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Norah Jones debut recording "Come Away With Me", is nothing short of astonishing. The 22 year old daughter of legendary Indian musician Ravi Shankar has produced one of the most intriguing recordings is recent memory. One thing that separates her from the pack is Ms. Jones' own piano stylings--not flashy, but deftly doubling or echoing her voice--that discreetly act as the glue holding together these airy, delicate, and beautiful arrangements.But the centerpiece is certainly the 22-year-old's confident-beyond-her-years vocal delivery in addition to a precise diction and velvety tone. Shades of Nina Simone, vintage Phoebe Snow, and a less beatnik Rickie Lee Jones are evident throughout as the young siren coolly sashays through mostly new material by guitarist-songwriter Jesse Harris (formerly of Once Blue) and a few choice covers. Veteran producer Arif Mardin frames a most notable debut with a translucent touch, and appearances by jazz heroes Bill Frisell and Brian Blade gild the lily. If this recording does not help you keep your cool this summer, nothing will. Check your local concert listings to see Norah Jones live as she tours this summer with Dave Matthews. Norah Jones Website Buy "Come Away With Me" |
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John Mayer has produced an equally impressive debut recording with his release "Room For Squares". There is not a song on this CD that you will skip past. This is summer traveling music at it's best. Somewhere around the turn of the 21st century, guys like David Gray (who'd already been laboring in obscurity for quite a while) and Five For Fighting made it hip (and profitable) to be a sensitive singer-songwriter for the first time since the '70s. Along those lines, John Mayer appeals to the kind of youngsters who are embarrassed by their parents' Dan Fogelberg collection but equally turned off by vociferous gangstas and misanthropic heavy rockers. ROOM FOR SQUARES (whose very title, not to mention Mayer's studied regular-guy cover pose, bespeaks the revenge of the nerds) accordingly trades in acoustic guitar-based folk-rock tempered with just enough 21st-century freshness to keep its practitioner in the Billboard charts (and his listeners' hearts). That's not to say Mayer's music is calculated; he's got a real feel for melody and a distinctive lyrical style. He also managed to be in the right place at the right time, and that's the key to any pop success. Rolling Stone (12/13/01, p.152) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Instantly likable and accessible....an irresistible album..." John Mayer Website Buy "Room For Squares" |
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