NORAH JONES | SO REAL

Setlist: Turn Me On, Nightingale, Don’t Know Why, Comes Love, Lonestar, Feelin’ the Same Way, Come Away With Me, I’ve Got to See You Again, No Easy Way Down, I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight

As I entered Iota last night and turned the corner to check out the stage set up for the evening I knew that it was on. On the stage sat a Wurlitzer electric piano, an upright bass, a vintage drum set, an old Fender Telecaster, and an acoustic guitar. These instruments alone speak worlds about the musicians that choose to play them, much less what those musicians have to say (literally and figuratively). Norah Jones’s group for the evening consisted of Dan Rieser (drums), Adam Levy (Guitar), and Lee Alexander (bass). The vibe in the room certainly catered to a fantastic night of listening as the patrons’ shuffled about and easy conversation was abounding.

The group worked their way onto the stage; Norah took her seat at the electric piano and counted off the first number a bit nervously. I think it’s safe to say that everyone was pleasantly astounded by the power and grace of the first number "Turn Me On." I was just floored by the sound coming out of this seemingly innocent and a bit nervous looking young lady. The fact that she used a telephone book to get a “boost” at the keyboard was even more confusing in comparison to the power that came out of her vocals. This opening tune established the feel for the evening really well, and certainly highlighted the groups’ rapport. Moving on to "Nightingale" the pace picked up a bit as Adam Levy began the absolutely beautiful progression that comprised the meat of the piece. His playing over the course of the evening accentuated the genuine quality of the music as much as Norah’s vocals. Next in Dan Rieser complimented effortlessly with the brushes, but the subdivisions he inflected were very unexpected in a good way, and created a very emotional forward motion. Norah’s vocals are obviously the forefront of her talent, but it’s so very difficult to execute the feel that she exhibited on the Wurlitzer. As she complimented Adam’s solo it was easy to see that she is very comfortable behind the keyboard, and not only was she comfortable, but completely keyed into the notes the guitarist was playing.

"Lonestar" written by the bassist Lee Alexander provided a nice harmonic deviation as the group worked through the soul-country number. Highlighted by a fantastic slide guitar solo, and Norah’s incomparable vocals the piece accentuated a simple longing for the "Lonestar." Certainly painted a picture very clear, and simple. "I’ve Got to See You Again" displayed the diversity of the group as once again Norah counted off the song and Dan Rieser slid into a relaxed Latin feel, and again the patience of the group just oozed from the stage.

"Come Away With Me" is a piece by Norah, and is obviously one of her favorites (or at least most comfortable) to sing. The melody is severely intoxicating, and her delivery is anything less than angelic. Stirring up a waltz the group supported the vocal melody exquisitely. From Rieser’s brush work, to Alexander’s effortless foundation, to Levy’s tender solo it is obvious why this was chosen as the title track to her new album. The chord progression from this tune is reminiscent of a Nick Drake song in its cyclical nature... very comfortable, but not predictable to the ear.

"No Easy Way Down" melded Norah’s delivery with the piece’s descending “hook.” Once again her playing on the Wurlitzer eased the feel, and melded with her vocals with the groups playing. There is a line just before the title is sung that just places major weight on the seemingly simple title “but you must know in the end, when it’s time to descend... there is no easy way down.” Just creates one of those feelings that could drift you off into space in complete bliss. Real comfort.

The group closed with "I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight." Norah has a way of crafting words so eloquently that they often take on a unique meaning. There are very few singers that have this ability, and can somehow transpose the pure energy of sound to words. In this piece the particular way that Norah pronounced “baby” really came across as “babe” and for some reason this just completely changed the meaning and sincerity of the song. Once again the group just transported the music to a higher level with their heightened sense of patience and fantastic playing.

In today’s music there is a large void for something as real as the music this group creates. It is tough to get around the power of Norah Jones’s voice, but if you get the chance to see this group you’ll very quickly come to understand that Dan Rieser (drums), Adam Levy (guitar), and Lee Alexander (bass) all play particularly large roles in the sincerity behind the music. Norah and her group will be touring throughout the Midwest over the next month or so, and her album Come Away With Me will be released on the prestigious label Blue Note on February 26th. If you miss her this time around you’ll be wondering what you were thinking when the next time she comes around you can’t get a ticket!

William J. Turfcott
Roaming East Coast Correspondent
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