KSTV: Norah Jones' Come Away with Me - July 17

(Screenshot by Ken Drew)

Hattie Whitehead (vocals, guitar); Alex Haynes (guitar); Joe Webb (piano); Daisy George (double bass); Lloyd Haynes (drums) 

Signed to Blue Note, Norah Jones' debut studio album would go on to sell 27m copies worldwide making Come Away with Me one of the biggest selling records of all time, period. A Billboard 200 chart-topper, Grammy award-winning, who's to argue with its popularity? Jones' 2002 debut recording featured some stellar jazz names - guitarists Bill Frisell and Adam Rogers, violinist Jenny Scheinman and drummer Brian Blade. 

This Kansas Smitty's session would be the last one 'til September. Singer-songwriter Hattie Whitehead returned to Smitty's following her well-received set of Joni Mitchell's tunes to sing the Norah Jones songbook. Supported by pianist Joe Webb, bassist Daisy George and the Haynes brothers - Alex, guitar, Lloyd, drums - Whitehead produced another winning performance. Blue Note must have made a shed load from the album's runaway success but, in truth, it isn't jazz, more singer-songwriter country material. That said, the Kansas Smitty's guys made a great job of recreating it. Alex Haynes' guitar playing proved to be a revelation - Bill Frisell to a tee. Bassist Daisy George's beautifully resonant sound set the tone, and the man at the piano, Mr Joe Webb, reaffirmed his status as the 'go-to' musician for a project such as this. 

(Collage by Ken Drew)

Our man Joe shone throughout, particularly on Hank Williams' Cold Cold Heart (Lloyd Haynes in effective country mode behind the traps) and as accompanist to Whitehead on the set's sole bona fide number, The Nearness of You. To close this evening's set, indeed the current season, one of Norah Jones' enduringly popular songs, Don't Know Why. KSTV will return in September.  Russell  

Set list included: Feelin' the Same Way; Shoot the Moon; I've Got to See You Again; The Nearness of You; Come Away with Me; Cold Cold Heart; Nightingale; Don't Know Why.