Jewel with Duncan Sheik A Concert Review	May 11, 1996 The Metro Chicago, IL A Review and Photos by Stu Gotz

 The Press Conference
I've been to a few press conferences in my time and they all tended to be boring. I like to think that I'm an interesting guy and if I'm going to ask a question I want it to be an interesting one. That being the case, I sat down with the E-Ave! staff and came up with some questions we thought were interesting. Questions like: "What is your favorite book?"; "What do you remember most about your first car?"; "Describe the contents of your refrigerator."; "How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?"; and my personal favorite "Are you wearing underwear and can I have them after the show?". The last question is intended for the female artists and The Dude On The Right said if I ever asked a question like that at a press conference I would be fired! Like he hasn't done that ten times already. None the less, I did promise never to ask that question at a press conference - I just never promised I wouldn't ask it in writing. So... Jewel, if your reading this and you wear underwear at your next show, would you send them to me?

Atlantic Records planned a press conference for Jewel and Duncan Sheik a few hours before their show. Cool! Jewel is a babe and I was looking forward to meeting her and Kitten (she's Lisa of the BoDeans review fame and my companion for the evening) was looking forward to meeting Duncan. We set out for the press conference one hour before it was scheduled so we would have plenty of time to find parking and get something to drink before-hand. What I forgot is that it's spring, and in Chicago, spring is better known as Construction Season. Interstate 80 was tore up! Interstate 57 was a mess too! A truck broke down on I:90-94 so everybody felt compelled to slow down and gawk! Then the City Fathers in their infinite wisdom decided to take the perfectly fine Lake Shore Drive and re-configure the lanes!!! Basically I was late by about 25 minutes.

When I finally did get to the press conference, I was graciously greeted by Donna from Atlantic and by the cold stares of my colleagues. Not wanting to interrupt the interview more than I already had, I just sat back for a few and listened. What I heard made me laugh. Jewel was being asked questions like "What is the source of spirituality in your music?" and "How do you channel the audiences energy into your performance?", or something like that. Huh?!? Energy? Spirituality? Do you, the reader, really care about stuff like that? I sure don't. Jewel very quietly, politely, and articulately answered everyone's questions. Kitten later made the comment that Jewel was "too worried about being articulate... Try some volume, hone".

Well, the Jewel part of the conference was winding down. "What the hell" I thought and I slipped in the question "What do you remember most about your first car?". You should have seen the faces of the other reporters. My question instantly branded me as an outcast in their eyes, but I did get an off-guard response and giggle from Jewel.

Jewel spent most of her life in Alaska and didn't have a car there. Like everyone else, if she wanted to get someplace, she walked or hitch-hiked. I guess it safe to do that kind of thing in Alaska. When she moved to California she continued to hitch for awhile but soon thought it to be too risky. Hitch-hiking in California risky? Go figure. So she then got a junky green Chevy with a tendency for flat tires. The car had so many problems that at one point Jewel thought the problems with her car were due to her bad Karma. Only in California would somebody think that. Could it be, instead, that the car was simply a piece of shit? Anyway, she drove that car until it died. Now if you ask me, I find the car story pretty interesting and informative.

Jewel's time was up so she said her good-byes and headed out. The other journalists and I sat around awhile discussing the pros of vinyl versus CD's. Most of them felt that vinyl had a deeper rich sound that the "thin lines" of a CD cannot reproduce. Anyone ever think about using a graphic equalizer to draw out those "thin lines?" Basically, the conclusion of the discussion was "Vinyl good… CD's bad…" Whatever…

Thank God Duncan came down to save me. Duncan Sheik is a pretty cool guy. He talks a lot louder than Jewel and his responses to questions didn't seem to be as contrived. Hell, he's only been on the road for a week as compared to Jewel's two year stretch. Give him time. He'll get bored with the same cookie cutter questions and start answering them like a drone. That's why I asked him if his bachelor pad in New York City was messy and what his refrigerator was like. Again I got the outcast stares from my colleagues. Fuck 'em. I made Duncan laugh and he told me him and his roommate keep their place pretty clean. As far as the fridge goes, it's pretty empty at most times. Duncan eats out a lot and tries to eat right. As hard as he tries, he still gives into junk food and in fact, had an Egg McMuffin that morning. When I asked him later if he likes a sitting, swaying, moshing, or throwing panties on stage type of crowd, he told me he likes a large crowd no matter how they act. He hates playing for a room with fifteen or so people and really doesn't condone moshing to his music. Oh... For those of you concerned about his spirituality, Duncan is a Buddhist and chants a couple of times daily.

After the press conference I finally got that drink.

Duncan Sheik
Duncan got on stage around 7:15 that night. After his first song I was surprised to see that he had captured the attention of virtually the entire audience. After all, he was only an opening act and the people were there to basically see Jewel. During his second song, "Serena," everyone was still giving him their undivided attention. I have never seen a crowd pay this much attention to an opening act, but if you ever heard Duncan's music you would know why. Duncan Sheik's music is what the Dude on the Right calls middle of the road rock and roll. What that means is it's not that loud, can't understand a word that was mumbled, alternative type of music and it's not the broken down pick up, my wife left me, and my shot gun is in my mouth country style rock. The only other artist I can compare Duncan to is Hootie and the Blowfish, but I hate doing that because I think Duncan is tons better. Duncan's "She Runs Away" was a little loud and up-beat, but for the most part his music is slow, with heavy bass and drums, and full of deep meaningful lyrics. Like the break up song "In The Absence of Sun," which had Kitten in tears. Duncan finished his performance with the song "Home" which got better than half the crowd dancing.

I liked Duncan Sheik. I liked him a lot. His album "Duncan Sheik" is due out in stores on June 4th 1996 (same day as the new Metallica). I got to listen to the advanced tracks "In the Absence Of Sun" and "Serena." Both great songs, but his live version gives them a little better edge. So what am I trying to say? Forget Metallica on June 4th and get Duncan's album. Also, look out for his name in the papers and next time he's in town and make a point of seeing him. I give Duncan Sheik TWO BIG THUMBS UP!

Jewel
To say that Kitten was touched by Duncan's performance is a understatement. The girl was worked up into a lather and this was the perfect opportunity for me to high tail it with her and get some tail. My problem was I really wanted to see Jewel. What to do? Get some tail or check out the hot babe, Jewel? I opted to stay and see Jewel, hoping Kitten could still be persuaded later.

I had known about Jewel for a couple of months before I went to her show. I saw her video on MTV and I have her album. I was impressed by her vocal range and breathy voice (perfect for one of those 900 numbers) but not by her music or lyrics. In my book, her album "Pieces of You" was just OK. Her video, on the other hand, gave me a surge in the pocket and that was the only reason I begged the Dude on the Right to get me into her show.

I went to Jewel's show expecting not to be impressed. In my mind she was like Phoebe from the NBC sit-com Friends. You know. The hippie chick who plays guitar at the Central Perk Cafe. Actually, that was how Jewel was discovered. She was playing the coffee house circuit. Well, my preconceived notions were right and wrong about Jewel.

Jewel is not a no-talent, coffee house hippie freak (like Phoebe). She's not one of those starving, self centered artist types either (like Eddie Vedder). She's not just a musician -she is so much more. Jewel is an entertainer. And a real pro too. A five second crackle in the speakers and a broken nail didn't stop her. She just continued to play on.

After seeing a performance by Jewel, you honestly feel like you were entertained. It's like going to a good Broadway show or having seen Meat Loaf in the old days. When Jewel performs, she does so much more that sing and play the guitar. In between songs she shares stories and insights about her music and life. The stories are told with such wit and charm you instantly fall in love with her. I would try to relate one of her stories, but I couldn't do it justice. All I'll say is that most of her stories got a laugh out of the crowd and a few stories got a tear.

I tried to keep track of the songs Jewel did, but she premiered several new ones and didn't mention their names. Two new songs I really liked were "Race Car Driver" and "Never Trust Your Big Fleshy Heart To A Carnivore" (to which Jewel commented "If you get nothing out of a relationship you should get songs). As far as getting a set list after the show, that would be point-less because I don't think Jewel really follows one. For example, the band left the stage for a break and after someone screamed out a request Jewel hauled them back out to do the song. Then the band finally got their break. Later in the show she actually asked for requests. Is that an audience catering performer or what.

I've told you I was impressed by Jewel's looks, voice, and musical ability, but did I mention to you she's a smart chick too. That's right, my Jewel can speak Swedish, and even sang a song in Swedish. It was about a dolphin and wolf falling in love. A dolphin and wolf falling in love? When she wrote the song she didn't know how to say Man and Woman in Swedish so she used dolphin and wolf instead (another funny story).

After being on stage for a little over an hour, Jewel left for a two minute break (just enough time to grab a Gatorade and towel off a forehead) and performed as her encore "Who Will Save Your Soul." Needless to say this brought down the house. After finishing, she gave warm thanks to the audience and left the stage. I thought for sure she was done. I was wrong.

About five minutes later Jewel came back out and told a funny story about her learning to yodel. She even got a volunteer from the audience to come on stage for a quick yodeling lesson. I almost pissed my pants. Jewel then performed one last song. She told us all that it was autobiographical and a hush came over the crowd as Jewel strummed her acoustic guitar. The song spoke of her times growing up in Alaska, about how her father had taken up with another woman who had his child. Then she sang about how her father had left without notice. At this point you could see tears welling up in the eyes of the audience. The song ended by with Jewel telling her half brother not to cry because his big sister Jewel will always love him. As I stood clapping I saw a tear run down Kitten's cheek. She was not alone. I really hate ending this review in a wishy-washy, serious, sensitive kind of way, but... Like the Jewel T-shirt said "@#!!#@ #!#$! !!#&#@ I'm sensitive". And if being sensitive can get me into Kittens pants, then by all means label me a sensitive guy of the 90's.

Jewel's album "Pieces Of You" cannot to justice to the talent that she is. She is an entertainer you must simply see live to truly appreciate. I'm told there will be a good interview (all fluff aside) in Chicago's New City Magazine this Thursday the 16th of May. Check it out and by all means check out Jewel next time she's in town! I give Jewel TWO BIG THUMBS UP with AN EXTRA APPENDAGE!!!

By the way... After the show, Kitten just wanted to be held. So much for that sensitive crap!