Jewel goes country with Paisley

By KYLE RIDLEY/For the News & Messenger
Published: July 10, 2008

It's difficult to place multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jewel into one music genre. She has experimented with folk, rock, dance-pop and even opera over her seven albums, and six number one singles.

Jewel continues to offer new sounds with her country influenced seventh CD, "Perfectly Clear," released in June. She plays Nissan Pavilion Saturday as part of Brad Paisley's Paisley Party Tour 2008.

"I'm excited to introduce myself to new fans," said 34-year-old Jewel. "It's not an every day opportunity that you get to build your career more."

"Perfectly Clear" was released on the newly launched, Nashville-based label The Valory Music Company. Jewel considers the transition from major to indie label a vital move in today's music industry.

"I signed a multi-record deal because I see this as a great home for myself," said the three-time Grammy nominee. "Pop music has become so urban… it's hard to be a simple songwriter."

It's been 13 years since Jewel's 1995 debut CD, "Pieces of You," stormed the charts and spawned the number one single "You Were Meant For Me," which, despite shifts in the industry, still holds the record for the longest-charting song in Billboard history.

Jewel produced "Perfectly Clear's" 11 tracks alongside John Rich of Big & Rich.

"Working with John was an accident, a happy accident," Jewel said. "Just for fun, on a lark, we booked a band and recorded 10 songs in three days."

The Alaskan songstress said she found inspiration in the strong songwriting and simple produc-tion of Linda Ronstadt's 1974 album, "Heart Like a Wheel."

"We tried not to use gimmicks or overdubs… and keep it sparsely produced," Jewel said.

"What's fun to me about this record is I got to put songs on it that I wrote a long time ago," said Jewel, who wrote the title track, "Perfectly Clear," when she was 18.

The song is a fictional account of a breakup taking place in a front doorway.

"Five years worth of kisses are packed in your bags…. And I can't quite pinpoint when it left or what for/love always steps lightly away from the door," she sings.

On "Rosy and Mick," Jewel sings the tale of a woman no longer able to accept her lover's harmful nature. The fan favorite has been played live for years and Jewel said she had been "dying" to put it on a CD.

"Do you remember when we were younger and angry words were said?/Making up was always your favorite part/Well I ain't young no more and 'I'm sorry' will not mend a broken heart," she sings.

Though Jewel admits to a "fascination" with short stories, she said some of her favor-ite songs reflect autobiographical experiences, such as "Thump, Thump," about her long time relationship with World Champion bull rider Ty Murray. The two live on a working ranch in Stephenville, Texas.

"I've really been lucky to find Ty… I write best when I'm happy and safe," she said.

"Melodies appear every time you're near/Your laughter is poetry to me/Just the scent of your skin/Well, it does me in," she sings on "Thump, Thump."

Jewel fans should be sure to catch her on the Paisley tour, which runs through November. The yodeling superstar is balancing touring with judging NBC's current season of Nashville Star and admits she might not have the time or strength for a solo stint by year's end.

After years of experimenting with different hooks and sounds, it appears Jewel is finally comfort-able in her new world of music and plans to keep the Southern ditties coming.

"I see myself making country records for a long time," she said.

Kyle Ridley can be reached at .