Come Away With Me

Released in 2002 on the legendary Blue Note label, 'Come Away With Me' became one of the most significant commercial anomalies in music history. Produced by Arif Mardin, the album eschewed the high-gloss pop trends of the early 2000s in favor of a minimalist, analog approach that blended jazz, folk, and country. While critics at the time, including those at AllMusic and Pitchfork, noted its 'mellow' or 'stagnant' pacing, the public responded to its raw intimacy, eventually pushing it to Diamond certification. The record is notable for its ensemble of elite musicians, including Bill Frisell and Brian Blade, who provide a sophisticated but restrained backdrop for Jones' piano and vocals. It famously swept the 45th Grammy Awards, winning eight trophies and signaling a massive shift in the viability of 'adult' contemporary music. It stands as a bridge between the Great American Songbook tradition and modern indie-folk sensibilities.