Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music on Amazon!

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)

Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

 


. 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)

 

 

                 
Listen to the debut EP from the band Hopeful.!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, March 26, 2024
ALBUMS
Brandon Lake Apple Music Nashville Sessions - EP [Provident]

This Thursday, March 28, 2024
ALBUMS
David And Nicole Binion The Revelation Of Jesus - EP [Integrity]
The Rocky Valentines Erase [Velvet Blue/Tooth & Nail]

This Friday, March 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Grungepunks The Fall Blues EP [Charon Collective]
Meadows Familiar with Pain [Facedown]

SINGLES
Joe L. Barnes Altar - Single [RCAI]
iNTELLECT It Ain’t My Fault - Single [Polished Arrow]
Spoken Worth Holy Week - Double Single (independent)
Gileah Taylor Summer Jubilee - Single [Velvet Blue]

VINYL
Battlecross Pursuit of Honor (Blood Moon Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross Rise To Power (Silver Bullet Power Vinyl) [Back Breaker]
Battlecross War of Will (Amber Wave Vinyl) [Back Breaker]

Next Friday, April 5, 2024
ALBUMS
EmanuelDaProphet Fab5 [Capitol CMG]
Me'Kayla Prelude - EP [Motown Gospel/Capitol CMG]
We Are Messengers Where the Joy is [Curb]


For all release dates, click here!
 



Listen to the new album from Hope Beyond Suffering!




Listen to the new Album From Tim Juillet!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images