New Club EDA Download!

Hi All

Time for another Free Club EDA download!  We usually do this on the 1st of each month, but since that falls on this Sunday, we're going for it a little early.

Back in February, one of the comments posted on that months free download blog was from amacphee_4220, AKA Ashlee, who in part said:

I was wondering if there was a recording from when Jewel played in Bridgeport, CT a couple years back of her song 'What's Simple Is True' from 'Ride With The Devil' She had said at the show that she rarely sang it anymore and only did because Ang Lee was in the audience that night. I think EDA's would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear that song.

I thought Ashlee's request was an interesting one and I recall that evening relatively well.  At the time, Jewel was touring solo acoustic, promoting her "Perfectly Clear" album, while simultaneously working on her first independent release, "Lullaby."  The concert took place on February 9, 2009 at the The Klein Theatre in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a venue that I had surprisingly never been to, despite having lived in the general area most of my life.  It was also the same night that ABC officially announced that both Jewel and Ty would be among the new cast of "Dancing With The Stars" and a few days prior to those rehearsals beginning.

Much to everyone's surprise, especially Jewel's, renowned director Ang Lee turned up backstage that night.   For those unfamiliar with their professional relationship, Ang directed Jewel in her first major theatrical debut back in 1998, where she had the female lead role of Sue Lee Shelly in his Civil War drama "Ride With The Devil."  He was just wrapping up production on his "Taking Woodstock" movie at the time and he and Jewel hadn't crossed paths in quite a few years, so she was quite excited to see him.  

In Ang Lee’s honor, Jewel spontaneously resurrected the song "What's Simple Is True" that evening, which she had also contributed to the "Ride With The Devil" movie soundtrack.  A love song written for the man she hoped to meet someday, it was written during a grueling solo acoustic tour of Europe back in 1997, a little over a year before she first met Ty Murray.  The song was first debuted on stage immediately after that tour at another legendary EDA event called "The Pajama Jam," where Jewel made a surprise appearance at Java Joe's over Thanksgiving week of 1997. She would officially record it the following year for her "Spirit" album. 

At the time of this Bridgeport concert in 2009, Jewel hadn't performed “What’s Simple Is True” in nearly five years, which makes the performance all the more remarkable.  It should also be noted that she hasn't performed the song since.  In addition to the audio, there is a second free download for you of Jewel’s handwritten lyrics to the song.

Recorded on  February 9, 2009 at the The Klein Theatre in Bridgeport, Connecticut, help yourself to the only live performance of "What's Simple Is True" in the last seven years.  And thank you for suggesting this one, Ashlee!     

Alan