The type of music, while Christian (so expected), may be a surprise to some fans. They’ve researched ancient hymns, some more than 200 years old, and revived them, bringing a modern sound into these old worship songs.
“This has been one of the most inspiring and faith-deepening projects we have ever done together,” said lead singer Dan Haseltine in a press release. “We have taken hymn text from the 18th century, stuff from Europe that had no melodies, and we have constructed songs. The text is so rich. I hope people will love this record as much as we have loved the process, and the education behind the creative process.”
The band got help from several friends on the project 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”).
The musical theme of Redemption Songs is the spirit being given roots and wings. This theme is represented in the album’s cover artwork, a painting commissioned by the band, of a small bird atop a plant, deeply rooted in soil.
The full track listing for Redemption Songs is:
- “God Be Merciful To Me”
- “I Need Thee Every Hour”
- “God Will Life Up Your Head”
- “I’ll Fly Away”
- “Nothing But The Blood”
- “Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder”
- “Our Lord Is Crucified”
- “Hiding Place”
- “Jesus I Lift My Eyes”
- “It Is Well”
- “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”
- “Thou Lovely Source of True Delight”
- “And They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love”
In other Jars of Clay news, the band recently found out that Furthermore: From the Studio- From The Stage (Compare Prices) has been certified Gold by the RIAA. This, along with its sixth career GRAMMY nod, (for Who We Are Instead) (Compare Prices) is helping 2005 turn into a really great year.
Jars of Clay History
Jars of Clay has sold more than five million albums, has had 16 No. 1 singles, won multiple Dove Awards, BMI songwriting honors and three GRAMMY Awards over its 10 year career. The band's most recent single “Show You Love,” from Who We Are Instead, was used in a variety of television shows and was featured in the promotional trailer for the film, Spanglish, starring Adam Sandler.Compelled to be more than just another band, Jars of Clay wanted to make a difference in third-world countries. Because of this, Jars founded the Blood:Water Mission. The first effort of this non-profit organization was the 1000 Wells Project, which officially launched in Spring 2005, with the goal of raising funds to build, rebuild and repair 1000 wells in urban and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa.
