What a pleasure it was to have Chattanooga’s own Jennifer Daniels serenade my ears for the first act I choose to hear at Riverbend 2007. I’ve seen the woman’s name, and pictures of her, at several local venues, and in both Enigma and The Pulse, but as of 6:30 p.m., Friday evening, I’d never heard so much as a peep from her. I’m glad my self-imposed neglect of her music is over, and that I finally took the time to partake in her offerings.

I found it a bit of a shame that the rain we’ve needed so came when it did, as I believe that it may have kept Daniels’ crowd down. Still, ever the optimist, I was able to garner a front row seat for most of her show. I’m certainly glad that I didn’t let the rain stop me from venturing forth last night, because I was definitely pleased with what I heard.

The first song I caught was a lovely ballad called, I believe, “Every Single Day.” The song was brimming with what I’ve always thought the best songs should possess—words that make up the images of life that most of us carry with us, in our thoughts, our hearts, and our souls. The song contained the simple message of the lessons of life, love, and just plain, old living. I wasn’t the only one who liked the work as it received a powerful response from the post downpour group that made up Jennifer’s audience. Hearing the words of this song made me forget the rain. Daniels’ performed the little nugget of homespun wisdom with just her acoustic guitar, and her heartfelt vocal.

I’ll admit to being totally surprised by Jennifer’s next number. Along with guitarist Jeff Neal, she did a, well, as the English might say, smashing rendition of John Lennon’s Beatle hit, “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Neal’s guitar work was superb in the fact that he did not over play the song, and in no way did he overpower Daniels’ vocal acrobatics. I’ve only heard a couple of artists perform “Fields,” and not a one, until last night, ever did the song the justice it has so longed for after the demise of The Beatles, and alas poor John. I’m confident that I can safely surmise that had John Lennon been present in the audience, he would have been wearing that Cheshire cat grin of his.

Jennifer brought her band out for the next number, which I think was called “He Dances.” The song had the slightest strains of a variation on the Stevie Nicks anthem, “Rhiannon.” Daniels, a free spirit on stage, even reminded me a bit of Nicks who was often admired for her own stage drama, and power of presence. It feels natural to watch an artist enjoy her job the way Daniels seems to, I’ll confess I wish I witnessed such apparent joy in musical artists more often. It became apparent with this number that Jennifer is not an artist restricted to any, single format — her range in material genres is as impressive as her voice and flair for visual performance.

For those, like me, who may be unfamiliar with Jennifer Daniels, I can tell you that she is an original — in an industry full of cookie cutter performers. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of talent looming and booming about the musical venues of this great country. Still, as so often happens, after the managers, and agents, and music industry moguls get through with their talents, we are left with the remnants of the artist that once was, or could have been. We’re lucky with Daniels, we still have the original, and if we’re lucky she’ll stay that way, and we’ll all be just a little better off because if she does.

If I had to choose one of Jennifer’s songs that I could proclaim as my favorite from last night’s show, I don’t think I could, or maybe I simply wouldn’t. I liked every song I heard, and I know that some of those very songs are coming out on her next CD, so I’ll get to hear them again. Nope, I couldn’t choose just one song — still, the words to her song, “Welcome To Your Life,” will not soon leave my mind, and maybe that’s just the song that will carry me until I catch Jennifer Daniel’s next show — and that won’t be soon enough.

Jay Mouton
wholerest58@comcast.net