Norah Jones Is Playing Along: Recent Episodes
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is a multi-GRAMMY winning singer and pianist who loves playing music with people, so she started her own podcast to do just that. Each episode, she sits down with a different guest for impromptu musical collaborations and candid conversation. Her guests come from all walks of life and every musical style and you never know where the songs will take them. So, come hang out in the studio. Norah Jones is Playing Along!
This special session features not one but two incredible and incomparable musicians - Questlove and Christian McBride. Both hail from Philadelphia and have become titans of the music scene, each in their own right. Go back in time as they relive shared hilarious high school memories, musically breakdown some of their greatest influences, and come together with Norah on inspired covers of D’Angelo, Pops Staples, Kris Kristofferson and more. Recorded 5/10/2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today Norah is joined by masterful singer-songwriter, Alynda Segarra aka Hurray For The Riff Raff. Though a Bronx native, Alynda found a grounding music community in New Orleans, and through songwriting and performing, they evolved into the passionate and powerful musician they are today. The stillness of the pandemic inspired them to write. You’ll hear some of those songs in this episode, and Norah and Alynda come together on a heartfelt Lucinda Williams duet. Recorded 6/12/23. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we feature Brooklyn-based singer songwriter, Max Clarke of Cut Worms. He’s an explorative musician, and an eloquent lyricist. Norah and Max discuss his musical beginnings, the art of the ’long song’, and his latest work. They perform together on some of his new music, a melancholic Carole King duet, and one of Norah’s favorite songs that grounded her through the pandemic. Recorded 5/10/23. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode features Norah’s longtime friend, the prolific singer-songwriter, M. Ward. Though Matt and Norah have traveled the world together over the past 2 decades, she still had a lot to learn about this illustrious musician with an alluring, honeyed voice. Listen in for duets on Matt’s newest music, as well as a couple of his most treasured songs over the years. Recorded 5/3/23. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today’s guest is a singer-songwriter with a powerful, captivating voice - Remi Wolf. Her innovative sound bends the rules of any genre. Norah and Remi talk about the ups and downs of a busy tour schedule, and the desire to find other creative outlets. Join us for intimate versions of songs from Remi’s catalogue, old and new, and Norah and Remi duet on a shared inspiration, Blossom Dearie. Recorded 4/26/23. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we’re doing something a little different. We’re sharing an episode from another podcast we love called Broken Record! On Broken Record, acclaimed producer Rick Rubin, bestselling author Malcom Gladwell, and others interview storied musicians from every genre about their lives, inspiration, and music. Norah has been a guest herself but today we’re sharing a recent episode with Feist! You can find more Broken Record, from Pushkin Industries, wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our guest today is the incredibly talented and versatile musician, Mickey Raphael. His legendary harmonica playing is the hallmark of many songs you know. Not only has he played with everyone from Elton John to Neil Young to Chris Stapleton, but has spent the last 50 years playing alongside Willie Nelson. Mickey and Norah connect on their musical beginnings, their chance meetings with Willie, and life on the road. You won’t want to miss this episode of classics and a spin on one of Norah’s originals! Recorded 4/28/23. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our guest today is the immensely talented, GRAMMY nominated singer, songwriter and dear friend, Emily King! From growing up in NYC, to navigating her way through her career, you’ll hear about how she’s stayed true to herself and her music. Listen in as Emily and Norah perform powerful songs from Emily's latest release, Special Occasion, beautiful favorites from her catalogue, and pay homage to their shared jazz roots. Recorded 4/21/23. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris Thile was born to play music! He began playing the mandolin at 5 years old and by 8 was in the popular bluegrass band, Nickel Creek. He went on to start the band Punch Brothers and to take the reins of Prairie Home Companion and reinvent it as his own ‘Live from Here with Chris Thile’. The conversation dives into what it was like growing up in church, making room for healthy debates, and the life-changing experience of having Alison Krauss as your producer. This episode is a wild card when it comes to music, as Chris suggests that he and Norah not only dig into his catalog, but also play some killer songs by Radiohead and Judee Sill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Marc Rebillet is a wizard! You may know him as Loop Daddy or from his many viral videos improvising tracks at home in his bathrobe. And while that might not be Norah’s performance attire, she and Marc do have a lot in common sharing roots from Dallas to New York. This is by far the funkiest episode to date as Norah & Marc lay down original music on the spot while discussing childhood influences, Marc’s main inspiration Reggie Watts, and how he pieces together the music magic. Tune in to find out what he has planned next! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mavis Staples is pure love and light. She grew up as part of the Staples Singers, a family whose powerful messages of peace rang loud and clear through times of civil unrest. Now, she has solidified worldwide respect and adoration as a solo artist. In this episode, Mavis treats us to many stories, from growing up in a big musical family, to staying strong through trying times, and how she spreads love through her music. She and Norah pay homage to Pops Staples with a rendition of “Friendship”, take on a gospel classic, and even get into the Christmas spirit! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Tarriona “Tank” Ball is the front woman of Tank and the Bangas who got her start in the slam poetry scene of New Orleans. Norah and Tank are by all means ‘friend goals’ so they cover everything from the news, to cooking, writing, attending the GRAMMYs and of course love. The music in this episode takes some surprising turns while they play new versions of songs by Tank like ‘Rollercoasters’ & ‘Friend Goals,’ a collaboration with Norah titled ‘Playing Along’ and in a twist, a new take on ‘Don’t Know Why.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jeff Tweedy is a musician, songwriter, author and frontman of the prolific band, Wilco. Norah joins Jeff in the studio to chat and play duo versions of 5 of her favorites songs of his, including ‘Jesus, Etc.,’ ‘Muzzle of Bees’ and ‘Sunken Treasure’. They dive into how he’s made music a family pastime and writing the perfect set list. Norah & Jeff laugh about the time she got the words wrong to one of his most beloved songs in front of him, and they tackle the age-old question of ‘who’s career would you like to have?’ They revisit recent history and discuss how the pandemic impacted songwriting. In the end, the answer is simple: Love is the king!
What you can expect to hear hanging out in the studio for Norah Jones Is Playing Along!