In 2002, Norah Jones caught the music world by storm with her critically acclaimed debut album, "Come Away with Me", sweeping the Grammy Awards, including Album and Record of the Year, blending country, folk, jazz, and blues. Not bad for a “new artist”. After such a breakthrough album, it would be interesting to see which musical direction she would follow.
With her fourth and latest album, "The Fall", produced by Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, Modest Mouse) her music definitely did go in different directions, but her voice itself is still her constant trademark, and identifiable no matter what sounds are coming from around her. Soothing, gentle, delicate, reflective; those are the words to describe Norah Jones.
Jones brought an amazing group of talented musicians for her final concert of “The Fall” tour at Berkeley’s Greek Theatre, including standout guitarist, Smokey Hormel (Beck, Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer) drummer, Joey Waronker (Beck, REM), multi instrumentalist, John Kirby, bassist Gus Syfert, and guitarist/vocalist, Sasha Dobson.
Unfortunately, they were there mainly to help support Jones' vocals and songwriting. Had they played to their full potential, the concert would have been much more fulfilling.
Jones launched her set off with three reflective introspective songs: "What Am I to You?", "Tell Yer Mama", and "Light as a Feather", perhaps, influenced by the break-up of boyfriend bassist/composer, Lee Alexander, who had been with her, even before her debut album.
Jones even sported a new mod look; short bangs, holding a shiny candy red electric guitar that matched her top. My guess is that she probably changed her status on Facebook from “in a relationship” to “single”.
There were a few holler's and screams from certain individuals during these songs, but probably from the ones who had a needed to extend their cannabis prescription to handle their back pain from the uncomfortable cold concrete seats, and needed to keep warm from the chilly air that started to barge in through the night.
Jones started playing musical chairs and hopped over to her electric piano, and played her more catchier songs from her latest album: "Even Though", "Young Blood", "It's Gonna Be", (the closest "head banger" song that you can boogie to), and her first single from “The Fall”, "Chasing Pirates”.
It became obvious that Jones was reaching for new directions and straying away from her familiar ivory keyed territory that made her famous.
She returned back to her red guitar, and performed an energetic rockabilly cover version of Willie Nelson's "What Do You Think of Her Now?", with exceptional solos from Kirby and Hormel; and then with "Lonestar", from her debut album, written by Alexander.
Jones switched back to crooning two more songs from “The Fall", moving to the acoustic piano with "Waiting and “Back to Manhattan”. I'm surprised none of the musicians fell asleep while Norah was tinkering away. It's almost like time was going half as slow, almost like a soundtrack composed for an hourglass.
Finally, the show sprung back to life with "Sinkin' Home", which was played with bluesy panache by Jones at the piano, along with Hormel accompanying some masterful chops.
However, the performance that had the most applause the entire night was when Jones took out her toy grand piano and put it on the bar stool for "Come Closer". It was surreal to see Jones playing and soloing standing up with the toy piano waist high, keeping up with the musicians, as she and guitarist, Sasha Dobson provided vocals.
After the band left the stage for Jones alone with her piano, she got the crowd roaring with smiles and laughter with, "Man of the Hour", which was probably the highlight of the evening; a passionate love song about her dog. The spotlight was all on Norah, along with the lamp on her piano. This song was an ultimate crowd pleaser.
Unfortunately, Jones’ biggest hit, "Don't Know Why” was somewhat slow and lifeless with Jones providing only solo piano. With a song as iconic as this, I would have expected everyone to sing the lyrics along and swaying to the music.
Out of all the songs from the set list, “Stuck”, also from the latest album, fully showcased the musicians. Twanging, distorted and soaring guitar solos, trippy keyboards, thumping bass, and crashing drums was reminiscent of groups that resided on the dark side of the moon.
For the final song before leaving stage before the encore, Jones played "Come Away with Me", but just like "Don't Know Why", it was immensely slowed down, as well. Perhaps, Jones was reflecting back to her life this point in time after writing the lyrics over 8 years ago.
As the band returned for an encore, Jones brought out her little toy grand piano back again for "Sunrise", while the other musicians brought an accompanying accordion, double bass, guitar, and xylophones, all standing around jamming on a single microphone. The last encore, "Creepin In’” (pictured above) thrilled and charmed the audience, as they enthusiastically clapped and finally got them on their feet.
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