Description
Come and Join Us is the sophomore album by the American rock band Petra, released on Myrrh Records in July 1977, a division of Word. Later also distributed by A&M Records. The album was recorded by Terry Jamison at Golden Voice Studios in South Pekin, Illinois; with Austin Roberts producing. (Trivia: Back in the day, Golden Voice was the largest studio in Illinois outside of Chicago. Petra vocalist Greg X. Volz actually did record a 7-inch single at the same studio in the late 1960s, with his former band Gidians Bible.)
The original band line-up – Bob Hartman (guitar and vocals), Greg Hough (guitar and vocals), John DeGroff (bass), and Bill Glover (drums) – was still intact during the recording of this album. Though Bill Glover actually had resigned before the band entered the studio, Glover still agreed to provide the drumming on the album, which he completed during a one day session. Greg X. Volz of E-Band fame, who later would become an official member of Petra, was enlisted to provide lead vocals on two tracks, “God Gave Rock And Roll To You” and “Woman Don’t You Know”. Steve Camp, a singer-songwriter recently signed to Myrrh Records, was as well providing background vocals.
Trivia: After the release of their first album, Myrrh asked the band to record an album aimed principally at non-Christians. Most of the songs in the album reflect that goal, particularly the title song. Petra’s main songwriter Bob Hartman wanted the album to be named “God Gave Rock and Roll to You”, the title of the only cover song included on the album, a feelgood anthem written by Argent member Russ Ballard, inspired by the British pop singer Cliff Richard (the original lyrics actually include a reference to Richard, known for his outspoken Christianity). However, Myrrh deemed it inappropriate at the time, and forced Hartman to change the title. Also, Hartman had written a song called “Killing My Old Man” for this album, but the finished studio track was dropped by the label before the manufacturing of the official album (though featured on the test pressing). (The band later included the song on their fourth album, Never Say Die, tough.) Upon being released, Come and Join Us didn’t sell well. As a result, Myrrh dropped Petra from its label.
More loud hard-drivin’ Jesus rock, similar in style to the first LP, with a slight advance toward rural-edged classic rock. Greg Volz makes his first appearance in the group by exercising his impressive set of pipes on «Woman Don’t You Know» and a cover of the Argent anthem «God Gave Rock & Roll To You». «Holy Ghost Power» whips up a funky energetic groove, while «Sally» snarls along at a slower pace to tell the story of a back-slidden sister. The title track, «Where Can I Go» and «Without Him» are all sturdy rockers that bristle with excitement. Good guitar licks throughout, plus a big drum solo on the aforementioned «Woman Don’t You Know». Only one ballad, the invitational concert-closer «Ask Him In». This hunk of plastic (along with the second JC Power Outlet LP) provided good riffs through my college years, filling the void of discarded Kiss and Blue Oyster Cult albums. Resurrection Band’s Colours came later and blew them away, but as I listen to this one years later, it still has an appealing low-budget raw feel to it, with no hints of the polished commercial sound that was to come later. Additional vocals provided by Steve Camp and Austin Roberts, the latter having also produced the album. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th Edition]
Girder Music Promo, 2024
Petra’s second album, featuring fully remastered audio, yellow vinyl, and a 180 gram audiophile pressing, is an official collaboration between Word|Curb and Girder Music. Originally released in 1977, Girder Music presents a hype sticker, with the release date of June 2024. Additionally, the album includes a 2-sided insert with lyrics and is part of a limited run vinyl series.
Experience the progression of Petra’s musical journey with “Come and Join Us,” their second album released on Myrrh Records in 1977 (Myrrh MSB-6582). Expanding upon the groundwork established by their debut, this album delivers a blend of loud, hard-driving Jesus rock, with a subtle shift towards a classic rock sound tinged with rural influences. Greg Volz makes his debut, unveiling his remarkable vocals on tracks such as «Woman Don’t You Know» and a rendition of the Argent anthem «God Gave Rock & Roll To You». «Holy Ghost Power» and «Sally» introduce funky grooves and gritty rhythms, while «Where Can I Go» and «Without Him» emerge as robust rockers brimming with energy. The album is adorned with impressive guitar licks, complemented by a standout drum solo featured on «Woman Don’t You Know». Amidst the fervor, only one ballad, the closing anthem «Ask Him In», filled the void for many Christians that were encouraged to discarded secular albums.
Petra began as a band in 1972, recording their first album in 1974. Very few bands have made an impact and lasted as long as Petra, fifty years to be exact. Many fans didn’t hear or even know about Petra until the they had already won their first Grammy in 1990 for Best Rock Contemporary Album for Beyond Belief. Real Petra fans were following the band long before the masses jumped on the bandwagon. Many of us followed them from the beginning, or so we thought. After all, wasn’t Washes Whiter Than and Never Say Die the bands first albums? Many of us “real fans” actually thought so because it wasn’t until Washes Whiter Than and Never Say Die and great promotion from Star Song as the go-to Christian rock label of the day accompanied by great distribution that many of us became real fans. Truth be told, Petra released these two milestone records in the 70’s long before the bands 80’s era of high-tech sounds and futuristic guitar spaceships adorned covers. Bob Hartman, Greg Hough, Bill Glover, and John DeGroff were crafting raw, guitar-driven rock-n-roll very reminiscent of CCR, Allman Bros. and even Cream.
One of the greatest things about these first two early Petra albums is the progression of what it actually brought us. When so many of us were discouraged that we couldn’t find rock ‘n’ roll that was anywhere close to the counterpart that was available on a secular scene, these albums closed that gap. There were a few bands that changed that mindset for us Christian rockers, and at the top of most peoples list was the band Petra. Although these first two early albums were not as well known, they are just as good. If you are a true Petra fan, these are not only must haves for your collection, but you must put them on and play them. You’ll realize now 50 years later, how great these albums really are. Back in the day in the mid 80s when there was flying guitars and spaceships on the album covers we often mocked classic rock as being not as rock ‘n’ roll. If you didn’t have long hair and leather pants with a flying V guitars, you weren’t cool. However, looking back now, we realize not only where these albums great they were also defining moments for the Christian music scene. These album, standalone as a testament of what great classic Christian rock should be, yet few accomplished.
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/come-and-join-us/1165974744)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “God Gave Rock And Roll To You” – 5:37
A2. “Holy Ghost Power” – 2:26
A3. “Woman Don’t You Know” – 3:40
A4. “Sally” – 4:26
A5. “Come And Join Us” – 4:41
Side Two
B1. “Where Can I Go” – 3:52
B2. “Without You” – 4:29
B3. “Ask Him In” – 3:32
B4. “God Gave Rock And Roll To You (Reprise)” – 2:49
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Myrrh Records. When parent label Word struck a distribution deal with A&M Records in 1985 the album was re-issued for the mainstream market on cassette and LP. 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 debut album and Come and Join Us.
The original test pressing for Come And Join Us is the only source for the lost original recording of “Killing My Old Man” (a song that later surfaced on the 1981-release Never Say Die). During the test pressing phase label executive Paul Baker decided to remove the song from the record, because the casual listener might misunderstand the meaning of the song. The band wanted to include a live version with spoken explanation, but that plan was also rejected. Thus Side 2 of the official album release features four tracks only.
Come and Join Us, Remastered and pressed on Yellow Vinyl, Girder Music 2024
CREDITS. Produced by Austin Roberts and engineered by Terry Jamison with assistant engineers Allen C. Hornung and Bill Olszewski. Arranged by Petra. Recorded at Golden Voice Studios, South Pekin, IL. Mastered by Lanky Linstrot, ABC Records, Los Angeles, CA. Artwork by Dennis Bellile.
Musicians: Bob Hartman (Guitar), Greg Hough (Guitar), John DeGroff (Bass), Bill Glover (Drums, Percussion). Additional musicians: Steve McElyea (Keyboards), Percussions by Steve Mergen, Allen C. Hornung, Steve Pfeiffer, Cowbell Bob, Houghie I, Steve Camp, Bill Glover. Additional vocals by Greg X. Volz, Steve Camp, Karen Morrison, Austin Roberts.
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