Jazz Articles about Bill Frisell

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Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

by C. Michael Bailey
January 7, 2003

Few artists have generated as much press in recent memory as Ms. Norah Jones. No fewer than five thoughtful reviews have been published in this magazine alone . A unifying theme found in all criticism is the question of whether the music Jones plays is jazz. This might be similar to the question of whether the music Josh Groban or Andrea Bocchelli is classical.

In keeping with the ecumenical spirit of this magazine, I submit that it makes little, or ...

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Bill Frisell: The Willies

by John Eyles
July 22, 2002

Recently, Bill Frisell seems to be averaging at least two new albums per year. Fortunately, there is no sign of this increased quantity equating to decreased quality. This album is full of all the familiar Frisell trademarks--compelling playing, quirkily familiar melodies, eclecticism, loops, swing, tradition, innovation, and, yes, fun. On this outing, Frisell opts for a trio format, with Keith Lowe on bass, and Danny Barnes adding variety on a range of instruments. Barnes' contributions, on banjo in ...

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Bill Frisell: Rarum: Selected Recordings of Bill Frisell

by AAJ Staff
July 1, 2002

Whatever the musical context, guitarist Bill Frisell has always been a team player. From the edgy avant-garde of Naked City to the deeply melodic music of the Ginger Baker Trio and several wide-ranging groups of his own, he's proven repeatedly that he has the versatility and perceptiveness to fit into wildly different surroundings. His ECM work has for the most part been of the quiet, melodic sort. Since he last recorded under his own name for the label in 1987, ...

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Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

by Roger Crane
June 11, 2002

Okay--first things first. Yes, in my opinion, the strikingly beautiful, vaguely exotic Norah Jones is worthy of the buzz and publicity that she is receiving. But is she a jazz singer? Probably not but I don't know why anyone should care. Her singing is certainly jazz influenced. Jones does not use her lovely voice as a horn at the expense of lyrics. Jones is a natural storyteller and the stories that she chose to tell on her impressive debut, Come ...

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Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

by Bobby Dodd
May 1, 2002

One can't help being curious about the contents of Norah Jones' music collection after listening to her debut, “Come Away With Me". They would probably not be far off in assuming she grew up singing into various makeshift microphones around her household alongside the vocals of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, and Sarah Mclachlan. Despite the album's various jazz standards, one should not be so naïve to classify Norah Jones as a jazz singer. Hardcore jazz ...

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Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

by Jim Santella
April 12, 2002

Convincing in her storytellin' role, Norah Jones sings popular ballads with an emphasis on the blues. Her delicate voice sparkles gently alongside the band's twangy guitar chorus and straightforward rhythm section. She accompanies on piano. The title song, resembling a spiritual, beckons the listener to waltz away with her to a place where life will be better: better than the tension-filled surroundings we face all too often. Her original, the song belies Jones' fragile persona and warm soul. Country ballads ...

like 106

Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

by Jim Santella
March 1, 2002

Convincing in her storytellin' role, Norah Jones sings popular ballads with an emphasis on the blues. Her delicate voice sparkles gently alongside the band's twangy guitar chorus and straightforward rhythm section. She accompanies on piano. The title song, resembling a spiritual, beckons the listener to waltz away with her to a place where life will be better: better than the tension-filled surroundings we face all too often. Her original, the song belies Jones' fragile persona and warm soul. Country ballads ...