On a hot summer night in August, nine-time Grammy winning singer, songwriter, and pianist Norah Jones took the stage at the famous Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California with special guest, the legendary three-time Grammy winner and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Mavis Staples.
At 85 years-young, the ‘Windy City’ native energized the audience right off-the-bat with The Staple Singer’s 1973 hit “If You’re Ready (Come Go with Me).” Staples uplifted the crowd, shouting positive messages of peace, love and joy; weaving and dancing through songs from “I’m Just Another Soldier” to the more recent “Friendship,” which she wrote alongside Norah Jones for the album “Playing Along.”
As she sat and sipped her tea, you felt as if you were sitting in an intimate session with Staples and her close-knit band who welcomed us into their living room of almost 6,000 seats. Her performance chemistry with electric and rhythm & blues guitarist Rick Holmstrom was palpable as he delivered stylistic solos while Staples repeatedly patted him on the back, smiling ear to ear.
Finishing her set with “City in the Sky,” which was the title track off of the Staple Singers’ final album for Stax Records, the energetic and vibrant octogenarian waved farewell to a standing ovation. The legendary singer’s powerful vocals and optimistic spirit had successfully warmed up the audience for the evening’s headliner.
As the sun set on The Greek amphitheater, the mood quickly changed. The stage was drenched in deep purples, moody blues and red lights as Norah Jones took the stage with her four-person band. A performer of few words, Jones got right down to business sitting at the large white Yamaha grand piano.
Although fans like myself were eager to hear well known ballads from her debut 2002 album “Come Away With Me,” the singer opened with “Paradise” from her ninth solo studio album “Visions,” which was released in March of this year.
A collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Leon Michels (The Black Keys), Jones called the album “Visions” because “a lot of the ideas came in the middle of the night or in that moment right before sleep,” the singer said.
After singing a handful of new songs, including “Running,” she teased the audience with a piano intro leading into an OG favorite “Sunrise” from the 2004 album “Feels Like Home.” The stage lights transformed from moody blue to bright orange and yellows as Jones sang and smiled at the audience.
Jones is an exceptional pianist who made the switch from playing piano to guitar and an upright electric piano throughout the evening. It’s no secret that she is the daughter of Indian sitarist and composer Ravi Shankar, who was considered a virtuoso and a great influence on George Harrison of The Beatles, who helped to popularize the use of Indian instruments in Western pop music in the latter half of the 1960s.
The 2002 Album of the Year Grammy winner has since paved her own path in the music industry over the past three decades, collaborating with artists as diverse as Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Outkast, and Herbie Hancock.
The concert was not without its technical difficulties as Jones pointed out that there was “no bass in the house” after her first song. Later in the set, her mic and guitar cut out several times. Jones and her band sang and played through every technical glitch without flinching.
We enjoyed an array of new and old songs, including a tribute to Minnie Riperton with “Les Fleurs.”
By the enthusiasm of the crowd’s applause, it was clearly the encore finale song that everyone was waiting for. Jones stepped back onto the stage after her “tease” bow to perform her greatest hit: “Don’t Know Why.”
For those who are expecting more familiar songs from Jones’ first two albums, this particular tour focuses on many tracks from her newest venture.
On tour until October, every Norah Jones’ fan will appreciate an evening with the talented songstress.
Find dates near you here: https://www.norahjones.com/
