Warm and cosy? Lucky kid?
The answer: yes to both.
With the exception of a couple of tracks that meander, much of Day Breaks is a reminder of Jones’ jazz roots (she is joined by sax legend Wayne Shorter in opener Burn and Peace).
As softly brushed snare and double bass slides offer gentle propulsion to her harmonically rich arrangements, Jones tucks into three covers, including Neil Young’s Don’t Be Denied, in which her bluesy vocal enhances both the song and album’s plaintiff mood.
• Norah Jones. Day Breaks. Blue Note.
• Four stars (out of five)
Single download: Day Breaks
For those who like: Billie Holliday
— Shane Gilchrist
