Homepage >> Forum Archives >> Archives >> Sitar Forum >> This Page

INDIAN MUSIC FORUM ARCHIVES: Sitar Forum: OT: Good for Norah!

 

Author Message
Russ
OT: Good for Norah! Feb 27, 2003 04:35 p.m.

Just a little off-topic, but I can't help but note the negative criticism of Norah Jones I have seen on many Indian music sites, both ICM and Bollywood, over the last few months. Man, are those people going to have to eat their words if they haven't already!

The idea was that her music is not that good, and we shouldn't expect that much just because she's Ravi Shankar's "shadow" daughter. Well, whether you believe its in the genes or not, I think she really is innovative with that jazz sound, and I'm glad to see that not only Anoushka has talent in that family! Good for you Norah!
Neal
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Feb 27, 2003 06:52 p.m.

Hi All, Can't take my eyes off those Shankar women. I'm not kidding!

As for ICM/Bollywood-I did not see the negative press, but what concern would it be of theirs- Norah performs neither ICM or Bollywood productions. Plus she is only age 20? With a voice like that now, wait till she's 50.

I don't know if you caught it Russ but an much heavier Norah Jones is sitting on the couch with Anoushka in a scene from the new Ravi Shankar PORTRAIT DVD.

Did Anoushka win a Grammy? I truly don't feel she should. .YET. . I think she has a bit more seasoning to undergo before a Grammy is hers. For one thing I have it from a very good source that all her Alaps are rote compositions that Ravi wrote out for her. Kind of a canned Alap. Although I must say technically she is an astonishing player of compositions- for really only having 13 or so years under her belt.

Just a little off-topic, but I can't help but note the negative criticism of Norah Jones I have seen on many Indian music sites, both ICM and Bollywood, over the last few months. Man, are those people going to have to eat their words if they haven't already!

The idea was that her music is not that good, and we shouldn't expect that much just because she's Ravi Shankar's "shadow" daughter. Well, whether you believe its in the genes or not, I think she really is innovative with that jazz sound, and I'm glad to see that not only Anoushka has talent in that family! Good for you Norah![/quote]
Matt
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Feb 27, 2003 07:38 p.m.

Norah is fantastic - the perfect late-night CD. I also love the fact that Bill Frisell, my favorite guitarist, is on the album and getting some exposure. This will no doubt be Blue Note's best selling album ever.

On a similar but more on topic note - I was talking about various sitarists with my teacher and mentioned that I thought Anoushka was really good. He told me "don't say that around other Indian musicans" (being Indian himself). He said that many of them feel that she is getting exposure due to her name and that she doesn't have the basics down. I would suppose that playing Carnegie at such a young age would generate comments like this, and I'm sure that having a famous father certainly helps! Neal, I would agree with you that she needs more time.

So, it appears that Anoushka may have received negative press in India as well. Has anyone seen this?
Russ
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Feb 28, 2003 11:19 a.m.

The sites I referred to were mostly online music e-zines out of India, but at least one from the US as well. The reviews I read were from around October-November. The guys that wrote the commentaries ticked me off to the the point that I dumped the bookmarks. I get a feeling that if I tried to find the articles again, it would be difficult because they would be embarrassed! Probably pulled off their sites by now. But I might look for them again anyway just to see. . .

I don't believe Anoushka won a personal grammy, but if memory serves, her second album may have. If so, probably because her dad played on it. I don't have that album/CD/whatever. Personally, I don't think she's very good, but with a teacher like she has, she will have the best possible chance to become great. . .if she wants to.

Neil, going to check out that DVD again. I don't recall seeing both girls. . . .
Stephen
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Feb 28, 2003 01:36 p.m.

If memory serves me, it is when they are either sitting around watching old videos or perhaps when they were watching the youngsters dance recital. My question, after something I read the other day (and I haven't gone back to view the DVD yet) is if one of the young girls in that dance recital is Ravi's grand daughter (from his son with Annapurna Devi, Shubbho).
I think I can speak for all of the Westerners when I say that we all probably would love to be in her position, learning ragas from our father.
Neal
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Feb 28, 2003 03:01 p.m.

This is correct. Neal

If memory serves me, it is when they are either sitting around watching old videos. .
K.K.
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Feb 28, 2003 08:52 p.m.

Regarding ICM websites criticizing Norah Jones � ditto to Neal�s statement. WHO ASKED THEM!
The entertainment media is in existence for one purpose � to SELL. Whether it's a supermarket tabloid, an Internet �news� site, MTV, or �Entertainment Tonight,� it's all the same CRAP. They�re either trying to sell their �product� or, in the case of some �journalists� (who have no meaningful talent themselves), they're subconsciously trying to convince the world (actually themselves) that they are somehow better or more hip than the artist they are criticizing.
Regarding Noushka - I've seen her perform on two occasions and, yes, her alap was similar both times. The girl hasn't been on the planet long enough to be a brilliant technician! But that doesn't mean she can't move people with her music. Show me one statement where she has claimed to be a master player. I've talked with her, she�s totally without ego.
In regards to her getting special attention because of who her father is � True, if it weren't for her father's fame, most people would never have even heard of Anouska Shankar. By the same token, if it weren't for uncle George, most people would never have even heard of Ravi Shankar. ICM people should be happy that she�s getting attention, it can only help promote ICM. In my opinion, ICM NEEDS Anoushka Shankar right now.
And considering the majority of crap that's been spewing out over the airwaves the last few years, Popular Music needs Norah Jones.
Sorry to go on like this but sometimes the media just makes me want to puke!
Russ
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Mar 02, 2003 05:18 p.m.

100% with you KK. In my opinion and being on the edge of 50, I think the best years of rock and all its incarnations may have already passed. MTV, Warner Bros and the rest of "the media" has found out just what a cash-cow this music is, and has totally ruined it. The crap out there nowdays passing for music I no longer listen to. Norah won't save it. She is just a fresh breath surrounded by a foul breeze. Good comment on "Uncle George". I remember the days of the Beatles and Ravi quite well. That was when I vowed I would by a sitar one day and learn at least some of the music.

OK, sorry about the soapbox stomp. Just an old boy blowing off steam. I'm sure a 20 year old would disagree with most of this. . .
Rufis.Joey
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Mar 03, 2003 10:12 p.m.

Hey I'm 19 and I fully agree with you.

I only have one issue with this Norah lady. With all the jazz credentials she has like the schooling etc. you think her music would be jazzier. Everything I've heard is more like 40s pop. I wish we had some real jazz on the billboards. Or some real indian music.

She is pretty great anyway.

Oh well

peace and love

Joey
Russ
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Mar 04, 2003 11:56 a.m.

The days of fusion-jazz has already come and gone I think. It attracted a small but dedicated following (including me), but was not that much of a commercial success. That might be one reason why Norah doesn't concentrate on the jazz aspect, but mixes it up with R&B, country and pop. Just a nice change from the poop that's out there. .
K.K.
East Meets West Extravaganza Mar 04, 2003 12:48 p.m.

"Mahavishnu Orchestra 2003" line-up:

John McLaughlin - Guitar
Anoushka Shankar - Sitar
Norah Jones - Keyboards & Vocals
Yo-Yo Ma - Cello
Kyung Wha Chung - Violin
Stanley Clarke - Bass
Billy Cobham - Drums
Zakir Hussian - Tabla
Russ
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Mar 04, 2003 02:05 p.m.

Yeah, I'd buy a ticket to see that one!

Couple of extras: L. Shankar on double violin, and for this lineup, Ashwin Batish on sitar (since this isn't exactly ICM!). If this thing is electric, add Joe Zawinul or Jan Hammer for electronics as needed.
Russ
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Apr 29, 2003 04:42 p.m.

http://www.themusicmagazine.com/norahrow.html
Ok, this has been bugging me since the person asked me a while back where I heard any bad press about Norah Jones. I just couldn't remember where I had seen it. Just now found it again. Not this particular article as it appears to be a continuation of the one I spoke of earlier. Even now, these reviews aren't sure whether they like her stuff or not. But these are just opinions of paid reviewers. You decide for yourself. And I'll end it here.
K.K.
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Apr 29, 2003 08:48 p.m.

Hey Russ: Thanks for the link. Here's another one: www.timesofindia.com
Noushka, Norah, and Bapi are on the front page.
K.K.
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Apr 29, 2003 08:53 p.m.

Sorry, forgot to add - you have to scroll down the page to find the article. The "more" link by the photo just shows you more photos.
Russ
Re:OT: Good for Norah! Apr 30, 2003 02:02 p.m.

Article must be well-buried. Never did find it. . .
Russ
Re:OT: Good for Norah! May 02, 2003 04:09 p.m.

Found the pictures by way of a fellow posting their links in the indian classical music newsgroups. Hmmm. . .I get this weird feeling in my stomach that a couple of those pictures were a bit "staged". Perhaps to let the world know that Raviji has finally accepted his daugahter? If so, then that's a good thing.
[Previous] [Up] [Next]

SPONSORED LINKS