Frail (song)
Encyclopedia
"Frail" is a song written and performed by Christian alternative folk rock group Jars of Clay
. It has appeared on many recordings by the group and lends its name to the group's debut demo release, Frail, from 1994. The song has been released on four of the group's recordings; however, it has never been released as a single.
and pianist Charlie Lowell
, Mason put forward the song to the group. The song, still an instrumental, was then re-recorded for the group's demo, Frail, in 1994, and it was chosen as the demo's title track.
In 1995, the group recorded their highly successful debut full-length studio album, the eponymous Jars of Clay
. "Frail" was not chosen to be included on the album; however, like the demo's song "Fade to Grey," the group decided to add it to their next studio album, Much Afraid
, in 1997 with a full re-recording. For the re-recording, lyrics were written by the group, which by this time included second guitarist Matt Odmark
. This version is considered to be the "standard" version of the song.
In 1999, following the release of the group's third album, If I Left the Zoo
, Jars of Clay released a rarities collection named The White Elephant Sessions
. This collection included the instrumental version of "Frail" from the Frail demo album.
Most recently, the group re-recorded the song in 2003 for the studio portion of their 2-disc studio/live album Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage
. Like most of the studio recordings for the album, "Frail" was a re-recorded, rearranged version. However, it was the first to change key: All previous recordings of the song have been in E minor
, but this version was transposed to the key of G minor
. It also contained a very brief introduction unique to this recording.
version of the song. The personnel may vary from version to version.
Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay is a Christian rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. They met at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.Jars of Clay consists of Dan Haseltine on vocals, Charlie Lowell on piano and keyboards, Stephen Mason on lead guitars and Matthew Odmark on rhythm guitars...
. It has appeared on many recordings by the group and lends its name to the group's debut demo release, Frail, from 1994. The song has been released on four of the group's recordings; however, it has never been released as a single.
Background
"Frail" was initially the college submission entry for Stephen Mason, guitarist for Jars Of Clay. When written by Mason, the song was purely instrumental. After creating the group with singer Dan HaseltineDan Haseltine
Daniel Paul "Dan" Haseltine is an American singer best known as lead vocalist for Christian alternative folk rock group Jars of Clay. Haseltine has performed vocals, piano, accordion, percussion and most recently, melodica, while with Jars of Clay...
and pianist Charlie Lowell
Charlie Lowell
Charlie Lowell is an American pianist most known for being the pianist and keyboardist for Christian alternative folk rock group Jars of Clay.-Biography:...
, Mason put forward the song to the group. The song, still an instrumental, was then re-recorded for the group's demo, Frail, in 1994, and it was chosen as the demo's title track.
In 1995, the group recorded their highly successful debut full-length studio album, the eponymous Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay (album)
Jars of Clay is the eponymous first full-length album by Christian rock group Jars of Clay. It was released on October 24, 1995 by Essential Records. The album has been highly acclaimed, being one of few Christian albums of the mid-nineties to achieve platinum status...
. "Frail" was not chosen to be included on the album; however, like the demo's song "Fade to Grey," the group decided to add it to their next studio album, Much Afraid
Much Afraid
Much Afraid is the second album of Christian band Jars of Clay. It was released in 1997 by Essential Records.Much Afraid was highly anticipated after the success of the band's first album, but due to a noticeable stylistic shift, the album was not as well received...
, in 1997 with a full re-recording. For the re-recording, lyrics were written by the group, which by this time included second guitarist Matt Odmark
Matt Odmark
Matthew Odmark is an American musician most known for being a guitarist for Christian alternative folk rock group Jars of Clay.At times, Odmark's first name is noted as "Matthew" instead of "Matt"...
. This version is considered to be the "standard" version of the song.
In 1999, following the release of the group's third album, If I Left the Zoo
If I Left the Zoo
If I Left the Zoo is the third album of the band Jars of Clay. It was released November 9, 1999 by Essential Records.-Overview:The band's third album brought about another stylistic shift, away from the lush sound of Much Afraid and into more of a raw and quirky pop/rock sound with occasional folk...
, Jars of Clay released a rarities collection named The White Elephant Sessions
The White Elephant Sessions
The White Elephant Sessions is a rarities and demo version album by American Christian band Jars of Clay, released in conjunction with the band's third studio album If I Left the Zoo...
. This collection included the instrumental version of "Frail" from the Frail demo album.
Most recently, the group re-recorded the song in 2003 for the studio portion of their 2-disc studio/live album Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage
Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage
Furthermore: From the Studio, From the Stage is the fifth album of Christian band Jars of Clay. It was released in 2003 by Essential Records...
. Like most of the studio recordings for the album, "Frail" was a re-recorded, rearranged version. However, it was the first to change key: All previous recordings of the song have been in E minor
E minor
E minor is a minor scale based on the note E. The E natural minor scale consists of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. The E harmonic minor scale contains the natural 7, D, rather than the flatted 7, D – to align with the major dominant chord, B7 .Its key signature has one sharp, F .Its...
, but this version was transposed to the key of G minor
G minor
G minor is a minor scale based on G, consisting of the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. For the harmonic minor scale, the F is raised to F. Its relative major is B-flat major, and its parallel major is G major....
. It also contained a very brief introduction unique to this recording.
Personnel
This personnel section pertains to the Much AfraidMuch Afraid
Much Afraid is the second album of Christian band Jars of Clay. It was released in 1997 by Essential Records.Much Afraid was highly anticipated after the success of the band's first album, but due to a noticeable stylistic shift, the album was not as well received...
version of the song. The personnel may vary from version to version.
Jars of Clay
- Dan HaseltineDan HaseltineDaniel Paul "Dan" Haseltine is an American singer best known as lead vocalist for Christian alternative folk rock group Jars of Clay. Haseltine has performed vocals, piano, accordion, percussion and most recently, melodica, while with Jars of Clay...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Stephen Mason - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s and backing vocals - Matt OdmarkMatt OdmarkMatthew Odmark is an American musician most known for being a guitarist for Christian alternative folk rock group Jars of Clay.At times, Odmark's first name is noted as "Matthew" instead of "Matt"...
- Guitars and backing vocals - Charlie LowellCharlie LowellCharlie Lowell is an American pianist most known for being the pianist and keyboardist for Christian alternative folk rock group Jars of Clay.-Biography:...
- KeyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Greg WellsGreg WellsGreg Wells is a multiple Grammy nominated musician, record producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. Wells has produced and written hits with Adele, Weezer, Pink, Theophilus London, Deftones, Katy Perry, Rufus Wainwright, The All American Rejects, OneRepublic, Mika, Aerosmith, Burt Bacharach,...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Kate St. John - English Horn
Production personnel
- Stephen LipsonStephen LipsonStephen J. Lipson is a musician and producer who has worked with numerous artists, including Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Cher, Grace Jones, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, Take That, Simple Minds, Lindisfarne, and Annie Lennox....
- producer - Robert BeesonRobert BeesonRobert Beeson is a music executive. He founded Essential Records in 1992, home to artists Jars of Clay and Third Day, along with Caedmon’s Call, Bebo Norman and FFH. He also created the City On a Hill series. He became Senior VP A&R for Provident Music Group after they bought Essential, working...
- executive producerExecutive producerAn executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production... - Heff Moraes - engineer and mixer
- Chuck Linder - assistant engineer
- Stephen MarcussenStephen MarcussenStephen Marcussen is the founder and chief mastering engineer of Marcussen Mastering in Hollywood, California. Marcussen is one of the most sought-after mastering engineers in the music industry and his expertise has been coveted by a wide range of artists over the years...
- mastering - Don C. Tyler - editingEditingEditing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...