Norah Jones

Venue: The Star Theatre @ Star Performing Arts Center, Singapore
Date: 27th February 2013
Promoter: Midas Promotions
Review by: Mandy L.
Special Thanks: Paula and the Midas Promotions team
Photos by Alvin H.

Nine-time award-winning singer songwriter Norah Jones performed in Singapore—the only stop in Asia, at the new Star Performing Arts Centre on February 27 to promote her latest album Little Broken Hearts.

Cory Chisel

Opening act, country rocker Cory Chisel crooned to a crowd of 5,000 before Jones graced the stage an hour later. Starting off the show with leading single “Happy Pills” from her fifth and latest album Little Broken Hearts produced by Brian Burton (better known as Danger Mouse), Jones was well-received by her fans as they enthusiastically clapped and whistled.

Norah Jones

Subsequently launching into her signature soulful ballads, Jones dug deep—showcasing her rich, mellow vocals; riveting the crowd with a bluesy bass number “After The Fall” from her fourth album The Fall, as well as “All A Dream”. Widely received by the audience was hit single “Lonestar” from her first album Feels Like Home.

Not much of a talker, Jones thanked the crowd after each song—her sweet saccharine smile and captivating vocals proved sufficient to delight. Unforgettably, “Miriam” seemed to be one of her best pieces, a sequel from “Happy Pills”, as she evidently sang from her heart; showing that revenge is best served cold.

Norah Jones

Her two solo performances from her debut album Come Away With Me (all the way back in 2002), “The Nearness Of You” and “Don’t Know Why” reminded us of what she did best—jazz. A beautiful piano arrangement accompanied smooth vocals, it was definitely the highlight of the night as she serenaded the audience into a romantic trance.

Norah Jones

As the show drew to a close, Jones continued belting out perfect harmonies to fun and upbeat country numbers like “Sunrise” and “Creepin’ In”—it could only get better if Dolly Parton were singing along live. Fans also got to hear her performance of unrecorded folk track “How Many Times Have You Broken My Heart”—an emotional country ballad.

Norah Jones

After 20 songs, Jones closed with her first hit single “Come Away With Me” from similarly titled album that bagged her five Grammy awards, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist. Tonight’s performance went to show Jones’ title Top Jazz Artist of the 2000-2009 Decade by Billboard ain’t about luck—it’s pure talent, indeed.

Setlist:
1. Happy Pills
2. What Am I to You
3. Say Goodbye
4. After the Fall
5. Chasing Pirates
6. All a Dream
7. Black
8. Lonestar
9. Cold Cold Heart
10. Out on the Road
11. Carnival Town
12. Sinkin’ Soon
13. Miriam
14. Hey You
15. Hickory Wind
16. The Nearness of You
17. Don’t Know Why
18. Sunrise
19. How Many Times
20. Creepin’ In
21. Stuck
22. Come Away With Me

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Mandy Lynn is the dining and nightlife editor at Nookmag, with an intense passion for food and travel, and enjoys sharing #foodporn at Gourmet Adventures in her free time.