A talent like Norah Jones comes few and far between, and that proved true as she took to the Honda stage on weekend 2 of Austin City Limits. The crowd gathered enthusiastically despite the Texas heat to see the lauded jazz powerhouse, who serenaded the stage with a diverse array of songs from her collection.
Much of Jones’ set consisted of songs from her latest album, Visions, which allowed it to flow with ease, but each song stood out from one another through the intricacies that come naturally for any jazz artist, whose performance will inevitably rely on some improvisation. For instance, Jones performed songs like “Running” and “Paradise” on the piano, and it was evident that she and her band were having fun performing these breezy and boisterous tunes and felt comfortable with them. But at the same time, they would frequently mix things up a bit; slight changes in chord progressions or even changes in single notes made the performances all the more interesting, keeping the audience on their toes, wondering what they would do next.
Jones quickly abandoned her Yamaha for a keyboard for “I’m Awake,” a contemplative song with funk influences, demonstrating her vulnerability while also demonstrating her confidence to blend various genres into her music. Highlighting her multi-instrumental talents, she brought out her electric guitar and performed songs such as “Staring at the Wall” and “Queen of the Sea,” with her silky smooth vocals echoing through the warm atmosphere as she sang about love and longing. At this point in the show, I felt entranced, like I was transported to a dimension of bliss far from my own reality. It was completely meditative.
As the show came to a close, Jones started playing notes on the piano that sounded all too familiar, and then she started gracefully singing the chorus of “Don’t Know Why,” a classic from her catalog that has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. The crowd erupted with cheer and sang along to the renowned tune, which sounded like an eerily nostalgic lullaby through her subtle variations on the piano. It reminded me of distant nights that are now faded memories but in a comforting way, knowing that the song will stay timeless even as times change.
Norah Jones is a timeless musician and performer whose musical essence becomes all the more outstanding when witnessed live. Although she’s been performing for over two decades, she is continuously riveting while also staying true to herself. Following ACL, she will keep fascinating audiences through her Visions tour.