From: owner-jewel-digest@smoe.org (jewel-digest) To: jewel-digest@smoe.org Subject: jewel-digest V4 #185 Reply-To: jewel@smoe.org Sender: owner-jewel-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-jewel-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk jewel-digest Wednesday, April 7 1999 Volume 04 : Number 185 * If you ever wish to unsubscribe, 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: * http://jewel.zoonation.com and click on "TOUR" * OR * go to the OFFICIAL Jewel home page at http://www.jeweljk.com * and go to the "What, When, Where" 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 readers no clue * as to what your message is about. Today's Subjects: ----------------- Singapore Press Conference ["Peiling" ] NJC: reading pa area eda's read please. ["The Sexi One" Subject: Singapore Press Conference Hi all! Found an article abt Jewel's press conference in Singapore. Enjoy! ~Peiling - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ----------------------------- Bedazzled by Jewel: by Amran It was pretty easy to get excited when Jewel walked into the room. She brought a contagious nervous excitement with eyes that sparkled and a face that glowed, very much different to the huge poster of her album Spirit which took up most of the wall behind where she sat. She wore her long blonde hair straight and had donned jeans and sneakers ( Prada, as we later learnt! ) and was armed with nothing but a bottle of mineral water. "Hi everyone," she quipped as she sat and then it came; that smile, which, pretty much like her name shone! Tension broke and the relief that filled the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Singapore was almost audible. I smiled along, knowing fully well that this was going to be a great Press Conference. For the record Jewel has done a fair bit for a 24 year old. She has gone from being very poor to very very rich ( which she confesses to feeling guilty about sometimes ), from a struggling writer/musician to an artiste who has,to date, garnered more than 14 million record sales with just 2 album releases. This success has been accompanied by 2 Grammy nominations and numerous other awards. And the best part is, she did all this with her brand of music--folk music. The art of folk, which perhaps saw a decline in the 90s is being resurrected, in a big way and with style. Her legion of fans will also be able to catch her big-screen debut as an actress, in a lead role, on Ang Lee's Civil War drama Ride With The Devil. Let's not forget her bestselling book of poetry, A Night Without Armor ( published in May 1998 by Harper Collins. ) Jewel knew more than anyone that folk-music would be difficult to popularise. It's not hip, it's not new and it is definitely not an artform any audience would readily accept from a teenage singer. In fact, her debut album, Pieces Of You, took such a slow climb, only entering the charts more than a year after its release. Then the world found the gems You Were Meant For Me, Who will Save Your Soul and the haunting Foolish Games and Jewel became a major star. I could not help but ask her about Foolish Games, it being my favourite tune from her and all. Was it pure inspiration or experience? The pain in her words ( not to mention the singing ) sounded so real. In fact, it reminds me of maudlin tunes from folk-goddess Joan Baez. It took a while before she smiled and said, "I was 16 when I wrote that--pure fantasy". Now this next part may be MY fantasy but I swore I caught a split-second look which confirmed that it wasn't. Her heroes are as varied as they come as a singer she is inspired by Edith Paif and Ella Fitzgerald. Miles Davies, Cole Porter and Jimmi Hendrix does it for her musically and she goes on even to say that she loves to read and has found even Greek classics inspiring. Not at all your typical twentysomething. A handful of SPIRIT With the launch of her new album a couple of months ago, Jewel has made accessible to listeners and fans, her inner-most thoughts and,perhaps, her ideals. It is to date, her most personal collection of songs and the earthy reality about the album is evident in the kick-off single Hands. To quote a recent interview: " I wrote Hands because I think a lot about my own hands. I look at the world and see such big problems, and my hands feel so small. Sometimes I have to remind myself that one person can make all the difference. Peoples hands burn churches. People's hands hold their children. We make choices every day, and we can use our hands to make the world a better and safer place." It is her way of reaching out to tell the world that yes, everyone counts and that one person does make a difference, revealed in the idealistic line "If I could tell the world just one thing, it would be that were all okay" Another journalist ventured to ask if she was religious and she admits to meditating, talking to God a lot and praying, finding her little space, whether she is travelling or just being by herself, to find some inner peace. Where the album is concerned, it does represent a movement toward spirit in her life. It is not necessarily spiritual, but it "is a force within and around us that moves us to the highest expression of our nature as human beings." In the end, only kindness matters If success has had any influence on Jewel at all, it has made her more self-aware, thankful, thoughtful, and kinder. In fact, Jewel and her mom, Nedra Carroll, formed Higher Ground For Humanity (HGH), a non-profit foundation with a mission to support, inspire and empower new possibilities for mankind and it is part of a vision to use her success as a platform for positive change. Among the organizations which currently benefit from HGH are Institute of Noetic Sciences ( a non-profit group founded to explore human consciousness ) and Families Helping Families ( a non-profit program providing support and education for families whose children have died ). HGH has also gone global and currently supports the development of an alternative health and healing clinic in New Delhi, India. She shared some memories of how fans used to send her heaps of birthday gifts and presents but now she has rerouted all that to charity and has made a personal request to her fans all over the world to use the money or effort in charity. I went through some websites and was gratified to see fan-messages to Jewel, which, amongst others said that they have done charity or donated money, or even come to terms with their past, all due to the influence and the difference her music has made in their lives. The healing has indeed begun. For Jewel, it is now more than just music, and true to the spirit of SPIRIT, it is now, about trying to make the world a better place, in your own small way. This folk-chanteuse does believe that these efforts make a difference. It took a little while for Jewel to answer when asked if she thought the world was becoming better or getting worse. On a more serious note, she readily confides that it was not an issue she or anyone is qualified to answer but it definitely is something she is working on, making your personal space better and moving towards kindness and making that a purpose in life. When asked about happiness she had another glint in her eyes and said that "happiness is relative, health is nice." Fame and fortune Jewel's time is now and she is making full use of it. She has always had little misgivings about fame because idolisation is something repulsive to her. She does want to inspire and to touch and share what little abundance she has. Later on during the event, Jewel was presented with a double platinum award from Warner Singapore for her debut album, Pieces Of You and a Gold Award for her recent release, Spirit. Both albums were also given Gold Awards in the Philippines and Indonesia. It is testament that she has indeed touched many with her music, her thoughts, and her ideals. And if her regional press conference proved anything at all, it was a confirmation that she is an artiste, who above all, truly believes in what she writes and is not afraid to put her ideals into practice. Jewel is a beauty who sings from her heart, who delves into the soul to bring out the beauty and tremendous possibilities within. I walked out of the Hilton with a sense that it was a gainful interview. It was a bright and sunny day and I spotted some teenagers waiting around, with Jewel CDs, just hoping to get an autograph. I couldn't help but wonder how her music has touched their lives. Then I smiled because it also made me realise that, yep, she is a STAR. http://www.happening.com.sg/music/1999/features/april/jewel/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Apr 1999 15:48:37 PDT From: "The Sexi One" Subject: NJC: reading pa area eda's read please. hi edas, i was wondering if anyone would liek to go to the Fire and Ice Cafe in fleetwood on May 1st for karoki, for a mini gathering. i know that a few of you live in the area. and i have attened this before and had a blast! i did of coarse sing WWSYS among others! =) if you are interested you can email me and let me know. the place is on mail street in fleetwood. (blandon road) and you can't miss it on the right. there is a big mural with "FIRE AND ICE" writen huge on it. well hope some of you can attend =) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 15:52:40 EDT From: Fairy2884@aol.com Subject: essay Hey again! Earlier this year I had an english assignment to write a 5 paragraph essay on something that interested me. So, my first thougt was, obviously, of Jewel. Well after months of holding back here it is, I want all the criticism you can heave at me. I'm an aspiring author/poet/journalist/english teacher/artist so I really need it! Thanx a bunch! I realize it's kinda long, but if you could just take the time to let me know what you think, that'd be really great. Just so you know, this is the work of a 15 year old girl, thax again! Jewel Kilcher Jewel Kilcher is a role model for men and women everywhere. She has produced two albums, both of which have gone platinum several times. She has also put out an outstanding volume of poetry. Each of these have brought Jewel into the public eye. Her childhood, teen years, and present life have all become topics of conversation for many people. Her hometown and tractor tales are known by everyone who has come to adore her for her extraordinary voice. Jewel's unconventional upbringing has undeniably affected her lyrical and poetic technique. Jewel's first album, Pieces Of You, is full of teen angst softened by the folkiness of the music. Although rarely detected in her voice, a thorough reading of the lyrics reveals hatred, happiness, and a fear of love. The title track, "Pieces Of You", clearly states, "...do you hate her 'cause she's pieces of you", and talks of racism. But Jewel is not a racist. She just likes pointing fingers at people who cannot accept differences. The only uplifting song on the album is "Morning song", and even it has a bit of yearning for something more than what is possible to apprehend. The album was released at the downfall of her life. Her story was everywhere. "Jewel Kilcher raised on a farm in Homer, Alaska with no running water, forced to live in her van and waitress to make ends meet. Jewel, the blond folk singer who dresses in mini-skirts and stiletto pumps. Who yodels and owns a guitar she calls Big Blue." The woman who croons, "We are everyday angels. Be careful with me 'cause I'd like to stay that way,". The woman who drove so many young men and women to reach out and touch someone. Jewel Kilcher had seen only a small portion of what was to come. A Night Without Armor, Jewel's book of poetry, is her life story, typed out in black and white. Her poetry is modern and peculiar. She uses her own format. Perhaps she has a fear of structure, perhaps she is just unique. Either way, it is beautiful. Each page fills your mind with such vivid pictures. From skinny girls in short-shorts and half tops, to the sound of an elderly man grinding wild grasses, it is all there. Depicted every so cautiously. Not sparing one detail. She fears nothing. She has poured her heart and soul onto the pages, the words have been written in her blood, sweat, and tears. Her poems make you think, each one contains many layers. She does not write things to be read as they are seen, you must search. You must strip away the layers, as you would the paint on a wall. You cannot clearly understand them if you are incapable of thinking, incapable of discovering. Each poem is deep and thrilling, pulling you further into a realm of comfort. Jewel's second album, Spirit, is the voice of reason, carefully depicting images of comfort. Jewel no longer sings of hate but of fragility. Referring to people as "fragile flames" and "God's hands". In the first single, "Hands", she speaks softly in our ears, reminding us, "...only kindness matters,". She is now a more spiritual Jewel. She no longer yells at us for our wrong doings, nor does she address issues such as racism. She focuses on self healing, the occasional song contains a moral. "Fat Boy" is a true story about an overweight teenage friend of Jewel's who was tagged as unfit to "hang" with. No amount of comfort could help him. A few years later he committed suicide. So maybe the album is somewhat depressing, but so was the previous one. Jewel now claims she was never proud of her first album. It is shallow and was written while she was a teenager and consumed with herself. Her followers are amazed. The album was a savior to them. During their time of need it pulled them through. Everyone feels as if "their Jewel" has changed. But in reality she has grown up. She speaks of her early childhood and an obsession with her hands. She retaliates tales of driving tractors and wondering what her hands would be doing next. She is tired of hearing about her van. Yes she lived in it, but that's over. The peoples' Jewel has turned cold. Her fans are taken aback. What has happened to their angel, their savior, their hero? Nothing at all. They have all changed. Some of the fans have outgrown Jewel. Jewel has outgrown some of her fans. But not all. Some of us have diligently stuck by her side. Wondering what is next to come. Waiting patiently for the next piece of Jewel's story, to stick in our memory with the rest. To help us along. Jewel's life may have turned sour at one point, but she pulled through. She used her natural talents to her advantage. In doing so, she has developed an enormous amount of support from fans, friends, and family. And she's still not done amazing us. This spring a volume of short stories is expected, as well as the opening of her debut movie, A Ride With The Devil, in mid-September. We have not seen the last of our glowing Jewel. No, she has just begun her ascent into our lives. So be prepared my fellow Americans, there is much more to come. E-mail me at Fairy2884@aol.com! ~Amanda~ ~The poetic, artistic fairy angel~ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 20:26:43 EDT From: ABershaw@aol.com Subject: MrBB: Jewel's website calendar updated Hi all, Jewel's website calendar is now updated through June 6th. If you missed my recent tour update posts, please check the calendar at www.jeweljk.com for all currently confirmed tour dates through the end of the European Tour. I'm going to try to get all the accurate Australian setlists up on Jewel's site in the next few days. Several new songs surfaced at Australian shows & this will help all you tape traders/collectors figure out where & what they are. :-) All the best, MrBB ------------------------------ End of jewel-digest V4 #185 ***************************