CD review - Norah Jones: Feels like home (From Barry And District News)

CD review - Norah Jones: Feels like home

ENJOYING the success of her first album Come Away With Me, Norah Jones refused to rest on her laurels.

Following her multi-Grammy-winning debut, her second collection Feels Like Home was eagerly awaited, perhaps with a sense of heightened expectations.

Sticking with the blend of jazzy, country-tinged music, Norah called on Arif Mardin to help her produce the album.

Supported by her writing partners, the Handsome Band and a few special guests, like country legend Dolly Parton, Levon Helm and Garth Hudson of the Band and jazz drummer Brian Blade, to name a few.

Her Texas-twang vocals and her sparse acoustic and electric Wurlitzer piano lines enliven the CD's 13 tracks, which include the light and lively Sunrise, the soothing The Long Way Home and the lively, up-beat and bouncy duet with Dolly Parton, Creepin' In.

Jones's soul-baring piano and vocal rendition of Duke Ellington's Melancholia, retitled Don't Miss You at All proves she's a true artist with unlimited potential.

After the beauty of Come Away With Me it would have been hard for anyone to match that, but match that she has.

Some critics may dismiss this album as being too one-paced and one-toned but it's an album that celebrates life and love in the softest of ways.

This is definitely an album you can rely on for the perfect excuse to snuggle up with a bottle of wine, a good book and just smile at the rain outside.

There is every chance that this disc will become a much loved addition to your collection as a late evening chill-out and wind-down.