Live Review: Norah Jones, Cory Chisel & Adriel Denae

Sinking deep into a comfortable chair at the Plenary feels great as Cory Chisel and his musical partner Adriel Denae, all the way from Nashville, warm the crowd with a slick set of heart-warming bluesy country tunes. Chisel, a country boy through and through, projects a perfectly affable presence that draws the audience close. The somewhat statuesque Denae has a compellingly beautiful voice and the duo are at their best when duetting.

Expecting to see Norah Jones at grand piano, it is surprising to see her stand behind a sexy red electric piano and kick the show off with Happy Pills, the title of which speaks for itself. A versatile combo of capable musicians back Jones, producing feel-good country, blues and even funky vibes across much of the set. Jones's rich smoky voice wrapped around the sweet melodies of Say Goodbye and All A Dream delights her swooning fans. Drawing on her collaboration with Danger Mouse, Jones gives us the dream Black and wonders if the Rome album was ever released in Australia. Perhaps denying her subcontinental roots, Jones is keen to prove she's just a guitar-wielding country gal from Texas. Lonestar and Hey You briefly turn the show into a good old-fashioned hoedown. A flawless version of Gram Parson's spellbinding Hickory Wind precedes Jones going it alone on an upright piano with The Nearness Of You and Don't Know Why to brilliant effect. Moving to the front of the stage to perform with her band in front of a single microphone gives Sunrise and Creepin' In a cute, old-fashioned '50s appeal. The jazzy notes of Come Away With Me bring the night down. An evening of agreeable music from Jones seems to leave everyone feeling pretty fine.