Something my sister told me earlier in the week was on my mind as we headed to Saturday night's sold out Norah Jones show at the Riverside Theater.  

Jones' third and latest album, "Not Too Late," so my sister told me, is my niece's favorite to fall asleep to.  My sister swears by it and four-year Shelby sleeps to it.  That worried me a bit as the lights dimmed at about 9 p.m. for Jones' set.  

I'd only heard "Not Too Late" a few times but each listen did strike me for its mellow, sleepy nature and its not quite as pleasant as it could be tone.  Yet, there was no denying that the singer, now songwriter's first two offerings were wonderfully pleasant, singable, sunny and at times simply charming.  So, I was more than excited to see Jones.

Standing centerstage, guitar in hand, Jones, backed by her Handsome Band, opened with "Come Away With Me."  Comfortably cute in a vintage dress, Jones went into "Those Sweet Words" for her second tune before welcoming the crowd and diving into tunes from her latest record.  

Confident and classy, Jones transitioned well between her baby grand, keyboard, and several guitars, something new this tour.  With a fine supporting cast, Jones sounded great playing her guitars thanking the band for letting her play them, noting that the decision to come out from behind her piano was one she made since it's "my band, after all," she said laughing.    

Through the 19-song set, the Riverside crowd was welcoming and courteous.  Jones mentioned three times that she "loved Milwaukee," asking "you're a beer town, right?" and noting that she picked her dress to fit the city (it was a vintage looking, somewhat German number).  The crowd laughed and you could tell that Jones liked the energy and buzz in the theater.  

For a performer who I guess you would classify as adult contemporary, I'm sure her tour has been mainly full of sit down crowds.  Milwaukee was the same, but there was a cool vibe in the place that probably came from pre-concert cocktails, and even more so, from an appreciation for Jones' amazing voice and her solid place in the music world.  

Opener M. Ward joined Jones for the knee-slapping' "Creepin' In" and helped end the set with Willie Nelson's "Hands on the Wheel."

The encore provided more of the same as Jones ended with "Don't Know Why" and "Long Way Home."  

While Jones may hold a wonderful place in my niece's bedtime ritual, she definitely didn't lull Milwaukee to sleep on Saturday night (she did, for the record, say it was alright to sleep during "Rosie's Lullaby").  No, she didn't sing us to sleep.  Jones only impressed with her wonderful voice, friendly (and not long-winded) between song banter and endearing 110-minute set.