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After the unexpected runaway success of COME AWAY WITH ME, where to next? The good news about Norah Jones's sophomore effort is that she and producer Arif Mardin decided to leave well enough alone in most regards. There are no screeching guitars, thumping drum machines, or padding synthesizers, and most of the tempos are slow or laid-back--way back. Guests Garth Hudson and Levon Helm of the Band contribute to "What Am I to You?" and Dolly Parton makes an appearance on bassist Lee Alexander's "Creepin' In." Jones's backing group, the Handsome Band, provides just the right stripped-down accompaniments and subtle touches to support the blessing that is her voice.
Jones knows how to luxuriate in the sumptuousness of her sound and infuse such unlikely lyrics as "my toes just touched the water" with a sensual blues sensibility. On top of all this, when it comes to phrasing, her tremendous instincts and smarts put her in rare company. What Jones does explore further is the art of songwriting, and the results here give every indication that she is on the right track.Rolling Stone (3/4/04, p.62) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[A] triumph of the low-key, at once easygoing and poignant....[FEELS LIKE HOME] extends the COME AWAY WITH ME template while never echoing the earlier songs."
Spin (4/04, p.93) - "[A] better record than COME AWAY....She covers Tom Waits and Townes Van Zandt beautifully, does some cozy originals, and is brave enough to pen lyrics to a Duke Ellington theme..." - Grade: B+
Entertainment Weekly (2/13/04, p.70) - "[The] understated changes are good news; the vibe is more early Bonnie Raitt than early Sarah Vaughan." - Rating: B
Q (3/04, p.101) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[F]ar from rehashing her debut, he's made an older and wiser sequel, where the quiet magic of each song gets stronger with every listen."
Uncut (3/04, p.99) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[I]ts class is positively aristocratic."a
Mojo (Publisher) (3/04, p.92) - 4 stars out of 5 - "Just a girl singer/pianist and her Handsome Band dallying around a low-key hybrid of country, folk, pop and jazz, doing their beautiful thing."
Feels Like Home Music Review
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As good as her first CD
Nora Jones Is a Star
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