Jars Of Clay - Redemption Songs

Reviewed by Alan Chesters

The sleevenotes appropriately refer to building bridges. After several years of the distinctive sound of their own material, Jars Of Clay bridge the years by setting 13 songs from the hymnals to modern music. They should be congratulated for keeping the old words alive and making them accessible to a new generation. The new vocal and musical arrangements are fresh and lively on the ear. Examples are "It Is Well With My Soul" and "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love". There are support vocals from The Blind Boys Of Alabama (two tracks) and Martin Smith from Delirious? is featured on "Let Us Love And Sing And Wonder". The most attention-grabbing guest though is Sarah Kelly who soars to the stratosphere on a magnificently soulful version of "I'll Fly Away". On Dan Haseltine's own vocals, the finest is "God Will Lift Up Your Head" which has a swelling chord which truly takes the listener into worship. Maybe the days as a multi-platinum act are passed for the Jars. But they still have much to give to the Church.