'Jones'ing for some honky-tonk

Norah Jones is back, and this time it’s as an excuse to revive the honky-tonk country oldies from the dead.

“For the Good Times,” a group project focused on digging up vintage collections, incorporates a mixture of classics written by artists such as Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams and Dolly Parton, creating a new edge of country rhythm appealing to even non-country listeners.

Grammy award winner Jones opens the album with the track “I Worship You,” which blends country, traditional and jazz-like sounds. It also includes a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Permanently Lonely,” soulfully sung by Richard Julian.

Furthest from the standard western sound is “Fowl Owl on the Prowl,” which was originally sung by Quincy Jones.

But the record’s biggest successes are “Jolene” by Parton and Red Simpson’s “Diesel Smoke, Dangerous Curves” performed by the duet of Jones and Julian.

Six years after their previous album, The Little Willies have gracefully switched from a melodic soft-rock band to a rugged country one that can fit in among your grandfather’s old records.