Concert Review: Norah Jones – ASB Theatre April 23, 2019

Norah Jones and her band played to a sold out audience at Auckland’s ASB Theatre, treating them to a performance full of style and grace.

Music lovers were spoilt for choice last night with quite a few quality shows happening. I hated missing Mavis Staples, who was playing just a few steps down Queens Street at The Civic, but I chose Norah, as I’ve had the pleasure to see Mavis a few times, but never Norah.

Not once did I regret my decision.

I primed myself by listening to Norah Jones’ new album, Begin Again (click here to read the review), and that time paid off, as she opened with two songs from the album…My Heart Is Full and Uh Oh.

Both sounded even better than the record.

That would be because Norah and her band proved to be exquisite musicians, capable of both power and nuance, playing with both technical proficiency and passion.

The band was anchored by bassist Josh Lattanzi and drummer Josh Adams, with a pedal steel and guitarist whose name I believe is Dan Elken and a keyboard player/guitarist whose name I didn’t catch.

Each instrumentalist had their highpoint, but none outshone the star.

Jones was in fine form, her voice pitch perfect, but with a bit more Texas twang than what I hear on her recordings, making her that much more endearing.

And her playing was impeccable…as was her choice of material.

In addition to the selections from Begin Again, we were treated to a healthy dose from her 2002 debut, Come Away With Me. In fact, Norah surprised the audience by playing guitar of the title track.

Band members came and went as the songs demanded.

One definite highpoint was when Jones and Elken performed Humble Me, the pedal steel providing the perfect setting for Norah’s tender vocal.
That was followed by Flipside, 2016’s Day Breaks, in which all the band members locked together and rocked.

Then, a tribute to Tom Petty with a rendition of his Angel Dream (No.2).

It was pretty special, and the time seemed to whizz by as the band stretched out on I’ve Got To See You Again before finishing the set with Carry on.

We were treated to one encore…Just A Little Bit…from Begin Again. It ends with Jones singing, “I’m On Fire!” I’m sure no one in the venue would have argued with her.

Simply stunning.

Marty Duda

(Note: The opening act was local comedian Melanie Bracewell, an unusual choice, but, I admit I kind of liked the idea, and got a few good laughs from her. What did you think of Norah’s choice?)

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Veronica McLaughlin:

Norah Jones setlist:

1. My Heart Is Full
2. Uh Oh
3. Nightingale
4. A Song With No Name
5. Sunrise
6. Begin Again
7. Those Sweet Words
8. Black
9. Humble Me
10. Flipside
11. Angel Dream (No.2)
12. After The Fall
13. Come Away With Me
14. Don’t Know Why
15. I’ve Got To See You Again
16. Carry On
17. Just A little Bit