Description
Never Say Die is the fourth album by the American rock band Petra, released on StarSong Records in the fall of 1981, distributed by Word. Later also manufactured and distributed by A&M Records. The album was produced and recorded by Jonathan David Brown at Rivendell Sound Recorders in Pasadena, Texas; with additional overdubs recorded at Martinsound Studios in Alhambra and Whitefield Studios in Santa Ana, California. Mixed by Brown at Whitefield Studios. Track arrangements by Petra with Jonathan David Brown.
Most of the songs were written by Bob Hartman, except “Without Him We Can Do Nothing” and “Praise Ye the Lord” written by Petra’s lead singer Greg X. Volz, and “The Coloring Song” written by Dave Eden and originally recorded by The Joyful Noise on their 1976 album, No Room in the Middle. (All three songs were originally written for and performed by Greg X. Volz and Dave Eden’s early 70s Christian rock group called the “e band” who only recorded a couple of studio cuts on a musical entitled Because I Am). “The Coloring Song”‘s unmatched feat of being the Number One song on Christian pop, inspirational and rock formats, all at the same time.
Christian radio avoided Petra like the plague until about seven years after our start, when «Why Should The Father Bother?» made the playlist of a few daring radio stations. This set the stage for what was about to come a year later, when «The Coloring Song» from ‘Never Say Die’ broke every barrier known to radio and set the stage for Petra’s rise in the 1980’s. «Praise Ye The Lord» marked the beginning of rock praise that continued throughout Petra’s career. The ‘Never Say Die’ cover art spoke volumes to Petra’s target audience, youth, and «For Annie» struck a chord that still rings in the ears of the troubled. After those successes, «More Power To Ya» was a shoe-in as a radio single and as an album. «Judas’ Kiss» and «Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows» continued to prove that a song could be a pulpit for a hard-hitting message. [Bob Hartman, The Ultimate Collection 2006 liner notes]
Petra’s ‘Never Say Die’ were one to attempt the seemingly impossible task of making a record that rocks and also receives airplay, an encouraging friend might say, “Buck Up, Never Say Die”. ‘Never Say Die’ is also the name of the record by a band which not only accomplished this amazing feat, but did so gloriously, as shown in the bookend songs, opening with «The Coloring Song» by Dave Eden and ending with a finale of Greg X. Volz’s jubilant «Praise Ye the Lord». The beautiful cover art by Randy Rogers depicts the theme of spiritual warfare against the traditional terrorist triumvirate of the world, the flesh, and the devil, as detailed in such songs as «Chameleon», «Angel of Light», and «Killing My Old Man». Songs like «Never Say Die» remind us that no one fights alone. If you ever see this album in a thrift store, get it, no matter what shape the record is in, because the inner sleeve has the lyrics.
Musically, the drums/ percussion by Keith Edwards and Alex McDougall could be mixed higher (and likely are in live sets), but that would kill its chance for radio, and the entire album is a joy to listen to with the win/win/win/win interaction of Bob Hartman’s tasty guitar with Greg Volz’s soaring vocals, carried by John Slick’s keyboards, and underpinned by Mark Kelly’s bass. Another example of this line-up of Petra at its peak. [Gord Wilson, 2020]
Girder Music Promo, 2021
Originally releases in 1981. Something happened between 1979 and 1981. Petra’s 4th album Never Say Die took a turn to very AOR/Def Leppard-ish like approach compared to the Air Supply approach of Washes Whiter Than, dropping rockers like «Chameleon», «Angel of Light», «Without Him We Can Do Nothing», «Father of Lights» and «Praise Ye The Lord». It became very clear that this band was headed for Christian Arena-Rock Stardom, leaving the classic mellower style behind forging a new path towards 80’s epic Christian rock band status and success that few bands enjoyed. You’ll understand after listening to it how Petra went from hand to mouth to become Christian Music’s first stadium rock band and indeed the genre’s first supergroup putting on a show like STYX or Kansas traveling with a stage set-up that required 3 semi trucks. This album is the all out assault on the forces of darkness. Yes, it was militant like, and yes we all officially enlisted in God army after hearing it. From the graphics to the lyrics, to the stage set-up, Petra officially waged war on the enemy but also on the complacency of a Christian band that just wanted to rock, and rock they did. Only getting better with each and every album.
The fact that this album was never on a CD alone by itself rather than on a 1988 double album with Washes Whiter Than surprises many to this day. Thankfully it’s now been remastered (and reloaded). Never Say Die is finally on a stand-alone CD complete with trading card and a 8 page booklet with lyrics and photos in a jewel case. Arena rock never sounded or looked better.
[Carolyn A. Burns, CCM, October 1981]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/never-say-die-washes-whiter-than/716216630)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “The Coloring Song” – 2:52
A2. “Chameleon” – 5:47
A3. “Angel of Light” – 4:21
A4. “Killing My Old Man” – 3:46
A5. “Without Him We Can Do Nothing” – 3:26
Side Two
B1. “Never Say Die” – 3:42
B2. “I Can Be Friends With You” – 4:12
B3. “For Annie” – 4:24
B4. “Father of Lights” – 3:02
B5. “Praise Ye the Lord” – 3:18
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records. Later re-issued on CD. Remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and re-issued on both 12-inch vinyl LP (pressed on Colored Camo Green Split Vinyl) and CD in 2022 by Girder Music (through Limited Run Vinyl/Limited Run Music).
Never Say Die, Remastered and pressed on Colored Camo Green Split Vinyl, Girder Music 2022
The seven studio albums released by Petra during the 1980s were remastered and re-issued on both vinyl and CD by Girder Records in 2022 as a part of the label’s Legends of Rock Series.
CREDITS. Produced, Recorded and Mixed by Jonathan David Brown. Track Arrangements by Petra and Brown. Recorded at Rivendell Recorders, Pasadena, TX. Overdubs recorded at Martinsound Studios, Alhambra and Whitefield Sound in Santa Ana, CA. Mixed at Whitefield Sound. Mastered by Steve Hall at MCA/Whitney Recording Studio. String and Horn Arrangements on track B3 by John Slick. Illustration by Randy Rogers. Layout by Mary Ann Smith. Sleeve Photography by Diane McLaughlin.
Musicians: Petra – Greg X. Volz (Lead and Backup Vocals), John Slick (Keyboards, Backup vocals), Bob Hartman (Guitars), Mark Kelly (Bass, Backup Vocals). Additional Musicians: Keith Edwards (Drums and Percussion), Alex MacDougall (Percussion), Joe Miller (Trombone), Bob Welborn (Trumpet).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.