The audio has undergone a complete remastering, achieved through an official collaboration between Word Curb and Girder Music. Originally released in 1974, Petra's first album comes in a Burgundy Vinyl, 180 gram, audiophile pressing, Girder Music presents a hype sticker and 2-sided insert with lyrics and is part of a limited run vinyl series and is now a collectors dream. 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, guitardriven 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 it's best. The provocateurs of Jesus Rock have enjoyed a long and fruitful career, spanning from 1974 to present, possibly the most consistent and prominent act to record/tour for a five-decade career. The early years of Petra find them in a more guitar-driven and stripped down 70s rock sound in the vein of their contemporaries The Allman Brothers and Cream. Bob Hartman plays very tasty guitar on their debut, arguably his best soloing on titles such as "I Am Not Ashamed," "Storm Comin'" and "Get Back to the Bible." The song structure on "Wake Up" take the listener back to early Santana in it's rock fusion textures. And of course, the highly notable "Backslider Blues," serves as an early example of blues rock in true form.
- 1. Walkin' in the Light
- 2. Mountains and Valleys
- 3. Lucas McGraw
- 4. Wake Up
- 5. Back Slidin' Blues
- 6. Get Back to the Bible
- 7. Gonna' Fly Away
- 8. I'm Not Ashamed
- 9. Storm Comin'
- 10. Parting Thought