I love Paula Cole. Her 1994 album Harbinger was on constant repeat during my senior year of high school and This Fire (for which she won a grammy) is my favorite album of all time. She has one of the most powerful and beautiful voices I have ever heard. Her music is raw, honest and so so beautiful. Back in 1999 her hit “I Don’t Want to Wait” was all over the airwaves and even became the theme song of “Dawson’s Creek”, the fabulous TV Drama/guilty-pleasure that I still miss to this day. Paula shot to superstardom in about 30 seconds and was overwhelmed with attention and offers of money. But instead of milking the cash cow, Paula quietly released 2000’s Amen and disappeared from view for seven years.During her break, Paula became a yoga instructor, had a baby, and spent some time just being a real person. She finally released a new album in 2007 called Courage, which I just discovered. There is one song on it called “14″ that I literally cannot stop listening to. You can visit www.paulacole.com to give it a listen.Paula Cole inspires me because she made a decision to have a life and maintain her integrity as an artist. She didn’t want the glamorous rock star world; reality suited her better. Rock on, Paula!

Okay. I know it’s been almost a year and a half since my last post, but I’ve been a little busy having a baby. Although playing Mommy to baby Yonah can be exhausting, I have never been more exhilarated or inspired in my life. I am so lucky to spend every day with my little miracle.

But back to business. Here’s my latest song, “Better Than Me”. Enjoy!

Hi, friends!

Happy Channukah, Merry Xmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Season’s Greetings, all that jazz. Here is “Naaseh V’Nishma”, the newest addition to my online repetoire.

The concept behind this song came from a teaching that moved me very deeply. When the Jews accepted the Torah from G-d in the desert, they did so unconditionally, without the need to understand everything the commitment required. They said, “Naaseh V’Nishma” (”We will do and we will hear”). They meant, essentially, “We will trust you and do as you ask, and later we will understand why.” In short, their words were an expression of the deepest kind of faith. The person in this song is in a place of confusion, not understanding why they are where they are or what they are supposed to do. But they take the next step and trust that the next one will be revealed.

May we all have the clarity to see our next step.

Enjoy!

New Song ‘Na’aseh Ve’nishma’ By Rea

On Tuesday night, I performed at “Girls Night On”, a women’s open mike at Mexicali Blues, definitely the hottest happening in Teaneck, NJ (possibly in the last half century). The bar happened to be right down the street from my apartment, so it was easy to get Shuie to haul my keyboard there and back. It’s so nice to have a man around to do the heavy lifting…

I decided to debut a song I’d written the day before, and I forgot the words in the middle of it! If you look closely, you may be able to find the exact moment my brain shuts off. I had to shoot from the hip, but it all turned out well in the end.

The rest of the show was fantastic. Incredible performers, a huge range of talent. You can see pictures of “Girls Night on” on their facebook page, or on their website, (you guessed it!) girlsnighton.com.

My New Original Hebrew Song - Reay V’anyainu

I hate the word “blog”. I feel like it’s something you do right before you throw up. But now I have one, and I have to admit, it’s kind of sexy.