Christmas Songs (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Christmas Songs
Type = studio
Artist = Jars of Clay


Released = October 16, 2007
Recorded = 2007
Genre = Christmas music
Length = 49:52
Label = Gray Matters/Nettwerk
Producer = Jars Of Clay
Reviews =
*Christianity Today Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2007/2007christmas.html#jarsofclay link]
*Cross Rhythms rating-10|8 [http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/products/Jars_Of_Clay/Christmas_Songs/32890/ link]
*Jesus Freak Hideout Rating|5|5 [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/ChristmasSongs.asp link]
*Paste Magazine Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/article/6120/review/music/christmas_songs link]
Last album = "The Essential Jars of Clay"
(2007)
This album = "Christmas Songs"
(2007)
Next album = "Greatest Hits"
(2008)
Misc = Singles
Name = Christmas Songs
Type = studio
single 1 = Love Came Down At Christmas
single 1 date = November 2007 (AC Single)
single 2 = Wonderful Christmastime
single 2 date = November 2007 (CHR/Pop Single)
single 3 = Peace Is Here
single 3 date = December 2007 (AC Single)

"Christmas Songs" is the ninth full-length album (and first full-length Christmas album) from Jars of Clay, that was released on October 16, 2007 through Gray Matters/Nettwerk. This is the first ever release from the band through their newly-created Gray Matters imprint via Nettwerk Music Group.John DiBiase, [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/ChristmasSongs.asp Jesusfreakhideout.com: Jars of Clay, "Christmas Songs" Review] , retrieved August 28, 2007.]

Background

In 2006, Jars of Clay began to seek a new recording contract as their then-current contract with Sony BMG's Christian sub-label Essential Records was due to end a few releases later. The group then decided to create their own label named Gray Matters and formed a partnership with the label and imprint label Nettwerk. The group decided to record their first full length Christmas album to debut on this label. The group previously has released one Christmas EP named "Drummer Boy", which contained the classic Christmas carol "Little Drummer Boy". The group also contributed their original Christmas song "Bethlehem Town" to the Christmas edition of the "City on a Hill" series. In 2004, Jars appeared on the collection entitled "Maybe This Christmas Tree" with their lighter "Christmas for Cowboys" alongside artists such as Lisa Loeb, Ivy and Copeland. More recently, in 2005, Jars returned to the Christmas classics to cover "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" on the collection "".

In 2007 as the contract with Sony BMG ended, the group began recording "Christmas Songs", selecting a range of established and well known Christmas Carols, some lesser known songs and some original songs [Jars of Clay's Bio [http://www.nettwerk.com/productions/artistpage.jsp?artist_id=923&mode=bio Nettwerk Management Bio] Retrieved September 3, 2007] to present for this project. The album was recorded in one-take recording sessions, a recording method only used once before by the band, in their prior studio album "Good Monsters". This recording method meant that the majority of the time spent on the album was spent in pre-production, arranging the songs, practicing the songs before entering the studio to record them.

Track listing

"* Denotes bonus track available through iTunes Store"
"** Denotes bonus track available through eMusic"

USB Stick Version

"Christmas Songs" was also released via USB stick format. The flash drive is reusable and has a capacity of 512 MB. The USB sticks were initially only available for purchase at concerts, but has since been added to the band's official online store. Each USB stick contains the following:

* "Christmas Songs" album in its entirety (MP3 files at 192 kbit/s bitrate)
* Acoustic version of "O Little Town of Bethlehem"
* Full-length music video for "Love Came Down at Christmas" (M4V video format)
* Readings of "First Breath", "Life As Advent", "The Burden of Hope" and "Who Gets to be Santa" from the book "Peace Is Here", written by members of Jars of Clay
* Live video performances of "Hibernation Day" and "Drummer Boy" from the Gospel Music Channel's "Christmas at Union Station" special

Performance Credits

*Dan Haseltine - vocals
*Stephen Mason - guitars, background vocals
*Matt Odmark - guitars, background vocals
*Charlie Lowell - keyboards, piano, background vocals
*Jeremy Lutito - drums, percussion, bells, background vocals, vibes
*Gabe Ruschival - bass, keyboards, percussion, bells, background vocals, vibes
*John Catchings - cello
*Christine Dente - vocals
*Tom Howard - horn and string arrangements
*Mitch Dane - tamborine
*Pam Sisfin - violin
*Alan Umstead - violin
*Conni Ellisor - violin
*Kris Wilkinson - viola
*Jim Grosjean - viola
*Carole Rabinowitz - cello
*Jeff Bailey - trumpet
*Jennifer Kummer - French horn
*Sam Levine - flute, winds
*Gil Long - tuba
*Carl Gorodetzky - orchestra contractor

Production Credits

*Jars of Clay - producer
*Mitch Dane - recording, engineering, mixing
*Vance Powell - recording, engineering
*Mike Odmark - assisting to recording and engineering
*Joshua Smith - assisting to recording, engineering, and mixing
*Mike Paragone - recording assistant
*Richard Dodd - mastering
*Christie Little - package illustrations and design

References