Norah Jones Concert Review | Blossom Music Center (07.11.24)

Norah Jones’s “Visions” tour brought an evening of musical delight and tranquility to Blossom Music Center on Thursday evening, July 11, 2024. This was not the high-energy concert that are typically held at Blossom. In the decades of my attendance at Blossom, this was the third pavilion-only concert I had ever attended. A serene flow of fans replaced the usual scene of cars lining up at the entrance, and the typically long lines at concessions and restrooms were happily absent. The weather was perfect, which added to the ambiance; the pavilion was filled with adoring fans, and the atmosphere was calm and relaxed. The stage was bathed with softer lighting and no background LCD screens, which created an intimate setting. With the sun setting, the stage was warmed with a soft glow. Everything appeared organic and complimented Blossom Music Center’s lush green grounds and the beautiful wooden pavilion and stage. Streams of rainbow lighting fanned out from the sides of the stage, while overhead lighting shifted to teal, blue, and amber hues, perfectly highlighting the performers.

The show opened with the legendary soul singer Mavis Staples. Born in Chicago, Staples has been performing Soul and Gospel music for decades as part of a family singing team, The Staple Singers. Her incredible career led to her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 for her solo work. Exciting note: Mavis celebrated her 85th birthday just one day before this show. She told the delighted audience, “Norah always takes me out on my birthday.” Staples was joined on stage by the Staple Singers, who performed songs like “City in the Sky” and “Slippery People,” a cover of a Talking Heads song—a very inspirational performance leading up to Norah Jones.

When Norah Jones took the stage, the ambiance was set just right. The sound system was tuned to about 10 dB below the usual live rock/country level, ensuring her voice and the music resonated with clarity and warmth. Norah began the show seated at her white grand piano dressed in a flowy and candy-striped summer dress; she graced us with her signature smile, and tonight, her iridescent blue eye shadow resonated with a 70’s rainbow-style lighting. With a single spotlight on her, she began with the song “What Am I To You” from her Grammy-winning album ‘Feels Like Home.’ Jones performed “Swept Up In The Night.” Her keyboardist and jazz singer Sami Stevens, and singer, songwriter, and guitarist Sasha Dobson provided vocal harmonies. With Jones’s magnificent, smooth, and soothing voice, it was a harmonic experience. The band created a wonderfully cohesive jazzy sound that was smooth and moody and was complimented by the quality audio system and the beautiful acoustics of the Blossom stage.

{Video courtesy of YouTube user Jaggy Fox}

Jones transitioned from the grand piano to an electric piano, now facing the audience. While standing at the keyboard, she performed “I’m Awake,” “I Just Want To Dance,” and “Chasing Pirates,” periodically engaging with the crowd. Returning to the grand piano, Jones performed another melodic song from ‘Visions’ called “All This Time.” The bass player switched to a standup bass, and the two backup singers blended in perfect harmony to make this song a magnificent rendition. Many of the songs, as in “Sunrise,” started with a melodic piano and soft dru, creating nostalgic moments with the audience and some singing along to the chorus.

Jones returned to center stage and picked up the first of two guitars she would play that night. It was the first time I’d seen her play guitar, adding a new dimension to her performance. She has a mellow guitar sound with gentle strumming and picking, although the sound has deep tones and is crisp and clear. There were elements of country, folk, and a touch of blues as she played “Queen Of The Sea” and “Tell Your Mama.”

The show’s closer, “I Don’t Know Why,” which introduced Jones to mainstream success, was a fan favorite.

In an age where concerts often relied on flashy lighting and amped-up sound, the Norah Jones “Visions” tour at Blossom Music Center was refreshing. It provided the perfect setting to host Norah Jones and her talented performing artists’ genuine talent. The evening evoked a heartfelt and intimate atmosphere long to be remembered.