Life Uncommon
Released: 11/30/1999

Jewel is precious. Not just a lame pun, but an accurate enough description of the Jewel Kilcher presented in this hourlong 1999 program, which mixes concert material with interviews, older performance footage, biographical material, etc. (plus three bonus songs from the same ’99 show). Problem is, while Jewel’s Alaska upbringing and rise to stardom may be uncommon, the same can’t be said for her music. She has a fine voice, one that projects power and purity both solo and backed by a rockin’ band, but her songs are on the pedestrian side, laced with earnest but sophomoric aphorisms (e.g., “What’s Simple Is True”) better suited to a college coffee house than the concert stage. And all in all, the disc is more promo than documentary, what with glowing testimonials from her mother, record company chief, agent, and tour manager. Jewel fans will be delighted, but don’t look for A Life Uncommon to gain her many converts. -Sam Graham Amazon.com

Live at Humphrey’s By The Bay
Released: 03/23/2004

Live at Humphrey’s by the Bay is Jewel’s first concert disc, and it’s a solid success, a blend of signature material and hints of forward progress. Shot just before her 2002 “This Way” tour, the program begins with a startling reminder of Jewel’s beautiful pipes on the a cappella “Per La Gloria D’Adorarvi.” That protean voice slides gracefully into her whispery and carnal octave-jumper, “Near You Always,” adopts a witty, talking blues attitude on “Sometimes It Be That Way,” and paints in nocturnal hues for “Grey Matter.” Jewel is solo for most of the set, contributing to the sometimes airless feel of her prolific broken-love songs. But “The New Wild West” is an imagistic, extroverted wonder, and “Everybody Needs Someone Sometime” is sassy and shimmering. -Tom Keogh Amazon.com