I also certainly didn’t hear anything in the song that sets it apart from other Nashville offerings or that sets it up as significantly “left of center”.

I mean, rhythmic phrasing in the verse, a prechorus that slows it up a bit and builds in pitch, and a chorus with longer soaring notes with pitches higher than both verse and prechorus, then of course the bridge where all problems are solved leading to the “tambo chorus” as I call it (think delta dawn, where the chorus is sung over only a tamborine) which then of course lets you have one more building moment as you hit the chorus one last time with full instrumentation. That song form is like Rascal Flatts/Sugarland/Faith Hill/Martina/LeAnn Rimes/current Nashville country music 101.

The lyrics have a formulaic pattern as well, setting up enough tension to consider itself a serious song and then resolving to a positive uplifting message. In fact, the progression of the character in this song is essentially exactly the same as in Sugarland’s “Stay”.

So aside from having a distinct vocal tone, I didn’t hear anything in this single that would lead me to believe that “This woman, at least on this record, sounds nothing like anyone we’ve ever heard.”

But I do look forward to possibly being persuaded by your album review.

If Steven Tyler grew up in the mountains of Montana roping steers and shooting deer, he’d still be a rock singer. (A heck of a rock singer at that)

I can find you a man from NYC that has music that’s more authentically country than much of what we hear on the radio today. I could probably find you multiple people.

Country isn’t about where you grew up, it’s about life.

I discredit any singer that crosses genre and at the flip of a switch magically becomes a so-called country singer.

Jewel’s talented, but I don’t see how she could be considered country.

But, again, I think that’s something that will come up when we talk about the new album.

And to your point Jim, John Rich is not the road you take to authenticity.

Kelly - I see Carrie Rodriguez often here in New York City (she lives in Brooklyn, I think) as well as Chip Taylor. She’s something else!

However, I don’t share your hope that the genre moves in Jewel’s direction. From the two tracks that I’ve heard, her latest stuff is good enough and rooted enough in country that it deserves success on country radio. However, stuff like this is not mainstream and I hope that, while it receives radio play, it remains on the fringe of the genre. If country follows Jewels lead, well, country ain’t country no more.

This is a women’s empowerment ballad from a woman who has always been in a dependent relationship. How long do you think it’ll be before she falls back into the same pattern again or should we give her the benefit of the doubt?

I like the song alright, but I don’t think it carries the weight that you seem to place on it in the review. Jewel is getting attention from radio because of her background and her carry-over audience, so I don’t think it’s going to bridge any divides.