About JEWEL
 

Well? What do you guys think? I think it's a very nice ballad for it's kind. I'm personally not really into ballads but JEWEL is really catchy. And the arrangement seems to be very classy.

i'm not planning to hear it until the album version comes out, but ummm so far i like the sound of it from the 30secs ad :yes

havent listen to the full vresion yet. i am anxiously waiting for it!

sigh.......a little bit different with panasonic cm!!!is not what i espect!!! is more like acoustic version..

Not what I expected! It sounds so beautiful, I could cry!
One of the best ballads she's put out :yes

Classy composition, the arrangement is just a piano in this version, which would be VERY classy in case that's the original version.

HER VOCALS ARE FREAKIN' STUNNING.

(watching it right now, half through)

Yes, I'm in love too. This song is good.

I must say.....i'm definitely in love too....this Ballad is so beautiful.....so i'm looking forward to the album in November ^^

I was just expecting a good ballad, but this is amazing :luv2 composition is so sweet. like a lullaby :) her voice is so angelic in this song, and it's live! looking forward to the cd version.

I think that, in the studio version; her voice is going to be just as deep and powerful as in tracks like "Will" or "criminal".

^Hopefully :3

It sounds so sad... I'm waiting eagerly for masa's translations, I hope we'll see them :).

beautiful, i have to say, hope it has a sad PV which suits it very much~

From the song itself I have a feeling that we will either have a walking proud kind of PV, or maybe a RAINBOW. Hmm.

i don't mind either :D both PV's were beautiful.

I really like it, seems sad and calming. I'm looking forward to hearing the recorded version :yes

I think the pv'll have more story, but be at least as visually stunning as walking proud.

Where did they record it, was it in LA?

The Tetsuya Yukimi's apparent. Reminds me of Moments but in a very nice way. I like this a lot more than HEAVEN.

Love it.

It is some kind of blend between Moments, HEAVEN and walking proud I think, but it has it's totally own style so I don't really want to compare.

"JEWEL" was DEFINATELY worth waiting for it. I didn't expect much after the CM, but: This is SO PRETTY! It sounds so sad... It really "hypnotized" me.

Imagine it with even more depth in her voice, the whole song is sort of a climax, and the studio version will probably have even more power.

I loved this live version also.

WoW!! It's great!! Ayu's so cute singing it... This ballad is as beautiful as HEAVEN :D

I found it horrible and plain. Very empty.

Her vocals were sharp and her all over the place. Her vibrato was too strong for softer notes.

The melody is sweet but just a little too plain.

A piano plus vocals does have a hard time to fill up space.

That's what I was thinking LOL.

Beautiful :o

Truly, Ayu's best ballad since forgiveness. It totally puts CAROLS, No Way To Say, Moments, HEAVEN and all those other album-track ballads to shame. I love Ayu all over again.

Her smile at the end of the performance complelety reflects my emotions right now.

I don't think it's in the same class as her MY STORY ballads, but I will have to wait for the studio version before judging that. I don't think anything can though, hehe, no in my world.

The reactions to the song this far is surprising me, I had expected a lot more negativite regardless if the song was nice or not.

Honestly, to me it looked like Ayu had gain a few kilos D: not that it would matter, she's still sexy as hell.

its prolly jus an acoustic version...surely the cd version gonna have more stuff and more packed...with better vocals than wad u heard
__
I really LOVE this song!...so sweet and calm and nice...like the emo part...i think its gonna be very gd in the cd version...looking forward....

i just found the transition from the verse to chorus a bit funny...but in a gd way...its unique

Good for Ayu taking a break and coming back. Listening to her voice, it is much better than before she non-stopped releasing stuff..
:):)

@ayu1m - I think she looks better like this.

During 2001 she was unhealthily stick-like. Later on she gained some weight... now she's gained more weight and she looks great.

Busting up in preparation for a child, I'm sure her doctor told her she needed a bit more weight for that :).

Vocals were great, but I have to say I hate it when she tries to vibrate her voice and she ends up going "EE - EE - EE" which can be heard at the end of the lines. She did it with HEAVEN last year as well. I really don't like it....

But the rest was great. She shouldn't have been confined to the chair, as she was pretty emotional towards the end.... she should have got up and let it all out! :)

The song is a very nice ballad. It sounded so wierd though because I was soooooo used to the lyrics from the 30 sec CM. XD

The MY STORY ballads were quite bland IMHO. However the blandess in CAROLS was just right! :P

Unless you are also including Liar/HOPE or PAIN/happy ending (which I don't quite class as ballads in my head for some reason). Those are my favourite album tracks. I can't really compare them because they are really different.

I agree. She basically over sang the song.

To me, the song itself is great, possibly the strongest one of the year even though the melody is a bit plain.

I think it's a good song. Her voice sound very cute and the composition is very simple.

It didn't blow me away, but I think it's really nice :yes

@HilaryDuffFanboy - Isn't it something like... that you sing better when you sit down?

I couldn't agree more :yes

Almost exactly what I thought :D that she has to gain few kilos for a baby!! who knows :P

I love the song ^^ It's not Ayu's best ballad but it's pretty good :)

It remembers me Dearest 'Acoustic Piano Version'

Ayu's ballad Top 5
1. Carols
2. Dearest
3. JEWEL
4. Over
5. No Way To Say

Some people always make negative comments on every piece of ayu stuff, don't quote that. They just want to make attention. Be yourself, you don't have to quote those negative comments. Just ignore them. For me, I just put them in ignore list. HAHA.

I found that JEWEL is good song and fits for mini album.

How can you say, coz you haven't heard the album version yet ;)

It really fits and it's very much what I wished for it to be, the more sad songs that's needed to balance up the total happiness attack of the rest of the tracks, haha.

100 out of 100 for the song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was worth waiting!!!

the song is so gentle.. and soothing.. i like the tune of it!!!!!! oh gosh!!! repeating the video 10000 times now!

but the bad side, i dont like ayu's hair. she looks more "horizontal" with her hair and outfit.. and its evident that she gained quite some weight..... ??

I wish there was a song in mini album that would like "Memorial Address".

I love live version! Why I will not like album version? :P

That's not what I meant that you wouldn't like the album version. I meant that the album version might be better, although I love live version, especially concert ones.

:)

yes because no one who knows music better than a babbling fan can't express when a singer is flat, sharp, pitchy, off key.

hunny just because you're a fan doesn't mean she never makes mistakes.

^I quite agree that the singing isn't perfect, but I'm certain the studio version will be close enough to perfect and that's the version you'll probably be listening to the most. Ayu's voice isn't at a high point right now >_<Me too, although I'd prefer it to be rather different to JEWEL, or the album would get too boring.

HANABI ~episode II~ for me :D

Maybe 1LOVE will be like it? Or the yet-to-be-announced track?

It's the first time in a LONG time we see anything sad-tuned from Ayu, that probably has a great impact on peoples reactions right now. Everyone seem happy :).

I think the studio version will sound very good,and am happy with the song. Better than Moments though? In my opinion,absolutely no way.
I think she sounded out of tune(off pitch) as well,but I'm sure I will enjoy the studio version even more.Can't wait!

These are the lyrics as I see/hear them (there are a couple of parts I'm not sure about since I can't read too much kanji):

haiiro no shi ga koi (?) sora no shita wo kyo mo
arayuru yokubou ga umetsukusu
sono naka de hikari o mioshinawazu mae o
muite arukeru no wa itsumo kimi ga

kono machi no katasumi ni mo ketare no nai
mono ga nokotteiru koto oshiete kureru kara

tsukare hate takara nade nemuri ni tsuita kimi o
boku wa iki wo hisomete miteita
sekaichuu de tada hitori boku dake ga shitteiru
muobi (?) de itooshii yokogao

atari mae no you ni hizashi ga furisosogi
yasashii kaze yureta aru hi no koto

boku no naka de nanika ga sotto tsuyoku
tashika ni kawate yuku no wo hitori kanjiteita

kanashiku nanka nai no ni namida ga koboreta no wa
kimi no omoi ga itai kurai ni
boku no mune no oku no kizuato ni shimikonde
yasashisa ni kaete kureta kara

moshimo kimi ga kurai(?) kanashimi ni deattara
boku ni mo akete kureru to ii na
sono egao no tame nara nandatte dekiru darou
boku no taisetsuna takaramono
boku no taisetsuna takaramono


I haven't gotten goosebumps from listening to a song since the first time I saw the HEAVEN PV. But JEWEL...oh man, I don't know, JEWEL might surpass HEAVEN for me! @__@ Poor Ayu looked like she had a hard time staying on that chair with all the power she was putting into it. xD A little too much at times...but overall, the whole performance was quite breathtaking. I can't wait to see it in HD! *^_^* <3

Oh, I didn't remember that.. Now I can't wait either :D !!

1080p for goodness.

^ Yesh...hopefully that way, we'll be able to see the talk too! I want to know if she talked about the mini-album. <3

The songs is very very nice. But I'd ant a version with a bit fuller arrangements, allthough I like this version. But it's a bit too simple for a "regualr version". I don't neccessarily want a full verison with percussion and el guitars and such, just a little more to make it full.

oh man!! Jewel really did not dissapoint me.. This song is so soothing and the piano is just so nice... Jewel is 1000/100 for me !

yea... so much emotions, THATS OUR AYU! overall, i love love love LOVE this song!

@petit - Ya, I think we can expect something way more full - arrangement wise. I'm pretty sure they won't use only a acoustic piano for the studio version.

Even if they do only use a acoustic piano, with the help of computers and the perfect atmosphere of a studio, it'll sound WAY better.

OMG I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
anyone can translate the lyric plz?

It's really good ballad.....so I'm looking forward to see the lyrics too ^^

oh wow I think her vocal is just awesome!!! It's amazing like there is only the Piano and she can sing like that is just amazing!! GOOD JOB ayu but do you guys think that she has gained some weight???

I've had the live mp3 on repeat for about a half hour now...I love it no less, which is a good thing! :D

I've been thinking about the studio version, though...I really hope that her vocals on the last "boku no taisetsuna takaramono" are a lot softer than they were in the live. I'd rather the studio mix end on a soft note kind of like HEAVEN did...of course, when she's singing live, she's free to belt out however much she wants. ;)

I like ... i really like ...

hmm, he voice ruins the beggining part live

Sounds like a beautiful ballad. I like.

Ok. She may sound off-key. BUT HECK, this at least gives an illustration of how the studio version will sounds like, which IS GOOD!! XD XD

I'm so anticipating this!! Gosh, thank God for returning my love to Ayu. <33

I love it. I think it's going to be one of Ayu's big ballads up there with Who.., Voyage, etc! Well it is for me anyway!

As I expected, I liked it. I wasn't amazed by it, but it's a nice ballad. The studio version is going to be pretty awesome.

But I can't help but laugh a little bit at the performance, in a good natured way though! She twisting and swinging, and thrashing all over the place. Highly unnecessary for this type of song. It wasn't like she was belting huge notes or anything. I just found that so adorably cute ^_^.

I liked her dress, by the way.

Those are my thoughts exactly. If Ayu didn't quit recieving awards, this one would win. Hands down. :yes

I love this song very much.
A beautiful ballad, a romantic melody.
Ayu's voice is really nice.

ahhh~ this song rekindles my love for her.
reminds of Teddy Bear.

off key?
the live rip mp3 have been repeated for almost 1 hour so far :innocent
i do not think so
she did a perfect job

I didn't hear her sound off key. I think she was a bit exaggerated on her gestures like she was singing a choir song or something, but other than that, I think she did ok.:)

Her voice bugged me - a bit off-key and off-pitch in some parts - but I think the album version is indeed going to rock.

I like the way the stage looked through the performance, though. Very cool and surreal. Calm and tranquil, but kind of otherworldly too.


I.... kind of wanna see that integrated into the album.


ETA: What is it with women and spastic arm flailing when they sing? She could be singing Mary Had A Little Lamb and she'd probably still be waving her arm around like she's getting electrocuted.

For those saying it wasn't off key.


Do you even know what sounding off key sounds like?

My friend said that's how some singers were taught to sing. Like the teacher will have her wave her arm to sing higher, and the student would do the same. I guess Ayu learned that technique lol

lol that's not a technique hun. that could cause the person to go off due to random jerkings of the body. try holding a note and swinging your arms around. hard to hold the note, yes?

Has Ayu gained a few kilos the past months? But Still, even more sexy! :D JEWEL is a totaly new number 1 ballad for me <3 Cant't wait for the studio version.

well, we will see until the 11/29 :D
check the studio ver out l8r:D

I like it, and I'm sure I will love it when I hear the full version.

I hope the full version is as simple as this performace. I hope she doesn't add like 100 instruments in the BG.

lmao

@paper - I agree, and I hope that it'll sound fuller... well... I already know it will, heh.

The song is soooo good! I will definitely buy this mini album...even if the cover sucks like (miss)understood (i bought that too) ok now i wanna hear 1love...lol

I don't want to hear 1LOVE... or ... I want to hear it, real bad, but I don't want it revealed until the release of the album.

I've 1love gets released I won't here it. That'll ruin the whole mini album, if you've heard most of the songs already :(

btw: How do you put signatures in your post?

I'm going to listen to 1LOVE; but I'm not going to listen to the 3rd song; and I'm not going to see the album cover before I receive the CD at home (So I'll leave AHS)

anyway.. JEWEL gets better every time I listen to it.. now I can sing along to the lyrics and it feels more beautiful if you know the song

i typed this myself according to the live's lyrics.

灰色の四角い　空の下を今日も
haiiro no shikakui sora no shita wo kyou mo
あらゆる欲望が　埋め尽くす
arayuru yokubou ga ume tsukusu
その中で光を　見失わず　前を
sono naka de hikari wo miushina wazu mae wo
向いて歩けるのは　いつも　君が
muite arukeru no wa itsumo kimi ga

この街の片隅にも　汚れのない
kono machi no katasumi ni mo kegarenonai
ものが残っている事　教えてくれるから
mono ga nokotte iru koto oshietekureru kara

疲れ果てた体で　眠りについた君を
tsukare hateta karada de nemuri ni tsuita kimi ga
僕は息をひそめて　見ていた
boku wa iki wo hisomete miteita
世界中でただひとり　僕だけが知っている
sekaijyuu de tada hitori boku dake ga shitte iru
無防備で愛しい　横顔
muboubi de itoshii yokogao

当たり前のように　陽射しが降り注ぎ
atarimae no you ni hizashi ga furi sosogi
優しい風揺れたある日のこと
yasashii kaze yureta aru hi no koto

僕の中で　何かが　そっと強く
boku no naka de nani ka ga sotto tsuyoku
確かに変わって行くのをひとり感じていた
tashika ni kawatte iku no wo hitori kanjiteita

悲しくなんかないのに　涙がこぼれたのは
kanashiku nanka nai no ni namida js koboreta no wa
君の思いが　痛いくらいに
kimi no omoi ga itai kurai ni
僕の胸の奥の　キズ跡に染み込んで
boku no mune no oku no KIZU ato ni shimikonde
優しさに　変えたくれたから
yasashisa ni kaete kureta kara

もしも　君が深い　悲しみに　出会ったら
moshimo kimi ga fukai kanashimi ni deattara
僕にも　わけてくれるといいな
boku ni mo wakete kureru to ii na
その笑顔のためなら　なんだって出来るだろう
sono egao no tame nara nan datte dekiru darou
僕の大切な　宝物
boku no taisetsu na takaramono

僕の大切な　宝物
boku no taisetsu na takaramono

I only listened to it once, and I think I will stick to that.

I want the album, in flac.

the song is pretty.. but Ayu's voice is.. as Hikari said.. all over the place.. off key.. she sounds like she has nasal problems.. and that she is having a hard time breathing.. she's breathing TOO OFTEN and TOO LOUDLY..
She looks beautiful.. and if Ayu gained weight its a GOOD thing.. because she was underweight to begin with (from what we had been speculating/told her weight.. Ayu's BMI was under the "normal" which classifies her as underweight)
still.. pretty live piano version of the song.. I can't wait to here the album version.. which I am sure will rock my socks off.. ^_^

i noticed something interesting though...

at the "fukai" part,

もしも　君が深い　悲しみに　出会ったら
moshimo kimi ga fukai kanashimi ni deattara

i heard her pronounced it as "kukai".. lolz.. probably i heard wrong or she sang that word wrongly...

just something to note.. no offence~ :D

Just listen to it... I love it :P, but I guess I need to listen a few more times to make myself addicted to it LOL. I guess I'm the only person hoping that this will be the final version of JEWEL... The piano background is just excellent. I dun need ayu's band to get involved in this song :eviltongu. They better not be there..

and about ayu's weight.. I think partly she did gain weight, but the hair really affect her as well. This hair style was similar to SEASONS era and she looked chubby during SEASONS as well. I guess this hair really stretch ayu's face a bit wider..

Probly she will lose some weights tho. In Japanese culture people tends to love skinny girls...

A lot of the "weight gain" might have to do with the format the show was broadcasted in also.

Hard to judge until you see her in real life.

For everyone getting offended at the off pitch/off key comments,calm down. Nobody is saying that they dislike Ayu and want this song to do badly. Ayu has a history of being off sometimes in live shows,but it doesn't mean people like her any less.We all love her and want her material to do well.So chill :)

No, you're not the only one. :) I love the simplicity of the arrangement, and I think it sounds stunning with only the piano and the effects in the background. Even if it's not like that for the CD version, I hope that's how she keeps performing it live.

The preview didn't show ANYTHING about JEWEL at all! The song is REALLY beautiful and her powerful voice fits the song so well... One of the best Ayu ballads.

I'm so disappointed that I won't get an instrumental of this one... Maybe on the DVD... =/

And she's not off key... she has the best vocal control that I've heard in my life, so far.

Unless there's some single with it as a track later on I don't expect that we'll see an instrumental of it at all :/.

It's such a beautiful song, an instrumental would have been nice.

It's okay. I like the beginning but I'm not terribly impressed with the song. That's not a surprise to me, because while there are some Ayu ballads I love, overall I tend to prefer her upbeat/rock songs.

So you've never heard:

Celine Dion, the old Whitney Houston, the old Mariah Carey.

Those are the most famous women singers that could hold their vocals with no problems. I could continue a list.

Sorry hun but Ayumi is horrible with her vocal control. She's not a horrible singer. She just needs a lot of work.

I'm pretty happy I don't know much about vocal control and off-key-ness.

It'd probably bug me a whole lot if I did.