Album Info
Petra is the first studio album by the Christian rock band of the same name. It was released in 1974.
Petra's unique blend of style and message attracted the attention of the newly created Myrrh Records' Paul Craig Paino, who convinced the label's founder, Billy Ray Hearn, to attend one of the band's concerts at The Adam's Apple. Hearn signed Petra in 1973 to record its debut album, which Hearn produced. Hearn later said he knew Petra was "the most radical thing around ... as far out as anything that had come out until that time."
The album features a style bordering between country and Southern rock somewhat similar to The Eagles or Lynyrd Skynyrd, which was the band's trademark during its first years.
The band's debut is more raw than later Petra albums, lacking the refined production values of future releases. It was recorded on a limited budget of $1,000 during the span of two weeks. Nevertheless, this first record displays remarkable guitar technique with many dual guitar solos reminiscent of the Allman Brothers, Wishbone Ash, Thin Lizzy, and other bands from the period who employed harmony leads.
Unlike later Petra albums, the band's first release doesn't rely on a separate lead singer. Instead, the lead vocal duties are shared by guitarists Bob Hartman and Greg Hough. Featuring "tight, Allman Brothers-type dual guitar lines and riffs", Petra also featured the comical country tune "Lucas McGraw," which became something of a cult classic, and the seminal "Backslidin' Blues," the first contemporary Christian blues song put on vinyl. The rarity of being a Christian rock band led to larger concerts and greater popularity, and Myrrh asked Petra to record a second album aimed principally at non-Christians, reflecting the evangelistic nature of the band's shows.
The album was originally released in 1974 on Myrrh Records and reissued several times as well as on CD in 1992 by Word Records.
Greg Hough (GHD, GHF) - Lead Vocals/Guitar
John DeGroff (Cosmonaut Bob, GHF) - Bass
Bill Glover (GHD, GHF, Simon Peter) - Drums/Percussion
Petra's unique blend of style and message attracted the attention of the newly created Myrrh Records' Paul Craig Paino, who convinced the label's founder, Billy Ray Hearn, to attend one of the band's concerts at The Adam's Apple. Hearn signed Petra in 1973 to record its debut album, which Hearn produced. Hearn later said he knew Petra was "the most radical thing around ... as far out as anything that had come out until that time."
The album features a style bordering between country and Southern rock somewhat similar to The Eagles or Lynyrd Skynyrd, which was the band's trademark during its first years.
The band's debut is more raw than later Petra albums, lacking the refined production values of future releases. It was recorded on a limited budget of $1,000 during the span of two weeks. Nevertheless, this first record displays remarkable guitar technique with many dual guitar solos reminiscent of the Allman Brothers, Wishbone Ash, Thin Lizzy, and other bands from the period who employed harmony leads.
Unlike later Petra albums, the band's first release doesn't rely on a separate lead singer. Instead, the lead vocal duties are shared by guitarists Bob Hartman and Greg Hough. Featuring "tight, Allman Brothers-type dual guitar lines and riffs", Petra also featured the comical country tune "Lucas McGraw," which became something of a cult classic, and the seminal "Backslidin' Blues," the first contemporary Christian blues song put on vinyl. The rarity of being a Christian rock band led to larger concerts and greater popularity, and Myrrh asked Petra to record a second album aimed principally at non-Christians, reflecting the evangelistic nature of the band's shows.
The album was originally released in 1974 on Myrrh Records and reissued several times as well as on CD in 1992 by Word Records.
Lineup
Bob Hartman (Classic Petra, II Guys From Petra) - Lead Vocals/GuitarGreg Hough (GHD, GHF) - Lead Vocals/Guitar
John DeGroff (Cosmonaut Bob, GHF) - Bass
Bill Glover (GHD, GHF, Simon Peter) - Drums/Percussion
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