Norah Jones (Live!)

Norah Jones is a big deal. 

I learned this while waiting in a line than spanned from Red Butte Gardens to Ogden. 

If a single artist could draw that big of a crowd, they've gotta be a big deal.

-OR-

The artist provides such sweet, vanilla bean flavors so as to appeal to an alarmingly wide range of folks. 

-OR-

The artist is both a "big deal" and widely appealing.

After watching her in action (at the always pleasing Red Butte venue), I think Norah Jones falls in the "both" category.

I have always just been a casual admirer of Miss Jones. Valerie digs her, and will even sometimes close her eyes in serenity when a few of her hits fill the air in our home or car stereo. 

Other than those few instances, I just sorta think she's "okay." 

For the past few years, her work has done just enough eye-brow-raising to stay on my radar. 

First off, she collaborates with everybody, (even other musicians can't deny her appeal!)

Check out this list of collaborators/duets:

1. Willie Nelson

2. Foo Fighters

3. Outkast

4. Q-Tip

5. Talib Kweli

6. Belle & Sebastian

7. Okkervil River (I really dig them.)

8. Ray Charles

9. Ryan Adams (Totally love this dude.)

10. Dolly Parton

11. Herbie Hancock

12. Charlie Hunter

13. Dayna Kurtz

14. Jack White (Light candles beneath his photo.)

The list seriously goes on and on... 

Her most recent album was another collaboration produced by Dangermouse (he played some instruments too) called "Little Broken Hearts."

You can totally tell. There's this signature quirkyness to Dangermouse's work that revolves around the use of electric piano/keyboard loops and hooks. (Listen to Broken Bells and the Black Keys "Attack & Release" album for proof.) Her new song "Say Goodbye" could easily be on either of those records I mentioned. I really, really like it. 

Anyhoo, out of all of Norah Jones' collaborations, I think this one actually pays off. I think it's the "weirdness" of the two artists that finally meshes. 

Yup. I think Norah Jones is weird. I don't think she's just some smokey, jazzy muse. I think she's weird and is still sorta grappling with her crazy success and legions of admirers after 10 years of being on the scene. 

This was apparent with her strangely awkward "crowd banter" that basically consisted with about 50, or 60 "Thanks you guys," and "Thank you," and "Thanks a lot." 

On her new material, her weird factor is on display alongside her "I-can't-help-but-sound-cool-and-beautiful-every-time-I sing" ability. 

You gotta listen to the song "Miriam" to know what I'm talking about. It's now one of my favorite Norah Jones songs. 

(Yeah. You just saw that.)

But enough of my amateur career review of Norah Jones. 

What I really need to communicate to the blogosphere is this: Norah Jones' voice is the genuine article. I was floored by the sheer power and control and sweetness of her voice all night!

She's got that iconic vibe, like, a once-every-generation-voice. I think its cool that one of the iconic voices of my generation comes from such a strange, awkward place.

Norah Jones is a big deal. Norah Jones is a weirdo.

Bam!