Redemption Songs is the sixth full-length studio album by Jars of Clay. It was released by Essential Records on March 22, 2005.
| Redemption Songs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 22, 2005 | |||
| Recorded | 2005 | |||
| Studio | Sputnik SoundNashville, Tennessee; East Iris Studios, Nashville, Tennessee | |||
| Genre | Christian rock, folk rock | |||
| Length | 54:08 | |||
| Label | Essential | |||
| Producer | Jars of Clay, Mitch Dane | |||
| Jars of Clay chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Redemption Songs | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Christianity Today | [2] |
| Cross Rhythms |   [3] |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | [4] |
Overview edit
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 edit
The band enlists vocals of friends including the Blind Boys of Alabama ("Nothing But the Blood", "On Jordan's Stormy River Banks I Stand"), Sarah Kelly ("I'll Fly Away") and Martin Smith ("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 edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "God Be Merciful to Me (Psalm 51)" | 4:31 |
| 2. | "I Need Thee Every Hour" | 3:47 |
| 3. | "God Will Lift Up Your Head" | 4:22 |
| 4. | "I'll Fly Away" (featuring Sarah Kelly) | 4:42 |
| 5. | "Nothing But the Blood" (featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama) | 4:13 |
| 6. | "Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder" (featuring Martin Smith of Delirious?) | 4:23 |
| 7. | "O Come and Mourn With Me Awhile" | 4:04 |
| 8. | "Hiding Place" | 4:06 |
| 9. | "Jesus, I Lift My Eyes" | 3:28 |
| 10. | "It Is Well with My Soul" | 3:54 |
| 11. | "On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand" (featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama) | 4:32 |
| 12. | "Thou Lovely Source of True Delight" | 4:31 |
| 13. | "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love" | 3:02 |
| Total length: | 53:35 | |
Personnel edit
Jars of Clay
Additional musicians
- Aaron Sands – bass
- Ben Mize – 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)
- Sarah Kelly – backing vocals (4)
- The Blind Boys of Alabama – backing vocals (4, 11)
- Martin Smith – backing vocals (6)
Production
- Robert Beeson – executive producer
- Jars of Clay – producers
- Mitch Dane – producer, engineer, mixing (2, 10, 13)
- Jacquire King – 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 – photography
- Star Klem – stylist
- Alexis Abegg – hair, make-up
Charts edit
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | 71 |
Awards edit
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.[5]
References edit
- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ Christianity Today review
- ^ Cross Rhythms review
- ^ Jesus Freak Hideout review
- ^ 37th Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominations & Winners Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine on About.com; Jones, Kim