Jewel, (The Olympia, Dublin), Review by John Walshe

Jewel Kilcher has a range and depth to her vocals that most artists would kill for. When she plays solo, the effect can be breathtaking: either as quiet and gentle as a tranquilised Andrex puppy or as loud and shrill as a demented Greek harpy. Songs like the moving 'Fat Boy' or 'Deep Water' are brilliant, and her between-song patter is up there with the best of them: at one stage she tells a hilarious 10-minute epic tale about being involved in a Mexican drug bust.

For most of the gig, it's not just Jewel and her guitar, however. Instead it's Jewel and a five-piece backing band who dilute once-powerful songs with twiddly guitar solos and over-instrumentation: at certain stages, it's like watching a female Garth Brooks. While 'Jupiter' and 'Hands' are relatively unscathed, the masterful 'Who Will Save Your Soul' is butchered beyond repair. It all starts off OK, the band for once providing a minimalist backdrop for Jewel to purr around, but then it all goes Spinal Tap with a horribly overwrought crescendo that even Brian Adams may have baulked at.

Tonight, Jewel proved that she's more than capable of holding an audience rapt with just her wit, charm and her songs. Why does she feel the need to hide it all behind the rawk histrionics of a large touring band?