Petra (album)
Encyclopedia
Petra is the first studio album by the Christian rock
band of the same name. It was released in 1974.
The album features a style bordering between country and southern rock
somewhat similar to The Eagles or Lynyrd Skynyrd
, which was the band's trademark during its first years.
The band's debut is more raw than later Petra albums, lacking the refined production values of future releases. It was recorded on a limited budget of $1,000 during the span of 2 weeks. Nevertheless, this first record displays remarkable guitar technique with lots of dual guitar solos reminiscent of the Allman Brothers, Wishbone Ash, Thin Lizzy, and other bands from the period who employed harmony leads.
Unlike later Petra albums, the band's first release doesn't rely on a separate lead singer. Instead, the lead vocal duties are shared by guitarists Bob Hartman
and Greg Hough
.
, except where noted.
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band of the same name. It was released in 1974.
The album features a style bordering between country and southern rock
Southern rock
Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music, and genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals...
somewhat similar to The Eagles or Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
, which was the band's trademark during its first years.
The band's debut is more raw than later Petra albums, lacking the refined production values of future releases. It was recorded on a limited budget of $1,000 during the span of 2 weeks. Nevertheless, this first record displays remarkable guitar technique with lots of dual guitar solos reminiscent of the Allman Brothers, Wishbone Ash, Thin Lizzy, and other bands from the period who employed harmony leads.
Unlike later Petra albums, the band's first release doesn't rely on a separate lead singer. Instead, the lead vocal duties are shared by guitarists Bob Hartman
Bob Hartman
Robert Hartman is a Christian artist, guitarist, writer and songwriter. He is the founder of Christian rock band Petra. Hartman was involved with the band from its foundation in 1972 to its end in 2005. He took a break from touring in 1995, but continued to write most of the band's songs,...
and Greg Hough
Greg Hough
Greg Hough is a Christian musician and, with Bob Hartman, one of the founding members of the Christian rock band Petra in 1972. During the 70s, he and Hartman were the band's main songwriters and lead singers....
.
Track listing
All songs written by Bob HartmanBob Hartman
Robert Hartman is a Christian artist, guitarist, writer and songwriter. He is the founder of Christian rock band Petra. Hartman was involved with the band from its foundation in 1972 to its end in 2005. He took a break from touring in 1995, but continued to write most of the band's songs,...
, except where noted.
- "Wake Up" (Hough) – 3:40
- "Get Back to the Bible" – 2:23
- "Gonna Fly Away" – 4:55
- "Storm Comin'" – 4:30
- "Parting Thought" – 1:31
- "Walkin' in the Light" – 3:16
- "Mountains and Valleys" - 2:48
- "Backslidin' Blues" – 4:29
- "I'm Not Ashamed" (Hough) – 3:01
Personnel
- Bob HartmanBob HartmanRobert Hartman is a Christian artist, guitarist, writer and songwriter. He is the founder of Christian rock band Petra. Hartman was involved with the band from its foundation in 1972 to its end in 2005. He took a break from touring in 1995, but continued to write most of the band's songs,...
- 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...
, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, vocals - Greg HoughGreg HoughGreg Hough is a Christian musician and, with Bob Hartman, one of the founding members of the Christian rock band Petra in 1972. During the 70s, he and Hartman were the band's main songwriters and lead singers....
- Guitar, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, vocals - John DeGroffJohn DeGroffJohn DeGroff is a Christian musician.DeGroff was one of the original members of legendary Christian rock band Petra in 1972 along with Greg Hough, Bill Glover and Bob Hartman. He played bass guitar in the band's first two records before leaving in 1979....
- BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Bill GloverBill GloverWilliam Glover is a Christian drummer and musician.Glover moved to Fort Wayne in the 60s when he was still a kid. When he was 13, he had taken up drumming...
- DrumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, percussion