The first thing that strikes you about Jewel as a performer is her incredible vocal range, and she began her performance at the Sheldon Concert Hall (June 6, 2010) with a sweetly rendered solo version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"(also covered on her 2009 album "Lullaby"), that acted as a sort of test run for the shimmering sonic qualities this hall provides for any artist who graces its stage. Suitably impressed by the sound, and the enthusiastic response the audience gave her, she strapped on one of her acoustic guitars and proceeded to regale the assembled crowd with a set that featured material both old and new, thoroughly pleasing longtime fans, while also promoting her latest work, "Sweet and Wild".
Jewel's come a long way since her debut album "Pieces of You", and she now has a quite a backlog of hits she can pull out at any time, but this was an evening where she focused more on the songs themselves. This afforded her the opportunity to tell stories about the inspirations and circumstances that brought these songs to fruition.
One of the most poignant of these concerned a camping trip she and her husband took in the mountains in the middle of September, 2001. They were returning home on 9/14, unaware of the events that had transpired only days before, and as they finally got in range of a clear radio signal, they not only found out about what had happened, but they also tuned in in time to hear a DJ play her song "Hands" as a sort of tribute to the resilience of the spirit of America. It was a surreal moment for her, and a touching one for the audience as she recounted her story, following it up with a strong rendition of this signature song.
Throughout the evening she plumbed her catalog, following through on obscure requests like "Boy Needs a Bike", or delivering solid newcomers like the hit worthy "Ten". Each number seemed to showcase another quality of her voice, which can vary from a sweet, almost chirpy pop sound, to a husky Joplin-esque sound, and sometimes within a single lyrical phrase.
But, I'd be completely remiss if I didn't mention her wonderful work on the fretboard, which consistently provided a solid foundation for her soaring vocals. Apparently, this stop on Jewel's "Starlight Cafe Tour" was being recorded as well, which is not an uncommon occurrence at the Sheldon Concert Hall, due to its pristine sound.
Kip Moore opened the show with a six song set that featured a number of playfully amusing hooks mixed in with more plaintive material. His self-deprecating humor and "aw shucks" demeanor serve this Georgia native well, although I'd like to hear his material fleshed out with a full band sound to really appreciate all the dynamics.
This was a splendid way to spend an evening, listening to two talented singer/songwriters detail the process they both go through when coming up with new material, and then getting a chance to actually hear the results.
