Norah Jones as sultry as ever during serene ‘homecoming’ show in Irving for ‘Visions’ album
IRVING — One of the classic show business axioms is always to leave them wanting more.
Most of the time, these days, musical acts often seem to cram their set lists with a frantic combination of their well-known hits along with a batch of new songs from their latest release.
Norah Jones did indeed play her hits (most of them, at least) at Toyota Music Factory on Monday night, but the balance of the evening was dedicated to her latest album, “Visions,” which was released in March.
She played 10 of the 12 tracks from the record, her ninth release. Almost to a song, the live arrangements enhanced the recorded versions, owing a lot to the record — which is one of her best — and the crisp playing chops of Jones and her band.
“Can I hear a welcome home,” Jones joked early from behind a piano. “Welcome to the show. I’m happy to be home.”
Jones, 45, grew up in Grapevine, just 10 miles west of the venue, before studying music at North Texas. Her 2002 debut album, “Come Away With Me,” a worldwide Grammy-winning smash that made her famous, has sold nearly 30 million copies.
Her 18-song, 90-minute set on Monday, however, was dedicated to “Visions,” while also including three songs from her sophomore record, 2004’s “Feels Like Home,” and two songs each from “Come Away With Me“ and 2012’s “...Little Broken Hearts.”
“I have so many friends here. And they’re all great piano players,” she said with mockish nerves before “I’m Awake” early in the show.
Jones, wearing a green blazer over a striped dress, split time behind the piano and playing guitar while her four-piece band deftly accompanied her vocals, including drummer Brian Blade, bassist Josh Lattanzi, guitarist Sasha Dobson, and keyboardist Sami Stevens. Dobson and Stevens also provided stellar background vocals throughout the evening.
The star attraction, of course, was Jones’ velvety smooth voice, which still sounds as evocative as it did 22 years ago. She could sing a phone book and make it sound sultry.
One of the more moving moments of the evening was a one-two punch of two title tracks that displayed a darker mood than the album versions. An ominous rendering of “Visions,” the title track from her latest, followed by “...Little Broken Hearts,” from her 2012 release, which included Jones’ dirge-like guitar riff opening, was a heavy combination that left the mostly full pavilion captivated.
Another unexpected highlight was a cover of Minnie Riperton’s 1970 song “Les Fleurs.” (Side note: Riperton, who died at age 31 in 1979 from cancer, is the mother of comedian/actress Maya Rudolph.) Jones’ opener, Emily King, joined the band for the song, which was supposed to be played earlier in the set, but King missed her cue. Jones cracked at the time, “I think she’s here somewhere … I know who she’s talking to back there. I’m going to give him [expletive] too.”
It turned out to be a perfect set closer, anyway, with King and Jones trading soulful vocals and helping turn it into a soaring anthem.
At 90 minutes, Jones could have easily added 20 or 30 more minutes worth of tunes, which would have been warranted for a homecoming show.
She left plenty of meat on the bone, though, leaving multiple favorites unplayed — “Miriam” would have been awesome — or one of the many cover songs from legends such as Willie Nelson, Neil Young or Bob Dylan, which she’s been known to play over the years.
She closed the show with a two-song encore, including her version of Tom Wait’s “Long Way Home,” which she included on “Feels Like Home,” and “Don’t Know Why,” one of the smash hits from her debut.
It sounded sublime and the friendly, attentive crowd gushed for both.
Some of us were hoping for a few more surprises, but the homecoming show was over, and it was a rousing success.
Norah Jones set list at Toyota Music Factory, Irving, Texas, Oct. 14, 2024
What Am I to You?
Swept Up in the Night
Running
Paradise
Alone With My Thoughts
I’m Awake
I Just Wanna Dance
Sunrise
Visions
Little Broken Hearts
Staring at the Wall
Queen of the Sea
Come Away With Me
Happy Pills
All This Time
Les Fleurs (with Emily King)
Long Way Home (Tom Waits cover)
Don’t Know Why