Speaking of Arts Magnet grad Norah Jones -- which I was, kinda -- her publicist sends word this afternoon that she's about to be, well, everywhere. On TV (she's the performer on the Austin City Limits season premiere, set to debut October 6). In the movies (Wong Kar-Wai's My Blueberry Nights). On the radio (National Public Radio's World Cafe on September 21). And, of course, on albums -- eight of 'em, all told, and none of 'em her own.
The complete list of Norah Jones World Domination is after the jump, including her guesting on four separate albums by the likes of Herbie Hancock and Wyclef Jean and her appearing on three different soundtracks (including, go figure, Ken Burns' The War, which came out Tuesday). Suddenly, it appears, Norah Jones is the new Christopher Walken.
In other local-music news featuring a familiar female singer-songwriter, Gorilla vs. Bear points our attention toward the following video, featuring a particular Unfair Park fave performing the Beatles' "Dig a Pony" in the back of a taxi. --Robert Wilonsky
AFTER WORLDWIDE PLATINUM SUCCESS OF 'NOT TOO LATE' (BLUE NOTE RECORDS) NORAH JONES CONTRIBUTES NEW RECORDINGS TO SEVERAL PROJECTS FOR FALL
CATCH NORAH ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, OCT 6 ON PBS
'NOT TOO LATE' HAS SPENT LONGER ATOP THE BILLBOARD CHART THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE ARTIST ALBUM THIS YEAR
Norah Jones just completed a world tour in support of her critically acclaimed third album 'Not Too Late' (Blue Note Records), but she has kept busy in the studio recently as well, delivering no fewer than eight new recordings for an ambitiously disparate group of projects which will see release before year's end. Here's a track-by-track rundown
"THE STORY" from 'MY BLUEBERRY NIGHTS' soundtrack Norah wrote and recorded this new song for acclaimed Chinese director Wong Kar-Wai's first English-language film. She also stars in the movie, joined by a cast that includes Jude Law, David Strathairn, Rachel Weisz and Natalie Portman. The song will be included on the film's soundtrack, to be released by Blue Note Records.
"ANY OTHER DAY" with WYCLEF JEAN from 'CARNIVAL II: MEMOIRS OF AN IMMIGRANT' This duet was first released two years ago with all proceeds from the song going to Hurricane Katrina relief. It will also be included on Jean's new album, scheduled for November 6 release.
"SOON THE NEW DAY" with TALIB KWELI from 'EAR DRUM' Released on August 21, this is Jones latest hip-hop collaboration. She also sang on the track "Take Off Your Cool" on Outkast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' album. 'Ear Drum' debuted at #2 on the Billboard Album Chart.
"WORLD OF TROUBLE" from 'THE HOTTEST STATE' soundtrack Released on August 7, The NY Post recently called this "the best soundtrack for any film this year," and it finds Norah keeping good company with Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Cat Power, Bright Eyes, Feist, and others. All the songs on the soundtrack were written by longtime Norah collaborator Jesse Harris, who earned a Grammy in 2003 for penning her hit "Don't Know Why."
"MY BLUE HEAVEN" from 'GOIN' HOME: A TRIBUTE TO FATS DOMINO' Due September 25, this all-star tribute also features Elton John, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Robert Plant, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Tom Petty, Lenny Kravitz, Lucinda Williams, Ben Harper, Toots and the Maytals, Taj Mahal, Herbie Hancock, Corinne Bailey Rae and Bonnie Raitt. A portion of proceeds will be donated to New Orleans public schools.
"COURT AND SPARK' with HERBIE HANCOCK from 'RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS' Set for September 25 release, Hancock's new album is a collection of songs composed by or influential to Joni Mitchell. Norah contributed vocals for this Mitchell classic, joined on the track by Hancock, Wayne Shorter and other jazz legends.
"EASY" with ANOUSHKA SHANKAR and KARSH KALE from 'BREATHING UNDERWATER' Norah lends vocals to this acclaimed album, released August 28 on Manhattan Records, which blends Indian classical, electronica, dance, and folk.
"AMERICAN ANTHEM" from KEN BURNS' new series 'THE WAR' This recording will be featured prominently in Ken Burns' anticipated new series on World War II. The song is also included on the soundtrack which was released September 11. The series premieres on PBS on September 23.
In other Norah news, she will perform on the season premiere of Austin City Limits, airing the weekend of October 6 /7, where she'll be the featured guest for the show's entire hour. And on September 21 you can tune in to hear her on NPR's World Cafe.
Norah's latest album 'Not To Late' is one of the year's best sellers. It is the only album by a single artist to top the Billboard Album Chart for three weeks this year. It has topped the album charts in 29 countries in all, with worldwide sales in excess of 4 million copies.
