Confession: I only like Norah Jones because so many others told me to


Norah Jones is the darling of Jazz and Audiophile press for a few years.  I've heard her albums, maybe even bought one.  Look, being a musical artist is hard as hell and I can't do it, but I realize in listening to others talk about her that I'm missing something special while listening to her.

Please, without wanting to pile on her, if you love her tell me why.  What has you going about Miss Jones that makes her a standout? No wrong answers.

erik_squires

To me, she lacks passion.

 

@unreceivedogma I think you are onto something. For those of us from classical music based musical cultures, her songs are verbal narratives without a corresponding musical conflict, or resolution. The music is more mood than drama.

I think that's what's missing for me. Entire mood albums, and, rightly or wrongly, I keep expecting a musical piece with a point, counterpoint, and resolution, much along the lines of a classical piece and nowhere on the album does one appear.

@erik_squires "I actually do like Norah Jones"

So do I.  She rates a solid "8.0" on my "# of plays" scale. Just above Diana Krall, and few ticks away from Linda Ronstat.

I woke up yesterday with an impulse to inject some light humor into the conversatioin.  At least that was my intention.  Probably should have taken the dog for a walk instead.

Thanks for the post.  Always a pleaure reading your contributions.  

John

I love her lyrics on Come Away With Me , her voice is soft and sultry and the music is just perfect for late night listening . 

I use this album as one of my listen to to evaluate any change I make in my system. 

With that being said I've listened to her follow up albums and found them a bit repetitive and monotonous until much later when I picked up Begin Again , so I wouldn't say that I am crazy over her compared to Julie London who I have every one of her albums .  

But those 2 albums do make for some very good in the dark listening .

Every time I have listened to her I usually turn to something else. I don’t hate her, I just dislike that lilting voice. It all sounds the same to me. I think of artists like Andrea Bocelli, for people who don’t know or don’t really listen to opera. It’s accessible music. If you can, try to find an audio dealer that plays music that you may not be familiar with that pushes your musical reach or a music shop (yes, still better than the internet) that can steer you to what you like. If the dealer only plays audiophile approved music, maybe try elsewhere. And don’t be afraid to try something different and if you like Norah or Andrea, well then enjoy it. The last thing I want to do is tell you what to like. My tastes are all over the place; British rock, art rock, grew up with punk jazz, Chicago Blues, Lyric Opera, CSO back to Solti conducting, eastern, and music from most cultures (I’ll at least give them a try), etc., etc.