Come Away With Me

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is not unpleasant but also makes me feel like I’m in Kmart.

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.

It sounds fine, but makes for a forgettable piece of muzak. Something to put on in the background. Don’t know why is quite nostalgic though.

The elevator albums strike again with Come Away With Me and to be honest, this album is probably the best of them all. The instruments were all used well and the songs had some noticeable differences between each other but it was mostly Norah's voice that carried the album for me. There is still that elevator album stigma where a majority of the songs sound the same even if there is more of a difference between them. Its still a pretty good album regardless of that.
Best Song: One Flight Down
Worst Song: Seven Years

A nice voice. Strong and smooth. May be the right sound for some moods. For me it‘s a little bit boring.

Yet another ex-1001 album!™
http://1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie.wikidot.com/album-artists-a-z-ex

I always forget that Norah Jones is Ravi Shankar's daughter. I quite like Don't Know Why, she has gorgeous vocals, but the rest of the album just felt oh so bland.

Nice voice, nice music, nice lyrics. Just really nice.

Can see the appeal but it hardly sets the pulse racing - wouldn't go out of my way to listen but fine enough

Yh 2000-luvun kantri. Ei nappaa. 2/5

A Beautiful and delightfully sonorous "Moody little album".

Dull in 2002. Dull now.

Idk all the songs sounded the same

NO.

Before today, I didn't think I knew Norah Jones, but as soon as I turned on the album and heard Don't Know Why, I immediately recognized it from the radio.

Norah Jones is a coffee house jazz/blues fusion artist with an absolutely beautiful voice. What I immediately liked about her music was how the music took kind of a back seat to her voice, and really allowed it to shine through.

This is an absolutely perfect album for sitting in a big comfy chair with a cup of coffee and a book in front of a window with sunshine coming through on a lazy Sunday afternoon. A lot of people's reviews eluded to this being a Starbucks special, and I would agree with that statement. That isn't, however, always a bad thing. It is perfect mood music for a coffee shop or a small diner.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed today's album. Maybe I needed to have a nice, calming album today, but it really resonated with me. I will definately listen to more of Norah's catalog. The fact that this was a debut album, and was still this amazing is crazy! I listened to this album front to back twice today, and have added it to regular rotation.

Favourite songs: Don't Know Why, Seven Years, Shoot the Moon, Turn Me On, Lonestar, Cold Cold Heart, Nightingale

Least favourite songs: The Nearness of You

5/5

Norah kan zingen. Dat is duidelijk. Maar man, wat is dit een eentonige plaat. Dit album hoort in een playlist met een random-functie. Leuk als er een keer een nummer voorbij komt. Maakt niet eens uit welk nummer. Maar daarna weer snel naar een andere artiest.

Nice voice but that was VERY boring.