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WILKES-BARRE — Like the deeply talented and multi-faceted songstress that she is, Norah Jones put on an astounding display of versatility and soulfulness in Wilkes-Barre on Oct. 20, playing songs that spanned several genres of music and treating concert goers to her unique brand of intricate songwriting.

The nine-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter kicked off her fall tour at the F.M. Kirby Center, and backed by the folk/Americana band The Candles, Jones performed blues, jazz and country hits, even decorating her set with a few choice covers.

The daughter of famed sitar player Ravi Shankar, Jones has made several acclaimed albums, and she has a quiver full of original songs that fans adore, but she led off the show with a cover of Hank Williams’ “Cold, Cold Heart.” The jazzy interpretation of the 1951 song showed the expertise of her backing musicians, especially Josh Lattanzi who played a driving double bass during the opener.

Jones didn’t take long to change pace as she performed her rock ballad “What Am I to You?” two songs later, followed by the vaudevillian sounding, organ-driven tune “Sinkin Soon,” which highlighted her hypnotically sultry voice.

Her vocal power got stronger with every song, filling the theater more with each new verse, and she stepped out from behind her piano in favor of a guitar to play one of her country songs, “Lonestar.”

Not to let her blues side be ignored, Jones performed “It’s Gonna Be” a few songs later, which featured swampy, wah-wah augmented guitar playing and weeping organ. Then she paid tribute to the Grateful Dead, playing “Must Have Been the Roses” and explaining that she’s been on a “Jerry kick” since the Fare Thee Well shows in Chicago over the Summer.

Despite all of the other greatness, the highlight of the show featured Jones back behind her piano, showing her mastery of the keys and belting out her own songs in her pure, emotionally inspiring voice. “Little Broken Hearts,” “Don’t Know Why” and “Turn Me On” gave devoted fans more than enough reason to cheer and applaud, and they did, shouting “We love you Norah” as often as infrequent silences permitted.

Norah Jones performs with her band Tuesday night at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_nora4.jpg.optimal.jpgNorah Jones performs with her band Tuesday night at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader

By Matt Mattei

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Reach Matt Mattei at 570-991-6651 or [email protected].