Amazon.com: It's time for an update of our image of Jewel, the ingenue who set the music world on fire with her 1995 debut album, Pieces of You. After all, that effort consisted primarily of songs Jewel had written several years before, some of them dating back to her days as a free- spirited waif living in a van on the beach in San Diego. Now, at 25, she's become a sort of guru for self-expression and full disclosure, revealing perhaps too much of herself in see-through dresses worn to awards shows and a critically drubbed (yet bestselling) book of poetry. Spirit makes plain why Jewel's well-intentioned yet sometimes facile lyrics strike a chord with her audience while her poetry lies flat on the page. On songs like "Deep Water," "Hands," and "Down So Long," her words are borne aloft by sparkling melodies and her soaring voice, making even the most cynical observer take a schoolgirl-notebook image such as "your heart like grape gum on the ground" or an unreassuring platitude like "If I could tell the world just one thing / It would be that we're all OK" somewhat in stride. On Pieces of You, Jewel posed the musical question "Who will save your soul?" On Spirit, it sounds like she wants to do it herself. And the truth is, if you don't overanalyze it, the album does act as a sort of balm for wounded psyches or maybe a primer for raising your own inner child. Maybe she's right and we are all OK. Who knew? --Daniel Durchholz
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A Rare Jewel
This is a full album of perfection by the very most Talented singer around today. Nobody can do what she does, nobody. What other artist today can stand alone on stage with her guitar and magical voices and keep a crowd enthralled for hours? Do not hesitate, buy this album then drift into Jewel's wonderful world.
Rating: - Folk rock album with plenty of jewel n guitar
I first heard of Jewel from the MTV unplugged at late night. I was very curious about the chick with a guitar doing her solo gig. I've to admit that I didn't like her music at first in the Unplugged. Later when this album 'Spirit' released. I got her CD and I loved it. The full band tracks is ex. Hands, Down so Long ... are incredible. Acoustic sound is crisp, kick drum really kicks. The quality of sound back then 10 years ago is even better than some of her records to date.
I watched her performed 'Jupiter' on Letterman. Her band played a totally different version of the song. I ... Read More
Rating: - SPIRITual
This is a collection of spiritual soft pop music. Jewel did it again with "Hands" and "Down So Long." Jewel can sing in s little girls voice and in a baritone/tenor voice as well which helps make her so talented. If you like pop music and religious references, then this album is for you.
Rating: - Great Jewel Cd
This CD delivers. Jewel makes great CDs... her first CD is the best, but this one is a close second. With tracks like Hands, Down So Long, and Deep Water, Jewel is timeless.... the first 9 tracks are the best. Great purchase.
Rating: - some rhythm in the madness
Jewel's voice is unmistakable.
It either draws one in with ineffable appeal, or puts one off in the way of people who try a little too hard.
This reviewer puts this down to the combination of fine skills and a twist of artistic narcissism that seems to penetrate the lady's art. Marshall McLuhan famously claimed that 'the medium is the message'. Jewel often seems to be forcing a message into an art form that is not exactly fitted to the effort.
Yet she sometimes breaks through to persuasiveness, even with a tune that is heavily laden with message ('Hands'). ... Read More
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