Released: 2004
Tracks: Sunrise; What Am I to You?; Those Sweet Words; Carnival Town; In the Morning; Be Here to Love Me; Creepin’ In; Toes; Humble Me; Above Ground; The Long Way Home; The Prettiest Thing; Don’t Miss You At All
Best track: either Sunrise, Those Sweet Words or Be Here to Love Me
Track to skip: Prettiest Thing
This doesn’t seem like something I’d usually listen to. Do guys like Norah Jones? For the most part it seems like “Chick Music”. Guess what? I love this. Surprise, huh? I actually love listening to Norah Jones’ voice and she could sing to me all day and I’d be happy. No, it’s not really a sexual thing, though her voice IS sexy as hell, but for some reason her voice just connects with me. I was really curious to how she’d approach her 2nd album, as the first one was a huge hit. I’m very happy that she didn’t drastically change her sound or production values. I love that she expanded her sound while at the same time keeping it familiar enough. Yeah, it’s definitely not a radical departure from the last album, but it’s different enough to not be a repeat and is instead something totally it’s own. I was kinda worried that this one wouldn’t hold up like the first one has, but I’m very glad I’m wrong. There is less jazz on this album, and a bit more country, but that’s fine. Speaking of the country, Norah does a great toe-stompin’ duet with Dolly Parton on Creepin’ In. They sound great together and whenever I hear Dolly sing I just get this urge to go “YEEE-HAWWW!”. It’s just the sound of her voice.
I love that Norah wrote a few more songs for this album than the first one. I always love to see singers write more of the material they sing. If everyone would do it then we’d have a better place here. She keeps her same band around this time and they have definitely become a tighter group from all the touring they did. Norah plays a little less piano on this album, sometimes just focusing on singing and sometimes playing the electric piano. It makes for some nice song colorations and further enhances her ‘sound’. I still don’t think this album is as great as the first one, but it proves that Norah Jones isn’t just a one hit wonder. Thankfully she’s here to stay and I’m willing to bet she’ll get better as she goes on.
Rating: 93
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