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| Very few artists in the relatively short history of contemporary Christian music have developed the unique blend of commercial viability and ministerial integrity that results in over seven million records sold, dozens of awards from both the Christian and mainstream music industries and the ultimate badge of respect�induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame�the only Christian rock band so honored�Petra,is a legend. Fewer still have displayed the vision, determination and stamina to negotiate personnel changes, record label changes and touring climate changes, while watching the Christian music industry go through numerous stylistic cycles upheavals in the process. �Petra,� says lead singer John Schlitt, �is a survivor.� Keeping with its pioneering reputation, Petra released the progenitor of all contemporary worship albums, Petra Praise: The Rock Cries Out in 1989; and its sequel, Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus, in 1997. Both albums remain audience favorites among the band�s 19 studio albums (both have, in fact, sold half-a-million copies). So when it came time to consider the next phase of Petra�s ministry, John says the direction for 2001 was obvious�it was time for Revival. �In our hearts,� says John, �we�ve always been worshippers. If you look at Petra�s music, even back to the earliest albums, our lyrics have always addressed a very intimate relationship with God and have often been scripture based�two things that are at the core of what people now call �modern worship.� So for us as a band, Revival is both an appropriate title and indicative of our musical approach. Like so many other times in Petra�s history, we�ve been forced to reassess who we are; to combine those elements that distinguish Petra with a desire to constantly evolve and grow as believers and musicians.� Although sure of Petra�s purpose, group founder Bob Hartman admits he wondered if there was a record company that would believe in Petra�s relevance to a youth dominated musical culture. Bob says as the band considered its options, it was approached by inpop Records. �Peter [Furler] and Wes [Campbell] realized there was a lot of goodwill surrounding the name of Petra and that this band was capable of making a great record and ought to have that chance again.� Campbell set Revival in motion by contacting Dwayne Larring and Jason Halbert, who both produced and were members of Sonicflood. �I thought Wes was kidding,� admits Dwayne. �Then he laid out the concept of doing a modern worship album, which was appropriate, since Petra was really a groundbreaker in that area; in fact, the first Petra album I heard was Petra Praise One. Jason has been a huge fan of Petra for years�John Schlitt sang at his wedding! And a lot of people don�t realize the main models for Sonicflood were the Petra Praise albums. So when we discussed producing Petra, I think our first response was �we�re not worthy!� Frankly, as relatively new producers, we thought it might be a risk. Would people think we were crazy? But we believe with all our hearts in this project and we wanted to honor this band for helping make a way for the rest of us.� Both John and Bob affirm that the Revival sessions were bathed in mutual respect. �There was never any feeling of �what can these young guys show us?�� Bob insists. �There was a lot of respect from the beginning, not only them having those feelings for us, but us looking at what they�ve accomplished over the past four years in the area of worship.� John adds simply, �The combination of Petra�s experience and their creative production ideas was a very cool one-two punch.� Dwayne emphasizes that Revival is not so much a reinvention of Petra as it is an integration of all that distinguishes Petra�the vocals of John Schlitt; the drumming of Louie Weaver and the guitar of Bob Hartman�into an entirely new context. �With John, he often sings in a lower register that you�ve never heard before, but then we let him go where you get the payoff of that great voice. Bob experimented with some new guitar sounds and techniques and Louie�he tore it up in the studio! No one could remember him playing with as much drive or passion in a long time.� Unlike the Petra Praise albums, which feature a mix of hymns, praise choruses and Bob Hartman originals, Revival heavily relies on recently written material, some of it likely unfamiliar to listeners. Matt Redman is responsible for the bold new title track and the explosive �Better is One Day;� while modern worship favorites such as �We Want to See Jesus Lifted High,� �Jesus, Friend of Sinners� and �The Noise We Make� get the trademark Petra treatment, and the band also unveils songs such as �Meet With Me,� �How Long� and �Oasis.� �We wanted Petra to be on the leading edge of introducing audiences to some great new worship songs,� Dwayne explains, while John adds, �It was such a pleasure to interpret these songs that have started to become worship standards and to introduce some brand new songs. I�m not concerned that they�re not �Petra� songs. The thing that was most important to us on this record is that we create a great worship experience for the listener. I think it�s a blast to worship to rock and roll.� |
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