Tag: Petra

Washes Whiter Than is the third studio album by Petra and would mark the beginning of the chaos that became membership in the band. First, Greg Hough and John DeGroff left the band during the previous tour for “Come and Join Us” so Bob Hartman brought in Rob Frazier as a guitarist and vocalist. Then as they were starting to record this album drummer Bill Glover also left. Bob now invited Greg X. Volz who had been entertaining an offer from REO Speedwagon but decided Petra was for him. So the root of the band for this album was Bob Hartman, Rob Frazier, and Greg X. Volz while studio musicians rounded out the band for this recording. During all this chaos the band had taken a 9 month sabbatical to ponder their future. The band actually started recording this album while not even having a record deal in place. While recording and touring they were able to secure a record deal from Star Song Records. Now we’re not really too sure if it was Star Song or the band but the album took a mellow turn. It wasn’t an entirely mellow album but much more mellow than their previous 2 albums. I’ll be honest here that this is probably my least liked Petra album because of this turn. Even though this album had some great tracks it generally sat on the shelf in our listening room. The album did have 2 successful singles. “Why Should the Father Bother” made it to #3 on the CCM AC charts and stayed on the charts for 25 weeks while “Yahweh Love” made it to #20 on the CCM AC charts and stayed on the charts for 4 weeks. As usual for the CCM charts these were probably my 2 most disliked tracks. While Greg and Rob were sharing the lead vocal duties there is little doubt that Greg had the better tracks. That said I kind of like Rob’s vocals and it would have been interesting to see what direction he would have taken the band in. But anyway, Greg ended up with the vocalist job and Petra history would have him at the forefront until John Schlitt would take over in 1986. So that’s the interesting story behind this album making it historically one of the great story behind the album stories in CCM music.

Tracklist
1 – I’m Thankful – 2:41
2 – Why Should The Father Bother? – 3:46
3 – Morning Star – 4:47
4 – Magic Mirror – 3:27
5 – Mary’s Song – 4:00
6 – Yahweh Love – 5:38
7 – (Couldn’t Find Love) Without You – 4:19
8 – Taste And See – 3:23
9 – Magic Words – 3:31
10 – Deep Love – 3:57

Credits
Arranged By – George Atwell, Bob Hartman, Robert Frazier
Bass – Chip Meyers
Design, Artwork – George Werth
Drums, Percussion – Randy Nichols
Engineer – Andy deGanahl
Guitar – Gerald “Jit” Byron, Joel Balin
Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals – Robert Frazier
Keyboards – George Atwell
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals – Bob Hartman
Lead Vocals – Greg X. Volz (tracks: 1, 4, 6, 8), Rob Frazier (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9, 10)
Management, Booking – Dan Brock Associates
Mastered By – Allen Zentz Recording
Musician [“The Crown Of Sound”] – Bob Prince
Producer – George Atwell, Dan R. Brock

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) Star Song Records
Copyright (c) Star Song Records
Manufactured By Word, Inc.
Distributed By Word, Inc.
Published By Dawn Treader Music
Recorded At Bee Jay Recording Studio
Mastered At Future Disc

Petra was still going strong in 1991 with this their thirteenth studio album. They turned up the Rock and Roll sound on this one and this album has a far more Arena Rock sound than their previous work due in no small part to the production of the Elefante brothers. It is said that Bob Hartman was dragged to this sound by the Elefante brothers but apparently he was happy with the final sound. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1992 and the Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song “Destiny” in 1993. I would never have thought they could have won the Dove award but they did. While “Destiny” won the Dove award I actually prefer “Secret Weapon” which has a great arena rock sound which may have been a little late in 1991 but it’s a great rock anthem. Again Arena Rock is not my preferred genre but this is a great album and I still enjoy listening to it.

Tracklist
1 – Destiny – 4:31
2 – Who’s On The Lord’s Side – 3:53
3 – Ready, Willing And Able – 4:14
4 – Hand On My Heart – 4:26
5 – I Need To Hear From You – 4:04
6 – Dance – 3:45
7 – Secret Weapon – 4:01
8 – Sight Unseen – 3:57
9 – Hey World – 3:51
10 – In The Likeness Of You – 4:51

Credits
A&R – Lynn Keesecker
Arranged By – Bob Hartman, Dino Elefante, John Elefante, John Lawry
Art Direction – Ed Goble, Loren Balman, Patrick Pollei
Backing Vocals [Addtional Background Vocals] – Alfie Silas, Alfred McCrary, Doug Beiden, Howard McCrary, Jamie Rowe, Olivia McClurkin, Perry Morgan, Rob Rock, Ron Gollner, Rose Stone, Sara Tennison, Tony Palacios
Bass – Ronny Cates
Coordinator [Art Production Coordinator] – Amy Linde
Design – Michael Goldenberg, Patrick Pollei, Steve Fryer
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer – Dino Elefante, Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely, John Elefante
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Keyboards – John Lawry
Management – Management-Moress-Nanas-Golden
Mastered By – Chris Bellman
Mixed By – Niel Kernon
Mixed By [Assisted By] – Doug Beiden, J.R. McNeely
Other [Hair] – Helena Occhipinti
Other [Make-Up] – Margaret Kimura
Other [Stylit] – Keiki Mingus
Photography By [Band And Individual Photography] – Jeff Katz
Photography By [Cover Concept Photography] – Neill Whitlock
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Vocals – John Schlitt

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.

I think I’m safe to say that this was Petra’s most successful 90’s album. It won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album and the Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year. Personally I struggle with Petra’s 90’s albums. They are very well done and I’m not being critical of their talent but I think I am so stuck in the 80’s I don’t appreciate their 90’s work. They stepped away from the Elefante brothers as producers for this album and went with Brown Bannister and you can tell. The album is much more mellow than their previous few and well quite frankly, just dull in spots. I respect Bannister but he was well known for leaving too many out right boring songs on an album. That said the album was hugely successful so what do I know. If you drifted away from Petra in the 90’s and missed this one I would suggest giving it a listen, I think it deserves that but I wouldn’t get excited based on the hype. I simply don’t think it’s that level of an album.

Tracklist
1 – Midnight Oil – 3:17
2 – Good News – 4:29
3 – Strong Convictions – 3:53
4 – He’s Been In My Shoes – 4:22
5 – Praying Man – 4:25
6 – Underneath The Blood – 3:30
7 – Sleeping Giant – 5:28
8 – Believer In Deed – 4:06
9 – Marks Of The Cross – 4:35
10 – Just Reach Out – 4:28

Credits
A&R – Lynn Keesecker
Art Direction – Diana Barnes
Backing Vocals – Bob Carlisle, Chris Eddy, Dale Thompson, Gordon Kennedy, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Joe Pizzulo, Judson Spence, Michael Black, Nanette Britt, Robert White Johnson, Ron Hemby, Tommy Funderburk, Vicki Carrico
Bass – Ronny Cates
Design – Gabrielle Raumberger
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer [Additional] – Steve Bishir
Engineer [Assistant] – Martin Woodlee, Rory Romano, Wayne Mehl
Engineer, Mixed By – Jeff Balding
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Keyboards – John Lawry
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Mixed By [Assisted] – Greg Parker, Jeff Demorris, Pete Martinez
Photography By – Michael Llewellyn
Producer, Engineer [Additional] – Brown Bannister
Production Manager [Coordinator] – Tracy Sterling
Typography – Dylan Tran

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – U.S. Optical Disc
Produced For – RBI Productions
Recorded At – Power Station
Recorded At – The Dugout
Recorded At – Ocean Way Recording
Mixed At – Ocean Way Recording
Mixed At – Sixteenth Avenue Sound
Mastered At – The Mastering Lab

This is the 15th album from Petra which is rather amazing when you think about it. Many popular secular bands didn’t even put out this many albums. The album is more pop oriented than their previous album and as such a broader appeal. Strangely the guitars on the album were played by founder Bob Hartman but as he had quit touring with the band so new guitarist David Lichens played the tour and appeared on the album cover and all promotional pictures. Now my criticism. Who thought this album cover was a good idea? The colour is horrible and the artwork is incredibly dull. Looks like the cover was just mailed in if you know what I mean. A part of me feels like the whole project was mailed in. I’m not really hearing anything that jumps out at me as a great track which is really surprising as the Elefante brothers produced and engineered the album. For those of you who say I don’t know anything about music well here’s your proof that you are correct. An album I found to be bland, not bad, was Nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1995 and actually won the Dove Award for Rock Album in 1996. So I admit my taste does not jive with the industry.

Tracklist
1 – Enter In – 5:00
2 – Think Twice – 4:19
3 – Heart Of A Hero – 4:10
4 – More Than A Thousand Words – 4:58
5 – No Doubt – 4:54
6 – Right Place – 3:38
7 – Two Are Better Than One – 3:43
8 – Sincerely Yours – 4:16
9 – Think On These Things – 4:24
10 – For All You’re Worth – 4:14
11 – We Hold Our Hearts Out To You – 4:11

Credits
A&R – Bubba Smith, Lynn Keesecker
Backing Vocals – John Schlitt
Bass – Ronny Cates
Drums – Louie Weaver
Executive Producer – Bob Hartman
Keyboards – Jim Cooper
Lead Guitar – David J. Lichens
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Vocals – David J. Lichens, Jim Cooper, Ronny Cates

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Epic Records
Distributed By – Epic Records
Glass Mastered At – DADC – DIDP-087033

While many feel this was Petra’s best album personally I just think it was their more successful album but there are several I prefer. That said this album had the exact right sound for the time it was released and I do admit it is a great album. To say it was successful is an understatement. Here’s a list of it’s awards;

Won Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album in 1991.
Won Dove Award for Long Form Music Video in 1990.
Won Dove Award for Rock Album in 1991.
Won Dove Award for Rock Recorded Song (“Beyond Belief”) in 1991.
Won Dove Award for Recorded Music Packaging in 1991.

That’s pretty darn good. Interestingly they also received a mini movie using several videos of tracks from the album. We have a copy and will likely release it on our videos channel. Anyway the album is probably one of the best produced albums in the CCM genre ever thanks to the Elefante brothers. I doubt you missed this one back in the day but if you did, give it a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Armed And Dangerous – 4:06
2 – I Am On The Rock – 4:34
3 – Creed – 4:35
4 – Beyond Belief – 5:02
5 – Love – 4:11
6 – Underground – 4:29
7 – Seen And Not Heard – 3:54
8 – Last Daze – 5:01
9 – What’s In A Name – 3:32
10 – Prayer – 4:14

Credits
Art Direction – Buddy Jackson, Buddy Jackson
Bass Guitar – Ronny Cates
Design – B. Middleworth
Drums – Louie Weaver
Engineer – Mike Mireau
Engineer [Assistant] – Jeff Simmons
Keyboards – John Lawry
Keyboards [Additional] – John Andrew Schreiner
Lead Guitar, Arranged By – Bob Hartman
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Mastered By – Bob Ludwig
Photography – Mark Tucker
Producer, Engineer, Arranged By – Dino Elefante, John Elefante

Companies, etc.
Published By – Petsong Publishing
Published By – Uncle Pitts Publishing
Copyright © – Petsong Publishing
Copyright © – Uncle Pitts Publishing
Mastered At – Masterdisk
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Recorded At – Pakaderm West Studios
Made By – Player Print & Design
Printed By – Player Print & Design
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm West Studios

This is the eleventh studio album from Petra who actually called themselves Petra Praise for this release. This was an entirely experimental/new idea for them. The album is mainly traditional worship songs done in a Petra style. Not all of them them are hard rock but of course those are the standouts. The album also has 2 original tracks written by Bob Hartman, “I Love the Lord” and “The King of Glory Shall Come In.” The album also released an accompaniment track for the youth groups. Pretty bold idea for the time. Actually it would be a bold idea today. It appears the idea was popular as Petra released 2 more worship albums over the years and they were even more popular than this one. The album was also released in Spanish and I’m currently on the hunt for that version as I love Spanish music. Personally I think the whole idea was perfect for the time as this was needed to dispel the anti Rock & Roll holdouts in the Church. All that aside my actual favourite tracks are the last 2. They are live versions of “I Will Call Upon the Lord” and “I Exalt Thee” but I’m always a sucker for live tracks.

Tracklist
1 – I Love The Lord – 3:35
2 – King Of Kings – 1:47
3 – Jesus, Jesus, Glorious One – 2:18
4 – The Battle Belongs To The Lord – 3:04
5 – Take Me In – 4:11
6 – Salvation Belongs To Our God – 2:56
7 – The King Of Glory Shall Come In – 3:10
8 – No Weapon Formed Against Us – 1:44
9 – I Will Celebrate / When The Spirit Of The Lord – 4:15
10 – I Will Sing Praise – 2:45
11 – Hallowed Be Thy Name – 4:12
12 – Friends (All In The Family Of God) – 4:20
13 – I Will Call Upon The Lord – 3:48
14 – We Exalt Thee – 3:46

Credits
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement] – Walt Harrah
Backing Vocals – Kathy Riso, Charlie Hoage, John Elefante, John Lawry, Rick Riso, Sara Tennison, Walt Harrah
Bass Guitar – Ronny Cates
Concept By [Cover Concept] – Loren Balman
Coordinator [Cover] – Terri Short
Design [Cover] – Jackson Design
Drums – Louie Weaver
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – John Lawry
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Mixed By [Duckworth Studio] – Bret Teegarden, Tommy Greer
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer [Production Assistant on Guitars and Vocals] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Producer, Arranged By – Bob Hartman, John Lawry
Recorded By [Assistant at Pakaderm studios] – Jeff Simmons
Recorded By [Pakaderm studios] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Recorded By [Recording Arts] – Carl Tatz, Dino Elefante
Recorded By [The Pond] – Gary Hedden, Howard Levy
Saxophone [Sax Solo] – Greg Vail

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – The Pond
Recorded At – Recording Arts
Recorded At – Pakaderm studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm studios
Mixed At – Duckworth Studio
Mastered At – Future Disc
Produced For – Firstborne Productions, Inc.
Published By – Petsong Publishing
Published By – Word, Inc.
Published By – Maranatha! Music

This is the fourth album for Petra. It marked a pretty substantial shake up in the band. First we had the departure of Rob Frazier then Mark Kelly and John Slick joined the band. This album also marked Greg X. Volz’s taking on full time vocal duties. I assume all these changes were as a result of the poor showing of the previous album “Washes Whiter Than”. Personally I think this was the best lineup the band had. The album was more Rock oriented than their previous work and most pf the 70’s sound is gone. “The Coloring Song” was a huge success reaching #1 and is commonly heard in worship services to this day. That said it is not representative of what is actually a Rock album. I read that the band toured in support of Servant for this album but I distinctly remember them being the main act when I saw them in 1981 but I can’t remember who the opening act was. Point of trivia, the album cover was the first with Petra’s signature flying guitar.

Tracklist
1 – The Coloring Song – 2:52
2 – Chameleon – 5:47
3 – Angel Of Light – 4:21
4 – Killing My Old Man – 3:46
5 – Without Him We Can Do Nothing – 3:26
6 – Never Say Die – 3:42
7 – I Can Be Friends With You – 4:12
8 – For Annie – 4:24
9 – Father Of Lights – 3:02
10 – Praise Ye The Lord – 3:18

Credits
Arranged By [Track Arrangements] – Jonathan David Brown, Petra
Bass, Backing Vocals – Mark Kelly
Drums, Percussion – Keith Edwards
Guitar – Bob Hartman
Illustration – Randy Rogers
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – John Slick
Layout – Mary Ann Smith
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals – Greg X. Volz
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Percussion – Alex MacDougall
Photography By [Sleeve] – Diane McLaughlin
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
Trombone – Joe Miller
Trumpet – Bob Welborn

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Overdubbed At – Martinsound, Whitefield Studios
Mixed At – Whitefield Studios
Mastered At – MCA Whitney Recording Studios
Manufactured By – Word Records Limited

The 10th studio album from Petra turned it up to 11 on the Hard Rock scale. Well OK maybe not 11 but then a strong 10 out of 12. Only one personnel change for this album, Ronny Cates replaced Mark Kelly on Bass and this marked a return to some stabilization of band members which was well relieved by fans. This album also closed out their contractually obligations with Star Song but I don’t get the feeling that they just put out an album due to contractual obligations. I really feel they put a lot of effort and time into this album. The mix/engineering is dead on but that’s not surprising from the Elefante brothers. But even for them this album is very well mixed and produced. The lead track “All Fired Up” sets the tone for the album with a sound that almost has a commercial Metal feel. All in all an excellent album.

Tracklist
1 – All Fired Up – 4:30
2 – Hit You Where You Live – 4:20
3 – Mine Field – 4:28
4 – First Love – 4:10
5 – Defector – 4:30
6 – Counsel Of The Holy – 3:37
7 – Somebody’s Gonna Praise His Name – 4:02
8 – Open Book – 4:28
9 – Stand In The Gap – 4:10
10 – Homeless Few – 4:33

Credits
Arranged By – Bob Hartman, Dino Elefante, John Elefante, John Lawry
Art Direction, Design – Dave Rogers
Backing Vocals – Bob Carlisle, John Elefante, John Lawry, John Schlitt, Riki Michelle*
Bass Guitar – Ronny Cates
Drums – Louie Weaver
Keyboards – John Lawry
Lead Guitar – Bob Hartman
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Engineer [Asst. Engineers] – Greg Parker, Jeff Simmons, Mannie Parker
Engineer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Illustration – Ken Westphal
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Keyboards, Programmed By [Programming] – John Andrew Schreiner
Programmed By [Programming] – Tim Heitz
Producer – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Programmed By [Computer Programming] – John Lawry

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Record Company – Jubilee Communications, Inc.
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Recorded At – Woodland Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia
Published By – Petsong Publishing
Published By – Uncle Pitts Publishing
Published By – Birdwing Publishing
Published By – Shepherd’s Fold Music

This Means War! is the ninth studio album from Petra. The album was the start of a shift from their better known pop sound to a more guitar driven rock sound though the keyboards did remain and still dominated some tracks. The album was produced by the Elefante brothers and this is the style of music they excelled in producing. It is said that the title track “This Means War!” was a rebuke to those who criticized Christian Rock especially Jimmy Swaggart who had actually singled out Petra on his ridiculous rants against Christian rock. Personally I don’t really hear it but it’s an interesting side note to the album. The album garnered Petra their fourth Grammy Nomination in the Best Performance by a Gospel Duo, Group, Choir or Chorus category but alas they did not win the Grammy for the fourth time. The album released 2 singles. Don’t Let Your Heart Be Hardened made it to #1 and I Am Available made it to #4.

Tracklist
1 – This Means War! – 3:30
2 – He Came, He Saw, He Conquered – 4:10
3 – Get On Your Knees And Fight Like A Man – 4:32
4 – I Am Available – 4:27
5 – Kenaniah – 3:43
6 – You Are My Rock – 4:21
7 – The Water Is Alive – 3:48
8 – Don’t Let Your Heart Be Hardened – 3:41
9 – Dead Reckoning – 3:23
10 – All The King’s Horses – 4:17

Credits
Arranged By [Arrangements By] – Bob Hartman, Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Art Direction, Design – Dave Rogers
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – John Elefante, John Lawry, John Schlitt, Mark Kelly (8)
Bass Guitar – Mark Kelly
Booking [Concert Bookings] – William Morris Agency
Booking [Ministry Dates] – Ambassador Artist Agency
Drums – Louie Weaver
Drums [Drum Section] – Tom Hrbacek (tracks: 1)
Engineer [Engineered By] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante, Mike Mierau
Illustration – Chris Hopkins
Keyboards – John Lawry
Lead Guitar – Bob Hartman
Lead Vocals – John Schlitt
Management [Management By] – FirstBorne Productions, Inc.
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Producer [Produced By] – Dino Elefante, John Elefante
Programmed By [Additional Programming] – Bob Hartman, John Elefante, Louie Weaver, Tim Heitz
Programmed By [Computer Programming] – John Lawry
Promotion [Newsletter & Band Information] – Petra

Companies, etc.
Copyright (c) – Star Song Records
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Star Song Records
Record Company – Jubilee Communications, Inc.
Distributed By – Sparrow/Star Song Distribution
Pressed By – CTA Co. Ltd. – X-733
Recorded At – Pakaderm Studios
Mixed At – Pakaderm Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc
Published By – Dawn Treader Music
Published By – Gaither Music
Published By – Petsong Publishing
Published By – Uncle Pitts Publishing
Published By – Stop Shakin Publishing