JFH News: Girder Music Announces New Petra Mega Bundle of First Two Albums Remastered on CD and Vinyl

Girder Music Announces New Petra Mega Bundle of First Two Albums Remastered on CD and Vinyl

Limited to 100 bundles

Pre-orders launch Friday, April 5th

NEWS SOURCE: Girder Music
April 4, 2024

Girder Music presents fully remastered audio on both CD and 180 gram color vinyl of the first two Petra albums, 1974 and Come and Join Us.

It took Girder years working with Word|Curb records to make these releases happen, but they did it.

Coming on CD and Vinyl
Fully Remastered Audio
Official Word|Curb and Girder Music Collaboration
First Two Petra Albums
Originally Released in 1974 &1977
Yellow and Burgundy Vinyl
Girder Music Presents Hype Sticker on Vinyl and CD

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 change that mindset for us Christian rocker, 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 collections, but you must put them on and play them and 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.

Petra - Petra 1974

Petra (Self-Titled Debut Album, 1974):
Petra's debut album, released on Myrrh Records in 1974, coincided with the period when Bob Hartman, Greg Hough, Bill Glover, and John DeGroff were shaping their signature raw, guitar-driven rock-n-roll sound infused with the spirit of rural America. Tracks like 'Walkin' In The Light', 'Wake Up', and 'Get Back To The Bible' resonate with energy, propelled by electrifying leads. Notable is the inclusion of the classic slow blues rocker 'Back Sliding Blues'. While a couple of tracks rock hard, the hillbilly bluegrass diversion 'Lucas McGraw' has become a fan favorite. The back cover boldly declares "Petra is... Rock - massive - with spiritual overtones", signaling the beginning of a legendary musical journey. If you missed this album, this is the moment you add this to you collection because now fifty years later, this album still sounds amazing. Classic rock at its best.

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 SLIDIN’ BLUES (4:30)
6. GET BACK TO THE BIBLE (2:21)
7. GONNA’ FLY AWAY (4:55)
8. I’M NOT ASHAMED (3:02)
9. STORM COMIN’ (4:31)
10. PARTING THOUGHT (1:32)

Petra - Come and Join Us

Come and Join Us (Second Album, 1977):
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.

1. GOD GAVE ROCK AND ROLL TO YOU 5:37
2. HOLY GHOST POWER 2:27
3. WOMAN DON’T YOU KNOW 3:41
4. SALLY 4:26
5. COME AND JOIN US 4:39
6. WHERE CAN I GO 3:52
7. WITHOUT YOUIWOULDSURELY DIE4:27
8. ASK HIM IN 3:31
9. GODGAVEROCKANDROLLTOYOU(REPRISE) 2:50

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For more info on Petra, visit the JFH Artists Database.