Nora O'Connor

by David Jeffries
You might remember Nora OConnor as a member of the Blacks (she sometimes went by the name Nora Black) or her appearances on-stage and on record with Andrew Bird, the New Pornographers, the Aluminum Group, Chris Mills, Otis Clay, or Mavis Staples. Folks in her native Chicago also know the talented singer/songwriter as a bartender, a midwifes assistant, and an ordained reverend. OConnors incredibly diverse life began in Chicago as a first-generation Irish-American with a father who would teach her all the Irish classics. She first came to the alternative country crowds attention in 1994 when she joined the Blacks. She took a break from the band in 1996 and released her first solo album, Cerulean Blue, by herself in the spring. In 1998 the Blacks made their debut on record with Dolly Horrorshow on Bloodshot, which happened to be released the same day as I Wanna Be Kate, a Chicago-based tribute album in honor of Kate Bush featuring OConnors version of The Saxophone Song. By 2000 the Blacks had run out of steam, but OConnor was an in-demand guest vocalist, often spending time in Andrew Birds band. By 2004 she was ready to strike out on her own again, and Bloodshot couldnt have been happier. The label signed its old friend and released her Til the Dawn in August of that year.