ROBB EPIFANO
Eleni Mandell has used Bob Dylan has an example of how not to perform. “He doesn’t seem to like his audience that much.”

The new Norah Jones album, “Never Too Late,” hits stores Jan. 30, and it will most likely be one of the best-selling albums that week, maybe of the entire year.

But here’s a recommendation to anyone who will run out and buy that record, no questions asked: Check out the new Eleni Mandell record, “Miracle of Five,” which comes out a week later (Feb. 6).

“Five” is her sixth album but her first since 2004’s “Afternoon,” an album that showcased her affinity for writing and singing in several styles of roots and pop music, from country, soul and blues to lounge jazz.

Mandell has had one big pop-culture moment in her career: that was her about two years ago singing “I Love Paris” during those TV commercials featuring Paris Hilton, lathered in soap suds and splayed over a Bentley.

Despite that moment, and though she has generated plenty of critical acclaim and fan appreciation since her first album, “Wishbone,” in 1999, Mandell remains relatively unknown, even in the underground/alternative music circles. She has no entry in Wikipedia nor at TrouserPress.com, the self-proclaimed “bible of alternative rock.”

Incrementally, though, her career is growing and evolving nicely. Recently, Mandell talked about what she has learned since she embarked, with grand expectations, on this career, including a salty lesson she learned from Bob Dylan.

Q. Most artists say their new record is their favorite or their best. Is that the case with “Miracle of Five” and if so, why?

A. I’m really excited about it. I think it is my best. It sounds really three-dimensional and sparkling. I think my voice sounds better than ever before, which I partly credit to my producer, Andy (Kaulkin), who cracked the whip to make sure I was doing my best.

A lot of established people helped you on this record, including your long-time accomplice DJ Bonebrake (of the band X) plus Nels Cline, now of Wilco. Is that a sign that you’re emerging from the margins?

I guess I have developed a little bit of a reputation even though I’m still pretty underground. I was really surprised when my drummer, Kevin Fitzgerald, told me he’d called Nels Cline. They’d been in the Geraldine Fibbers together. Kevin called me back and said, “Nels said he’d love to play on Eleni Mandell’s beautiful music.” I’m always surprised when anyone is aware of me. It’s a pleasant surprise when they like what I do. But, yes, it has gotten a little easier to get people I want to play with.

How have things changed for you since you started?

I guess I never thought I’d get to keep making records this long. When I first decided I wanted to be a musician, I definitely thought I’d get a big deal and become a huge success. Once I realized it was going to be more difficult and I started getting rejected by record labels, I changed my perspective on success. Then I thought, “Well, I’m OK with selling this one record out of my closet for the rest of my life.” Then when there was another record and another and another, I was definitely surprised.

The interest in my music has grown, and my reputation has grown and people are affected by it. And that’s really a pleasant surprise after so much disappointment early on. … I’d like to keep on doing this so I don’t have to get a real job.

How have you improved as a musician and performer, whether it’s in the studio or on the road?

Well, definitely live �" I improve live all the time. I enjoy it so much. And I know what I want to see when I go see another performer: I want to see someone who enjoys it.

One of my problems with the last time I saw Bob Dylan is that he doesn’t seem to like his audience that much. I saw Merle Haggard open for him, and Merle Haggard seemed like he really enjoyed his audience and really enjoyed the experience, and I want to give that to my audience and to myself.

I saw that same tour when it stopped here, and Dylan seemed really remote and aloof. People were leaving before his set was over.

Yeah, I mean, I guess I want to feel like Bob Dylan likes me (laughs). So I pay attention to those things, and I want to feel like I’m being an entertainer, to a certain degree. I have so much more confidence now than I did when I started. I don’t think I said more than two words, and I think I looked pretty unhappy �" it was more fear than unhappiness.

But after years of doing it, I really love being on stage. I’ve kind of done it all my life. I was in high school plays and musicals, so it wasn’t really stage fright I had to deal with as much as realizing what I had to do. To get that love back from the audience you have to give it as well.

You’re about to go on the road, including your first extensive U.S. tour in a couple of years. Will you stop in Kansas City?

Oh, definitely. Kansas City is one of my favorite places to play. I hope to be there sometime in the spring.