#7 - Norah Jones, Come Away with Me

Release Year: 2002

Genre: Jazz Pop

How much do I like my favorite track on the album? 14.4 points

Painter Song

When I listen to this song, I literally picture Norah sitting in a french bistro, in front of an easel. And then subsequently her imagining Van Gogh like imagery. Yep. I realize that is incredibly specific, but that is just how much this song speaks to me.

How did/does this album influence my own taste in music overall? 14.4 points

As wild as it sounds, Norah Jones was my gateway drug to exploring a wide variety of genres. Pop. Jazz. Easy Listening. And just overall inspiration regarding musicianship.

Does this album hold up since its release? 13.6 points

It does, can frequently find it played in all sorts of settings. The other day I was walking around Home Depot of all places and one of the tracks from this album was peacefully playing over the speakers.

What percentage of the album do I listen to? 7.85 points

This is a solid album overall. I mostly listen to the whole thing when I do play it, but some tunes are played more often than not.

What did/do the critics think of this album? 8.2 points

Critics liked this and haven’t really given her the time of day since. Which, I kind of agree with. They loved it at its release point, one of the most awarded albums of its time.

What is the sentimental value to me of the album? 15.2 points

This is in frequent rotation for me still. I very much enjoy it and the tunes are classic.

What was the artists involvement of the production of the album - songwriting, instrumentals, vocals, uniqueness? 15.2 points

She wrote the entire album except for one track, played the instruments, produced it. And swept all the Grammys she was nominated for.

Overall Rating out of 100 points = 88.8 points

Norah Jones and the Come Away With Me album are a bit of enigma. A “One Hit Wonder” if you will, despite her continuing to release more music over the last 20 years. And her other albums really aren’t bad at all. I can’t imagine the pressure of being a child of an absolute legend (Ravi Shankar). Anyways, back to the album itself. It leads with Don’t Know Why, a rather poppy upbeat, undeniably sad song. Her uniqueness of her voice is immediately apparent - ADS - air dominant, creating a breathy and almost melancholy sound that draws you in. 7 Years has a lovely line, And she’ll sing a song, to anyone that comes along. Fragile as a leaf in autumn, just fallin’ to the ground, without a sound, that actually fades off into the distance. Her cover of Cold Cold Heart is fun and spunky, thanks to the slappin’ bass. And of course, titular track is absolutely masterful. That opening cymbal roll is one of the most recognizable in all of music.