TORONTO -- It is possible to be too pleasant. What else to conclude after seeing Norah Jones live.

The New York-based pop vocalist and pianist is lovely and talented and plays with a "handsome" band of real musicians.

It's difficult to find fault with her personality or her playing. And yet, after 90 minutes of her sweet, romantic music, pleasant became pretty unpleasant.

Jones did her best to make the Molson Amphitheatre into a special occasion.

The stage was decorated like a comfortable living room, with red velvet curtains and oversized '70s-style lamps. The smell of fried dough and glimpses of neon ferris wheel lights from the CNE was a nice touch.

Jones wore jeans and a sea- blue halter with fringes, and appeared at ease from the opening notes of The Prettiest Thing, from her new album Feels Like Home.

She switched seats, between her black baby grand piano and a smaller set of electric keys. She made cute little jokes about the Maple Leafs and Sesame Street. Her smooth, earthy vocals never faltered.

And yet, while Norah charmed, her music plodded along, pleasant but uninspiring.

Norah did update the material for a live crowd.

Songs from her two records, plus an impromptu Graham Parsons cover (inspired by a bracelet!), were given fuller, new arrangements highlighting her band: Bassist (and boyfriend) Lee Alexander, guitarists Adam Levy and Robbie McIntosh and drummer Andrew Borger. (Borger even got an extended solo during In the Morning.)

But the biggest surprise was when Jones stepped out from behind the piano.

Midway through the set, Jones stood up to sing and let guitars take over for several songs, including the smash hit Don't Know Why.

But no matter how many times she and the band changed positions or instruments, it all sounded remarkably unremarkable, one mood and tempo for the entire evening, and a dull one at that.

Even the so-called "hoe-down" tune Creepin In had the same slow pace, failing to rouse the crowd. Her country is as mundane as her jazz.

I'm not suggesting Norah Jones take up swearing or stripping to make her concerts more interesting.

I'm just thinking that maybe her brand of easy listening music, pleasant as it is, may be best played at home.

Since you're going to fall asleep listening to it, you might as be comfortable.

JAM! Rating: 3 out of 5