It doesnÔÇÖt seem like the most natural fit at first sight. The idea of Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong releasing an album with Norah Jones may make listeners imagine a strange jazz/soul/pop-punk fusion album, but on ÔÇÿForeverlyÔÇÖ, the woman behind ÔÇ£my heart is drenched in wineÔÇØ and the man behind ÔÇ£do you have the time to listen to me whine?ÔÇØ are paying tribute to rock-and-roll duo The Everly Brothers in the form of a reinterpretation of 1958ÔÇÖs┬áÔÇÿSongs Our Daddy Taught UsÔÇÖ. With Green Day straying from their initial pop punk formula on recent albums and Norah Jones having collaborated with everyone from Outkast to Herbie Hancock, itÔÇÖs fair to say that this collaboration isnÔÇÖt as strange as it may initially seem, but the combination of two such different artists still presents an opportunity for an album that could go two ways.
The Everly BrothersÔÇÖ close harmonies mean that Armstrong and JonesÔÇÖ voices are usually side-by-side. More a departure for Armstrong than it is for Jones, it is clear from opener ÔÇÿRoving GamblerÔÇÖ this album is a lot better and more authentic than some listeners may have feared. The male/female partnership in contrast to two brothers helps bring an interesting twist to the original and – even though JonesÔÇÖ voice is the more comfortable-sounding of the two – Armstrong shows himself to be easily one of the most diverse singers of his genre. Lower-range tracks such as ÔÇÿWho’s Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet?ÔÇÖ suit the pair particularly well, and ÔÇÿPut My Little Shoes AwayÔÇÖ with a more minimalistic piano accompaniment than the original is an effective way to show the blending of voices as the album comes to a close.
ItÔÇÖs not going to shake the musical landscape in the same way┬áÔÇÿDookieÔÇÖ,┬áÔÇÿCome Away With MeÔÇÖ┬áor┬áÔÇÿSongs Our Daddy Taught UsÔÇÖ┬ádid, but despite being a strange idea on paper,┬áÔÇÿForeverlyÔÇÖ┬áis delivered with a respect and admiration for the American greats, to produce a result that is a worthwhile and enjoyable listen for fans of both artists. DonÔÇÖt Know Why? Possibly. Basket Cases? Not entirely fair.