The Lost Highway

If you can picture what Taylor Swift might sound like in 15 years, that picture probably would be something like “Stronger Woman” from Jewel.  Jewel went from sleeping in her car to being a big star in the late 1990’s with “Foolish Games” and “Who Will Save Your Soul.”  While many traditionalists and neo country fans might argue about the merits of a Beyonce or a Jessica Simpsoncrossing over to country music from pop, Jewel shouldn’t and doesn’t merit the same arguments.  She’s always been more ‘folk’ than pop, which has often landed Jewel in the ‘outside’ the Top 40 ranks.  I always thought she should’ve been a country singer, and now, with her new recording contract with The Valory Music Group, she is.  “Stronger Woman” is a song that moms of Taylor Swift fans will love.  It’s also highly likely that those same tweens and teens will like this well-written ‘girl power’ song too.  What this adds up to is another finely produced single from the Big Machine label group. 

Grade : B