Why Not?
Published August 18, 2003
If Norah Jones (who is also on Blue Note) is a jazz singer, so is Van Morrison. From a press release:
- Van Morrison has signed a worldwide deal with EMI Music's legendary Blue Note label, which will give one of music's most creative figures a home at the prestigious jazz label. Morrison's Blue Note debut, What's Wrong With This Picture?, will be released on October 21st. The album draws upon the jazz & blues influences that Morrison has explored consistently throughout his storied career.
Born in Ireland in 1945, Morrison has always relentlessly followed his own muse, incorporating jazz, blues, R&B and traditional Celtic music, creating his own distinctive voice and becoming one of the most important songwriters of the past century. This distinction was officially recognized on June 12th as Morrison was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at their 34th annual induction and awards ceremony in New York City.
It makes sense to me: Morrison has always been one of the "rock 'n' roll" singers who drew most heavily from pre-rock sources, especially R&B, folk, jazz, and Celtic music. Norah Jones is not at all dissimilar to Morrison in his classic Astral Weeks-Moondance period.
Now maybe we'll see Morrison get the sales he deserves again.
- Why Not?
- Published: August 18, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Folk, Music: Jazz, Music: News, Music: Popular and Standards, Music: Hip-hop
- Writer: Eric Olsen
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Now, that is a statement with which I can agree. Van is the man; I absolutely adore his work. As far as his sales go, one woman can only so much, by I am trying. :)
Glad we agree on Van, whose lack of glamour and flinty personality have held him back from the level of recognition his output deserves.
Van has taken the view that rock and roll is kid's stuff. He was leaving that [Them and "Brown Eyed Girl"] behind with Astral Weeks.
He would probably best have been classified a "jazz" artist for 20 or 30 years now. The Blue Note affiliation is only making it official.
Van is largely correct, but U2's Bono would have something to say about rock being kid stuff.
I've always thought Van was a bore. Now he's just a bore on a jazz label instead of a rock one.
As jazz singer (a real one) Vanessa Rubin said, "Jazz is been bastardized from every direction." Van Morrison did some jazz-like vocals but isn't one in the pure sense. He doesn't compare with male vocalists such as Freddy Cole, Jimmy Scott, Bobby McFerrin, Harry Connick Jr., or Al Jarreau. George Benson (all who are still alive). But I give him some dap. He was faithful to the genre. But Norah Jones bothers me intensely. She sounds boring and can't compete with MANY current female jazz vocalist with her watery sound.
I've read a lot that Norah is a fine, even brilliant, jazz singer who happened to hit with a fluke pop album. I'll withhold judgement until I hear her sing some jazz.
Thanks S-Train and David - What, exactly, makes for a "jazz singer"?
for me, there's way too much snobishness going on when people attempt to pigeonhole artists.
is norah jones a jazz singer? is bobby mcferrin? how about early tom waits? cassandra wilson?
i guess i don' really care. i either enjoy the music...or not.
Well put Mark - I love Norah and Van regardless of what they are called.
...my 180g vinyl copy of Come Away With Me arrives via ups this morning.
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Van da Man has been everything -- jazz, soul, blues, folk, Celtic, punk, R&B, pub, country, etc. -- but rock. And that's what makes him the greatest living rock-N-roll singer on earth.