Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Petra, Petra
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Petra
Petra



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 34 minutes
Street Date: 1974


READER RATING:   


In 1972, four Bible college students joined together to play rock music for Jesus. They were caught up in the Jesus People Movement of the late '60s/early '70s and inspired by Larry Norman's pioneering work. Led by guitarist/vocalist Bob Hartman with fellow guitarist/vocalist Greg Hough, along with bassist John DeGroff, and drummer Bill Glover, Petra was born. After two years of playing every gig they could, they finally caught the notice of Billy Ray Hearn and Myrrh Records. With a budget of $1,000, the foursome recorded ten tracks over the course of two weeks to create their self-titled debut album.

What is immediately obvious is the eclectic musical taste of the group. Opener "Walkin' in the Light" is a Southern rock barn-burner with solos worthy of Lynyrd Skynyrd; "Mountains and Valleys" brings more mellow folk in the vein of James Taylor; then "Lucas McGraw" follows these with a straight-up bluegrass sound. And this is only the first three tracks! Blues and jazz influences also make their presence felt as the record continues. As varied as all these styles mashed together feels, the band manages to pull them off in a mostly uniform manner. Perhaps what helps is their proficiency with each style. These aren't half-hearted attempts at novelty; the guys behind Petra know the styles they're playing and they play them well.

Admittedly, it's the music and instrumentation that carries this album, as the lyrics and vocals nearly sink it. Hartman and Hough take turns on vocals (depending on who wrote the song) and while both are giving it all they've got, they clearly don't have the chops for professional singing at this stage. The vocals are definitely an acquired taste. Lyrically, these songs are simple and plain in their message, with the band being as clear as possible for an unbelieving audience. In fact, most of the tracks are evangelistic in nature. "Walkin' in the Light" calls out the listener's need for Jesus: "I wish you could see all the love you need." Meanwhile, "Wake Up" gets into their face about the cold reality of sin. Jam song "Backslidin' Blues" follows it up with the singer expressing woe over his wayward life. Other tracks are gentler in their approach. "Gonna Fly Away" focuses on the reward of heaven for the believer while "Parting Thought" is the perfect, simple altar call track to invite the listener one last time to Jesus.

Given Petra's illustrious career and future influence, it would be easy to look at their self-titled debut and think it an ignominious beginning. However, for all of its musical messiness, trite lyrics, and questionable vocals, it carries a raw intensity and charm to it. Here are four college kids who just want to tell the world about Jesus and they're doing it as passionately as they know how with musical styles they love. It's pure evangelism at its heart and for that it's rather charming. Granted, the group will go on to hone its style, perfect its strategy, and improve the vocal and lyrical quality, but, for all its flaws, Petra's self-titled record is a great jam album worth listening to when you're in a mood that doesn't mind its weaknesses.

- Review date: 6/7/22, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!

 


. Record Label: Myrrh Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 34 minutes
. Street Date: 1974
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Walkin' in the Light (3:16)
  2. Mountains and Valleys (2:48)
  3. Lucas McGraw (3:24)
  4. Wake Up (3:40)
  5. Back Sliding Blues (4:29)
  6. Get Back to the Bible (2:23)
  7. Gonna Fly Away (4:55)
  8. I'm Not Ashamed (3:01)
  9. Storm Comin' (4:30)
  10. Parting Thought (1:31)
spacer     Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics
    Click For Song Lyrics

 

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!

Search JFH




This Thursday, September 12, 2024
ALBUMS
Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors Strangers No More Volume Two [Tone Tree]

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Hide Anymore / Devil In My Eyes - Double Single [Dualtone]

This Friday, September 13, 2024
ALBUMS
Yolanda Adams Sunny Days [Epic]
Alert312 The Lord Is (Our Evening) Beauty [Reimagined] [Streetlights]
Childlike CiCi It's Time - EP [Capitol CMG]
Amy Grant and Vince Gill When I Think of Christmas [MCA Nashville]
Travis Cottrell Hymnal: One (independent)
Hulvey Cry [Reach]
iNTELLECT Revolution [Polished Arrow Music]
Lofi Sunday Where the Sun Sets [Reach Records]
Mark Lowry There Is Hope [Gaither]
Passion Kids Worship Sing Praise [SixSteps/Capitol]
Stryper When We Were Kings [Frontiers]
Unspoken IV [Centricity]
Taelor Gray & Peace 586 Let the Church Say Amen (independent)
Tim Timberlake, Greg Cox, Kenneth Whalum MOVING MOMENTS, VOL. 1 - EP [Tribl]
Luke Wareham Christ is Lord - EP (independent)
Darlene Zschech Testament (EP 2) [Integrity]

SINGLES
’68 Intergalactic - Single [Pure Noise Records]
Altarheart Save Our Souls - Single (independent)
Ashes Remain Don't Let Go - Single [BEC]
August Burns Red Exhumed - Single (independent)
Luke Barbosa Kiss & Pray - Single (independent)
Kayla Berry Who You Are To Me - Single (independent)
The Blamed Pride Kills / Best Friend - Single (independent)
Chad Bushnell Imperfect Prayer - Single (independent)
Chad Cory, Zacardi Cortez My First Love - Single [DREAM]
Chainstay Take the Caseyville Exit - Single [Small Step Records]
Church of the City Who is Like You - Single (independent)
Colorvault & Alex Taylor Maybe Maybe Maybe - Single (independent)
Daniel Hardin & Lane Marie Triple Crown - Single (independent)
Paul Demer If The Lord Had Not Been On Our Side (Psalm 124) - Single (independent)
Earth Groans Bones of Winter - Single (independent)
Ryan Ellis Holy Place - Single [Provident]
Glae Lizard - Single [Broken Curfew Records]
The Gray Havens The Magic - Single [Blue Flower]
homage revelation song - Single [Integrity]
ICF Worship Lobe den Herrn (Seele sing) - Single [Integrity]
Ic3rd GOD FIRST (ft. Mission & DeandreGODsaves) - Single [Syntax]
John Mark Pantana & Lovkn Never Felt This Before - Single (independent)
The Kingsmen The Judgement - Single [Horizon]
Sarah Kroger Galaxies - Single [Integrity]
Tenielle Neda King of Grace (feat. Joshua Leventhal) - Single (independent)
Blessing Offor Jordans - Single [Capitol CMG]
The Rocket Summer Way Out - Single (independent)
Sidewalk Prophets Unbelievable - Single [Curb]
Sixpence None the Richer Julia - Single [Flatiron]
Sleeping At Last Heal - Single (independent)
TAKE Heaven or Hell - Single [Resuscitation Records]
Tigerwine Wax Magnetic - Single (independent)
TKE3 SALVATION - Single (independent)
Tunnel Rats Tell It - Single (independent)
Megan Woods The Truth (Strings Version) - Single [Fair Trade]
Zippy & OnBeatMusic Who Am I? - Single [Syntax]

VINYL
Stryper When We Were Kings Vinyl [Frontiers]

DVD
Mark Lowry There Is Hope [Gaither]

Next Friday, September 20, 2024
ALBUMS
Alex Henry Foster A Measure Of Shape And Sounds [Hopeful Tragedy]
Homeplate Thanks For Visiting - EP [Small Step]
Perpetual Legacy Teodrama [En Hakkore]
The Rocket Summer The Early Years - 25 Year Anniversary Edition (independent)

SINGLES
Sam Bowman Oh Wonder - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast & Elijah Thomas Can't Get Enough - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Album From Millennial Reign!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images