Jazz, country & western, folk and more: Norah Jones [ tickets ] covers it all on "Not Too Late," her third solo disc.

The set, produced by Lee Alexander, doesn't stray too far from the sounds on Jones' first two albums. Where Jones is concerned, that is a good thing. These songs are soft and sweet. And this collection is warm and rustic.

Like Tracy Chapman or Paul Simon, Jones has established herself as a reliable, quality songwriter, delivering pieces inspired by the past and the present. Throughout "Not Too Late" she creates mood through melody--at times joyous, other times sentimental, always mesmerizing. Each melody is instantly memorable, familiar as an old friend.

Highlights include the Depression-era speakeasy anthem "Sinkin' Soon," with its wailing trumpet flares, and the shuffling lounge-folk of "Be My Somebody." "The Sun Doesn't Like You" is a pretty track showcasing Jones' improving lyrical skills: "So tonight we can build a fire/In the open field past the razor wire/Sneak by the dogs when they go to sleep/Bring part of yourself that you'll let me keep." With "Wake Me Up," she delivers a sweet new morning song, a cousin to "Sunrise," off her previous disc, "Feels Like Home."

Like generations of songwriters before her, Jones finds inspiration in love and life. Still, it's a surprise to hear her going political with "My Dear Country," an ode to 2004's presidential election. She sings, "'Cause we believed in our candidate/But even more it's the one we hate/I needed someone I could shake/On election day."

Norah Jones isn't delivering many surprises with her third disc--maybe a little more guitar than normal, but that's about it. For Jones, her piano, melodies and lush arrangements remain a formula for sweet music.