INDEX
Defining “Work” and “Live” in Norah Jones’ Perspective
-Including your high voice, “Visions” was created with a special process, and since there are several layers of your voice, I feel that some of the songs are difficult to play live. How do you think it will be live?
Norah: We have two singers to help us harmonize live, so I’m not worried about that. But I think that if the songs are good, they don’t have to be arranged exactly the same as on the recordings to sound good. For example, “Little Broken Hearts” was recorded with a very specific sound, so when we play songs from that album live, we play them in a different way than we did on the recording. But it’s a great song, and every time we play it in a different arrangement, it takes on a different life. I’ve learned that over the years of doing it. So I am sure it will be a great live show. I’m really looking forward to it.
-I went to your Japan tour in 2022. During the live performance, all the band members played with remarkable freedom, and the shape of the songs kept changing. On the other hand, your albums give an impression of meticulous craftsmanship, so I’m always surprised by the contrast whenever I see your live performances. Could you elaborate a bit more on the difference between ‘work’ and ‘live’ in your music?”
Norah: In recording, I can create the sound as I want to create it. At the same time, I want to capture something like “the feeling of the moment.” But most of the time, it’s done the very first time I play the song.
I have recorded a few songs that I played live first and then recorded later, and it was very difficult because my impression of the song was often different from my impression of the recorded version. What usually works out is when I first played the song in the studio, and I was able to create it the way I wanted to.
But the songs take on a life of their own over time and gradually change. I am open to such changes. If I played live in the same way as on the album, I would probably get bored. If I wanted things to stay the same, I would just listen to the album, wouldn’t I?
-As you rightly pointed out, you also engage in a lot of improvisation during live performances. Is ‘improvisation’ an important element for you?
Norah: Absolutely! I think improvisation is a lot of fun and makes the music more alive. I don’t think I would be on tour if I had to play songs the same way all the time, night after night [laughs].
Norah Jones “Visions”（CD）
Friday, March 8, 2024
Price: 2,860 yen (tax included)
UCCQ-1197
https://norah-jones.lnk.to/Visions
