The sweet summer sounds continue to roll through Artpark this summer. This time, multi-instrumentalist Norah Jones and iconic soul singer Mavis Staples came through for a sold out show this past Saturday night. Jones is hot off her 9th studio album release called ‘Visons’ back in March.
Opening the festivities for the evening was gospel singer and activist Mavis Staples. She originally rose to fame as a member of the Staple Singers in the late 1950’s. Her inspiring 45-minute set focused mostly on the material she helped create with the Staple Singers. She opened the show with one of the Staple Singers biggest hits in “If You’re Ready.” She proudly did what she called her fathers last work in “Friendship.” Staples ended the set with “Heavy Makes You Happy.” He voice is still as strong and fiery as ever. She was smiling ear to ear being on the stage throughout her performance. She soon will celebrate her 85th birthday on July 10. It was treasure to finally see her!
Headlining was the elegant Norah Jones. Jones came out wearing a beautiful flowery dress. She smiled and waved as she made her way to the piano. She immediately started tickling the ivories for the opening track of “What Am I to You?” off her sophomore effort ‘Feels Like Home.’ Jones didn’t say too much in between songs and let her & 4 piece backing band do most of the talking. Jones spent most of the night behind on piano until she played a keyboard center stage for the song “I Just Wanna Dance.” Later, she played guitar for a couple of tracks including one of the highlights of the evening in “Staring at the Wall.” Before this song started and during the switch out of guitars, someone shouted “Play Fallen Angels.” She wasn’t aware of that song and said, “that isn’t one of mine, I’m sorry.” She masterfully did this song and her voice just sounded flawless and then responded , “how were those “Fallen Angels?” This drew a lot of laughter from the crowd. She ended the set with a few covers including adding a song that hasn’t been played on the tour yet in “Shoot the Moon.” It was cool that Jones stepped outside to mix things up a little. She closes the set with her biggest song in “Don’t Know Why.”
Overall, both Jones and Staples provided a wonderful backdrop of music to a beautiful night at Artpark!
Setlist:
What Am I to You?
Swept Up in the Night
Paradise
Running
Sunrise
You’ve Ruined Me
Can You Believe
I’m Awake
I Just Wanna Dance
That’s Life
Visions
Staring at the Wall
Queen of the Sea
Little Broken Hearts
Come Away With Me
All This Time
Happy Pills
Carry On
Long way Home (Tom Waits cover)
Shoot the Moon (Jesse Harris cover)
Don’t Know Why (Jesse Harris & the Ferdinandos cover)
We would like to thank Ron Perks from Livenation for the credentials to review the show.
