‘Jewel: Live at Humphrey’s by the Bay’
(Eagle Rock Entertainment)



Jewel fans who’ve been relegated to bad concert seats should grab a copy of the artist’s debut performance DVD, “Jewel: Live at Humphrey’s by the Bay.” This is 84 minutes of Jewel from all her pleasant angles, and it’s backed with high quality audio that puts you in the front row.

Filmed at a concert in San Diego in 2001, Jewel starts off a little breathy with a short rendition of “Per la Gloria d’Adoravi,” but gets comfortable after whipping off her red leather jacket and settles into some solid material.

The second song, “Nearly Always,” is done extremely well and sets the tone for more good acoustic guitar to come.

On “Kiss the Flame,” Jewel botches the intro vocals, then playfully recruits a member of the audience who’s sure she knows all the words. The lucky girl from the crowd takes the stage, appears in sheer joy as she stands behind Jewel and whispers the first few verses in her ear.

Jewel’s acoustic take on the bulk of the songs comes through crystal clear. The disc’s audio setup screen allows for DTS Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. You’ll be wowed by the quality.

The best camera work comes from a low front-row angle, showing Jewel’s guitar picks lined up neatly on her mic stand, her hair tossed over one eye as she croons “You Were Meant for Me.”

The highlight, however, is Jewel performing “Who Will Save Your Soul.” She sexily saddles up to the mic as the familiar bass line begins. This version is filled with jazzy scat-like vocal meandering and Jewel growls at the audience, “Who will save your soul, if you won’t sa-a-a-a-ave your own.”

The bonus material on the DVD is thin, however. A photo slideshow set to music and some backstage footage gives us little insight to Jewel behind the scenes. That portion of the DVD is a bit too polished and could have been better.
– Ron Harris, Associated Press Writer


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