Jars of Clay/Caedmon's Call Concert Review
(w/ Jars Setlist)
Houston, TX
March 21, 2003
by Brandon Hamburg
March 21, 2003...A concert I will never forget...
It started with Glassbyrd taking the stage (husband and wife: they wrote songs like God of Wonders) who did a 4 or 5 song set.
Next, Caedmon's appeared with the group singing "40 Acres." Since this was Caedmon's home church, they kept talking about how nervous they were and how more than half the crowd was probably family and friends. They did an outstanding setlist, with songs like "Hope to Carry On," "Only Hope," and "Who You Are," and even did an outstanding cover of The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out." But the bandmember that stood out the most had to be Danielle Young. Her vocals on "Shifting Sand,' "Climb On (A Back That's Strong)", and the new song, "You Created" stole the show. It was clear that Derek Webb was not there, as many of their famous songs weren't sung. These included "Love Is Different," "Mistake of My Life," "What You Want," and "Thankful." The trashcan lids have now been replaced with 3 large drums, and Caedmon's closed their set with "Hands of The Potter."
Then, it was time for Jars. The stage was set with candles and sofas to give it a coffeehouse-type feel. Then, they all sat on stools, except for Charlie, who was playing piano, and the backup electric guitar and drums. They opened with "Like a Child," (complete setlist below) and then explained that they put all of their songs in a hat, and let the crowd draw to see what got played. Dan kept commenting on how, "The hat is our master." With the set being almost all acoustic, this was almost like a whole new band.
They refered to this as "Caedmons Call Country," and proposed that one of them were going to run for Texas governor so they could air condition the state of Texas...enough that Texans could cross country ski in July. The guys did an amazing job, and their talent really stood out when they played "Something Beautiful." They also talked about how they were working on a new CD, to be released in November, and played a cut off of it called "Amazing Grace." It was a jazzy, upbeat, no way to describe it except impressive. They also played "Liquid" (the Furthermore version), and commented on how it's the artists' way to record a song, then go and screw it up and make a remix. "Most people hate remixes, but really, we dont want y'all to hate it," explained Dan. They did "Love Song For a Savior" (the Furthermore version), and left.
They then came back on and did the long version of "Worlds Apart," and then the greatest part of the show came...After "Worlds Apart" was played, Caedmon's came out and joined Jars and together, they all sang the old hymn "Bound For the Promised Land." Unbelievable. How often do you get to see 2 of the top bands on stage at once leading the whole crowd in a hymn (upbeat, jars and caedmon's style)????? I knew this was going to be unbelievable, and as I am going to be a college student this fall, I can tell you I am going to make the drive from Sam Houston St University to see them play in Tulsa, Oklahoma...I cannot wait.
Jars of Clay Setlist
Houston, Tx (3-21-03)
1. Like a Child
2. I Need You
3. Boy on a String
4. Something Beautiful
5. This Road
6. Amazing Grace (unreleased-on CD to be released in November, 2003)
7. The Valley Song
8. Dissappear
9. Liquid (Furthermore version)
10. He
11. Revolution
12. Flood
13. Love Song For a Savior (Furthermore version)
Encore:
14. Worlds Apart (Long Version)
15. Bound For The Promised Land (with Caedmon's Call)