By Jake Coyle
The Associated Press

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 will kick off the American leg of her world tour with the Handsome Band today, 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," says Jones, who plays U.S. Bank Arena Nov. 5. "But I think there's a learning curve to it, and now I feel a lot more comfortable."

On stage, the normally station-ary 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 says. "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. But her newfound comfort on the stage is also due to remembering that she's in control.

Jones, 25, says she finds the key is to "try to make it fun for myself."

In concert, Jones is featuring songs from her new album, which have a more country sound. She and her band have also been playing covers of The Band and Tom Waits.