“New York City” collects four tunes written by little-known New York songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Peter Malick and a pair of covers (Sam Maghett’s “All Your Love” and Bob Dylan’s “Heart of Mine”) recorded in late summer 2000 that feature Norah Jones singing lead. Malick randomly caught a Jones gig that year; struck by her voice, he convinced her to join his band and record these tracks. While “New York City” rarely recalls the brilliance of “Come Away With Me,” there are unearthed chestnuts here, such as the sexy “Deceptively Yours.” And the disc’s smooth title track—its highlight, by far—could have easily made its way onto Jones’ smash. Frankly, as her recent and absolutely exquisite cover of Waylon Jennings’ “Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want to Get Over You)” proved, any new Norah (even if this isn’t exactly new) is good Norah.—WO
