Description
Washes Whiter Than is the third album by the American rock band Petra, released on StarSong Records in 1979. (“Star Song Records has announced the signing of exclusive recording agreement with Petra,” according to a note in the February 3, 1979 issue of Record World. Star Song’s original independent distributor, Tempo, went out of business soon after the release of Washes Whiter Than, and it took four months before the Benson Company picked up the label’s distribution, according to a note in the December 18, 1982 issue of Billboard Magazine.) Later also manufactured and distributed by A&M Records. The album was recorded by Andy DeGanahl on 32 tracks at Bee Jay Recording Studios in Orlando, Florida; with George Atwell producing. (Atwell would later produce lead vocalist Greg X. Volz’s sophomore solo album Come Out Fighting.)
At this point Petra guitarist and principal songwriter Bob Hartman was the only remaining founding member. Greg X. Volz, who provided lead vocals on two tracks on the band’s previous album Come and Join Us, was for the first time listed as an official band member and handles lead vocals along with new member Rob Frazier, who also played keyboards and guitars. (Frazier, who only participated on this Petra album, would later launch his own solo career.) Washes Whiter Than includes six tracks written by Hartman with the remaining four tracks written by Frazier (“Morning Star”, “Mary’s Song”, “(Couldn’t Find Love) Without You”, and “Magic Words”).
WASHES WHITER THAN – PETRA – Star Song SSR 0014.
Progenitors of the more progressive sounds of contemporary gospel, Petra has come of age offering smooth harmonies to produce a pleasing collection. «Mary’s Song» and «Why Should The Father Bother» are standouts. [Record World, August 4, 1979 (Gospel Album Picks section)]
Uh-oh. I’m always skeptical when something is touted as “new and improved”, especially if I liked the original just fine. So what is this new Petra formula? If I had to sum it up in one word it would have to be “smoooooooth”. This is essentially a whole new band and new sound, any similarities to the first two LPs having been completely obliterated. All rough edges have been hewn away in the gloss and Greg Volz has been enlisted full-time for lead vocal duty (a good move given the weakness of Hartman’s pipes). That’s not to imply that Petra’s least heavy album is bad. Although nothing really matches the raw energy found on albums one and two, «Morning Star» and «Magic Words» are both sturdy guitar-based tracks that manage to throw around some rock weight. And even though melodic pop-rock tunes tend to dominate the rest of the album, the songs are usually catchy and memorable. This album also introduced the first of several adult contemporary ballads in «Why Should The Father Bother». Rad rockers will probably shake their heads when confronted with such ultra-mellow string-laden tunes as «Mary’s Song» and «(Couldn’t Find Love) Without You». I still like the old Petra better (there I said it), but taken by itself Washes Whiter Than can be fun and in my opinion it tops all their ‘80s arena-rock output. Oh yeah, the original cover has a slanted cut corner to make it look like a detergent box. “The active cleansing agent in this product is the Good News of Jesus Christ, which washes whiter than…” [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
Girder Music Promo, 2021
Originally released in 1979, Washes Whiter Than has never been on CD with all 10 songs, until now. I know that is hard to believe but it was only released as a double album along side of Never Say Die in 1988, leaving off 2 songs (#7 «Couldn’t Find Love Without You» and #9 «Magic Words»). Finally 42 years later we get to celebrate this complete album on CD for the first time ever. Now, completely remastered from original sources and containing all 10 songs in the order it was originally released on cassette and vinyl. Complete with LTD trading card, with 8 page booklet containing lyrics, photos and original credits in a jewel case. Incidentally that original 1988 double album had all 10 songs listed on the disc face but not on the back of the CD (tray card) and were not actually on the CD. They tray card also incorrectly had Never Say Die listed first and Washes Whiter Than second.
Washes Whiter Than was Petra’s 3rd album and introduced us to Greg X. Volz. It also introduced us to Rob Frazier and if you’ve been following our Legends of Rock series you’ll know that we recently released remastered CDs of both of Rob’s first two solo albums. Both Rob and Greg handled lead vocals for the album and even both sang on both «I’m Thankful» as well as «Yahweh Love». The band was intentional about creating a soft radio friendly album as their two previous albums were too hard/heavy for Christian radio in the 70’s which was mellow. Thankfully songs like «Morning Star» and «Magic Words» still rock and musically it is a masterpiece and hold it’s rightful place among other albums. The album art was pretty cool too, originally created to look like a soapbox thanks to George Werth. Although there was no song called Washes Whiter Than we clearly new after listening to it, that Jesus washes our sins away.
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/never-say-die-washes-whiter-than/716216630)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “I’m Thankful” – 2:41
A2. “Why Should the Father Bother” – 3:46
A3. “Morning Star” – 4:47
A4. “Magic Mirror” – 3:27
A5. “Mary’s Song” – 4:00
Side Two
B1. “Yahweh Love” – 5:38
B2. “(Couldn’t Find Love) Without You” – 4:19
B3. “Taste and See” – 3:23
B4. “Magic Words” – 3:27
B5. “Deep Love” – 3:57
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by StarSong Records. The original LP edition featured an album sleeve with a cutaway upper right corner. Re-released by A&M Records in the mid 80s. Remastered for vinyl from original sources by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound and re-issued on Limited Edition 12-inch vinyl LP pressed on Crystal Clear Vinyl with Blue Splatter by Girder Records in 2025 (through Limited Run Vinyl/Limited Run Music).
Washes Whiter Than, Remastered and pressed on Crystal Clear Vinyl with Blue Splatter, Girder Records 2025.
CREDITS. Produced by George Atwell. Recorded at Bee Jay Recording Studios, Orlando, Florida. Engineered by Andy DeGanahl. Mastered by Allen Zentz Recording, Hollywood, California. Artwork by George Werth.
Petra: Bob Hartman (Guitar), Greg X. Volz (Vocals), Rob Frazier (Vocals, Keyboards, Guitars). Additional musicians: George Atwell (Keyboards, String & Horn arrangement), Gerald Byron (Guitar), Joel Balin (Guitar), Chip Meyers (Bass), Randy Nichols (Drums, Percussion).
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