SUPER! EXCLUSIVE
Norah’s arc
By Pam Pastor
Inquirer
Last updated 00:16am (Mla time) 12/16/2006
IT’S 10 A.M. in Manhattan. Norah Jones, now 27, is sitting in her apartment, trying to finish her bowl of cereal. And a bowl of cereal is the least of what she deserves. After all, her first two albums (“Come Away With Me,” which was released by Blue Note in 2002 and “Feels Like Home,” released in 2004) have sold over 30 million copies around the world and have helped her bag a number of Grammys including “Best Pop Vocal Album,” “Album of the Year,” “Record of the Year,” “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” and “Best New Artist” in 2003. She also released an album with her band The Little Willies this year, has finished two world tours and has guested in numerous other records and has even appeared in a couple of films.
Norah’s love affair with music continues to grow with Not Too Late, her new 13-track album, which is set to be released at the end of January 2007. Norah’s bowl of cornflakes got soggy as she told Super! about her passion for making music and her new record, which she considers “more personal.”
Songwriting groove
All the songs in “Not Too Late” were either written or co-written by Norah, a first for the artist who has been known to include a cover or two in her previous records. She says it wasn’t planned, that during her last tour, armed with a guitar, “I just got into a songwriting groove that continued when I got back home. I love to interpret other songwriters’ music, but I don’t always feel as close to them as my own songs. These songs are much more honest, closer to my gut. This record is much more personal.”
The record also shows clearly how much Norah has matured as an artist and a musician. Her songs have a wide range of styles but are still undeniably very Norah Jones. “Some of these songs probably have more of my personality because I think they are a little more complex. Some of these songs are dark and cynical but there’s also a sense of hope.”
Her evolution as an artist isn’t the only thing that sets this album apart from the first two. Even the process of making it was different. “It was fun, relaxed and easy.” Instead of booking a studio, Norah and her friends worked in her home studio. “There was no pressure, there was no deadline,” Norah shared. “Many of the sessions were recorded spur of the moment.”
Fun with friends
Aside from Norah’s core band which include bassist Lee Alexander (who is also the album’s producer and who shares songwriting credits with her on a number of tracks), guitarist Adam Levy, vocalist Daru Oda and drummer Andy Borger, the album includes guests like M. Ward and Richard Julian on backing vocals, Jesse Harris on rhythm guitar, Tony Scherr on electric guitar, Larry Goldings on Hammond B-3 organ, Bill McHenry on tenor saxophone and cellists Jeffrey Zeigler of the Kronos Quartet and Julia Kent.
“The album involves friends and people that friends recommended,” said Norah. “We were just having some fun.”
But the fun has turned into one gem of a record. The 13 songs feature the wistfulness and reverie that Norah has charmed the world with. Her voice is fragile and powerful and can embrace you during a long drive or a sleepless night.
In this album, Norah shows off more than just her vocal stylings and her piano skills. She plays electric guitar on a striking song called “Broken” and acoustic guitar on the touching and enchanting “Wake Me Up.”
At a private listening session, we held the track list and put marks on the songs we enjoyed. Soon, our paper was covered with big checks. “Sinkin’ Soon” was fun and upbeat. “Little Room,” which Norah wrote even before her first album, is a whimsical song about her teensy East Village studio. Other memorable songs from the album include “My Dear Country,” “Until the End,” “Not Too Late” and “Be My Somebody,” which she says ended her writer’s block.
It’s a beautiful record -- and it’s yet another stage in the evolution that we call Norah Jones.
How did you relax during your time off after the 2005 tour?
I relaxed, played in a few different bands, had a good time in New York and hung out with friends.
How do you feel now that your new album is coming out?
I’m really happy. I’m excited to have a new thing. I’m really proud of it. I’m glad we finished it. And I hope they like it.
Does the pressure get easier or is it the same every time?
It was easier this time. The second time was crazy. But I’m the kind of person that even when there’s pressure, I still know the reality of things. I know that if I don’t sell many albums, it’s going to be okay. My life doesn’t revolve around selling records, it revolves around making music.
How did it feel to work on an album without Arif Mardin (a producer of her previous records who passed away in June 2006)?
I miss him as a person and as a friend. It would have been fun to have him in the studio.
What was it like to play the guitar for this album?
I’ve been playing a lot of guitar lately. It was more difficult but it was fun.
What other musical instruments do you want to learn?
I wish I could play the Hammond B-3 organ but it’s hard (laughs).
Your sound has matured even more now. Have you been hearing the same from other people?
I think it has. I hope it has. I have a feeling I’m gonna change a lot. It’s so funny, I want to change a lot -- just for variety.
Do you still listen to your old records?
Not really (laughs).
Which were your favorite songs from this album?
I liked “Broken” and “Sinkin’ Soon” because it’s fun and we did it live.
Is that the song that you recorded in one take?
Yes. It’s so funny because it’s a long song and we couldn’t finish it. Then we went out to dinner, returned to the studio and did it in one take.
Why did you choose Not Too Late as the title track?
A lot of the songs in the record are cynical, they show the dark view of the world. I didn’t want to name the record Sinkin’ Soon (laughs). I chose Not Too Late because it’s more optimistic. It reflects my personality.
Wasn’t it hard to write while on tour?
When I was writing during the tour, it was therapeutic. It was a way to relax, to detach from having a schedule. There’s actually a lot of downtime during the tour. It’s busy but we have a lot of downtime.
Was it a conscious decision not to have any remakes in your third album?
Not really. I just started writing more. We did around 18 to 19 songs. At the back of my mind, I guess I knew we’d be using my songs. But we didn’t approach it in that way which I think is good.
What was it like working with Lee Alexander?
We work together really well. He produced the album and he helped me finish writing a lot of the songs.
While working on your album, how do you relax?
I don’t really need a lot of breaks because I really enjoy recording.
Was it better working in your home studio than in a studio studio?
I don’t know if it’s better. But it was definitely more fun. I’d make dinner and have the boys over. It was relaxed.
What do you remember about Manila?
Everyone was really nice. I wish we had more time. We flew in on the day of the show and flew out the next morning. We hardly had time there. But I remember liking the vibe there. It was a really warm place with warm people.
Are you planning another Asian tour?
That would be great.
”Not Too Late” will be released on Jan. 30 by EMI Music Philippines.
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