Norah Jones - Come Away With Me

First Press from 2002 on Ltd 200g vinyl in Gatefold cover

Year Released: 2002

Genre: Jazz, Blues, Folk, Pop

Description:

Come Away With Me is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter and pianist Norah Jones. Released on February 26, 2002, the album was a quiet but unprecedented phenomenon, offering a soothing antidote to the prevalent pop and rock music of the era. Its sound is a unique blend of jazz, folk, and blues, creating a warm, intimate, and timeless atmosphere.

The album's success was a gradual but powerful snowball effect. It initially had modest sales, but positive word-of-mouth and extensive media exposure, particularly its use in film and television, caused it to steadily climb the charts over the course of a year, eventually reaching number one on the Billboard 200. It went on to sell over 27 million copies worldwide and is one of the best-selling albums of all time.

The album's centerpiece is the hit single "Don't Know Why," which earned Jones a Grammy for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The record was a critical darling, earning an astonishing eight Grammy Awards in 2003, including Album of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Pop Vocal Album. The music is characterized by its stripped-down production, handled by the legendary Arif Mardin, which puts the focus squarely on Jones's smoky, understated vocals and piano playing. While released on the jazz-focused Blue Note Records label, the album’s genre-bending nature sparked debate among music purists, who questioned whether it was "true" jazz. Regardless, its quiet success proved that there was a massive audience for a more low-key, soulful, and sophisticated form of popular music.