Customer Reviews

Feels Like Home

5 star:		(240)
4 star:		(151)
3 star:		(75)
2 star:		(68)
1 star:		(79)

 

 

The latest album from Norah Jones, "Feels Like Home" shows us a different side of a singer who clearly has some diverse tastes. Where her debut "Come Away With Me" was reminiscent of Jazz singers like Billie Holiday and Rosemary Clooney, "Feels Like Home" has more of a Gillian Welch sound to it, a feeling that's only enhanced by Jones' duet with Dolly Parton on the bouncy track "Creepin' In".

But that doesn't make it any less spectacular. Jones' voice is still beautiful, her piano playing is lovely, and her backup musicians, The Handsome Band, are amazing. Fans of "Come Away" won't be disappointed, despite the change of style.

Something else that you see on "Home" that you didn't get before was more of Jones writing her own songs. Most of the tracks here are co-written, but Jones did write one track, "What Am I to you", herself. I will say that Jones is no lyrical genius, but the lyrics take a backseat to the still hauntingly beautiful instrumental work, especially on "Carnival Town", which has a nice string arrangement by the album's co-producer Arif Mardin.

So, to sum up: "Feels Like Home" is quite different from "Come Away with Me", but it's no less great. Jones maintains the casual, relaxed quality of her music, and leaves fans more than satisfied. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next. Judging from this album, she can continue experimenting with whatever style she wants, and she'll still produce a wonderful work of art.

I was in the bathroom of this quaint little fish market with a converted restaurant when I first heard Norah's voice. I remember standing around in that humid little red bathroom through almost 3 tracks (not exactly good protocol on a date) totally enraptured by the the "not quite raspy, not quite silk" quality of her voice, the seductive cadence in her rythm, and delicious instramental accompaniments.

I was an immediate fan and bought her CD the next day. Norah singlehandedly branded my entire summer of 2002 as "romantic" with her first major work.

So with nervous anticipation I had my first listen of this CD tonight, and without further ado, I'm so happy to report that "Feels Like Home" (in my opinion) is as good or better than "Come Away With Me". Thank you Norah!

From what I know of Norah Jones, she got her musical career really moving when she moved from Texas to New York City. I'm guessing here, but if I had to ascribe a dominant geographic influence to each album, I'd say Come Away "leans New York" while Feels Like Home seems rooted more in Texas. Perhaps that's why this new album is named what it is...?

The only song on this CD I didn't immediately love is "Creepin In". It moves fast, is definitively country (I'm fairly certain Dolly Parton is singing along, but I don't have the album cover), yet it's very catchy and fun (as testimony, I found myself humming it tonight in the shower).

Below is a list of songs that (if you love her past work) you'll immediately adore:

Sunrise: I got an advance listen to this track a couple of months ago and fell in love with it at first listen. I think it's one of the loveliest songs on the album.

What Am I To You: Beautiful BB King style R&B track. Will certainly be a huge hit. When I first listened to this CD I couldn't get past this particular song. I listened to it a half-dozen times straight.

Carnival Town: Mostly guitar and piano (which is when I think she's at her best), the intricacy in her luscious voice is amplified and really stands out for appreciation.

In The Morning: If I decided to do what I threatened so often as a kid to do, and "ranaway", this would be the perfect song to play as I screamed out of town in some hastily acquired convertible...Rambling Anyone? Sorry...This track is intense (not loud), with a wonderful buildup and easy flowing rhythm punctuated by passionate lyrics that then break into cool but subdued R&B.

Toes: Norah at her best! Dreamy and romantic, the rhythm moves unpredictably but "just right" between light and heavy. Yikes, if that's not ambigious (might make more sense to you when you hear it).

Humble Me: Hauntingly lonely guitar entrées this song about struggle, desperation, and forgiveness. Ooh this one is good!

The Prettiest Thing: This is a slam dunk hit. A jazzy, slow rhythm that picks up in tempo and seduces you into focusing on what is probably her most romantic moment in the CD (occurs around 2 minutes 45 seconds into this track). Forgive me if this is overly dramatic (it's 2am at the writing of this review), but this song literally gave me the chills.

And on that note, I'll sign off. Enjoy this elegant work of art, you won't be dissapointed.

I bought the CD retail and brought it home, inserting it in my PC to play while I worked on the Mac.

Imagine my shock and anger when I discovered that by listening to this CD on my PC using Windows Media Player I had unwittingly installed Bandlink software on my hard-drive that was now collecting and attempting to communicate information on my music listening practices to Bandlink and other commercial entities via my internet connection.

I think that kind of software's called Spyware, isn't it?

When I e-mailed Bandlink to get the uninstall tool [it isn't provided with the Norah's CD that installed it], they tried to convince me that allowing them to collect information on what I listen to was in my own interest. How George Orwell is that?

While Norah Jones continues to create and record enjoyable music apparently with great artistic integrity, both she and Bluenote should be ashamed of themselves for associating themselves with Spyware.

When first listening to norah jones' 2nd album, the first thing that struck me is that it's very different from her first, the celebrated "Come Away With Me". Come away with me was bluesy and mellow in a pensive sort of way. "Feels like home" has a much more upbeat, and (generally) more fast-paced tunes. As other reviewers noted, it is strongly country-influenced. This is not to belittle it, just to it's nothing like her other music. In fact, after 3 or 4 listenings, I'm enormously satisfied, and increasingly confident in Jones' ability to continue producing stellar albums.
The album opens with "Sunrise" which was released a little more than a month ago. This is one of the more catchy tunes, and I suppose it will be played on the radio a lot. It's definately a beauty, and is a kind of segue between her two albums.
Next is "What am I to you" which norah wrote herself. Again, this song will be another favorite with its enticing and powerful words and its awesome vocals.
"Carnival Town" is kind of creepy in its slow and sad tone. It creates the same depressing but beautiful ambience as in "One Flight Down" and "I've got to see you again". This tune is one of the most emotional on the album, and, again, is reminiscent of her first album.
"Be Here to Love Me" (Townes Van Zandt)is also also a high point. It is a very folk oriented song and has the characteristic "norah" appeal
My favorite song on the album is definitely "The Long Way Home". I believe it ranks among norah's best vocal performances, and has an incredible quality to it that truly makes it stand out.
Finally, I'd like to mention "Don't Miss you at All". Norah sets her lyrics to Duke Ellington's music making an awesome jazzy blend. Definitely something different.

Since the album is rather new (came out today), I have listened to it only a few times. Although I only mentioned 5 songs in the review, I like every song on the album (although some more than others).
In conclusion, Norah really outdid herself with "Feels like home". The music is nothing that can be described in words, so go out and buy yourself a copy (bestbuy offers it for only $10). When listening, don't expect a continuation of "Come away with Me", and you'll find there's just as much to love as in the original.

We've got some girl setting up false accounts just to accuse Ms. Jones of not honoring her Eastern roots - please! Then some reviewer feels the need to compare her to Etta James. Should every guitarist in the world get knocked for not being Jimi Hendrix? If you want Etta, go listen to Etta. This is something different.

For me, and I suspect most people who dig Norah Jones, it's mainly about the quality, the actual sound of her voice. That is simply an innate gift, and all the singing talent and vocal training in the world isn't necessarily going to be able to compete with that. Tracy Chapman is another example. Music snobs whine that Tracy's a 2nd rate musician, but nothing sounds like her voice and no one I've ever seen even looks like her (and she's written some great songs). Just wondering: why would Dolly Parton, a living legend to millions, bother recording with Norah if she saw nothing special about her?

This album is on the mellow tip and I tend to think the best songs are the softest ones. I do prefer COME AWAY WITH ME, but that's largly because country music plays a much greater role on FEELS LIKE HOME and that's not really my thing. This record isn't so easily classified as "country" or "blues," though. "Be Here to Love Me" by Townes Van Zandt might very well be the best track here, but it's a tough call. Admittedly, this might suggest to some that Norah isn't quite at that level of songwriting yet, but to claim she sucks is nothing but mean-spirited drivel.

One extra note that is totally irrelevant. Norah Jones is not only a wonderful keyboardist with an incredibly sensuous voice, she's strikingly beautiful. Just to look at her, I'd say she's an old soul. That's reflected in her music and she's already accomplished a great deal at quite a young age. I think this unfortunately makes a lot of people jealous.

If you read my review of Come Away with Me then you know I have a slight affection for Norah Jones. I ended with: she is not a one-hit wonder who will disappear into the sunset once the media frenzy dies down. You can expect to see more releases as she spreads her wings.

Norah Jones has spread her wings with her second release, Feels Like Home. This whole CD has a different feel. It isn't the ballad symphony of the last album and it has less of a jazzy flair with a bit of country pop.

Feels Like Home showcases 13 new songs, seven written or co-written by Norah Jones. Norah is accompanied by the Handsome Band: Lee Alexander (bass), Kevin Breit (guitar), Andrew Borger (drums), Adam Levy (guitar) and Daru Oda (background vocals, keyboards). There are also special guest appearances by Dolly Parton, Levon Helm and Garth Hudson. From the first album she brought back Jesse Harris, Tony Scherr, Brian Blade and Rob Burger.

SUNRISE is the first single released off Feels Like Home. It is an upbeat number with a distinctive slit drum keeping rhythm in the back.

A little blues is shared with IN THE MORNING but what is most notable about this number is the Wurlitzer piano solo before the last chorus.

A little country flavour is served with CREEPIN' IN, a duet with Dolly Parton. I was surprised when I heard Dolly would accompany Norah but this isn't the first time. They performed together at the 2003 Country Music Awards. Parton doesn't overshadow Jones like I thought she might. Compared to her regular performances Dolly is toned down for this song. Even her endearing signature laugh at the end of the track was toned down. You can't help but smile when you hear Dolly laugh. She has a contagious glow about her. They complement one another in this upbeat bluegrass performance. This isn't the only country sounding number THE LONG WAY HOME, also carries a bit of twang albeit more subtle.

Two of my favourite songs are TOES and HUMBLE ME both reminiscent of Norah's love of ballads. HUMBLE ME is very simple with Norah on vocals and pump organ accompanied by guitar and bass.

DON"T MISS YOU AT ALL was written by Norah a couple years ago to Duke Ellington's instrumental "Melancholia". She has actually been performing it in concerts long before it reached this CD and is a beautiful ending. Like her first album, Norah ends with just her vocals and piano. Sweet.

My only complaint about this CD is the new Copy Control Technology the record label decided to incorporate. While I can understand where they are coming from, I don't appreciate not being able to play my CD on any player. It took a couple plays before my player finally stopped skipping. Annoyed is something you don't want to be when listening to an album for the first time. So be warned, you may have issues playing the CD and may have to try a couple of players to get it to play through without skipping.

I love every song on this CD. If you are a Norah Jones fan I don't think you will be disappointed and if Norah is new to you, I think you will be delighted.

Review Originally Posted at http://www.linearreflections.com

I am surprised to see that, though this album has remained a strong seller for months after its release, so many people seem to have written reviews of it merely to vent spleen about how awful it is. Some of them are outraged jazz fans. Others are disaffected worshippers of Norah's first album, Come Away With Me. Personal taste cannot be accounted for, but I think a lot of people are facing this music in the wrong way.

First of all, Feels Like Home is very different from what I usually listen to. If I'm not listening to a deep and intellectual piece of classical music, I'll probably play Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, maybe Radiohead -- all of which feature male voices and pessimistic, intricate lyrics. Yet somehow, I'm still able to appreciate Norah Jones, probably because her music serves as such a contrast to my usual fare. This disc especially, since it is absolutely one of the most cheerful albums out there. Most popular music either dwells on rage over lost love or rage over the system, whatever that may be. In this context, what can be wrong with a sunny, almost inocuous album?

Second, this is anything but elevator music or background noise. Norah Jones has one of the best voices of any young artist I can think of; pretty but not bland, with just a bit of a smokey edge and sensual whisper. The instrumentation, which manages to blend Norah's jazz piano with more folk-oriented guitars, always strikes me as original. Furthermore, despite continual attempts to disparage this music by pidgeonholeing it in a certain genre, it cheerfully resists classification from beginning to end. I detect jazz (though less than in the first album), quite a bit of grassroots American folk, and just a dash of Nashville. And I can't name any other artist with a combination like that.

More than anything else, I respect Norah for following her own path and managing to rise to popularity anyway. I usually steer clear of what the majority of Americans read, watch, and listen to -- and many reviewers have accused Feels Like Home of being pre-packaged and commercial. But I think this misses the point entirely. Miss Jones once said in an interview that she never knew the pop mainstream very well until she became it. I think she's right: her music bears little relation to any CD which has sold so well within the past decade or more. It has no glitzy production, no hip electronica, none of the innuendo that appeals to the teen crowd, and is accompanied by no dance moves, bared navels, or 48-hour marriage scandals. Nevertheless, it just keeps outselling all the pop acts that attract our national attention. And Norah has done this just by being her quiet, unassuming, lovely, and utterly charming self. This is an impressive achievement at any time, most of all in today's society. I think, if anything, this music is more essential now than ever. It is simple, unclassifiable, and above all cheerful -- and has become a success almost in spite of itself. Highly recommended.

After the mind-blowingly huge success of "Come Away With Me," I can imagine that poor Norah Jones was scared to death when this one got ready to hit shelves. I was too - a huge fan of the first album, I had high expectations for this release. In the end, though, "Feels Like Home" and "Come Away With Me" are such apples and oranges, there's no real way to compare the two. I don't feel that she made a better album than "Come Away...," but listening to the sweet, sly, catchy groove that gets established early on in "Home," in some way's she's 'done it again.' "Sunrise" is an incredibly addicting little ditty that eases through the air with style, "Carnival Town" is a quaint, odd little tune that evokes lazy summery images. And then Jones brings down the house with her first tear-jerker song ever, "Humble Me." Detailing the trials of a single mother, it sidesteps sentimentality and goes right for the gut ("it never rains when you want it to"). Then again, a few songs on the album, to say the least, are an acquired taste. If the whole country deal isn't your forte, "Creepin' In," a rousing duet with Dolly Parton, will make your ears bleed, but a few listens expose its charm. "Be Here To Love Me" falls into that same category, but just may be the best song on the album. I won't deny that there are a few duds: "Above Ground" just never seems to go anywhere, and "Those Sweet Words" is a little too syrupy for its own good. All is forgiven, though, in a perfect Duke Ellington cover, entitled "Don't Miss You At All." When Jones isn't making music, I'd have to say the complete opposite applies to her - I look forward to what she does next.

Feels Like Home has more of a country feel to it. But this shouldn't scare you off. It's different from Come Away With Me to be sure. Give this album a listen though. It's not as good, but it's close. Sunrise is definitely the best song on the album. Although, it lacks solid lyrics. The chorus contains those memorable words ``oooo, oooo, oooo''. Despite that flaw, it's one of my favorite Norah tunes. Other highlights include What Am I To You? And the Townes Van Zandt cover Be Here To Love Me. Everybody sing ``Just hold me and tell me you'll be here to love me today''. Be sure to check out The Prettiest Thing too. Norah puts words to the Duke Ellington tune Melancholia in Don't Miss You At All. Which speaks to her talent as a songwriter. All in all, this is a great sophmore effort.

(4 stars)

"Feels Like Home", as you know, is the second album to be released from Norah Jones and it came out in 2004. Having not heard her debut "Come Away With Me", I can not compare, but this CD features some songs that have absolutely blew me away.

The lovely "Sunrise" opens the disk and is the albums first single. It is a fun and playful but also laid-back and simple song in a way. The video is excellent by the way. "What Am I To You?" is a beautiful song which Norah wrote around the Come Away With Me era, and it features some blues and country influences and this was the second single. "Those Sweet Words" was the third single to be released from this album but it is not of my favourites. For my liking, it is just a bit bland, but not to say that it is not a very beautiful song, because it is. "Carnival Song" is another weak spot on this album. It is a slow ballad that doesn't really go anywhere for me, but this and more is forgiven with the albums best song so far "In The Morning" which brings so much life and energy back into this album! Norah's vocals and the song it self is very powerful and uplifting, and I like how it has more than one climax. It is an upbeat song and defiantly one of the best. "Be Here To Love Me" is a nice contrast to the other sings before it is written in 3/4, and like the previous track, it is very powerful and uplifting.

"Creepin' In" is the country duet with Dolly Parton. This song keeps the energy going and is a nice, fun track, this is again very different to all the others, but not to say that it doesn't flow well with the next track "Toes". This was one of my early favourites, and like tracks 5 and 6, it still is. The verses are very beautiful and I find the chorus very sexy, and I like the repetitiveness of the line 'My toes just touch the water'. "Humble Me" is the return of classic Norah Jones. Beginning with a simple acoustic guitar, the song becomes a very beautiful ballad, and like the sixth track, it is written in 3/4. It is atmospheric and lush. "Above Ground" completely blows me away every time I hear it. The song has such a forceful and powerful chorus, and the verses have kind of a fast-pased quality to it that I can't really explain, but it defiantly works for me. Even though the song was not written by Norah, it is one of the albums best lyrically, and actually, one of the best songs I have ever heard. "The Long Way Home" follows, and is a nice simple and dreamy song, and is followed by "The Prettiest Thing", which like the previous track is quite simple, and is good but not great, and the album closes with a very underrated track "Don't Miss You At All", which happens to be another of my favourites from this album, although it took me quite a while to really get in to. It is just Norah and her piano.

Therefore, I do recommend this CD because there ARE some songs that will completely blow you away and Norah is one of my favourite vocalists of all-time, but it does seem to be a few tracks too long still. This CD sold very well, even compared with her debut album, which sold 20 million copies, and this album sold 11 million.

7.5 / 10