Description
The self-titled debut album by the American rock band Petra was released on Myrrh Records in April 1974, a division of Word. Later also distributed by A&M Records. The album was recorded by Tom Byler and Terry Jamison at Jerry Milam’s Golden Voice Studios in South Pekin, Illinois; with Billy Ray Hearn producing. This was achieved with a limited budget of $1,000 during a period of 2 weeks. All songs written by band member Bob Hartman, except “I’m Not Ashamed” co-written with Greg Hough and “Wake Up” written by Hough.
(Trivia: Back in the day, Golden Voice was the largest studio in Illinois outside of Chicago. Tom Byler, engineer at Golden Voice Studios, actually was a former bandmate of Greg X. Volz – the future lead singer of Petra – from The Wombats, and later E-Band. Head East, a mainstream rock band fronted by John Schlitt – the vocalist who would replace Volz when he left Petra to pursue a solo career in 1986 – did also record their debut album at the same studio, the very same year, with Byler engineering.)
The album track “Parting Thought” was included on a multi-artist sampler album entitled Love Peace Joy, released on Myrrh Records in 1974. Another album track, “Back Sliding Blues” – considered to be the first contemporary blues song put on vinyl by a major CCM (contemporary Christian music) label – was included on Jubilation!, a multi-artist double album compilation released on Myrrh Records in 1975.
When formed in 1972, the band took its name from the Greek word for “rock”, and a note on the back cover of their debut album states “Petra is … rock – massive – with spiritual overtones“. The band soon attracted the attention of Myrrh Records, a newly created label that Word Records had launch to provide a platform for the new “Jesus Rock” that was beginning to break through. Label founder Billy Ray Hearn signed Petra in 1973 to record its debut album (which he produced). Hearn later said he knew Petra was “the most radical thing around … as far out as anything that had come out until that time.” Throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, Petra was one of the world’s most popular Christian rock bands, with each of its albums during that period selling hundreds of thousands of copies while the band sold out arenas and regularly placed songs at the top of Christian radio charts.
In the beginning, four Bible students had a desire to share our faith in the language we knew the best: rock ‘n’ roll. Much to our surprise, not everyone in the Church was as excited about the idea as we were. We played long solos and rocked out with songs like «Backslidin’ Blues» and «Wakin’ In The Light». But it wasn’t long before we saw the need to “break the ice” in our concerts with something on the lighter side, and that’s just what «Lucas McGraw» did. Instead of a forgotten novelty song, it has become a worldwide favorite, even though it hasn’t made a set list since the earliest days. [Petra guitarist and songwriter Bob Hartman, The Ultimate Collection 2006 liner notes]
I’ll admit to not being the greatest of Petra fans – I lose interest somewhere in the middle of album number three. But long before the high-tech sound, “bold new frontiers”, and flying spaceship guitars, Bob Hartman (Vocals, Guitar), Greg Hough (Vocals, Guitar), John DeGroff (Bass) and Bill Glover (Drums) were cranking out solid guitar-driven rural rock-n-roll with loads of lengthy rip-snortin’ electric leads. Had this been a private pressing from an unknown band you can bet collectors would be coughin’ up major bucks to nab a copy. Seriously, tracks like «Walkin’ In The Light», «Wake Up», «Get Back To The Bible», «Gonna Fly Away», «I’m Not Ashamed» and «Storm Comin» all cook along as good as Joshua or Wilson McKinley’s Heaven’s Gonna Be A Blast. Also contains their classic slow blues rocker «Back Sliding Blues». Only a couple minor clunkers, the hillbilly bluegrass diversion «Lucas McGraw» being perhaps the most oft-cited irritant. Hartman’s lead vocals are another weak point; he’s definitely no Greg Volz in the vocal department (Volz joined on the second LP), but given the rawness of the music and the lack of polish, it’s only a small detraction. Back cover states “Petra is…Rock – massive – with spiritual overtones”. Agreed. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
Girder Music Promo, 2024
The audio has undergone a complete remastering, achieved through an official collaboration between Word|Curb and Girder Music. Originally released in 1974, Petra’s first album comes in a burgundy vinyl, 180 gram audiophile pressing, Girder Music presents a hype sticker and 2-sided insert with lyrics and is part of a limited run vinyl series and is now a collectors dream.
Petra’s debut album, released on Myrrh Records in 1974, coincided with the period when Bob Hartman, Greg Hough, Bill Glover, and John DeGroff were shaping their signature raw, guitar-driven rock-n-roll sound infused with the spirit of rural America. Tracks like «Walkin’ In The Light», «Wake Up», and «Get Back To The Bible» resonate with energy, propelled by electrifying leads. Notable is the inclusion of the classic slow blues rocker «Back Sliding Blues». While a couple of tracks rock hard, the hillbilly bluegrass diversion «Lucas McGraw» has become a fan favorite. The back cover boldly declares “Petra is… Rock – massive – with spiritual overtones”, signaling the beginning of a legendary musical journey. If you missed this album, this is the moment you add this to you collection because now fifty years later, this album still sounds amazing. Classic rock at its best.
The provocateurs of Jesus rock have enjoyed a long and fruitful career, spanning from 1974 to present, possibly the most consistent and prominent act to record/tour for a five-decade career. The early years of Petra find them in a more guitar-driven and stripped down 70s rock sound in the vein of their contemporaries The Allman Brothers and Cream. Bob Hartman plays very tasty guitar on their debut, arguably his best soloing on titles such as «I Am Not Ashamed», «Storm Comin’» and «Get Back to the Bible». The song structure on «Wake Up» take me back to early Santana in its rock fusion textures. And of course, the highly notable «Backslider Blues», serves as an early example of blues rock in true form.
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/petra/1165903248)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Walkin’ In The Light” – 3:16
A2. “Mountains and Valleys” – 2:48
A3. “Lucas McGraw” – 2:57
A4. “Wake Up” – 3:38
A5. “Back Sliding Blues” – 4:31
Side Two
B1. “Get Back to the Bible” – 2:17
B2. “Gonna’ Fly Away” – 4:57
B3. “I’m Not Ashamed” – 3:00
B4. “Storm Comin'” – 4:25
B5. “Parting Thought” – 1:30
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. (The LP was originally issued with a green label, and re-issued in 1975 with an orange label.) When parent label Word struck a distribution deal with A&M Records in 1985 the album was as well re-issued on cassette and vinyl LP in the mainstream marketplace. Re-issued once again on CD and cassette in 1995 by Word and Epic. Also re-issued on CD by Wounded Bird Records in 2011, featuring both Petra’s self-titled debut album and Come and Join Us.
Petra’s self-titled debut album, Remastered and pressed on Burgundy Vinyl, Girder Music 2024
Take a trip back to 1972 when a talented young rock band – filled with the Good News of Christ – began a journey which would extend for 50 years! Join Bob Hartman, John DeGroff, Greg Hough and Bill Glover – the original PETRA – as they recount the band’s origin and the makings of two classic albums: PETRA and Come And Join Us! Interview Date: 7.23.22
CREDITS. Produced by Billy Ray Hearn. Recorded at Milam Studios, South Pekin, Illinois. Engineered by Terry Jamison and Tom Byler.
Petra: Bob Hartman (Vocals, Guitar, Banjo), Greg Hough (Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin), John DeGroff (Bass), Bill Glover (Drums, Percussion).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.