Yeahp, Jewel seems to be winning a whole bunch of awards lately. Jewel won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Female Rock Artist (I'm pretty sure that was the category).. Unfortunately, this presentation was not part of the actual telecast.. I'm sure Jewel wouldn't have been able to make it anyway, considering she's hard at work elsewhere.

 

New Album News!!

While everyone else drags through the dog days of summer in July, Jewel will be busy in the studio recording a Christmas album, set to be filled with old classics like 'Silent Night' and inspirational songs, some written by her.  This album is set for a November release.

 

AOL Chat / Vh1 Artist Of the Month

The North American leg of Jewel's "SPIRIT" tour kicks off next Friday, June 25th, in Bakersfield, CA and you can chat with her backstage on the big night!!  Log on to AOL Keyword: LIVE at 8 p.m. (ET), and ask Jewel what it's like to be headlining one of the most eagerly anticipated tours in recent memory!  Jewel has added a number of dates to the upcoming tour, which will hit major amphitheaters and arenas across the country (check out the calendar here for dates)..  The shows, highlighted by a July 25th performance at Woodstock '99, will mark Jewel's first domestic tour since the summer of 1997.

In other news, VH1 has announced that Jewel will the their artist of the month for August. Jewel will be in the US touring in August, and expect it to also be the month that the video for Jewel's third single off of Spirit, 'Jupiter (Swallow The Moon),' debuts.

 

Jewel Wins Talent / Service Award

 BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Jewel and Grammy-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager were honored Tuesday by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences with awards for creative talent and community service.

Composer Jerry Goldsmith and producer Don Was also received the Governor's Awards.

Jewel has a hit album, Pieces of You. Ms. Bayer Sager's songs include 'Groovy Kind of Love' and 'That's What Friends Are For.'

Goldsmith has written the scores for such movies as Patton, Chinatown, Mulan, and The Mummy. Was has worked with Bob Dylan, Elton John, Carly Simon, Bonnie Raitt, and the Rolling Stones.

 

New Versions Of SPIRIT

Toward the end of the month, Australian and import buying fans can look forward to an enhanced version of SPIRIT. The enhanced part will include a review from Q Magazine, SPIRIT promo videos, and a LOT more cool stuff. Meanwhile, in many parts of the world a double-CD Tour Edition of SPIRIT has/will be released. The second CD contains five live tracks from a performance earlier this year.

 

'Jupiter' To Be Next Single

Jewel will be in the studio soon to record a new version of 'Jupiter,' the third single off of the 4x Platinum album, SPIRIT. The new version has more of a hip-hop beat with sharp guitars. Fans who saw Jewel's latest appearance on David Letterman or attanded the taping of VH1 Storytellers got an idea of the new sound.

 

Storytellers Taping Finished

Here's a review by Rob from the Jewel list:

Just got back from what, by any accounts, was a damn fine show!!!  I wanted to post everything while it is still fresh in my mind.

Here is quick run down of the night:

Storytellers Taping for VH-1, expected air date 08/01/99
Attendance:  150 exactly as VH-1 said
Fashion report:  Jewel in black pants, black leather, sleeveless top, and black wrist bands

She started accoustic/solo with 'Cowboy' dedicated to her father and saying how much she has enjoyed country lately.

She then did a VERY extended Mexico/drug bust/'YWMFM' story, but because this is national TV, Steve is now a Catholic Choirboy who would never even dream of touching pot (wink, wink).  Then she sang 'YWMFM'.

She then talked about the Europe tour, including how all the announcers and radio interviews basically said, "How's it feel to be popular in the States, but nothing in Europe?" She then discussed being famous and how embarrassing it is to shop for things like toilet paper and being recognized.

Then she kicked into 'Sometimes It Be That Way'!!!

She then told a story about having to pee in the San Diego airport and someone recognizing her and wanting an autograph and waiting outside the stall while she went to get it.. HOW RUDE!

She then played along with an EDA who asked her to sing Cole Porter's 'Anything Goes'.

She then said music could be for good or evil and this song was for evil and revenge and she lit into 'Grey Matter'.

Then she moved to a center stage bench to field questions from the audience. Since this is a sore spot with me I'll let those who asked questions tell you all about it.  She read one poem from ANWA -- 'The Strip #1'.

Quick break backstage while the band came out. She opened with 'Hands' dedicated to her recently deceased grandfather, Yule.

Steve thanked Jewel because when he's around her the band gets free haircuts. Jewel then said how nice it was to be from Alaska where everything is pure and simple, leading into What's Simple Is True.

Jewel then told  story about the Rolling Stone cover shoot #1, about feeling inferior to some super model, all the while making fun of her as only Jewel can.

She then said the next song is her next single and that it has been recorded from the album and changed from a 3/4 tempo to a 4/4 -- at which she played a slightly faster version of 'Jupiter' (which got mixed reviews from fellow EDAs -- but I loved it.)

She then told the story about her friend and second mom (we know who she's referring to) and said that before she died of cancer she asked Jewel to record her own anthem about what she stands for, so this was it and Jewel dedicated 'Life Uncommon' to her. And it was Uncommon.. Jewel simply kicked in this song and was simply moving.

As we waited for tape to be loaded Jewel jammed around a little bit with the band, and then stopped. And she said something to the effect that she got into this (the music business) to help people and live a dream and too often when you get famous it becomes about other things (money, hits, pleasing people) and there have been times were she wanted to quit. But then she'd get ENCOURAGEMENT FROM EDAs and her spirits would be lifted.  I know this reads really corny and it sounds patronizing, but I don't think we'll ever realize how much we've helped.  So take some heart that Jewel in a moment of honesty and gratitude thanked us  (I say this because I know it will never make the televised show and it sounds so insincere in a post, but it was very touching.)

Then she began to jam solo on an electric guitar and then absolutely just rocked the house with quite simply the best version of 'Love Me Just Leave Me Alone' I personally have ever heard (and, yes, I was at Jewelstock and other shows when this was typically in her set list)  It was just awesome, which again means that it will never make the airing.

Then thankfully she played 'Do You Want To Play,' my current fav., except she just called it 'Oh Ei Oh Ei Oh Song'.  She said she wrote it in Toyoko and that she wasn't supposed to do it (meaning again, it won't make the airing)

She then did a Bob Dylan story about him sending her CDs of the Blue Yodeler and asking MrBB when it was that she first played with Bob (of course he knew off the top of his head)

She dedicated the last song to Dylan --  a very long, very scat version of 'WWSYS'.. it was cool but it will be edited for TV 'cause it was long..

Anyway that's about it from me.. Now some else can fill in the blanks I left!

 

NARAS Honors Jewel

Singer/songwriter Jewel will be among the recipients of the Governor's Award from the Los Angeles chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences at the group's Membership Awards ceremony June 15. The award, which also will be given to producer Don Was (Bonnie Raitt, the Rolling Stones), veteran songwriter Carol Bayer Sager ("Arthur's Song") and soundtrack composer Jerry Goldsmith ("Chinatown"), honors creative talent and community service, according to a statement from organizers. The academy is a nonprofit organization that presents the Grammy awards. Jewel will tour the U.S. this summer to support her latest album, Spirit (1998).

 

Jewel's New Band

Steve George- Keyboards  You may recognize Steve's name as he was one of the creative forces behind the band Mr. Mister. His credit list is extremely long and he's worked on countless sessions as both keyboardist
& background vocalist. He was Kenny Loggins' musical director for several years as well as a player on albums by Bela Fleck & The Flecktones and Elvis Costello.

Doug Pettibone- Lead Guitar  Doug is a well respected session guitarist & has worked with many "alternative country" artists including Nashville's Joy Lynn White.

Tony Hall- Bass  Tony has been featured on many albums, on both bass & guitar. He turns up on a lot of New Orleans related recordings. The ones that immediately come to mind are Harry Connick Jr, Daniel Lanois, and,
most memorably, The Neville Brothers.

Brady Blade- Drums  Brady Blade will be familiar to many of you on recordings by Chris Whitley, Steve Earle, Victoria Williams, & one of Jewel's favorites, Emmylou Harris.

Steve Poltz- Acoustic Guitar  Steve should be familiar to all EDAs as the co-founder of The Rugburns, his solo work as well as being Jewel's most frequent songwriting collaborator. (He'll also be the one of the support acts on the tour dates.)

 

'Down So Long' Singles

Jewel's new 'Down So Long' singles are available in Australia, Japan, your local record store's import section, CDWorld, or various other places.  The
Australian version includes live versions of 'Fat Boy' and 'I'm Sensitive' (the same version on Save The Linoleum).  The Japanese version has been labeled as an EP (It's really a single, they just want to jack up the price..)

 

'Ride With The Devil' News

Sites containing information on Jewel's film debut, 'Ride With The Devil,' are popping up EVERYWHERE! Jewel plays Sue Lee Shelley, a Civil War Widow courted by two men, played by Skeet Ulrich and Tobey McGuire. You can find the official 'Ride' site here, and you can find more pictures, a review , a 60-second clip, and a bunch of other stuff here.  You can expect a Ride With The Devil site from Let Me Fly very soon!

 

Jewel Rocked The Rockies!

On March 6th, at 9PM EST, VH1 took an hour to highlight a Vogue-sponsored Jewel concert in Aspen, Colorado, to benefit Higher Ground For Humanity.  It was an AWESOME night where Jewel performed newer songs, along with older favorites.  Some of the songs performed with the touring band included:  Down So Long, Hands, Foolish Games, What's Simple Is True, Jupiter, You Were Meant For Me, Cold Song, Who Will Save Your Soul, Deep Water, Kiss The Flame, and Fat Boy.  I'm sure Jewel made many new fans with this awe-inspiring concert.
 

 

'Down So Long' Video Premiere

I'm sure the 'Down So Long' video premiere made a lasting impression on anyone who saw it.  Directed by the same man who did 'Foolish Games,' 'Down So Long' took elements from all of the previous videos, while still managing to create a totally seperate look and feel.  Be sure to catch it, as it will likely be playing 1,000,001+ times in the coming months.

 

Jewel In New Book

A new book, entitled "Jewel: Live At Lilith Fair" is being written and we need your help! If you saw Jewel at the 1997 Lilith Fair, write a review and send it to Sully289@aol.com. Your review could be included in the book and you will be fully credited. Also, if you have pictures of Jewel at Lilith or pictures of Lilith banners, please let Sully289@aol.com know. Only detailed reviews will be considered. Also, please include your name (last is optional) city, and state. BE SURE TO INCLUDE CONCERT DATE!! All submissions become property of Matthew Sullivan and can be included in "Jewel: Live at Lilith Fair" and any promotion pertaining to. If your reviews is included, you will be notified and credited in the book.

 

Spirit Tour Book Details

There's a beautifully designed new 50+ page Spirit Tour Book that is available at Spriti tour syops as well as new Tour shirts. All the photos in the book are recent ones taken at the pre-tour rehearsals in Los Angeles & the Aspen concert. The tour book is now available at the Jewel Store for a low price. (From MrBB)
 

 

Jewel Home Video Project

The JTeam video crew (BiBi, West & Michael) captured a lot of  "behind the scenes" action including some hilarious stuff that may surface in clips on the website & in the "JEWEL HOME VIDEO PROJECT" which is progressing with amazing results! YES, thats right. There will be a major Jewel home video release later this year. I know you've all been patiently waiting for this for a long time & I can assure you it will definitely be worth the wait! Bibi screened some of it for me this past week & I was blown away by the style & how absorbing it was. It captures Jewel's adventures from the days of those early 1995 residency tours traveling around the country in a van through the present. It will feature lots of great never seen performances. It also reveals glimpses of the muse that inspires those working with Jewel. I think all Jewel fans are gonna flip over this and we hope to have it available to coincide with the US Tour. (From MrBB)

 

Jewel Loses and Wins

Unfortunately, Jewel lost the Best Female Acoustic Gibson Award to Lisa Loeb. The ceremony took place February 23 1999, at the Hard Rock Cafe in Los Angeles. Well, there's always the 2000 Grammys!

In better news, Jewel was honored by the United Nations group Time For Peace for her work on POY and ANWA.. She shared the honor with Lenedra, whom she called her inspiration for peace.