Norah Jones on Bluenote??

I don't think Norah Jones is jazz, even vaguely. I do see the appeal, in a mild sort of way, however. More importantly, her success will bankroll Blue Note in their more traditional ventures, just as the monster success of Keith Jarrett's "Koln Concert" funded ECM for years (and may still, for all I know).

Peter,
Read about it on one of the bigger audiophile vinyl websites(I'm not promoting any one in particular), think they are doing pre-orders now.

Spencer

Rives,
That reminds me something like a re-manufacturing products with cheap chinese labor.
Realy,
Why not Pass Labs make their amps in China? It's much more cheaper?
Why the respected Blue Note label decided to go to the larger "cheaper" mass allowing some delitant to be present in their repertoire of vast majority of a talented musicians? Why-not them to look for larger talents just from NY subways like Sony Music does?

I'm really catching it for this one, but look at this objectively. More people listen to Norah Jones than Hank Mobey. And guess what--even more people listen to Eminem. To me, it's not a question of popularity--or selling out (which seems to be implied). It's a matter of economics. Blue Note needs revenues to continue their quest, and they will for one sell many Norah Jones albums but I think more importantly--and hopefully, turn a few new customers their way to explore some of the jazz Blue Note has to offer.

Some of the arguments here seem to me on the order of: "No, please don't let any pop lovers discover MY jazz--it's too precious to share." I disagree, and believe that creating new avenues to that exploration such as Norah Jones is a good idea. Just my 2 cents in an area that I am certainly no expert.

I don't see how Norah Jones (as unremarkable as she is) affects the music of other jazz artists. The only thing that conceivably COULD happen is that the accountants start looking at the bottom line and start dumping less profitable artists. Now THAT would be criminal. Hank Mobley is Hank Mobley, and no amount of Norah releases from Blue Note will dilute him...or Kenny Dorham... or anyone else.

Now, that being said, I must say that the lineup at the Blue Note clubs is beginning to look decidedly mainstream, esp. on weekends, as is the whole Blue Note experience.