''Redemption Songs'' is the sixth full-length studio album by Jars of Clay. It was released by Essential Records on March 22, 2005.

Overview

''Redemption Songs'' is a collection of reinvented hymns and spiritual songs. As part of a church community that believed passionately the blessing of understanding the story of redemption through early church songs and ancient hymns, Jars of Clay found themselves a part of a growing renaissance, one that inspired them to write new songs using the rich hymn texts as the foundation. This renaissance was the beginning of ''Redemption Songs'', a blend of familiar hymns, spirituals, and ancient texts.

Collaboration

The band enlists vocals of friends including

the Blind Boys of Alabama The Blind Boys of Alabama, also billed as The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, and Clarence Fountain and the Blind Boys of Alabama, is an American Gospel music, gospel group. The group was founded in 1939 in Talladega, Alabama, and has featured a ch ...

("Nothing But the Blood", "On Jordan's Stormy River Banks I Stand"),

Sarah Kelly Sarah Jean Kelly Work ID No. 493703552 (born September 13, 1976) is an American contemporary Christian musician from Rockford, Illinois. She was signed to Gotee Records, a Christian label under EMI. Kelly is a two time Grammy Award nominee fo ...

("I'll Fly Away") and

Martin Smith Martin Smith may refer to: Arts and entertainment *Martin Seymour-Smith (1928–1998), British poet, literary critic, biographer and astrologer *Martin Cruz Smith (born 1942), American writer * Martin Smith (drummer) (1946–1997), British drummer ...

("Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder"). It was recorded at the band's Nashville-based Sputnik Studio, and is co-produced by the band members and long-time collaborator, Mitch Dane.

Track listing

Personnel

Jars of Clay *

Dan Haseltine Daniel Paul Haseltine (born January 12, 1973) is an American singer best known as lead vocalist for Christian alternative folk rock group Jars of Clay. Haseltine has performed vocals, piano, accordion, percussion and melodica, while with Jars of ...

Charlie Lowell Charles Daniel Lowell (born October 21, 1973)Jars WorldJars World: Music: Tim. Date of Birth noted. Retrieved 9 August 2007. is an American pianist most known for being the pianist and keyboardist for Christian alternative folk rock group Jars o ...

* Stephen Mason *

Matt Odmark Matthew Thomas Odmark (born January 25, 1974) is an American musician most known for being a guitarist for Christian alternative folk rock group Jars of Clay. Biography Matthew Odmark was raised in Rochester, New York where he attended McQuaid ...

Additional musicians * Aaron Sands – bass *

Ben Mize Counting Crows is an American rock band from San Francisco, California. Formed in 1991, the band consists of guitarist David Bryson, drummer Jim Bogios, vocalist Adam Duritz, keyboardist Charlie Gillingham, David Immerglück, bass guitarist M ...

– drums (1, 3-9, 11, 12, 13) * Bryan Owings – drums (2) * John Catchings – cello (9, 12) * Andrew Osenga – backing vocals (3) * Laura Taylor – backing vocals (3) *

– backing vocals (4) *

The Blind Boys of Alabama The Blind Boys of Alabama, also billed as The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, and Clarence Fountain and the Blind Boys of Alabama, is an American Gospel music, gospel group. The group was founded in 1939 in Talladega, Alabama, and has featured a ch ...

– backing vocals (4, 11) *

– backing vocals (6) Production *

Robert Beeson Robert Beeson is a music executive. He founded Essential Records in 1992, home to artists Jars of Clay and Third Day, along with Caedmon's Call, Bebo Norman and FFH. He also created the City On a Hill series. He became Senior VP A&R for Provid ...

– executive producer * Jars of Clay – producers * Mitch Dane – producer, engineer, mixing (2, 10, 13) *

Jacquire King Jacquire King (born January 11, 1967) is an American record producer, recording engineer and mixer. King has worked with such notable artists as Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, James Bay, Kaleo, Modest Mouse, Shania Twain, Buddy Guy, Norah Jones, ...

– engineer, mixing (1, 3-9, 11, 12) * Andy Hunt – second engineer * Mike Odmark – second engineer * Sang Park – second engineer * Laura Taylor – second engineer * Richard Dodd – mastering at RichardDodd.com, Nashville, Tennessee * John Wesley – translation * Michelle Pearson – A&R production * Stephanie McBrayer – art direction * Tim Parker – art direction, design, cover art *

Jimmy Abegg Jimmy Abegg (born December 29, 1954), also known as Jimmy A, is an American musician who grew up in Alliance, Nebraska and is currently living in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1985, Abegg was a founding member of the progressive rock band Vector (ban ...

– photography * Star Klem – stylist * Alexis Abegg – hair, make-up

Charts

Awards

In 2006, ''Redemption Songs'' won a Dove Award for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year at the 37th GMA Dove Awards. It was also nominated for Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year.37th Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominations & Winners
on About.com; Jones, Kim

References

External links

{{Authority control Jars of Clay albums 2005 albums Essential Records (Christian) albums