Norah Jones may evoke images of an upmarket lounge act. But the Grammy-winning singer has never been content to stick within one genre for too long.
Her debut album Come Away With Me was met with both critical and commercial success, followed by two years later’s Feels Like Home release.
Her debut album Come Away With Me
Come Away With Me catapulted Jones into stardom through its smooth blend of jazz, folk and pop. It gave rise to adult contemporary radio staple “Don’t Know Why,” helping her win three Grammy Awards in the process.
Jones managed to stay fresh within the genre of smooth jazz (or whatever label you wish to use) with her 2020 release Visions.
Pick Me Up Off the Floor is an album that serves as the counterpoint to this one, offering a more insightful perspective after much soul searching. To commemorate their 20th anniversary super deluxe edition of Pick Me Up Off the Floor features new liner notes and rare session photos.
Her second album Feels Like Home
Though her music may seem to have an undisturbable vibe, Jones manages to find nuance and emotion in her songs. She set words to Duke Ellington’s “Melancholia,” retitling it “Don’t Miss You at All”, while channeling some of his casual elegance through her piano playing.
Jones has continuously experimented with various genres and styles during her career. For instance, her 2004 sophomore LP Feels Like Home deviated significantly from jazz-focused debut to folk and country influences; its vocals embodied both sensuality and maturity while the lyrics painted an image of an optimist persevering through some difficult times.
Her third album Not Too Late
Norah Jones made her musical debut with Come Away With Me in 2002 and quickly shot to the top of the charts and won multiple Grammy awards. Since then, Norah has gone on to showcase her unique musical sensibility while appealing to an expansive fan base through Feels Like Home.
Not Too Late is her third album and sees the singer making the leap from jazz-lite into more traditional singer-songwriter territory, supported by an impressive group of musicians such as bassist Lee Alexander, guitarists Jesse Harris and Adam Levy and drummer Dan Rieser.
Her fourth album The Fall
Norah Jones is already at the pinnacle of her profession, yet with Visions she doesn’t appear content to sit on her laurels and rest.
She collaborated with Ryan Adams and Will Sheff of Okkervil River as songwriting collaborators, as well as producer Leon Michel (Lee Fields & The Expressions, Dap-Kings) to craft songs which examine loss, regret and the power of protest.
Jones and Michel have produced an unassuming collection that captures their relaxed dynamic perfectly, creating an album that sounds as though Jones and Michel just happened to be recording together. Standout tracks include Paradise and Staring at the Wall from Muscle Shoals as well as Just Wanna Dance which features brass, piano and Hammond organ.
Her fifth album Day Breaks
Norah Jones explored her jazz background for Day Breaks, a record which showcases her abilities as an accompanist. To assist her with recording this album she recruited jazz players like drummer Brian Blade, saxophonist Wayne Shorter and organist Dr. Lonnie Smith as collaborators.
Critics praised her album for successfully balancing her jazz music with other styles, while Rolling Stone called it a “marvelous consolidation, floating buoyantly between past tradition and her own unique present,” while MOJO named it as her greatest achievement to date.
Her sixth album Little Broken Hearts
Norah Jones has taken many turns since her breakthrough debut album. But with 2012’s Norah Jones: Jazz Reimagined album, she returned to her roots – featuring minimal arrangements and smoky vocals, alongside expert backing musicians such as drummer Brian Blade, saxophonist Wayne Shorter and organist Dr Lonnie Smith who appear alongside Jones for this set that contains nine original songs as well as three covers (Neil Young’s Don’t Be Denied; Horace Silver’s Peace; Duke Ellington’s Fleurette Africaine).
Little Broken Hearts marks a departure for Norah Jones from her reputation as a coffee-shop singer, reminding listeners that her voice can sing anything naturally and effortlessly.
Her seventh album Visions
Norah Jones can be difficult to pin down. Industry types tend to classify her as a jazz singer, yet she’s explored cinematic rock with Danger Mouse, formed a country band with Puss n Boots, and collaborated with Outkast as well.
Visions sees her return to piano jazz, pairing up with producer Leon Michels of the Dap-Kings. Together they employ an intuitive harmonic language which allows them to seamlessly switch between blues, country, folk and pop without ever losing continuity; rhythmic drumming, horns and synthesizers add another layer of soundscape as well.