by Lauren Caggiano

Created on: May 26, 2007   Last Updated: May 27, 2007

On her album cover, Norah Jones appears as a delicate picture of feminine beauty, but her vocals prove she's no shrinking violet.
Norah Jones, 27, has just released her third album entitled "Not Too Late," an infectious blend of pop, soul, folk, and country with a dash of jazz. Many of Jones' songs are narrative ballads that take the listener to another place and time. For example, the opening track, "Wish I could" is a wistful folk ballad about a boyfriend lost to war. Although the song tells the sad story of a lost love, it has almost a lullaby-like comfort.

The third track, "The Sun Doesn't Like You," is gloomy, heavy song about the inevitability of death. But the song has a more upbeat element, a carpe diem message, "cause time won't pass us by." Jones' lyrics in "You are not my friend," suggest a relationship gone sour. Still even with Jones singing "You are not my friend/I can not pretend anymore/, you can not help but savor her beautiful voice.
"Thinking About You," is classic Norah Jones the crisp jazz/soul sound that gained her a faithful following with her debut album "Come Away with Me." Again, this song paints images of long distance love or maybe ex-flame: "But here I am looking for signs to lead me/You hold my hand, but do you really need me/I guess it's time for me to let you go/But I'll be thinking about you/I'll be thinking about you."
The eighth track, "My Dear Country," has a haunting sound with organ instrumentals. Jones appropriately mentions the eeriness Halloween and one fateful event following a few days laterElection Day. The artist alludes to her political leaning as she laments about the results of the last presidential election and her frustration with the outcome: "Cuz we believed in our candidate/But even more it's the one we hate/ I needed someone I could shake/On election day."
Still Jones' message is not just anti-Bush, but one of love for her country: "I love the things that you've given me/And most of all that I am free/To have a song that I can sing/On election day."
Jones shows her versatility with the tenth track, "Be My Somebody," a folk infused work. Upon first impression, Norah's sound reminded me of Bonnie Raitt's vocals, as Jones takes on a twang. The song is a plea for affection: "So be my somebody tonight/Be the one who will hold me tight." This song was a nice diversion from the more jazz inspired tracks, yet it still maintained the cohesiveness of the album.
"Little Room," is a folk flavored, care-free ditty about the pleasure of hanging out with your beloved. Jones opens with a pleasant image of a comforting hide-away: "You an' me and/Me and you/In my little room/There's room enough for us to do/The things we like to do." The artist maintains the light-hearted tone as she whistles the melody about half-way through the song.
This album is definitely worth a listen, as it illustrates Jones' growth as both an artist and song writer. The dreamlike and pensive tone would be ideal background music for studying or driving. I was first turned on to Jones music with her "Come Away With Me"now "Not Too Late," has whet my appetite for a album fourth release.

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