“I Don’t Know Why” Norah Jones and her album, “Come Away With Me” won eight Grammys. Jones, estranged daughter of musician Ravi Shankar, managed to pick up Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album. “Don’t Know Why” raked in three awards for Song of the Year and the album received Best Producer, non-classical, and finally, Best Engineered, non-classical.
But considering the mediocrity of the record, this album is not Grammy-worthy. That’s not to say Norah Jones didn’t put out an acceptable album. But, the Grammys recognized this album with more lavish praise than the work deserves.
The songs are not terrible. In fact, the music is incredibly relaxing, mellow and easy to listen to. Doing homework with Norah Jones in the background can be quite soothing. Nothing on the album goes beyond a moderate tempo, so no one can accuse Jones of playing music that makes them want to get up and dance or do wild, illegal things. Perhaps in today’s volatile music world where many contemporary artists have no qualms endorsing hate and violence, this musical serenity is a good thing. But peaceful melodies rarely deserve the acclaim that Jones’ little record collected.
What has Jones done to merit these Grammys? Jesse Harris, one of her guitarists on the album and part of her tour band, wrote catchy ditty “Don’t Know Why” as well as three other songs on the album. He also co-wrote a fourth song for the record. Norah Jones only wrote two all by herself and co-wrote a third. Yet, it’s Jones’ face and name we see everywhere.
Examining Jones’ musicianship gives her listeners another reason to doubt the validity of her Grammys. She does have a beautiful, smooth voice. If one listens hard enough, the whisper of soulful quality is just barely audible. This voice doesn’t have the depth and range of a seasoned jazz vocalist and as a pianist, Jones provides solid, simple accompaniments.
It all boils down to the fact Jones plays too timidly. Her lack of aggression and imagination keep the songs on a mediocre level that could easily be surpassed with some mature, creative playing.
Norah Jones and her crew have created a completely tolerable album. Listening to these songs is never an unpleasant experience. It is difficult not to like Norah Jones. But it is more difficult to understand why this music that is neither ground breaking nor outstanding will live forever in the annals of Grammy history as being worthy of more than half a dozen awards. Maybe by next year’s awards ceremony, Jones will have produced an album more deserving of the recognition she received this year.