OK, so here’s the first music recommendation...Regina Spektor. I was reintroduced to her music while browsing through the music videos on iTunes (I’m impressed by the sound and quality of these streamed videos). There I watched a video for her song “Us”. I then got the song locked in my brain and I watched, and re-watched the video a ton of times last week, before ponying up the dough for her album on iTunes (a bargain at 7 bucks and change). The video is a good introduction to this great artist. Regina has a great musical and visual style and an obvious sense of humor that comes across in the video.

A few years ago, a friend and I were at NYC’s “Living Room” to see a singer. We arrived a few hours before her set and grabbed two spots at the back of the bar and settled in to hear some of the other performers. Before its current incarnation, the Living Room was about the size of one and it had a real intimate feel (that sometimes bordered on feeling like the 6 train at rush hour). So at some point, a group of young women arrive and end up standing near to us by the bar. My immediate impression was that these folks were fans of the singer I was there to see.

But when the act on stage finishes up their set (The L.R. likes to keep acts changing on the hour) one of the women walks up to the stage and begins to prepare for her performance. It was Regina Spektor. She sat at the piano and proceeded to blow my mind. I was struck by the odd combination of shyness and confidence in her singing, playing and lyrics. In that sense she reminded me of the first time I saw Fiona Apple in NYC and of Norah Jones’ performing style. Afterward, I spoke briefly with her and bought her previous CD “11:11.” It was just one of many great experiences and surprises at the Living Room (you’ll hear more later...) Check her out! She is starting to get some great recognition including a recent Leno appearance and an opening spot for “Keane” on their American tour.