NORAH JONES - Live At Ronnie Scott's
Eagle Rock EREDV1217
Norah Jones (piano & vocals); Christopher Thomas (bass); Brian Blade (drums)
Norah Jones has come along way since her debut Come Away With Me in 2002 (was it really that long ago), and this was the song that launched her career with most people knowing this wonderful tune without any knowledge of jazz, and those who will dispute whether it is in fact jazz at all. I must admit I do like this song, although I have not followed Jones' career in any depth since then. This DVD then, this is my first encounter with the pianist/singer, and has proved a most welcome addition to my listening and viewing over the last couple of weeks.
Filmed live at Ronnie Scott's Club, the music features draws heavily from Norah's 2016 album, Day Breaks, in a set that constantly draws the listeners attention with the delicacy of much of the music. Her colleagues, bassist Christopher Thomas and Brian Blade (who incidentally played on the debut album), are often there just to offer support and fill out the gentle rhythmic ambience of the sixteen tracks heard on this selection.
Now part of Jones' staple repertoire, Neil Diamond's 'Don't Be Denied' is given a wonderful rendition, as is 'Fleurette Africaine' by Duke Ellington, and the more up tempo 'Flipside'.
It has to be said that some of the time that the DVD has been playing in the house I have not always been watching the beautifully shot concert footage and engaged in another activity. However, this other activity will frequently disrupted or temporarily halted as the music quietly exerts it's presence with a well chosen phrase at the piano. This is probably an underrated aspect of Jones as a performer as many will be quick to damn her, dismissing her as a singer of pop songs, as opposed to a serious musician who has a sharp musical mind and the gift to express this at the keyboard. The are many fine examples of this to be heard within this set, and it is perhaps a shame that we do not get to hear more of Norah as a piano player and focusing solely on this aspect of her music making.
As with all such ventures, there is the inclusion of bonus features, in this instance an interview and an additional track 'Burn' again from Day Breaks.
All in all this is a fine and welcome addition to her discography that will be warmly embraced by her many fans, and may well pick up a few more along the way. Whether it will appeal to some of the aforementioned sceptics, however, is another matter.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Eagle Rock EREDV1217
Norah Jones (piano & vocals); Christopher Thomas (bass); Brian Blade (drums)
Norah Jones has come along way since her debut Come Away With Me in 2002 (was it really that long ago), and this was the song that launched her career with most people knowing this wonderful tune without any knowledge of jazz, and those who will dispute whether it is in fact jazz at all. I must admit I do like this song, although I have not followed Jones' career in any depth since then. This DVD then, this is my first encounter with the pianist/singer, and has proved a most welcome addition to my listening and viewing over the last couple of weeks.
Filmed live at Ronnie Scott's Club, the music features draws heavily from Norah's 2016 album, Day Breaks, in a set that constantly draws the listeners attention with the delicacy of much of the music. Her colleagues, bassist Christopher Thomas and Brian Blade (who incidentally played on the debut album), are often there just to offer support and fill out the gentle rhythmic ambience of the sixteen tracks heard on this selection.
Now part of Jones' staple repertoire, Neil Diamond's 'Don't Be Denied' is given a wonderful rendition, as is 'Fleurette Africaine' by Duke Ellington, and the more up tempo 'Flipside'.
It has to be said that some of the time that the DVD has been playing in the house I have not always been watching the beautifully shot concert footage and engaged in another activity. However, this other activity will frequently disrupted or temporarily halted as the music quietly exerts it's presence with a well chosen phrase at the piano. This is probably an underrated aspect of Jones as a performer as many will be quick to damn her, dismissing her as a singer of pop songs, as opposed to a serious musician who has a sharp musical mind and the gift to express this at the keyboard. The are many fine examples of this to be heard within this set, and it is perhaps a shame that we do not get to hear more of Norah as a piano player and focusing solely on this aspect of her music making.
As with all such ventures, there is the inclusion of bonus features, in this instance an interview and an additional track 'Burn' again from Day Breaks.
All in all this is a fine and welcome addition to her discography that will be warmly embraced by her many fans, and may well pick up a few more along the way. Whether it will appeal to some of the aforementioned sceptics, however, is another matter.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
