8 Time Grammy Award Winner? For Real?


I'm sure everyone out there is sick and tired of my whining. But, I (once again) feel the need to vent.

Today, (Sunday, May 25th) which happened to be a damp, drizzly day in Connecticut, Lisa (my better half) and myself, strolled into FYE in the Danbury Fair Mall. She went her way to DVD movies, and I went mine into "Pop/Rock" CDs. After about 15 minutes or so, Lisa found me at the register with a copy of Norah Jones, "Come Away With Me". As we stood in line, she looked at the CD cover and we discussed my new CD purchase. She noticed that of the 14 songs contained on the CD, only 2 were written by Norah. One song (#13) was a collaborative effort.

We further discussed the fact that many of the best artists use non-original material. But, Lisa did make an intersting comment; "Hmmm, she said. I'm surprised that someone awarded Best New Artist would only have 2 original songs". Again, an interesting observation.

Well, I didn't let that take the wind out of my sails. I just continued looking at that little blue sticker on the front of the CD case stating "8 Time Grammy Award Winner", " Album Of The Year", "Best New Artist", "Song Of The Year". I had never heard the complete album, but I figured, it's gotta be halfway decent.

Upon arriving home I put the CD through my usual ritual (Wash, Cut, Polish and Demagnetize), placed the CD In the Audiomeca and sat back to listen to this exciting new "Grammy" performance.

You're kidding, right? This is it?

O.K.,O.K. Kinda cool voice with a sandy kind of texture, (although, she sounds like she was recorded using a plastic microphone), average piano playing skills (although, on cut #1 the piano sounds like it's under water), and on cut #9, she had an almost Ricki Lee Jones "kind of" quality. Overall, not a bad recording, but I wouldn't put it high on the "sonics" list.

So, this is "today's" Grammy material Huh?

I'm certainly glad I'm not a postal worker skilled in firing automatic weapons, cause I feel like I'm losing my mind.

Has anyone found this "Grammy Award Winner" worthy of it's status?

My opinion? I'd have to concur with the title of the first song,"Don't Know Why".


buscis2

Showing 7 responses by warrenh

BTW, I'm seeing Norah Jones in concert at the Beacon at the end of June. 50th Birthday present from my daughter. I'll let you know the (live) deal. I'm hoping that she'll be testing out new material for her next album. Nothing like the Beacon. Intimate and toasty. peace, warren
Ed, I agree with just about everything you said, but I came away with a different conclusion. I, what can I say, loved the album. No great voice, no great recording, no great nuttin, but I (though she didn't write most of 'em) loved the songs and her delivery. Go figure. peace, warren
Hey, are the Oscars any different? Caberet over The Hours. Give me a break. Forget this year's Grammy debacle, not recognizing another great tune, by Paul Simon. Didn't get the Grammy for Mrs. Robinson, either. Anyway, I do beleive, Norah is the real deal and will get better with age. She has been getting great material to sing. At least for my taste. She is a lovely little thing.
Marty, I agree with your "Jazz Lite" remarks, 'cept for the word horrible. It 'tis what it 'tis. It's really an oxymoron; "good lite jazz?" Hey, it's a start for some. An ending for others. I started with Boones Farm. It got me to the world of a fine Montrachet. There is hope.
peace, warren
Ed, bottom line is, spectacular recordings and all, (and I have them): Can she sing? NO! They are sweet recordings, though. Her voice is, more than, tolerable, but not like this new white girl, who sounds black and cool: Madeleine Peyroux. Can't wait for her new recording. Now this is one white girl who's got Billy Holiday in her.
Ricki Lee Jones--Pop Pop--she don't get better than that. Great recording with a voice as intimate she has ever been.
Marty, I hated Naked Songs. Ricki Lee's voice doesn't hold its' own-like nails scaping on a chalkboard. She, for my ears, needs plenty of instruments. She's hard to take with just a piano or guitar. Just my humble opinion. She soars in Pop Pop, though.