Guitarist for Norah Jones Breaks Down Her Biggest Hits

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Table of Contents 00:00 "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones 00:57 Introducing Adam Levy 01:57 How Adam began working with Norah Jones 04:06 Recording Norah Jones' First Record 05:17 The Story Behind "Shoot the Moon" 08:53 "Shoot the Moon" by Norah Jones 13:19 The Story Behind "Come Away with Me" 17:27 "Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones 22:47 Norah's Rise to Fame 24:30 Adam's Work with Tracy Chapman 27:51 The Story Behind "Give Me One Reason" 33:50 "Give Me One Reason" by Tracy Chapman 37:59 Adam's Work with Amos Lee 42:16 "Arms of a Woman" by Amos Lee 45:16 Reflecting on Adam's Music Career 46:24 Thanks for Watching!

[@AlonStark]

This is a great video!!!! What strings are in his guitar??? Looks like real thick strings… Tone is great!!! What’s he using ? U can really see the strings, like bass…

[@CamiloVelandia]

Man!!! What a touch. No tricks, just pure sensitivity to dynamics and the instrument. Beautiful!

[@pauls_guitartrip]

Which is a hell of trick by itself.😅

[@tanukibrahma]

One of my favorite guitarists of recent decades.

[@nathancarter1082]

As a guitar player, I truly appreciate the simplicity, the " less is more" beautiful quiet touch. It is art to make emotions into sound. These songs by Norah Jones and the band are just amazing. If I ever can I hope to sound like this....

[@davidstein9129]

Adam is a genius of minimalist guitar playing...Not one note is waisted. He's marvelous.

[@petergoddard1960]

Adam is such a joy. His solo albums are gold too. He's not just a side-man. He has such a wonderful touch.

[@goswo]

Just “found” Adam aprox a month ago. So glad I did. The Zen-vibe in his being and guitar playing is pure bliss for the soul.

Adam Levy is a class act. Everything he does is gold.

[@pievancl5457]

he defined that singer songwriter/indie folk sound of the 00's. such a classic legendary sound. i still remember the great fills on that entire Amos Lee album.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Heck yea!

[@fordhammie]

@5:59 so beautifully simple...

[@GuitarJesse7]

Great wisdom during the part where he talks through mindset of the solo in Come Away. Phrasing around what the other instruments are doing.

[@stevem-h3562]

Glorious opening. And to think that the recorded version is just the warm up/run through. And even Arif Mardin didnt want to add anything to it beyond the very light BV's. Utterly glorious.

[@davidstein9129]

Great video. Wonderful. What an important album that was...His work with Tracy Chapman. etc. Wow.

[@tristanjantz]

Phenomenal video! Adam’s touch and musicality are moving and inspiring. Thanks for doing these Mason! Can’t wait to check out the other interviews

[@shoatiez1262]

Thanks for having this guy.

[@shoatiez1262]

dude this man.. ! hes a legend best!! he made those tracks be that tracks come alive...

[@shawnstarks1743]

Even though I like and love metal/rock. I always wanted to play a “pianistic” style in guitar. I guess I’m getting older. This is a example of what tasteful guitar is.

[@freddymclain]

I think that Nora is a sensitive singer, and your guitar style matches up nicely.

[@mismo358]

Known about Adam from Mason Stoops which is a phenomenal guitarist in his right too then started following him realized then that he is singlehandedly responsible for all my favorite tunes growing up.

[@DaveInkster]

Brilliant interview and video. If I was Luke Skywalker, I'd choose Adam Levy as my Yoda!!

[@MarlonGibbons]

So much feel and beautiful, delicate phrasing. Love how sparse yet meaningful his playing is.

[@jinjxmusic]

This is great as always. What Adam is saying about "Give me one reason" speaks volumes because I also find myself "weirded out" by the sensibility of it. Technically it's a "blues"... but the form sits different in some ways. Also technically the chords imply "major" or dominant, though if you play the major blues scale or pentatonic it sounds too "happy". You kind of "have" to play it with the minor sound... it's like anti intuitive but it fits the song better. There's a couple cool youtube videos of Eric Clapton sitting in with her and he gets it. Anyway, I remember watching Adam's career when during those first two Norah Jones albums and he was absolutely perfect for her. Respect to The Master.

[@bmark7951]

Awesome content.. never heard of Adam before and he’s got a new fan.. very calm demeanor

[@j.b.55]

This is SO great! Mason’s enthusiasm reminds me of the Chris Farley ‘SNL’ skit with Paul McCartney: “Do you remember when you were in The Beatles?”….Lol…just an awesome, humble appreciation and approach to interviewing a master guitarist of minimalism.

[@DavidKochiev]

Thank you so much, Mason, for such a great interview!

[@HelderAlmeidaGuitar]

this series of videos are the best!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

wow, thanks so much!

[@stratjed]

Big fan of Mr. Levy's playing.

[@DaveElke]

This is a great lesson in pure playing. Thanks for getting Adam to show these parts!

[@clydebermingham121]

The art of just listening is so vital

[@davidstein9129]

His personality is as wonderfully relaxed and fluid as his guitar playing.

[@lematrix01]

What a timing and feel ❤

[@rocknroller984]

😍 I noticed the arrangement when I first heard Shoot The Moon in my teens! That's when I found out about Adam and I love his playing and his musicality!

[@stickman55100]

Always loved that song and the wonderful style and playing of Adam Levy.

[@shoatiez1262]

the way this guy play.. is beyond . feels. wow

[@GuitarDoog]

Adam is The Man.

[@davidm9323]

I have always loved the guitar playing on that Amos album and on the Norah album but has no idea it was the same guy. So beautiful.

[@phishphan5732]

Love Adam! I have a few of his solo albums too. Norah and Amos are stellar.

[@clydebermingham121]

There’s a just something about the vibe approach of this music … one really must have the art of beauty in simplicity … One just has to know & feel that certain feel & vibe of how to blend into this kind of music

[@ggus8512]

That guitar and amp tone is really nice. Something a bit special about it.

[@shoatiez1262]

i wanna see this man go with norah again. this is the real sound!! come one

[@Ubi_Qui]

Great intervview, very informative, good feels, well hosted.

[@dcthegreatest24]

Mason, seeing you vibe with Adam's playing in the intro is everything 🙌 Love this ❤

[@admarhermans1]

🙏 Such an inspiring musician! Love his ‘energy’ as a fellow humanoïd.

[@rinkydinky-ob9pe]

what beautiful music guitars , we are so lucky to hear adam, thanks for having a great show !

[@guyb7005]

As a Canuck, Kevin Breit is one of my all-time favourite guitarists and he appears with Adam on this album. How Norah brought musicians of this calibre together is beyond me, and that album remains a rarest jewel in music history. I became a bigger fan of Kevin when his band opened for Bill Frisell in Toronto at about that same time. I may need to add Adam Levy to my list!

[@chuckfarley7642]

I remember hearing her play “Give me one reason” with GE Smith on SNL back during the “Fast Car” era. I was surprised to hear it years later on the radio.

[@hmrody]

Adam Levy, you seem to be so very nice and kind with a bit of self effacement. I understand why people would call you and want you to work with them... Plus, your playing... You were there, and engaged in the moment. Awesome!

[@hafizimranYT]

I’m so glad to find other folks who love that Shoot The Moon guitar solo. When I first heard it, I thought “Yikes, this is one of the most perfect guitar solos ever. Why aren’t more people talking about it?”

[@VertexEffectsInc]

👌👌👌

[@johnmirabile3535]

That may be top 100 songs/ guitar parts of all time.. Ill even go top 75...Its got so much as a music composition.. Tone, feel, vocals, lyrics etc.. And it goes to show that space in a song? Takes the song to another place... Theres a lingering or longing in the guitar work.. And there has to be 5 to 7 chords there.. Its how he doesnt rish the notes.. Its like he keeps each note sustained to the last second which creates that day dream thing.. Thats one of those songs that would make it in any era...Thats why it has to be top 100 ever atleasttttt!!!

[@livingestudiolivesessions5787]

ohhh mason ... thanks so much for this... love adam and that records

[@AlexMusicOvery]

That video is a great guitar lesson, so slow but so good and the tone is sooooo good as well 👏🎶🙂

[@Bren71319]

Wow! From being the “Guitar Tips” guy to playing with Norah Jones!!!

[@VertexEffectsInc]

The best!

[@andrecajeronyou]

Thanks for doing this, I love his playing and it’s great to get a feel for who he is and how he processes things.

[@2vintage68]

He is an artist.......

[@macwavestudios]

Unbelievable playing, tons of touch and taste!

[@joshtomlinson8169]

mason is so good for these unsung heroes. his excitement is contagious and it’s so good of him to give these dudes their medals. i hate how he still gets so much shit for the stupid wawa thing man this guy is a treasure and he’s doing such a good thing for the culture of music in this country

[@joebrown1888]

didnt know i needed this video. norahs music has always been a great inspiration to me. shes so underrated!!!!

[@stevemyers2092]

Nice to finally get to know Adam...since I am up in Canada west coast, I don't have the ability to see him live. Nice work Adam, very very nice. Thank you for your body of work so far...much more to come I hope, looking forward to it.

[@It_is_now]

All the flowers start blooming whenever he plays.

[@14soul]

This video content is simply fantastic for those who appreciate simplicity and a good "clean" guitar sound. Continue!

[@ResponseAudio]

Such a great player! I saw Adam and Jim Campilongo play a show one Sunday evening at the 55 Bar in NYC!

[@bobbaumeister5243]

Adam plays awesome! Pure inspiration

[@communitymusicstudio6595]

So precious!

[@madsenamplification]

Adam is such an incredible musician. Thank you for this video.

[@jaguarsunburst1570]

Really Great Job Man 🎸❤

[@yannickwerther4500]

Thx Vertex Effects for this !!

[@NickGranville]

Adam is such a great player. I didn’t know he’d played gimme on reason but that makes perfect sense. Great work as always Mason! Thanks.

[@clydebermingham121]

Adam Levy comes across pretty humble & cool The music … reflects that kind of temperament & vibe To avoid getting so awe struck , It was an advantage for him to knowing Nora before she got so well known , maybe 🙏🏽🤗🙏🏽 Studied with TED GREENE ….. that vibe kind of shows from his vibe I think

[@peterdvideos]

Great interview!

[@JudgeFredd]

Great interview

[@LUiSHY.J]

Great video!!

[@cmfvalencia]

Que agradable entrevista y que placer escuchar a Adam Levy, gran musico y ser humano, la verdad gran parte del disfrute que me produce escuchar a Norah Jones en su primer album y en sus primeras giras esta representado en la guitarra de Adam Levy, buen momento para reconectar con este gran artista y gracias a esta charla ir a chequear su trabajo reciente, gracias.

[@davidstein9129]

These are 2 smart, Uber talented people & very nice too.

[@willudallmusic]

great vid! I always thought Clapton had something to do with Give Me One Reason, was I totally wrong?!

[@Matt-wr5kx]

Man I love this sound. Sorry if I missed it but what’s the amp and mic used here?

[@VertexEffectsInc]

‘65 Fender Deluxe Reverb, SM57

[@Matt-wr5kx]

@@VertexEffectsInc thanks!

[@johnnylayton1672]

So often still in all music the guitar takes primarily a rhythm section role a la Freddy Green or Eddie Van Halen and so there's often not much sonic nevermind logical room granted for guitar "singing" & neck vibrato outside of guitar solos. But to hear Adam Levy's vibrato touch to sweeten his sustained guitar harmonies & permit other instruments to shoulder that rhythm role is a really nice surprise we don't often get to hear even in contemporary pop music. It's a mischievously non-Motownish sound & clearly meant to dial back the beat's prominence to welcome dancers who dance to their own beat on the floor -- i.e., an invitation to intimacy. It's a dynamite sound.

[@clydebermingham121]

I think it shows the place of good recordings.. … How a primary goal may he more about promoting live performances , than seeking records

[@richatlsomm833]

well done mason!

[@mik777]

IMHO, his playing made that record. His playing is emotive and tasty!

[@chuckfarley7642]

A stellar album from the era before American Idol destroyed music!

[@joewaye7945]

Geez! after all these years I thought Jesse Harris ( the writer of Don`t know why ) played guitar on this track

[@jimnichols999]

Just Wow...

[@CO_Sparty]

Great job Mason! I’m so glad this exists as more people really need to know about Adam. I was fortunate to take a lesson from him in 2003ish in SF when he was going back and forth to NYC. What a wonderful player and teacher. He always reminds me a bit of Peter Erskine- tone and time are everything.

[@revvaloon]

First 2 seconds had me thinking he was Tim Pierce 😅

[@rodgermingaye]

Id be really interested to know why for the f sharp song he didnt just play in E and use a capo...easy ??.?

[@music_works]

Usually it comes down to the subtleties of open string vs closed position sounds! There's so much control when none of the strings are open, but when you want that big, ringing sound, nothing beats mixing in open strings!

[@music_works]

It's also more fun to discover new phrasing in an unfamiliar key. Like you mentioned, E would be so easy but I'd wager he has so many "go-to" licks with E that he didn't want to just regurgitate all these familiar things. Love risk-taking in the studio!

[@joelschwartzmusic]

Here's one of the other guitarist behind it kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3mTXmOZja17qZY

[@AlexeiOrechin]

The disrespect of modern internet culture to not put 'Adam Levy' in the title of the video.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Your comment is more emblematic of modern internet culture than anything that appears in this video or titling; e.g. shooting off your mouth (or your fingers) with little to no understanding of what you write. If you’re a fan of Adam’s, as we are, you’d want the greatest number of eyes on his contributions. To this end, we’re very methodical on how we compare and research the SEO of various titles and thumbnails most likely to yield the best results (views). Thumbnails matter, and text in thumbnails are part of the SEO and the KZbin algorithm. There’s nothing accidental in how this video (or this series of videos) is organized. Furthermore, Adam has been involved at each step of the roll out of the video and edits for prior approvals on the details before release. Your comments take no consideration of this whatsoever. So I state again, you’re the problem here as it relates to the ills of modern internet culture, going off half-cocked before having enough info or even asking questions before positing an asinine decree of our intent or that this is somehow disrespectful to Adam.

[@MJSeeker81]

He doesn’t give a shit about Adam levy just his clicks.

[@patshep68]

@@VertexEffectsIncwow. What a douche. Ruining this

[@tonyz4292]

@@MJSeeker81also very cunty

[@pauls_guitartrip]

@@MJSeeker81It’s good to care for clicks if you deliver such good quality content and bring the spot light to a great artist that has been „hidden“ in shadows of well known stars like Nora Jones. Be happy that you can watch this stuff more or less for free.

[@ahmetsuslu9099]

Treasure...

[@johnbrown1851]

Give me a reason never fails to get the chicks out on the dance floor.....more than any other song I can think of.😊

[@RubyDimasStudio]

The person behind.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Huh?

[@hirawstra8edge137]

neck vibrato and instagram is another thing that don't go together, we don't mind what people on instagram say, as we don't mind becuase thye do not matter....DONE!

[@JTStein]

Delicacy & Discretion

[@dave_d_i_a_l]

😂 hipster sorcery

[@jballoregon]

Snorah 😴Jones! Nap time...

[@FKA_Skull]

No offense but no one has ever wondered about the guitarist behind Norah Jones.

[@2vintage68]

WOW!! You could not be more wrong.....and I would bet you are WRONG in a lot of other things too.

[@clydebermingham121]

There’s a just something about the vibe approach of this music … one really must have the art of beauty in simplicity … One just has to know & feel that certain feel & vibe of how to blend into this kind of music

[@clydebermingham121]

Adam Levy comes across pretty humble & cool The music … reflects that kind of temperament & vibe To avoid getting so awe struck , It was an advantage for him to knowing Nora before she got so well known , maybe 🙏🏽🤗🙏🏽 Studied with TED GREENE ….. that vibe kind of shows from his vibe I think