Jewel - the singer, not the case...

No. Jewel is a good, but hardly great, singer.

Barbra Streisand is a great singer.
Linda Ronstadt is a great singer.
Judy Garland and Eva Cassidy were great singers.

Jewel is Sheryl Crow is Diana Ross is Norah Jones.

I couldnt agree more Audiofeil.

Ok, Audiofeil, your A-list admittedly forms a rarefied atmosphere, but Jewel easily is a cut above Crowe, Ross and Jones. I own and enjoy some of that "peasant" music, but in my opinion Jewel is the better vocalist. Evidence abounds, although like I keep saying, one finds it in Jewel's live performances. So far I don't think Jewel has presented a commercial offering commensurate with her talent. (Her second CD came closest.) She seems to need an audience, not to mention better producers.

I'm not sure Ronstadt or Cassidy have anything over her. Jewel is as versatile as Ronstadt and as capable of evoking emotion as Cassidy. Here, put this in your pipe and smoke it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6utrWnRYT7Q It's a song about her dead best friend. Very difficult to see live and not tear up.

At the risk of casting more pearls.... watch this whole thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYeZz8XMMvo These crappy little video clips come nowhere near the Tivo'd version through my Merlins, but even a chimp can see this ain't no Norah Jones.

>>I'm not sure Ronstadt or Cassidy have anything over her<<

Well let's examine this more closely. Ronstadt has done country, rock, pop, punk, opera, torch music, Mexican authentic, blues, etc. She's released 39 albums, 62 singles, has 29 Grammy nominations, and 11 Grammy awards.

Tragically Cassidy died very young well before hitting her prime.

Care to re-think your position?
It would be a good idea.

When I said I didn't think Ronstadt had anything over Jewel, I should have qualified that. Ronstadt is great, no doubt, but there are at least 3 issues here. Talent, versatility, and lifetime accomplishments. I believe Jewel is in the Ronstadt league on the first two aspects, but clearly not the third. I should also concede that Jewel may or may not ever establish that breadth of versatility, but I believe she has the ability based on what I've heard already. I could be wrong (who knows what Jewel's interests turn out to be over a lifetime), but that's my take.

I have always appreciated Ronstadt's technical prowess and her versatility, but I can't remember her music ever moving me as some of Jewel's performances frequently have done. Hats off to all the truly greats, including Ronstadt, but meanwhile, I think Jewel also is great. If I'm wrong, I'm not far off. Also if I'm wrong, so what, her voice still amazes me and I enjoy it more than some of the "greats."

Finally, Eva Cassidy's voice is truly beautiful and remarkably moving.