Rags to riches story Jewel Kilcher, (known to several million of her closest friends as just "Jewel") is currently touring the US in support of her sophomore release "Spirit." In tow was her good friend (and ex-squeeze), singer/song writer Steve Poltz. If that name doesn't sound familiar to you, picture Jewel's video "You Were Meant For Me," and the sexy pajamaclad object of her affection - Steve Poltz. Poltz played a very simple, acoustic set that lasted 45 minutes and included original songs from his solo album, "One Left Shoe." He also stayed around for Jewel's set, providing acoustic back up and vocals.

The next two hours of the night belonged to Jewel. From the moment she slinked onto the stage in form fitting leather pants, gauntlets and tank top until the time she bid everyone good night, she held the audience firmly in her grip. If you have never seen a live Jewel performance, you might assume it would be a sedate hippie love in. But without benefit of love beads or a VW mini bus, she entered the night with a sultriness and maturity that her studio work does not reflect. Under a full moon at Coors Amphitheatre in San Diego, CA, her vocal range was showcased as she rolled through older hits such as "Foolish Games," "You Were Meant

For Me" and "Who Will Save Your Soul," as well as the newer singles "Barcelona," "Down So Long" and "Hands." At times her voice sounded like the flick of a fingernail against crystal glassware, and at others she morphed into a diet version of Janis Joplin. To accent her different performance styles and personas, she would end selected songs with a lilting, adolescent "thank you!" whispered into her mic.

The majority of the nearly two hour show is an up beat folk rock concert, Jewel playing acoustic guitar

and her touring band providing an electric frame around her. She told the stories of how she met Steve Poltz when she was a waitress at Java Joe's in Ocean Beach, CA and he was "this cute singer at the coffee house where she worked." She also talked about her recent tour of Europe and how glad she was to be home. Towards the end of the show, Jewel asked the audience to come down to the front of the stage "Gently" and she performed her encore alone, with her acoustic guitar and a few thousand friends. Okay, so there weren't any love beads or VW mini buses. But the vibe was very groovy . . .

All Photo's by Debbie Seagle.
Debbie is the Associate Editor of RocknWorld.com