Pickin’ & Grinnin’

It felt like forever since I last saw Norah Jones, but it was actually only a couple of years. At least this time I could see her clearly from the eighth row, instead of from way back in the circle like last time.

Having discovered the brilliant Amos Lee as the support act on Norah’s previous UK tour, I had high hopes for M Ward this time around. I certainly was not disappointed as he opened the show with a cover of the classic Roy Orbison track, Blue Bayou. For this and the next three songs, Ward was joined by Norah, who provided harmony vocals. After performing a fantastic instrumental solo piece on guitar, Norah’s guitarist, Adam Levy, was welcomed to the stage to play Keep Your Promise. Ward closed his set with the mellow, Am I Out of My Head? and received well-deserved, enthusiastic applause.

Norah’s set began with her picking up an electric guitar to perform a stripped down version of Come Away With Me, taken from her incredibly successful debut album of the same name. She continued with a run of material from her latest release, NOT TOO LATE, including the folksy Wake Me Up, The Sun Doesn’t Like You and Not My Friend. Throughout the evening, Norah showed her versatility as a musician, and how much she has developed as an artist since her 2002 debut. She moved with ease between playing acoustic and electric guitars, to piano and Wurlitzer, whilst combining a range of melodic styles, to produce a very pleasing set list.

Old favourites were given an outing, such as I’ve Got to See You Again, Carousel and the always enjoyable, Sunrise. Norah’s solo acoustic performance on piano of My Dear Country was very well received, as she offered her take on the current political situation in America. Following on from the simple fun of Little Room, came a cover of the catchy Dixie Cups tune, I’m Gonna Get You, and later, a cover of Arcade Fire. The main set ended with Creepin’ In, featuring M Ward singing Dolly Parton’s half of the country/bluegrass duet. The encore was made up of the Tom Waits song, The Long Way Home, and fan favourite, I Don’t Know Why. This was another fine performance from Miss Jones, and whilst some have commented that she and her band lack on-stage banter, surely most people attend a concert for good music, not a friendly chat? ES

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