It always seems like the span of time between an artist's debut album and his/her first "Greatest Hits" record gets shorter and shorter with every passing year. Sure, in many cases it's a matter of an artist leaving a record label where the label wants to give them ONE LAST GOOD SQUEEZE to milk them for all their worth, but every once and a while we get a beautiful compilation album, actually sanctioned by the artist. In this instance, I'm talking about Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Jewel, who recently dropped her very first disc of hits, entitled Greatest Hits (Rhino/Warner Music Group). Yesterday, Jewel premiered the video for the album's sole new song, a beautiful mid(ish)-tempo ballad called, "Two Hearts Breaking," produced by Jay Joyce (The Wallflowers, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris). Check out the GORGEOUS Mark Liddell-shot video BELOW, which was filmed in Los Angeles and premiered Tuesday on ETOnline.com.
I like that Jewel released 7 albums before releasing a Greatest Hits album. No rush. Makes sense to me. Wait until you have an ENTIRE body of work to be proud of. Sure...if you want to get TECHNICAL, only a few of the songs on the album were really ever "hits" on the Billboard Hot 100...namely songs from her first album, Pieces of You: "Who Will Save Your Soul (1996 - #11), "You Were Meant For Me," & "Foolish Games" (both #2), and of course one from Spirit, "Hands" (1998 - #6). Her next "hit," was 2001's "Standing Still," which peaked at #25. Then...from the ALBUM THAT SHALL NOT BE NAMED, (2003's 0304) "Intuition," which was another Top 20 Hit for Jewel. After 0304, Jewel shifted directions, going decidedly more country and as a result, her appearances on the Hot 100 dwindled down to nonexistence On the Billboard Country Chart, Jewel's biggest hit to date was "Stronger Woman" from 2008's Perfectly Clear. That song peaked at a respectable #13. Now, there are two notable omissions for me here; "Serve The Ego," (2002 - This Way), and "Stand" (2003 - 0304), both of which went straight to the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Songs chart (along with "Intuition"). While not hits on conventional Top 40 or Country radio, these songs were most certainly hits. I'm not trying to slight this compilation by any stretch of the imagination. I adore Jewel and have been supporting her since the beginning. Like any major artist, there are going to be ups and downs (on and off the charts), but the fact that she has this many songs that charted at all is pretty impressive.
Now, speaking of DANCE HITS, I'm super excited that I can confirm that "Two Hearts Breaking" is currently being positioned as Jewel's next #1 dance hit! SQUEEE! So far, the only remix that have been officially announced is this "aggressive big room house mix" by Timothy Allan and Mark Loverush (of Loverush UK!). Stay tuned for more details as far as an official release goes, but you can check out the remix below:
"Two Hearts Breaking" marks the fifth time Jewel has been remixed for the clubs, the first being "Serve The Ego" (remixes by Mike Rizzo, Wayne Rodriguez, Hani, Gabriel & Dresden) back in 2002. Next up, lead single from Jewel's first straight up dance/pop album 0304, "Intuition" (remixes by Todd Terry, Gabriel & Dresden, Markus Schulz, Ford, Tee) and the album's follow up single (chosen by the fans) "Stand" (featuring remixes by Markus Schulz, Mike Rizzo, The Scumfrog, Boris & Beck, Bastone & Burnz). "Only One Too" from Jewel's 2006 country album, Goodbye Alice in Wonderland was also remixed for the clubs, peaking at #12 (remixes by StoneBridge, Pull, DJ Volume, Filter Factory vs. Lenny B). So beyond excited at the prospect of new Jewel dance mixes! (Also check out one of my fav Jewel dance tracks, a collaboration with British electronica artist/producer/composer Chicane - "Spirit").
Check out the "Two Hearts Breaking" video BELOW, check out Jewel on tour now and pick up her Greatest Hits album featuring two PHENOMENAL reworkings of "Foolish Games" (featuring Kelly Clarkson) and "You Were Meant For Me" (featuring the Pistol Annies).
Download Greatest Hits (iTunes US)
Check out Jewel on the web: Official Site | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
