Yes, we all know Amy Winehouse is Jewish, but the way she has been acting lately is anything but as a Nice Jewish Girl. Yes, we all know that Bette Midler and Barbara Streisand are Jewish, but JYAs of today have nothing to do with the Borscht Belt. And yes, Pink is half Jewish, but she really doesn’t associate, does she?
(Regina: Az a yor ahf mir)
Today’s JYAs get their wholesome inspiration from a different source entirely, in the shape of the blue-eyed songstress Regina Spektor. Female JYAs love her because they can relate to her catchy yet eclectic lyrics that speak to womankind. Regina is like their best friend from Jewish summer camp who made it big but still sends them free tickets to her concerts whenever she is in town. Male JYAs love her because she presents an image of being potentially “gettable”. Regina is like their girlfriend from Jewish summer camp who made it big, doesn’t send them tickets to her concerts whenever she is in town, but would still remember their name if she ran in to them in the street.
Ms. Spektor is also an unabashed Jew, a graduate of Jewish day school in Riverdale, and the Frisch School in Paramus. She has played numerous times at various Jewish arts and music festivals around the country, and has also performed in Israel recently. In addition, she credits her songwriting spark to a hike in the Negev on a childhood trip to Israel.
So who better to earn the support of Jewish Young Adults than Regina Spektor? Talented, gorgeous, modest, and doesn’t act like Amy Winehouse. Plus she’s allegedly single. What more could you want?
(Amy: Es iz a shandeh far di kinder!)
[…] Like sent to me by several different people in the last 24 hours. While it was gratifying to see #8 on the list was a ringing endorsement of our choice of a headliner for the June 1 Celebration of Israel @ 60; […]
While it is true that Regina Spektor is all of the things above, it is also true that Amy Winehouse is severely more talented and a much more bold female. Stuff Young Jews Like should not forget that there is a fine line between genius and madness, and not easily boast of a psychological safety mechanism in Jewish men that negates the Bold Jewish Female, however addicted. It is a trying dilemma to be a Lenny Bruce, a Billie Holliday, or a Kurt Cobain. G-d did not make it easy on the ones whom are truly blessed with this kind of talent/innovation, and Amy Winehouse
is in pain.
Lol this is a blog i WASNT expecting
– http://www.anythingblack.net
Don’t get me wrong, Regina is my all time favourite, but what about Mirah? Come on, the girl’s middle name is Tova and her “Jerusalem” totally kicks ass.
RUBY, Amy is NOT more talented than Regina! And if by bold you mean severely troubled, than sure, Amy wins that contest. Have you even listened to Regina?
I discovered Regina from an in store CD signing session and wow…
At first I didn’t know what to think, but she definitely grows on you. Fidelity is way too catchy. And a beautiful woman as well.
you are whery gud singer
i don’t think that one is better than the other, personally i love them both, and yesy it is true that amy has been in trouble these last monts (i mean a little bit more) but who really can say how people must act…
at least I CAN’T 🙂
whatever, just hope to have Regina and Amy for long time!
Has anyone every looked beyond Regina’s blue eyes, or her “gettable” potential to analyze the content of her lyrics? She talks about drugs, sex and abuse among other things. Though she may live these aspects of her life in private, they are still very much a part of her person. Contrarily, Amy sings mostly about love (with the grand exception being “Rehab”). She acts like a freak show, but if what JYA care about, according to this article, is based on perception, Regina should be held accountable for her actions too, no?
Regina has said many times that her songs are NOT autobiographical. Yes, the things you mention are things she has sung about, but they don’t necessarily reflect her own life. Hmmm, perhaps she’s just imagining what it would be like to be Amy Winehouse!
amy winehouse is untalented. she just ripping off old soul music, which is infinitely better. she’s derogatory, ugly, derivative, a total cliche (rock and roll, sex drugs…boring). no personality, watered down music…
regina is inventive, intelligent, attractive, nicely dressed, can actually play and sing, and is doing something more original. also…her songs are not autobiographical…she sings about things like drugs and death and cancer etc but is mature enough to keep a distance from such lifestyle. plus if you want something cool and jewish…Yo La Tengo are no.1 in my book.
RUBY FRIEDMAN
-Regina has more talent in her pinky finger than Amy has had in her life…
Regina Spector is not just a amazing singer live but she can play piano beautifully and write funny and toughing songs.
I’m hearing many artists “try” to copy Regina’s inflections and quirkiness but it’s just not working.
Now, I’m a big fan of Regina – Fidelity is one of my favourite songs ever, and after a life spent listening to and creating music I don’t say that lightly. But Amy has the sort of talent that only happens once in a generation. She’s up there with Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, making her the owner of one of the finest singing voices ever. Such a pity she seems dead set on being the latest Janice Joplin.
Regina Spektor: Marriage License
Amy Winehouse: Restraining Order
Amy Winehouse is a lot cooler
Amy is pathetic compared to Regina. Her lyrics are intelligent, witty, profound, and unique. Her voice is unparalleled. She’s adorable and friendly in person and a fantastic role model all around. Listen to “Oedipus,” “Chemo Limo,” “Braille,” “Buildings,” “Ezra Pound,” and “Ode to Divorce” (not to mention all the others) and then get back to me.
Regina Spektor is much more talented than Amy Winehouse.
who doesn’t adore regina spektor?
I honestly loved her before I even knew she was Jewish. That was just an added bonus. Who doesn’t love her though? It’s impossible not to adore her music. She has so much talent and finally we can laugh at the ant-semetics that say we have no talent in song. Bazinga!
I agree with the person who brought up Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn
Such silly comparisons. Regina and Amy are both brilliant artists. But Regina has a richer, more enduring oeuvre. I fell in love with her the first time I saw her. Amy brings out my Messiah complex. Listen to other first-rate female Jewish singers worth emulating, Julie Feldman, actress Melanie Laurent, Sophie Milman, Noa.
Shalom.
i always attend music festivals because they are quite exciting and i love music “,-
I have listened to both artists for a few years now, and I find that Regina Spektor is not even comparable to Amy. I think Amy Winehouse has good music that should not be completely ignored, but Regina is unbelievably talented and has simply beautiful lyrics. I think that those who think Amy is better than Regina need to listen to just a few of her songs. They are breathtaking.
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