly singles toward more organic, album-oriented projects. It also proved that there was still a place for jazz-influenced music in the mainstream, leading to a renewed interest in the genre among both artists and listeners. However, while the album’s influence is undeniable, it can also be argued that it set a standard that has been difficult to match. The sheer success of *Come Away With Me* created high expectations for both Jones and other artists in the genre, and not all have been able to live up to the bar it set. Additionally, the album’s smooth, polished sound has been both a blessing and a curse, as it has sometimes been associated with a trend toward more conservative, less adventurous music in the singer-songwriter genre. ### **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** - **Lyrical Simplicity:** The lyrics are introspective and relatable, allowing listeners to connect with the songs on a personal level. - **Musical Composition:** The album’s blend of jazz, folk, and blues creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that complements Jones’ voice. - **Production Quality:** The production is clean, warm, and detailed, enhancing the intimate feel of the album. - **Thematic Consistency:** The album’s exploration of love, longing, and introspection is both effective and emotionally resonant. - **Influence:** The album has had a significant impact on the music industry, inspiring a new generation of artists and helping to revive interest in jazz and folk music. **Cons:** - **Lyrical Simplicity:** While the lyrics are relatable, they can sometimes feel too simplistic or safe, lacking in depth or complexity. - **Musical Monotony:** The album’s consistent mid-tempo, mellow sound can lead to a sense of monotony, with little variation in tempo or intensity. - **Production Safety:** The production, while excellent, is almost too polished, avoiding any risks or experimentation that could have added more emotional intensity. - **Thematic Narrowness:** The album’s focus on love and introspection, while well-executed, leaves little room for exploration of other themes or emotions. - **High Expectations:** The album’s success set a high standard that has been difficult for both Jones and others in the genre to match. ### **Conclusion** *Come Away With Me* is a remarkable debut that has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Its blend of jazz, folk, and pop, coupled with Norah Jones’ distinctive voice and the album’s understated production, has made it a timeless classic. While it may have some limitations in terms of lyrical depth and musical variety, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. The album’s influence continues to be felt, and its themes of love, longing, and introspection remain as resonant today as they were upon its release. In summary, *Come Away With Me* is a masterfully crafted album that offers a rich, emotional listening experience. Its success is a testament to the power of simplicity, authenticity, and musicality in a world that often values flash over substance.
Was an instant classic when it debuted and has aged beautifully.
Great vocalist and beautiful lyrics, but so little variety the whole album was just the same song. Should have been at least a 3.
Nice way to start the day
really good, could be a 5 but Fiona better so we'll go 4, even though that's an awful way of doing these rankings
I’d almost give it a 3 for being perfectly fine, but she just never gets out of first gear on any of these songs
The authentic Starbucks sound
One of my favorites!
I like her voice. Great style. Very soothing
This was fine. It was nice and light and unobjectionable. I was obsessed with my mp3 of "Don't Know Why" in the early Kazaa years, but I ... don't.... know ..... why ..... I didn't download the whole thing.
Therapy waiting room music, but some of it is nice
I think I've only ever heard one Norah Jones song in my life before this, but this was really good! Her voice is just so soothing and smooth, and the whole album was really nice listening.
weird to get two ravi shankar relatives so close together. a lot of this album feels like it belongs on the soundtrack for a wintery romcom with a bittersweet ending. didn't hate it, but can't imagine ever listening again. 2.5
Ah yes the music that made me think "maybe I'd like jazz" because I liked the four ripped songs I had and did not yet know the wide scope of what people call "jazz" Don't really like jazz, do kinda like this album. Have listened to it before and will again. 3.5
Ciekawa płyta, ale mocno popowa. Nie więcej niż 3/5. Najlepszy utwór to Turn me on, chociaż on mi się z czymś innym kojarzył więc może dlatego.
Amazing album to listen on a rainy day
eh
01) Don't Know Why - 10,0 02) Seven Years - 8,0 03) Cold Cold Heart - 9,0 04) Feelin' The Same Way - 9,0 05) Come Away With Me - 10,0 06) Shoot The Moon - 8,5 07) Turn Me On - 9,0 08) Lonestar - 7,5 09) I've Got to See You Again - 8,5 10) Painter Song - 8,0 11) One Flight Down - 8,0 12) Nightingale - 8,0 13) The Long Day Is Over - 7,5 14) The Nearness of You - 7,0 TOTAL: 8,43 (84/100) Current ranking: 65/275 I didn't think this album would be so well known to me. I thought I only knew the singles, but apparently I've listened to it more than a few times because I know most of the other songs. As someone wrote in the comments, when you are 20 years old you feel that this is boring, lounge music, but when you are approaching fifty you suddenly realize that you like Norah Jones and her silky voice. Maybe this is elevator music, but it fits so damn well on a hot summer August evening...
This album almost made me go back to sleep. Pretty vocals, just kind of a drag. 3.1 stars
Really good. This album could do with a bit more of the variety featured in later albums (“Little Broken Hearts” is my favorite of hers), but there isn’t a bad track.
Her voice is so beautiful but as an album it is kind of boring overall in my opinion. I would probably only listen to a few of the songs ever again.
Pretty, silky jazz pop. Definitely exceeded my expectations when I thought this thing was just gonna be another early 00’s pop album
Nice calming vibe, good guitar not for me.
Beautiful silky voice, and chill yet sophisticated music that doesn’t overpower. I remember when this came out, and I didn’t give it much of a chance.. still not my favorite but enjoyed more than I thought. Standout songs ‘Don’t Know Why’, title track ‘Come Away With Me’, ‘Turn Me On’ 4/5
Well produced slick and oh so dull
This back-to-back with Aqualung is a unique experience. If they hadn't lined up I'd never have noticed they were opposites. This is easy to listen to, makes sense, you can drift in and out of, and does nothing wrong. Aqualung is a bit all over the place and if anything gets confusing to listen to at times. I prefer Aqualung but I get why people want to listen to this. She can sing and it's peaceful. There's talent here for sure but I'm now blown away.
Norah is talented and has a very nice voice. The production is solid. Seven Years has a little Sitar sounding bit that makes a connection to her famous father's sound. A pleasant Hank Williams cover of Cold Cold Heart Unfortunately, I wouldn't listen to this much personally, but it is pleasant to take a nap to.
I remember this one being a huge success and all the talk when it was released. She singlehandedly put piano torch songs back on the radio. There are no bad songs and two or three classics that still get a lot of airplay. "Don't Know Why" & "Turn Me On" are both sexy, catchy and put her on the map! "Come Away With Me" is a love song that you hear at weddings all the time. While there is some filler (bordering on boring) and the pace is slow from start to finish, it's an enjoyable album. If you're a fan you get your money's worth with 14 songs. Groundbreaking, no, but definitely influential and popular.
Apart from a few songs the album felt a bit dull, like many of the tracks were just filler. Still 3 stars because don't know why is a great song.
I get it - it's a bit boring. But I enjoyed it, and in the end, I'm the dictator of these ratings...
too straight
For when I am old and boring
Quite moody but I liked the vibe. Nice to listen while making coffee in the morning in a rainy day
Nice and relaxing, i could sleep ...ehm... work to this!
Quite a pleasant voice. Really chill in the background
I used to listen to this album soo much. Five stars simply for all the good memories
I never knew who Norah Jones was admittedly but this was quite lovely to have on. Her voice is very soothing and the instrumentals are good. It’s obviously not rock or upbeat in anyway so reviews comparing it to that are way off base. Songs like the long day is over are very emotional! It’s good
Perfectly listenable, kinda boring
Clinically executed, but that's kind of the problem. I tried to lose my virginity to this album at least once or twice, so it makes me cringe just a little bit more because of that.
Listen more
One trick pony as far as soft cafe rock is concerned. She had a lovely, raspy voice and the lyrics are cliche, but not terrible. Just well performed boring love songs.
Here's an early 00's classic. The kind of album that was always on in coffee shops or in the morning as you sip your coffee staring out at the world. Very easy listening.
Norah Jones has a great voice, this was a nice, relaxing album. Nothing really spectacular or groundbreaking that stuck out to me, but a smooth and enjoyable ride. Good album. Favorite tracks: Don't Know Why, Shoot the Moon, Nightingale. Album art: I've seen this one many times, it's just a portrait/profile shot of Norah, but its ubiquity has almost rendered it a classic for me. As far as portrait or headshot covers go, this one's really solid. 3.5/5
Chill, easy dinner party vibe, lovely voice
zzzzzzzz
I think my issue with this album is that it's rather slow and mellow, but Norah's voice doesn't really do enough to carry the album for me. Not quite ethereal enough to make this style interesting to me personally. All around just found it rather boring. Sorry, Norah. :(
I really enjoyed her voice.
Banger nostalgic beautiful
This is fine. The songs blend together a bit, but are not unpleasant. Sort of an album full of final songs for romcoms.
Insufferably pleasant, swingless jazz-lite. Boring, soulless, nepo-baby shoppingmall musak. Maybe this will stir you if you want to feel like you're hanging out in a Starbucks on your own, in 2003.
It is a pleasant album to listen to and very well recorded and performed, but the music itself is somewhat stagnant and basic.
"One Flight Down" isn't bad. The rest is not for me: the vocals are too jazzy.
This is the most milquetoast shit ever. Evening hotel lobby music. Stand-out: i've got to see you again
Nice easy album to go away with Norah. Nothing to really hate and she has a real nice voice and some van maur moods. Rounding up
Practically perfect in every way
Smooth song stylings of a honeyed voiced vocalist. Shoot The Moon is a great track.
This is not the style of music I usually listen to, but it's very well produced - much more sparse and subtle than I'm used to, but it works. Jones' voice is beautiful, and very different in a good way. Liked songs added: - Don't Know Why - Nightingale
Nice vocals
slow and relaxing nice album to let your mind wander
Smooth, soulful, and just what the 90s needed!
Pleasant enough album. Adult contemporary music by a young woman. It’s good. Not too memorable. Dare I say boring.
Inoffensive lounge/coffee shop music.
146/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑
Not as bad as everyone says. It's anodyne but it's beautiful, the instrumentals arranged sparsely and beautifully. Jones has the opportunity to move into jazzier territory later in the album and it's probably where this album shines. Not ground-breaking but like your favourite worn-in clothes: really comforting.
Completely forgot about this album, she’s got a nice voice and nice songs, but can see why it’s so easy forgettable, nothing memorable.
Dont know why is a classic. Everything else was such a snooze fest…
Don't Know Why is the only song I had heard before, and it's a nice one, soothing lounge pop. And the other songs are just more of the same, not deviating much from the formula. Pretty voice, sparse instrumentation rinse and repeat. It's leagues better than the god-awful pop music I hear today, so I'll give it that, but I prefer more energy and excitement. We would get that the year after this album was released with Amy Winehouse's Frank, which I rated a 5/5.
Love this album (I own it) her voice is so amazing and sensuous...
Probably won’t listen to this a ton but like the vibes Couple of sneaky heaters on here
This is a very calm and relaxing album, the sort of thing you can put on in the background whilst studying or doing some other activity.
She's the best and if you don't like it and think it's boring you're a scared little child
Coffee shop music drudgery. I was bored after the first song. She does have a nice tone to her voice though.
It's fine. The singing and the playing is lovely and all. The singles are great. The whole album goes on a bit. Do I think it's a must hear album for all time? No way.
All very pleasant and inoffensive. It’s simply… OK. I’ll listen to it if it’s on and I can’t switch radio channels, but I wouldn’t buy it or put it on, myself.
In a nutshell: soulless acoustic blues-pop. Skip this album. Listen to her "Live in New Orleans" recording from 2003 instead. You'll get a better idea of what industry pros saw in her, and what *should have* been captured in the recording studio. The studio album sounds so... beige. I don't really understand how Come Away With Me was a hit, but it was. Overall: 2/10
I like Nora Jones's vocals, chilled, uplifting. Positive dinner party music.
Like Imagine Dragons makes music for car commercials, Norah Jones' debut album feels like it was tailor-made for Starbucks. But Jones' voice is silky and inviting, and the instrumentation is tastefully subtle - I can't hate it.
Ovaj album je jednostavno nakon svih ovih godina definicija riječi middlebrow
Um, this was pretty, I guess. My life will have have taken a really strange turn if I find myself listening to it again though. (Totally going to become obsessed with it now, right? Thx)
Low-fi songs to nap and sit on a plane to
It was just nice
Ok, een pop album? En eentje met nummers die ik nog ken ook? Don't know why was zwaar overplayed, maar ik kan m nu eigenlijk wel weer waarderen ofzo? Come away with me is echt een zwijmel plaat, super traag, super jazzy, maar ik weet niet. Norah's stem slaat me niet stijl achterover, maar ik vind het allemaal wel gewoon best wel prima? Als dit een ijssmaak was, was het vanille. Ik denk dat dit een album is dat je overal aan kan zetten en waar niemand écht een hekel aan gaat hebben. Is dat dan een goed album? Of is het dan stiekem een beetje saai? Ik weet het zelf ook niet zo goed, ik vind het gewoon best wel lekker wegluisteren en ik irriteer me nergens aan. FAVO: Don't know why, cold cold heart, Come away with me, Turn me on
Her voice is great
MY HEAAAARRRT IIIIIIS DRENCHED IIIIIIN WINE!
Nothing bad about this. It’s just not my style of music. 2/5
just really not my type of music.
Boring
Smooth jazz vocals
This was nice
One of my favorite albums. Had to break out the vinyl for it!
There's some decent songs but it's really not my thing
zzzzzzzzz
Pleasant
While not something I’d normally listen to, this is a solid album. Pleasant relaxing mood for evenings or anytime you want to take a break from your day.
Softpop, kinda jazzy
A high 3. Was reallllly enjoying it but then about 3/4 the way through, I got bored.
Boring and samey but not offensive.
Impressive that Norah was only 21 when she released this debut. It's alright listening occasionally but not too occasional.
It was okay.
I’ve heard of Norah Jones recently, specifically that time she swept a good chunk of the 2003 Grammy Awards with this debut album of hers. I get that dependent on who you are, the Grammys can be taken with a grain of salt, but still for the artist’s recognition it can be validating and Norah continued to be appreciative throughout her career. As for the album in question, it’s a pleasant acoustic pop album with touches of soul and jazz. Norah has a very sultry mezzo-soprano voice, and she seems to know her way around the ivories. The guitars and backing instrumentation provide nice compositions for the ambience, and it all makes for smooth easy-listening background music. Unfortunately, background music is about the highest praise I could give this debut. Aside from a few songs like the opening single “Don’t Know Why” and “Painter’s Song”, a lot of the songs are structured so similarly to the point where the music goes in one ear and out on the other. It’s not a bad album per se, as it’s apparent early on how good of a singer-songwriter Norah is. I certainly don’t regret listening to it, but I also don’t think it left as much of an impression as I’d have wanted it to.
Even though Don't Know Why was played to death on the radio and in 2002 I was subject to my parents playing the radio all the time, I did always like this song and I still think it's a beautiful song. I had never listened to the rest of this album. This record was so wonderful and easy to listen to. I loved several tracks. Turn Me On really caught my attention. It has a really similar chord progression, and vibe to It Hurts Me too. Could be a fun song mashup haha. Nightingale had a really great jammy sounding bit that also caught my attention.
This album is incredible. I want to say its overlooked and underrated, but then it did win Album of the Year in 2003. And honestly, it deserved it! The blues, jazz, folk, all around Americana elements of this record are brilliant. Great song writing, great composition, great instrumentation. I love when an artist creates exactly what they want and it gets recognized. Which is probably why I think this record is overlooked. It got a lot of buzz, and acclaim in 2003 and then everyone kind of moved on. It never really fit in the indie rock / indie folk genre and its not really a pop album. Norah just made a record that absolutely crushes and she made it for herself. It reminds me a lot of John Baptiste. Incredible musician, incredible songwriter carrying on an American tradition of music making.
It's all in the cover, isn't it? A gorgeous-looking artist in a close-up shot, pretty lettering for her name in the top right-hand corner, and a more discreet font and size for the name of the album on the other side. A bland, unimaginative cover. Fitting with what is, for all intents and purposes, a bland and unimaginative lounge-jazz album of unobtrusive ballads, too demure and by-the-book to elicit a strong response from anyone enjoying truly *vital* music. Norah Jones obviously has stellar skills as a performer, both as a singer and as a piano player. But those skills are never put to good use, i.e. playing music where a minimum amount of risk is taken. The mere fact that 1001 selected this Blue Note album instead of, say, John Coltrane's *Blue Train* speaks volumes about how misguided their priorities are when it comes to jazz albums. They only looked at recent commercial sales, and estimated Jones was the next big thing in that genre. Well, the next big things are not always the next best things. I remember some acquaintance of mine trying to attract my attention towards the production values of this record around 2002. But I don't remember that person's name 20 years later. As I didn't remember the album itself, so unmemorable that mix of cover songs and unremarkable compositions by Norah and her team of musicians is. Tried to see if listening to the recors again would make me change my mind, but in retrospect my assessment of it is even harsher now. I'd rather go through all the cheesy 80s synth pop albums this app routinely sends my way all over again. At least they have something distinctive to offer. 1/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums. 6/10 for more general purposes (5 for musical and professional compentency + 1 for the artistic flair). Number of albums left to review: 141 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 369 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 218 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 276 (including this one)
I mean, I'unno. I just have such a hard time getting invested or, like, interested in this. I'm sure there's some technical aspect about that I'm missing, like her breath control or something, but... Nah. I'm just gonna rate it how I feel: an "it's fine" 3.
Wow, what an album. The light instrumentation and Norah's amazing voice just have this aura to them, like you just walked into a club and they just happened to be performing. Very easy 5 to give.
I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump up to a 5. I dunno, there was just something deeply entrancing about that album to me. I’ve heard of Norah Jones before this, but I’ve never heard her sing. Her voice just has such control to it while maintaining a softness that still commands a bit of authority. It is the anchor that keeps this album glued together. In terms of the instrumentation; I get the vibe – big jazzy nightclub atmosphere with a distinctly 50s/60s mood behind it. It works perfectly for this album, but it does get a little draining after about 9 or 10 songs, hence the 4.5. There’s a few covers sprinkled in here, and the one that stuck to me the most is Cold Cold Heart – that’s a song I’ve heard, but I could never remember it by name or anything. I’m glad it popped up. I think the runtime is my only complaint here, or at the very least, a lack of variance that keeps the album distinctly fresh near the end. Regardless, I thought it was great. Some super standout tracks, and even if it leans into coffee shop fodder a few times, I’m just a sucker for the atmosphere. I’m totally fine with bumping this up to a 5. I am surprised it was as big of a hit as it was though.
It's better than yesterday's album. The music is a bit bland throughout. But the selling point is Jones' brilliant singing. If the songs were more energetic, the album would've been a classic. I don't have a favourite track on this album. 3 stars for "Come Away With Me".
Nice laid back. Not complicated music here, but great musicianship, and strong vocal performance by Norah. A lot of talent shown here
¡Este álbum es hermoso de principio a fin! ¡Contiene tantas piezas memorables! Don't Know Why, Nightingale o Lonestar, por ejemplo. Por algunas no sentía especal predilección, y quizás escucharlo nuevamente me ha hecho dar otra dimensión a canciones que antes no me resultaban tan significativas como Turn Me On, Painter Song y The Nearness of You. What a masterpiece!
This is a soothing, calming, and chill album. It was a good listen. It may not be as radical and crazy as some other albums here, but it succeeds in what it's trying to achieve. A balance of soft and clear vocals and delicate and graceful instrumentation accompany it. It ain't too shabby for Starbucks music. Best - Don't Know Why, Turn Me On, and Painter Song Worst - It all sounds the same fr 2.75-3.25/5
Wenig Unterschied zwischen den einzelnen Songs, aber gutes Album. Mit der richtigen Stimmung würde ich mir das anhören.
Her best album for sure. A little slow overall for me, but very good.
This album was everywhere in the early aughts. 20+ years on it’s fine. Jones’ voice is soothing, the easy listening jazz accompaniment is as boring as ever. But I think in the early post 9/11 world soothing and boring were what people wanted.
I enjoyed this album and own it. It's been a long time since I listened to it. It is good but didn't hold up as well as I thought it would.
Seriously!?
very peaceful & you can feel she‘s in love
Perfectly arranged and produced and sweet sounding, yet somehow bereft of any soul and utterly inconsequential. Never heard music so determined to fade into the background. Take drugs, kids, not sugar pills.
beautiful
I can't lie, by the time I bothered to open up my music player and check where I was, I was 13 songs deep and nearly finished. The whole thing just breezes by me without so much as grabbing a spec of my attention. It's great background music that your mum or elderly relatives would probably love. Not bad, just bland and inoffensive.
Bem gostosinho.
Didn't listen all the way but what I did hear was beautiful
Boring
More Toyota Corolla core. Solid album tbh
nice and relaxing. let norah jones set you right nolan
Not for me. I just find this kind of music a little boring. She's a fantastic singer, and I'm sure it's good for the genre, but if I have to give my own personal subjective opinion, I don't like it.
3.5 Honestly a lovely way to start my Monday. I listened to it two times through. Not my favorite type of thing, but when it hits, it hits good. Warm, nostalgic, simple. Quietly massively influential. Everyone’s mom had this CD magically appear in their mini-van in 2004.
Not anything I would normally listen to. Beautiful voice...great album.
Have heard the album a few times. Beautiful voice. Nice arrangements. Can't figure out why I don't like it more. Maybe it needs just a little more edge, or verve, or something. A soft 3 stars. "Does it seem like I'm looking for an answer"
Great voice ❣️
# Playlist track - Don't know why # Notes - It's never too bad, all things considered. Starts off great, but then it just fails to go anywhere. - A bit too slow, too soft, too mellow. - Not bad, but not interesting either.
About what I expected. I could see this being nice to put on for a fancy dinner but not something I would keep in rotation.
Gem of an album, just a joy to listen to.
Mellow vibe. I liked it.
Sau Langweilig
Enjoyable mellow album, but did not quite click with its totality.
This is THE Brunch album. It's quiet, gentle, pop-jazzy. Perfect for its time, but definitely got played out. "Come Away With Me" is a beautiful song - I just can't stand listening to it anymore! (Which is sad)
Typically not my vibe but her voice is wonderful and the energy on this album is surprisingly fun. Will definitely come back to this one
An album full of love songs. Very mellow listening. Good for listening to on a quiet morning. Great voice and emotional songs.
Enjoyable listen. Norah's voice is beautiful and emotive. The band lets her run with it. Just a timeless sound. This album would be just as successful if it came out today as it was 22 years ago.
Norah Jones draws a certain amount of criticism that seems disproportionate to the nature of her music, which is well made and pleasant on the ears, if a bit milquetoast. I don't really have particularly strong feelings for this music. It's pretty and relaxing, with a sleepy vibe that goes a long way, but it's a perfectly lovely listen for a quiet afternoon. I would listen to it again. Fave Songs: Don't Know Why, Come Away with Me, Lonestar, I've Got to See You Again, One Flight Down, Seven Years
Too much like hotel lobby music
heel chill
Reminds me of a lot of musicians I’ve liked.
Love all the songs. Norah Jones has a way of creating music that you don't want to stop listening to
Some great interpretation of standards and originals.
On the one hand, it's kind of sweet pabulum. On the other hand, it's great for what it is.
I liked this album at first, but then it just kept going. Each song felt pretty much the same.
Music to listen to while holding a mug of tea with both hands. Sweet enough to give you diabetes.
She has a beautiful soulful voice that brings beauty to pain. My biggest issue is that it all starts to sound the same, meshing one song into the next and never really separating into their each distinct song. Sometimes I also found myself drifting out and thinking of it as background music in a department store. I liked it, but for me it was not earth shaking, but at the time I could see it being a departure from a lot of other pop music that was coming out.
This was pretty and vibey but started to get annoyingly boring towards the end.
不错
Smothered in a warm beige blanket.
no thanks!
Beautiful modern jazz record. I love Norah Jones and Come Away With Me with all of my heart.
Boring
Stämningsfullt!
Relentlessly pleasant and easy to listen to, but not exactly challenging and not jazz. The playing is thoughtful and genteel and wispily light-touch, almost impeccable. The breathy vocals seem just about right and suit the production, instrumentation and material just about perfectly – a bit anodyne, yes, but perfectly pleasant (that word again). Perhaps the Hank Williams cover is a little ill-conceived, being the opposite of dark or haunting. There’s a reason everyone liked this record, and it was played ubiquitous in the early aughts. That mass popularity and accolades – which seemed to surprise the artist as much as anyone, she who seemed to just want to play music – is exactly what gave the record a bad name with critics. That she seems to have been widely ignored ever since seems appropriate punishment for such success. To be clear: it holds up, however is reluctant to admit liking it in certain company. One wouldn’t mind hearing her do some Shankaresque ragas some day.
A really pleasant listen. The band backing Jones is very tight and allow the vocals to shine. I was only really familiar with 'Don't Know Why' but there are a few standouts on the album, though that song is still my favorite. I think this is a good background album. Its completely inoffensive and harmless. Nice to listen too. That being said, its also not the greatest album of all time. Nothing too mind-blowing, just nice. FAVORITE SONGS - Don't Know Why - I've Got To See You Again 4/5
Had heard her name before, but never really listened. OK for modern bluesy jazz, but a bit too straightforward/poppy for my taste. Surprised to learn she's the daughter of Ravi Shankar. Still prefer the early 20th century greats- Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday. Can't beat those (and it seems even Norah was a fan of BH).
Nice voice. Songs all kinda sound the same.
Really nice
She's pretty great - good tunes.
Good stuff
Tranqui chill conocido
Kivan rauhallista ja hentoa. Jotkut kappaleet aika jazz, kun toiset taas akustista ja folk. Tuli vähän semmoinen suomalainen iskelmäpop kanssa mieleen tästä joistain kappaleista. Yksinkertaisesti hyvä levy. Parhaat: Don't Know Why, Seven Years, Shoot The Moon
Absolutely relaxing music. Gifted artist
very good. 3.5
Soft Jazz, Country, 2002 -> 4
Norah Jones deserves to be on this list with this album. Come Away With Me is an important album and probably one of the best albums of the 00's. She has a new take on jazz, soul and does something groundbreaking: she has hits in the zeroes with simple songs (with instruments and her voice). This album does feel a little bit outdated though and it does not click enough for me, so that's why I give 4 insteds of 5 stars. My 11th album
Beautiful voice real soothing to listen 2
Beautiful voice and world class musicians backing her. What else do you want?
Mom had this on repeat as I was a kid. Just full of bangers. Always will have a soft spot from me.
Toll, schöne ruhige Musik.
This album achieved something extraordinary - it put me to sleep. In the middle of the day. This is so boringly insipid that its success makes me question humanities future.
Breathy vocal acoustic pop. To call this a soundtrack to 14 John Lewis adverts would be a little trite, but not too far wide of the mark. Fortunately it includes blues, folk, country and soul elements which keep it from being overly twee. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Don't Know Why Date listened: 30/05/24
Verry smooth an silky jazzy blues. Perfect to come down after a hard day's worktime.
A soothing calm flood Bathes you at the couch or lounge With sweet reveries
I know why I didn't call
Incredibly beautiful
sehr ruhig, ein/zwei richtig gute Stücke
Really nice and relaxing. Sung wonderfully well. But so damn middle of the road and boring as hell.
Песни немного однотипные, но тембр и владение голосом прям нравится
I wonder what the reception to this album would have been had it come out after Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" instead of four years earlier. I'm not certain the reception would have been quite as rapturous. But make no mistake, this is a lovely jazz vocal album. If she'd come along later -- I can hear tracks on here that likely would have been pushed in an alt-country direction. As it is, it's a really nice listen.
For those of us who remember “Don’t Know Why” being everywhere back in the day, the rest of the album proves that Norah Jones earned her accolades. Silky smooth and reminiscent of gentle summer rain.
Own
Not sure why anyone has to hear this before they die. Not that it's bad, it's just so forgettable. I feel like it should be played quietly of the lobby in the Hilton in Krakow. A few songs stand out a bit, but a good 10+ I skipped as I was falling asleep and I actually need to be awake today
Pretty good.
not my taste but actually not bad- 1st song added to my playlist
Love her sound, so easy.
Sweet and gentle.
New artist alert, pretty good!
Pleasant. Mellow. This album is not quite my thing, but it is understandable why it got as huge as it did. Don’t Know Why is a pretty good song. This is my first time hearing her version of Hank Sr’s Cold Cold Heart, and I really enjoyed that.
I winced when this was revealed, but to be honest, there’s nothing particularly wrong with it. I like my jazz less smooth but it’s inoffensive. Won’t be revisiting anytime soon or like ever but I wasn’t tearing at my ears or anything.
This has a vibe that I would usually be into. But it’s boring. I don’t get why this was so huge. It’s fine, but I’d listen to Stardust over this any day of the week.
Don’t know why Seven Years Come Away with Me I’ve Got To See You Again The Nearness of You Very soothing voice with solid lyric writing. Very good to listen to on a calm day. Can study, walk, clean, do almost anything listening to this. It makes me feel great.
3 - It's good, but very vanilla. But vanilla is nice.
Very pleasant at the start, but monotonous by the end. Fave Tracks: Come Away With Me, Seven Years, Nightingale 3.2/5
Fourah Jones. Does what it says on the tin.
Well, it's all very pleasant but...... Seems to be a bit of a theme going on here. Is there any difference between Nora Jones, K.T. Tunstall and Katie Melua? Not to what I can remember. Not a fan of any of them at the time. And no reason to change that opinion here. A 2 for niceness.
Undeniably such a great vocalist, but just too middle of the road easy listening for me. A high 2 stars.
Poor Snora Jones. I knew the first song and unfortunately nodded off halfway through it. I woke up with a couple of songs to go and can't say they were particularly lively. Not my thing 1
Really surprised by and loved this. I thought I didn't like lounge or lounge-adjacent sounds, but I was wrong. Lots of good songs on this record and the instrumentation is stunning. The arrangements were wild. I forget which one, but towards the end there's a guitar panned right with a quarter-note delay that's panned left and it's doing some Garcia-like shit. Very inspiring and did a huge lift for the song with something really simple. Fan.
Smooth. 3.5
What a crooner! Lovely voice and dreamt music
Beautiful voice and good music.
A beautiful, soulfully soft pop album. Jazz, R&B, country, it’s all here, all good.
Beautiful singing paired with interesting instrumentals
Reminds me of studying at Starbucks in highschool.
Talented, but not my type of music.
Its too bad that the album feels so bland and corporate, because she has a great voice and I appreciate her talent. The production overall is pretty good. But sadly at the end of the day this album is full of music for corporate coffee shops and lobbies. 3/5
Beautiful voice and tunes But it became a sleepingpill
Pretty damn good. Some songs kinda lag on, but there's a few bangers on here. Great voice, great song writing.
Ravi Shankar would’ve been so proud.
Lovely singing voice, great instrumentals. This is not an album I would normally listen to, I enjoyed it but I doubt I will ever listed to it again.
Good vocalist singing over jazzy stuff. Like Joni Mitchell or something. Sometimes it;s country tinged. This is just fine, but not for me. 2/5
This is not unpleasant but also makes me feel like I’m in Kmart.
Good enough, hot
Just so so.
A perfect album. One that truly deserves to be on this list.
Look, its wel ldone and inoffensive. It falls into that category of the one album a year a certain type of people buy.
It's feel good music. It's not revolutionary or mind-blowing, but it is good, very good. and that's why it's on this list.
I have a soft spot for this because of my back in the day. Probably a two otherwise.
Silky smooth voice, I really do love it. For a whole album of it, though, it's a bit boring. 3/5
Absolute snoozer
I knew this album from before. Norah Jones just nailed it! It brought me back to good memories....and dances in candle light 5/5 This is a superstar album
Smooth Jazz-Pop. Nice voice. Music for a bar or jazz-club. But bit too lame for my taste. Especially for an album on fathers-day! 😉 2,5
I knew some of these songs from various movies and radio stations from a while ago but this is my first time really listening to Nora Jones. Phenomenal singer and the music is easy listening. It tends to be generic love songs which was my problem with some other pop singers like Frank Sinatra, but overall it's a good sound. Don't Know Why, Feelin' The Same Way, and Painter Song were my favorites here.
Hrest
Amazing, amazing, amazing album. Norah Jones singing is majestic.
Das beste von ihr!!!