At 16 years old I was developing an increasingly need for music in my life. I found that it was a nesassary form of escapism, allowing me to drown out the noise of my life's challenges. My mind worked best when the space around me was tranquil and seriene. I found that music invoked feelings in me which I had scarcly felt in my life before. They were feelings that I connected with and, it felt good to connect to them. An album that defined those times for me was an unlikely album that was given to me for my birthday from a relative; It was called Pieces of You from Jewel. To me, the album drew me in and connected with me on many different levels. It was poetic and nieve. It offered heartbreak and hope. I loved and listened and listened and listened some more.
I have since followed this artist throughout her career, staying true to the artist who's album helped change my life and helped me to feel. Recently, I was able to go to a Fan appreciation concert at a small venue in Hollywood. I won the tickets on-line along with 300 others. I felt a little strange, embarrassed maybe, because I, a full grown male adult was excited to go to a concert from a female folk singer. I didn't care too much though, people do not know what impact that album had on me or how much it molded my thinking to how I see the world.
As silly as it may sound, I did go and it was in simple words, truly amazing. It was an intimate setting and all were attentive. Her voice has noticably matured throughout the years and rang crystal clear that night. Such emotion in the way the songs were sung too! I was glad to be transported back to when I was a teenager, feeling so many things, when I was trying to figure out who I was in the world. At the end of the night I felt content. I was moved by a concert and by a voice who's beauty was only matched by the lyrics which it sang. And as I walked to the car, I felt pride for myself and for who I turned out to be.
