Review: Billie Joe Armstrong and Norah Jones – 鈥楩oreverly鈥�
West Coast (Billie Joe Armstrong) meets East Coast (Norah Jones) to recreate the organic sound of pure Americana in 鈥淔oreverly.鈥�
The dynamic duo meld different musical styles on a song-by-song reinterpreting of the Everly Brothers鈥� 1958 album 鈥淪ongs Our Daddy Taught Us.鈥�
On this collection of traditional folk and country arrangements, both Grammy Award-winning artists effortlessly emulate the splendidly sweet two-part harmonies showcased by the Everly Brothers throughout their career.
Conventional wisdom would have said to use two male singers instead of a male and female for this quirky side project that draws comparisons to 鈥淩aising Sand鈥� by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss in 2007.
Armstrong鈥檚 selection of Jones proves to be masterful as the odd combination breathes new life into these obscure arrangements.
A longtime fan of the Everly Brothers, Armstrong was encouraged by his wife to ask Jones to join him on this labor of love.
The vocals may sound of angels, but the song lyrics are laced with dark and depressing messages of loneliness, heartache and reflection.
鈥淩oving Gambler,鈥� previously covered by Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkel, opens the album and ushers in the stripped-down production that accentuates the vulnerable vocals.
Jones鈥� breathy singing style shines as she takes the lead on 鈥淚鈥檓 Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail.鈥�
鈥淟ong Time Gone鈥� is the album鈥檚 lead single and clearly the standout track.
Completed in just nine days, 鈥淔oreverly鈥� proves that when you match quality tunes with stellar talent, the results are satisfying and timeless.
The Green Day frontman has stated his band plans to take a break at the conclusion of the current tour.
Meanwhile, Jones recently collaborated with her half-sister, Anoushka Shankar, on Shankar鈥檚 latest album 鈥淭races of You.鈥�