NORAH JONES Singer adjusts to stage as fame fits her better

She's used to the bright lights and in control.
By JAKE COYLE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK -- Norah Jones has been on the road so long, she's considered putting a couch on the stage and calling her tour "The Couch Tour."
The sultry-voiced singer recently kicked off the U.S. leg of her world tour with the Handsome Band, fresh from playing through Europe in support of her new album, "Feels Like Home." And the shy Jones, who was thrust into stardom with her runaway hit debut "Come Away With Me," is feeling more at ease.
"Performing live wasn't that great the first time around," Jones told The Associated Press. "But I think there's a learning curve to it, and now I feel a lot more comfortable."
On stage, the normally stationary pianist is even striding out from her perch behind the piano to sing.
"I used to think I looked like a marionette when I stand up," Jones said. "But now I'm standing up more and wearing skirts more."
When asked what led to this new performing ease, Jones concedes that much of it comes from simply getting accustomed to the bright lights of a stadium tour. But her newfound comfort on the stage is also due to remembering that she's in control.
'Make it fun'
Jones, 25, says that while there are things that she has to do as such a popular performer, she finds the key is to "try to make it fun for myself." And she's doing just that.
In concert, Jones is featuring songs from her new album, which have a more country sound and lend more energy to her shows. Jones and her band have also been playing covers of The Band and Tom Waits.
Her new album, "Feels Like Home," sold more than 1 million copies in its first week of release in February. Jones' first CD, "Come Away With Me," has sold 8 million-plus copies and garnered her eight Grammys last year, including album of the year. Her tour is scheduled to run through Nov. 14.
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