From: owner-jewel-digest@smoe.org (jewel-digest) To: jewel-digest@smoe.org Subject: jewel-digest V4 #404 Reply-To: jewel@smoe.org Sender: owner-jewel-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-jewel-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk jewel-digest Wednesday, July 14 1999 Volume 04 : Number 404 * If you ever wish to unsubscribe from this digest, send an email to * jewel-digest-request@smoe.org with ONLY the word * unsubscribe in the BODY of the email * . * For the latest information on Jewel tour dates, go to * the OFFICIAL Jewel web site at http://www.jeweljk.com * and click on "Presence" * OR * go to the Atlantic Records site at http://www.atlantic-records.com * and go to the "On Tour" section * . * PLEASE :) when you reply to this digest to send a post TO the list, * change the subject to reflect what your post is about. A subject * of Re: jewel-digest V4 #xxx or the like gives fellow list readers * no clue as to what your message is about. Today's Subjects: ----------------- * Something to think about [GiggleLily@aol.com] * The Big Ass TX/LA EDA Adventure ["Karacostas, Derrick W." Subject: * The Big Ass TX/LA EDA Adventure This past Friday-Monday a group of EDA's embarked on an adventure across TX and LA for what would turn out to be an experience one would never forget...this is a summary (a long one), of those adventures...... Ok, I guess I'll be the first one to post about our adventure this past weekend...sorry Amber...I waited till this morning but never saw your post to the list. It started on Friday, when 4 EDA's went up to check Jewel out in Dallas. Dennis Harris, Luna Taylor, Amy Neufeld, and Amias Maldonado were the representatives for the EDA's up there. I wasn't there so I can't tell anyone first-hand how the show was, but I've heard the majority saying it was a very calm, slow, lullabye-ish type of concert...with Jewel playing most songs much slower than they usually are played. She was wearing a nice red dress, about knee-length...nothing very provocative. Kind of reminiscent of her 1996 "look". The next morning those 4 made the trip down to Houston to meet up with myself, my cousin, and what we thought would be another 10-15 more EDA's. Well, that didn't happen. Except for Rowdy, who they all met up at the Dallas show, only *2* other EDA's were in Houston for our picnic...those being Amber and Mindi. We've since heard a couple others did come, but couldn't find us in the park anywhere...and a few others told me other reasons they were unable to make it. So with our small group of 9, we BBQ'd hot dogs, played dominoes, listened to the soundcheck from across the lake, and listened to Luna playing the guitar some. And some of us roped Woody the plywood cow again. A few hours later a few of us ventured over to the pavilion in hopes of getting into the soundcheck...well, that didn't happen, although *I* should have gotten in, according to what a radio DJ told me the day before...long story. But we did to hear Jewel talk and sing some songs, some that she seldom plays anymore in concert too, so that was cool. We all went our separate ways for the next couple hours, then met up again at the gate about an hour before the show was to start. I then bumped into 2 other EDA's, one who actually WON tickets to the soundcheck (lucky!)....so that was cool. Well, actually she found me...somehow...I still can't get over that. Her name is Tempest, and she's very nice...think of a younger Natalie Portman wearing a hat. :-) Her and her sister were there to see Jewel. I then made my way over to our seats...to get ready for Steve to come on stage. All of us were sitting relatively close to one another, considering the size of the pavilion...it just happened to work out that way. 6 of us were in the pit, and the others weren't far behind. Dennis and Amy had some pretty bad sound board obstructed seats until Dennis managed to talk his way into getting some better ones....much better! I still have no idea how he did this. I mean, to get like 10th row seats 5 minutes before the show starts...that's unheard of. Although security was pretty tight, some of us still managed to get some recordings and pictures of the show. Once we were in, I never saw the security people really looking around too much, although one EDA had her first tape confiscated...I still don't know how that happened...very bad luck I guess. Steve's set was good..this was my first time seeing him live...I wasn't sure what to think. He's funny, that's for sure. I think seeing him perform in a smaller club, would be the best way to enjoy his show. The highlight (for me) of his set, was when Jewel herself, Jewel's younger brother Atz, and her band members all ran out on stage and danced around to one of Steve's songs (I forgot the name). At this time, it had been pouring down rain for about 15-20 minutes. We were all sitting under the covered area, so we were dry, but I guess Jewel had been out playing in the rain earlier, cause her hair was all wet, as were her clothes. She had on regular clothes...it even took me a few seconds to realize that *was* Jewel! It was very cool seeing her that way...totally normal...no makeup, regular clothes, hair soaking wet, dancing around with the others having a blast...it just brought this really good feeling over me. I was thinking, the "old" Jewel is still alive and well. For all those who were in doubt...I was even guilty of that too for awhile. So that was very refreshing to see. She also sang a few lines with Steve as well. There was the thing with the girl coming on stage too, drinking some wine, then he had her go kiss the security guy a couple times, that was kind of funny. After his set there was a brief intermission. Some of us saw a few other EDA's who were there, although I never saw them myself. Being at the wrong place at the wrong time I guess. So after what appeared to be a rather short intermission, it was time for Jewel's show. I had already heard some things about what to expect...but even so, it was still amazing. Seeing the outline of her body with the green light shining around her, that was very angelic. She was very "on" that night. More so than she has been in some other performances. She seemed to be having fun, was in a really good mood. And it showed. She told a very LONG version of the Mexican drug bust story...I mean, at least 10-15 minutes worth...I'm not exaggerating either. I know there have been people saying she's been changing up her stories lately, but it was still funny. I've never heard so much monologue from Jewel before in ANY show. One's I've been to, one's I have on tape, anywhere. I think this is the most she's ever talked in any show...I would say it's comparable with her coffeehouse days. So that was very cool...to see she hasn't lost that aspect of her performance. She mostly played PoY and Spirit songs of course, so I won't run through the set list. I'm sure someone else will have that anyway. She played a couple new songs, one was a country song, sort of, and the other was a song called "Sometimes It Be That Way". That was a really cool song...it seemed so familiar though...oh wait...um...ok....so it wasn't new...but don't tell Jewel that! She seems to think it is...or wants everyone else to think this anyway. Yeah I know, that's nothing new...we were joking about it later. But that's how Jewel is now. Much to my surprise, just before the "rock" portion of her show began, he younger brother Atz returned on stage again, this time playing harmonica while Jewel and her band played "Love Me Just Leave Me Alone". Atz also stayed up there for another song as well...we later found out this was his *first* time ever on stage performing with his sister...so that was cool, knowing we got to see that. Jewel possessed alot of energy that evening...doing some remarkable renditions of Down, Down So Long, and especially WWSYS...a very extended version. The vocal/guitar battle was neat to see too. Jewel's voice has an amazing range. Oh yeah, she was wearing a light colored skirt, just above the knees, with a blueish tank top. Not very revealing at all, although at times she kept pulling up the edge of her skirt a little...not much though. It was cute. Then MUCH to my surprise, she sang CHIME BELLS to close out the show! I later heard that she played this the night before in Dallas too, but before then, when was the last time? Who knows! I know it has been a long, long time. I still can't believe she played that. It was the first time I've heard her yodel live. I thought I'd never get to hear her yodel in my life. After the show, Amias tossed his hat up to Steve again, he did this in Dallas too I heard, so at this point in time, Steve now has 2 hats that used to belong to Amias...keep this in mind for later on in this letter. After the show we met up with Tien and his brother...I met him first at Rockfest '97, then again at the 1997 Lilith Fair in Houston, so it was nice seeing an older EDA again. Most of us went back to Denny's for dinner, but I had to head out to go pick up our designated unofficial EDA transporter minivan for the next morning's trip to New Orleans....after encountering ALOT of traffic on my way there, I made it with one whole minute to spare! (before they closed) I really didn't want to have to drive up there to pick it up the next morning...of course it was already 1:00am at this time, so I didn't get alot of sleep that night. Now comes part 2 of our adventure..... Sunday morning, I made the drive up to Amber's house to arrive there by noon, where I met up with Dennis, Luna, Amy, and of course Amber. After strategically loading all the luggage into the van, we were off to New Orleans. The drive wasn't all that bad...the time actually went by quick. Dennis drove the whole way, since I had already driven about 400 miles up to that point in the weekend. I was tired of driving. We had some very thought-provoking discussions on the way there...although I'm not sure who "won" the debates...if anyone. And of course we listend to plenty of Jewel music, along with some songs by Steve, Cindy, Elizabeth, and the Rugburns. We made it to the hotel just in time to unpack things, freshen up, and make our way over to Lakefront Arena to see Jewel. The security there was a joke. I could have smuggled in a video camera if I wanted to! Too late now though. Literally 10 seconds after I sat down, the lights went off for Steve to come on stage. Good timing. Amber and I were sitting directly across the arena from the other 3...so I was playing binocular staring games with Luna...haha. Steve set was good again...although the crowd wasn't as receptive as the Houston crowd to his portion of the show. Then Jewel's set began. Amber and I could see her walking into the arena from behind the curtain, our seats were positioned just right to see this...that was kind of neat. She was walking alone too, something that surprised me. Jewel put on a great show again...this time decked out in red leather pants, and a leather top. 3 nights...3 totally different looks...but that's Jewel...always changing. She was very much "on" again. Dennis and Amy felt these last 2 shows were even better than the CA shows a few weeks ago....and at the time, Dennis said the Ocean Beach show was the best he had been to since the Paradise Club in 1996. Just to give everyone an idea of how great these 2 shows really were...I feel very lucky to have experienced two of her all-time best performances...and not only that, but seeing them back-to-back nights too. One highlight of this show was not only having Atz join her on stage again, but when whe played her *new* song "Cleveland". Knowlegable EDA's all know this is really a very old song...originally called "You're in Cleveland Today". Luna freaked out over this, as this is one of her all time favorite Jewel songs...if not her favorite. It was a very good version too...kind of a rock version. Atz on harmonica again. THEN, the other highlight was when he and Jewel yodeled together!!! This was the first time he ever yodeled, not to mention it was with his sister Jewel, while on stage, in front of 7,000 screaming fans. That was so cool to see. She then played another new song, this one was really new...but I can't think of the name...if she even gave it one..maybe not. She said she had just written it the day before. And WWSYS rocked again...the guitar/vocal battle...then she again sang Chime Bells...the full version this time. She cut out a verse in Houston the night before. So that even topped the night before...cause she not only yodeled, but sang the whole song. I also have to mention that I was VERY impressed to see Jewel doing about half of her set, both nights, solo acoustic. Not just 4 or 5 songs. But at least half her show...that really made me feel good...I was hoping for that all along. It was a great balance...50/50. Cause I also enjoyed the rocked out songs, but there was still plenty of the "old" Jewel there too...singing solo...just her and her guitar. I really can't think of anything to complain about...and if someone asked me this a week ago, I could have named at least 10 things I *thought* I would have been able to complain about...cause I just had a feeling those things would occur. I've told a few people that this was the time for Jewel to prove herself to me...I was getting very skeptical of things after seeing her recent TV performances and hearing all sorts of negative things about her. Well, she not only proved herself, but did it in a huge way...back-to-back nights! So she's won me over yet once more. :-) Before Steve left the stage, he said he was going to hang out around New Orleans a couple days, since this was the end of their first leg of the tour...which we already kind of figured he would. After the show we all went outside to try to get a message to Steve about where he was going to be partying, leaving him our hotel #, etc. So after we weren't all that successful in seeing Steve or Jewel, we went back to the car. On the way we met another EDA, Krystal...Hi! :-) She was sweet, and was the only other EDA we saw there...besides the anonymous guy who walked past Amber, never missing a step as she asked him if he was an EDA, and he said "yeah"...still walking along....oh well. Maybe he was out past his curfew. So we get back to the car, and after making 4 or 5 attempts at taking the parking brake off, Dennis finally stopped *popping open the hood*, and got the van started. Yes, rather than releasing the parking brake, he would pull the wrong handle, opening the hood instead. Not once, not twice...but this happned like 4 or 5 times! It's ok Dennis...we all make mistakes...maybe not 4 or 5 times in a row...but..... So we get back to the hotel...freshen up, check to see if Steve called (yeah, right), then head out to go sight seeing on Bourbon St. While on our way, we passed this really NICE hotel, with a huge bus out front...so Amber and I went in to see if maybe that was Jewel's bus...but it wasn't meant to be. Just someone else's I guess. So we circle around a few times, then find a parking spot. I'm glad we spent that extra 5 minutes driving around trying to find a good parking spot, cause had we not, then once we got out of the van and starting walking down the road, not even a full block from the van yet, we would have never bumped into Steve and Doug Pettibone!!! Yep! For real. We weren't even one block from the van, just starting to head towards Bourbon St., and lo and behold...there's Steve and Doug talking to some people on the sidewalk. Steve is wearing Amias' hat too! So naturally Dennis and Amy start talking to him, since they both had met him before. He recognized them, as well as Luna from 2 years ago at the Hot Dog Fest in San Diego. Then we all got invited to go back with him and Doug to the House of Blues for a private party! I had no idea it was private until Dennis and I went back to the van to get his camera, then when returning to the club door, the guy said we couldn't get in cause it was a private party...then we told him we were there with Steve, and he let us right in...talk about a cool feeling. Once inside, we saw Jewel's bass player Tony, and her drummer Brady. I think that's their names. AND, Atz, her younger brother was there too with his girlfriend. At this point I was just taking in each moment...still trying to convince myself this wasn't a dream. Here I am, in the House of Blues in New Orleans at 2:00am on a Monday morning, partying with Steve Poltz, Jewel's band, and her brother. About the only thing that could have topped that off was for Jewel herself to join us. However, we were told she was very tired, and went back to the hotel after the show...oh well....it was still alot of fun. The night continued, with some very strange things occuring. First we go backstage at the House of Blues, upstairs, down some hallway with a couple little rooms here and there...very colorful...kind of pimpish. At the end of the hall was this room with Steve and some friends in it. I guess this would be considered a dressing room for artists performing at the club. I won't get into the details, but I'll just say everyone there was feeling really good. Then we all made our way down the road to another club...the whole time with Dennis and Steve walking with their arms around one another, while this other guy was videotaping the whole thing...I mean, EVERYTHING....the whole trip down the sidewalk, every turn, all the way into the next club...picture something off of MTV's the Real World...that's exactly what it felt like...with the camera constantly rolling. Dennis said it was going to be for some video they're working on...something for Steve and/or Jewel I think. Just getting footage...we have no idea how much of that, if any, will make the final cut though. So we get to this club called the Dungeon...and I must say it's VERY appropriately named too. Very small...there's this long narrow hallway you walk through to get to it. Before entering the club, there's this jail cell type of thing, like a torture chamber...with straps to tie someone up, leg cuffs, the works. Well, it just so happened that this girl who was there (prostitute maybe?) offered to tie Luna up in the chamber. So that was funny...we got a picture of that too. Then we left there and went to this other bar...where Steve spent the majority of the time playing video poker with Dennis while Amber and Amy sat at the bar. I went to get some food just down the street (Dennis did too, then returned to the bar), and since Luna couldn't get into the bar (had to be 21), her and I hung out outside, and we ended up talking to this one guy who kind of briefed us on the city life in New Orleans...how it was growing up there, how it still is, etc. Kind of interesting. Eventually we had to leave, it was about 3:30am at this point, so Dennis get's Steve to come back out to tell all of us bye, since Luna couldn't go in to see him. Everyone kissed Steve bye, except me. Yes, even Dennis did. They were in a bonified lip lock, Amy even snapped a pic of it to have proof! Ok, so it wasn't *that* big, but it was still funny. Then we all took pictures with Steve, and then he told us to call him the next day at his hotel to have breakfast with him! How cool is that?! So the next day about noon we did call...only to discover he had a major hangover, and wasn't feeling up to getting out of bed yet. Oh well. It was worth a shot anyway. He said to call him back in a few hours, but 3 of us had to leave by then to head back home anyway. So about 3:30pm, Luna, Amber, and myself all head back home...Dennis and Amy stayed behind a couple more days...and more than likely have already met up with Steve again. We all got back to Amber's house about 9:00pm, got some pizza, listened to Jewel songs, played guitar and drums, then I had to leave to go take the van back to the rental place. And that's pretty much the end of our Big Ass TX/LA EDA Adventure. I'm sure we'll hear more stories from Dennis and Amy once they return home tonight...and stay tuned for more insightful posts from Amber and Luna too...they should be coming soon. :-) One more thing...anyone who is trying to decide whether or not to see Jewel on this tour, DO IT! You won't regret it. She's putting on some great shows right now...this is the time to see her, don't miss out! And she hasn't changed all that much really, yes in some ways, but there is alot of the old Jewel still there....trust me...and I was one of the big doubters too...so if I'm saying this now, it's for real. Jewel is still Jewel...the girl we all know and love. The End. Derrick ------------------------------ End of jewel-digest V4 #404 ***************************