Jars Of Clay Furthermore - From The Studio: From The Stage
Artist Info:Discography Album length: 2 Discs: 21 tracks, 90 minutes Street Date: February 4, 2003
Something has to be said for this four-piece four-time nominated, two-time Grammy Award winning group
from Illinois -- they never forget their fans. Furthermore - From The Studio: From The Stage
is Jars of Clay's third project in just under a year following the release of their critically acclaimed and
darn good album The Eleventh Hour and their first ever DVD, 11 Live. Furthermore
is one of Jars of Clay's most unique projects to date as it consists of two CDs packed with over 20 songs
to include a full live CD and a stripped-down acoustic studio CD.
The stand-out disc of the two in Furthermore is the first, "from the studio," which offers
acoustic renditions of some new and old favorites with the introduction of three brand new songs. "From
the studio" opens with "Overjoyed" from their 1997 sophomore project Much Afraid, which is notably
different as its full upbeat sound is replaced with a cool and laid back yet prominent drum beat and jazzy
piano. The sound of the record places the listener in the relaxed setting of a coffeehouse with the comforting
aroma of gourmet bean beverages permeates the surrounding air and the soft yet catchy and contemplative sounds
of a Jars of Clay acoustic set fills the room. Jars fans partial to their more pop-fueled rock tunes might not
go for this different musical venture, but it's what Jars knows and does best and has been doing since they
first picked up their acoustics together in the early nineties. A less technical but just as memorable rendition
of last year's "Something Beautiful," a highlight from The Eleventh Hour, follows and fits beautifully
among these revamped hits. "The Valley Song (Sing of Your Mercy)," the first new track on the record, is an acoustic
worship ballad reminiscent of something that would normally be found on the City On a Hill projects
which have have featured Jars' work several times now. The greatest difference from these songs' original arrangements
is found in the group's reinventing of their classic song "Liquid." The tune's opening violins and Benedictine chants
are replaced by a pronounced piano and a slowed vocal delivery as this acoustic folk rocker is transformed into
a beautifully well-done ballad.
The acoustic rendition of "The Eleventh Hour" doesn't stray too far from its catchy original while the darker
and more melancholic new recording "Dig," an Adam Again cover, serves as a standout number on the album and fits in just as well. The third
and last new offering, "Redemption" is a more delicate acoustic worship ballad that relies on its storytelling aspect
as its charm. The folksy "Love Song for a Savior" is a worthy rearrangement that remains true to its original to the point
of almost becoming a tribute to its amazing and unforgettable predecessor. For the third time recorded on a Jars' project,
"Frail" makes a grand transition to Furthermore while the stripped-down worship tuned "Needful Hands" from the group's
contribution to the 1998 worship compilation Exodus is a fitting end to the the first disc.
"From the Stage" is an appropriate collection of eleven songs from last year's Eleventh Hour tour
and are the audio tracks for the live cuts featured on their DVD 11 Live. Musically, this collection represents
who Jars is now in a live setting and shows just how far they have come since their inception in the early nineties.
When the band was adjusting to their almost-overnight success, they weren't exactly known for having a magnetic or energetic
stage presence and, if anything, were memorable for how nervous they seemed on stage (does anyone remember their 1996
live Dove Award performance of "Flood?"). But here the guys have seven years of performing in front of large masses of fans
under their belt it shows. Lead singer Dan Haseltine knows how to get the crowd participating in singing along with favorites
and the band is tighter in their live performance than ever. What used to be a coffee shop act is now a seasoned pop/rock
act and it transmits well here. The collection of live cuts includes such classics as "Like a Child," "Flood," and a
worshipful and amazing 11-minute offering of "Worlds Apart," as well as other favorites that include "Crazy Times," "This Road,"
and several tracks from last year's Eleventh Hour.
For the Jars of Clay fan, Furthermore - From The Studio: From The Stage is a must and a delightful
collection of Jars favorites. The acoustic music fan who might like old school Jars music a little better will
definitely want to check out Furthermore. A brilliant project that more artists should experiment with,
Furthermore - From The Studio: From The Stage is a great way to start off a promising year for CCM.
- Review date: 2/1/03, written by John DiBiase
Artist Info:Discography Record Label: Essential Records
Disc One Length: 10 tracks, 37 minutes and 55 seconds
Disc Two Length: 11 tracks, 53 minutes and 19 seconds
Street Date: February 4, 2003
Buy It:Amazon.com
From The Studio (Disc 1)
Overjoyed
Something Beautiful
The Valley Song (Sing of Your Mercy) (previously unreleased)
Artist Info: 
