Petra - Petra (CD) 1974 Word

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$46.00
  • 1974 Word
  • Pre-Owned CD in VG++ Condition

This is Petra's very first album. It was/is pre-Greg X. Volz. 

Christian rock pioneers Petra released their self-titled debut album in 1974 during the height of the 'Jesus Movement' generating plenty of controversy because of the terms 'Christian' and 'rock'. Vocal duties were shared by guitarist/founder Bob Hartman and second guitarist Greg Hough. Both Hartman and Hough trade off and harmonize with some stelth dual guitar leads. The rhythm section of bassist John DeGroff and drummer Bill Glover also flex some strong musical muscles.

Musically, Petra's first album is along the same lines as many of the popular mainstream acts of the era. "Walkin' In The Light" and "Get Back To The Bible" are both straight forward rockers in the style of early Kiss. "I'm Not Ashamed" has a definite Allman Brothers style to it. "Gonna Fly Away", "Storm Comin'" and "Wake Up" have elements of the Tom Johnston-era Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and REO Speedwagon. The folkish-ballads "Mountains and Valleys" and "Parting Thought" are in the typical Jesus Rock style with acoustic guitars and gentle melodies. A real standout on this album is the humorous bluegrass novelty song "Lucas McGraw" complete with banjos, mandolins and high-pitched vocal harmonies. The lyrics tell the story of a hillbilly who has found Jesus. People who know Lucas start to notice his radical change and begin wondering if perhaps God really does exsist. The other standout is the excellent "Backslidin' Blues" which is probably the very first Christian blues song ever. Both Hartman and Hough display some great guitar work here while its lyrics deal with struggling to stay afloat spiritually.

While Petra's first album didn't get a whole lot of attention back in 1974, it has since become a Christian Rock classic. If it weren't for this album and what Petra continued to do in the coming years, there's no doubt in my mind that Contemporary Christian Music as we all know it today would be quite different. This is where it all started for Petra and this is where CCM began to take shape. A pioneering album, definitely.

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