Redemption Songs
# Redemption Songs

Professional ratings :

| Review scores ||
| - | - |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Christianity Today | |
| Cross Rhythms | |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | |

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 ("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.

## Personnel

Jars of Clay

* Dan Haseltine
* Charlie Lowell
* Stephen Mason
* Matt Odmark

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

| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
| - | - |
| US Billboard 200 | 71 |

## 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.

