Jewel: she dares the doubting thomases again

Interview, August, 2003 by Bernie Taupin

BT: I'm always interested in influences.

J: My dad listened to Irish folk music, which I always enjoyed--it was really angry.

BT: Well, they had a lot to be angry about. [both laugh]

J: It moved me. I've always been moved by political upheaval. My favorite writers are people like Mikhail Bulgakov, who wrote under extreme political censorship. I always found that really fascinating. Literature affects my writing a lot; J definitely came from a reading background.

BT: That's you and I both. So, what are you listening to these days?

J: I'm really into Sarah Vaughan. I tend to go for vocalists. And I'll go through years where all I listen to is Nina Simone. When I was working on This Way [2001], I listened to her constantly.

BT: How do you feel about the promotional roundabout? Is it easy for you? Is it hard?

J: I've come to appreciate it. I think you can take [success] for granted. I was uncomfortable with it for the first 10 years, but I'm starting just now to have fun with it. I have such a strong life outside of music, on the ranch. So when I'm in that world, I'm able to be in it because I know I can get away. But for me, it's exciting, because this album was the highest debuting record of my career--and my goal has always been to be around for a while. To do that, you have to keep your emotional and mental state well.

Bernie Taupin is currently at work on a new album and Broadway show with Elton John.