The Essential

Performer: Jars of Clay
Engineer: Rocky Schnaars; Mitch Dane; Vance Powell
Producer: Stephen Lipson; Adrian Belew; Jars Of Clay; Steve Hindalong; Ron Aniello; Mitch Dane; Dennis Herring; Robert Beeson; Jeff Magid (Compilation)
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Jars of Clay: Matt Odmark, Stephen Mason (vocals, various instruments, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar, mandolin, hand claps, percussion, programming, background vocals); Charlie Lowell (vocals, various instruments, dulcimer, accordion, piano, organ, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards, hand claps, percussion, background vocals); Dan Haseltine (vocals, various instruments, Moog synthesizer, drums, percussion, programming, loops). Additional personnel: Mancy Alan Kane (vocals, background vocals); Laura Taylor, Leigh Nash, Andy Osenga (vocals); Scott "Sav" Savage (spoken vocals, snare drum, congas, rainsticks, shaker); David Hoffner (hammer dulcimer); Jonathan Yudkin (mandolin, violin); Adrian Belew (mandolin, cello, bass guitar); Noah Evens, Jacob Lawson, Ned Henry (violin); David Henry , John Catchings (cello); Sam Levine (recorder); Bobby Taylor, Marianne Osiel (oboe); Aaron Sands (French horn, vibraphone, bass guitar, percussion); Greg Wells (bass guitar, drums); Jackie Street (fretless bass); Steve Hindalong (drums, percussion, bells); Tim Smith , Ben Mize (drums, percussion); Jeremy Lutito, Joe Porter, Neil Conti, Steven McWilliams, Ken Coomer (drums); Dennis Herring (hand claps); Mitch Dane (drum programming); Oxford Coffee Choir, Dick Marchbanks, Tom Hurdle, The Lufkin Texas Civic Center Choir, David Fair, Robert Cooper and the Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir, Billy Hancock, John Valentine. This installment in Sony's excellent ESSENTIAL compilation series draws from the 1995 to 2007 recordings of the popular Christian alternative-rock act Jars of Clay. Led by amiable frontman Dan Haseltine, the Illinois-based quartet managed to achieve crossover pop success in the mid-'90s--particularly with the urgent, folk-tinged "Flood"--a feat uncommon at the time. Along with that track, other highlights of this well-selected two-disc set include the soaring "God Will Lift Up Your Head" and the New Wave-tinged "Dead Man (Carry Me)," songs that showcase both the group's versatility and knack for casting spiritual themes in catchy pop/rock arrangements. As a band overview, THE ESSENTIAL JARS OF CLAY eclipses the previously issued FURTHERMORE, and makes for an ideal introduction to the revered CCM ensemble.

These days, Christian rock artists who jostle for chart positions with secular acts are a commonplace thing. When Christian rockers Jars of Clay first made a splash back in '95, though, this was not the case. They were one of the first Christian bands to break through in a major way, with a sound that incorporated pop, alt-rock, and spiritual themes, all adorned with glistening, radio-ready hooks. In due course, the group found itself sailing towards the top of the charts and nailing Grammy after Grammy.

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