Norah Jones – “Visions”

Like so many others, I first became aware of this multi Grammy award winning artist back in 2002 with the release of her debut album “ Come Away With Me”

With the chart topping crossover sensation “ Don’t Know Why”, she quickly won over music fans en masse, but  made it clear out of the gate she would be blurring any musical lines set before her.

Fusing jazz and pop with a folksy, bluesy cadence, she pushed the musical guidelines that define genre and expressed herself on her own terms.

With Visions, her ninth studio release, she continues to defy expectations, for the most part, set forth by her previous efforts.

Her jazz styling somewhat abated here,  she instead opts for a simplified pop folk blend, at times ambient, at others sharp edged with an “art pop” flamboyancy.

Starting things off is the breezy “All This Time” with Jones invoking an earnest, vocal beckoning reminiscent of Canadian songstress K.D. Lang at times, and her subtle tonal colouring on the piano works well against the track’s shifting rhythms. The straight, bluesy rock offering “Queen of the Sea” builds in all the right places, effectively creating space for Jones’ lyrical tale of love lost. The melancholy yet soulful ballad “ Alone with My Thoughts” edges the sonic perimeters of Patsy Cline territory, served well by its lilting, 6/8 rhythm and sorrowful trill.

Despite the streamlined  pop sensibilities , Jones has some weighty musical company with her here. Jazz drumming titan Brian Blade shows up on  three of the tracks, with Dave Guy chiming in on trumpet..and “Brazilian Girls” bassist Jesse Murphy providing the low end.

One commendable aspect of Jones’ work on past offerings is she never seems to be trying to duplicate her debut that made all that noise two decades ago.

The same can be said here, and it’s made abundantly clear upon listening that this lady’s well has not run anywhere near dry.

Highly Recommended.

Steve Obrien